Kenwood VRS-N8100 Audio/Video Control Center with Network Function Review

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(More customer reviews)After 7 years with my old Kenwood 1080VR, I was in the market for a new receiver to take me through the next several years of technology. This VRS-N8100 Networked receiver does just that. Its all digital processing delivers amazing sound and the ability to stream media files from your PC or home network is a great addition.
PROS:
- Sound performance is great, while auto-detecting all the major surround audio signals
- Network capabilities ... allows you to take advantage of your PC media files without the need for a media hub
- Extremely easy on-screen setup process!!!
- 4 digital audio inputs (2 opt, 2 coax) are completely assignable via the on-screen setup
- Composite, S-video, and component video ins and outs ... HDTV ready
- Fully 7.1 compatible with LB and RB pre-outs (Surr Back speaker outs)
- Slim attractive design
- Many gaming and headphone options to enhance game play
CONS:
- Could always have more inputs, but the slim design limits space. I had plenty for my setup, but it is fewer than other high end models.
- I didn't see this one coming ... but the remote now controls both the old 1080VR (which is powering speakers in other rooms) and the VRS-N8100 simultaneously. I don't know if there is a way around this.
In all, you will be happy with this receiver. Just with my 5.1 setup and Dolby Digital movie, I could tell a substantial difference in sound quality over the 1080VR Dolby Digital. Maybe it's the ease that you can adjust the speaker settings or the state of the art digital processing. But what is for sure is that this little receiver packs a lot into its small frame.
I highly recommend the VRS-N8100 as a truly future-ready receiver, already!

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The digital age has brought new forms of entertainment to your computer screen, but it certainly has not overshadowed the surround sound home theater experience. The Kenwood VRS-N8100 Audio/Video Control Center with Network Function seamlessly merges your entertainment system with your home computer. The rear-panel Ethernet connector lets you stream audio and video files from your computer to your home theater system. With the VRS-N8100, your entire family can enjoy the multimedia digital files stored on your computer through the sound quality of your home entertainment system.
Kenwood has thought of all the possibilities with this control center. Plug a game console into the front-panel game audio/video input (complete with a digital audio connection) and the VRS-N8100 will detect when you turn on the game console, and automatically select that input and the proper surround sound processing. The Single Zone Dual Source function lets you listen to your game's sound through headphones, while the rest of the family can enjoy music through speakers. Plus, this function features Dolby headphone processing that creates a totally out-of-the-box 5.1-channel surround sound effect through any pair of ordinary stereo headphones, so you won't have to sacrifice sound quality to play your favorite games. And the included universal pre-programmed remote control is ready to go with Xbox and PlayStation2 codes. With the Kenwood Control Center, your family can quit fighting over the home theater, and everyone can enjoy the system at the same time.
Of course, the control center is also a great general receiver with plenty of inputs for a wide array of components. When you watch movies, the VRS-N8100 puts you right in the middle of the action with Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES 96/24 surround sound, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx transforms ordinary two-channel stereo music sources -- CDs, cassette tapes, and radio -- into a 6.1-channel surround sound experience. The PurePath digital power amplifier delivers 130 watts to each of six channels, so your games, movies, and music will really rock the house. And with the ADI SHARC 32-bit DSP processor, high-resolution digital volume control, and rigid chassis construction rounding out the VRS-N8100's features, you can rest assured that this control center will deliver accurate performance at all signal levels.
What's in the Box VRS-N8100 control center, remote control, and user's manual

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Sonos ZP100 Digital Music System Bundle (BU101) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had been wanting to install a whole house audio system long before I even had a house. When I was a kid, I dreamed of being able to go from room to room and have my music follow me. Back then I envisioned a CD changer hooked up to all my speakers and listening to a selection of my favorite CDs. If I only could have dreamed bigger, I would have thought of the Sonos system.
I got an iPod three years ago and it was great to rediscover songs/CDs/artists that I hadn't listened to in awhile due to (1) the volume of my collection and (2) not having the ability to manipulate songs across the collection easily until the advent of mp3 playlists. But the iPod changed that. I loaded all of my CDs on an external hard drive, synched my iPod, and had all of my songs in a handheld device no bigger than my wallet. Or so I thought.
Turns out, I had too much music to fit on one iPod. So it was great to have *most* of my favorite music on the iPod so I could easily take it in the car or listen to on a single system within my house, but I still wanted access to all my songs and the single iPod couldn't pump music throughout the whole house without some costly wiring expenses. And along comes the Sonos system...
I had first read about the product nearly a year ago and it had gotten rave reviews wherever I looked. Thinking it was out of my price range though, I never really considered purchasing it. However, I then began to research different alternatives. The more I price compared a total solution (ie: running speaker wire throughout an existing house, a central media manager so I could run different and/or the same feed(s) to different rooms, and a remote to control it all), the more attractive the Sonos system became. Given all of the extra costs with a different system (not to mention the inevitable set up frustration), I was convinced that the Sonos system was my answer. But could this finally be IT or was I going to be let down by something that seemed to be soooo good, it almost seemed overhyped?
Without question, the answer is yes, this...is...IT. It is honestly the easiest computer interface/setup I have ever used. Connect a ZonePlayer to your router, press a couple of buttons, and follow the on screen prompts. Then follow a similar procedure to connect the remote (Sonos Controller). Another ZonePlayer in another room set up via the Controller (quicker than the 1st), and you're good to go. The remote controls up to 32 ZonePlayers (ie-rooms) so it should satisfy anyone's needs if you want to expand (and you'll want to!).
After 15 minutes, you'll be listening to Bach in the Basement, Frampton in the Family Room, and Sinatra in the bedroom. Or listen to the same thing all over the house. And the best part? There are NO buffering issues in this wireless music system. How'd they do it? I don't know, but it really does work.
Another important feature that is often downplayed but nearly equally cool, is the RCA input on each ZonePlayer. This allows you to connect an external source and send it throughout the rest of the system. So you can connect a tuner to one of the ZonePlayers, and then send your favorite radio station to the rest of your house. Connect another to a TV and send the TV's audio throughout the house. What for, you ask? I agree, I won't be using it for regular shows, but it should be great for sports and being able to keep up with the game when I run outside. To make that happen...
I'm hoping to add another ZonePlayer outside in the Spring so I can go from the upstairs to the main floor to the basement and even outside, all the while listening to the same song throughout the journey. I'm really looking forward to the good weather!
So as you can see, I just can't praise this product enough. For those of you who think it's expensive, compare it to a full solution like I did. If you have a large CD/mp3 collection and an imperfect listening solution, this is the one product that can tie it all together easily and achieve that sonic nirvana you've been searching for.

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If you're looking for a simple, powerful, and stylish way to play your favorite music all over the house, look no further than the Sonos ZP100 digital music system bundle, which includes everything you need to set up the audio system of your dreams. The system gets you started with two Sonos ZonePlayer 100s (ZP100s, for short) and a Sonos controller, enough equipment to cover two rooms with full digital music access. When you're ready to expand your wireless, multi-room digital music system, simply add more ZonePlayers and controllers as needed.
Watch a demo of the Sonos Digital Music System. it in action [Flash]

The ZonePlayer 100 The ZP100 brings great-sounding music to any and every room in your house, regardless of where your music collection is stored. That's because the ZP100, with its built-in amplifier, communicates wirelessly with your PC or Mac and sends the music directly to any connected pair of speakers. You can even play the same song in different rooms or different songs in different rooms.

With 50 watts per channel of power and a guaranteed total harmonic distortion of less than 0.02 percent, you can count on superior audio quality playback--without hisses, crackles, or hums. The first ZP100 connects to your broadband router, but you have total freedom with each additional ZonePlayer. You can put one in the basement, garage, kitchen, and anywhere else, as long as you also connect a pair of speakers. You can even connect the ZP100 to your favorite CD or MP3 player and listen to that music on all the other ZonePlayers in your house. Connectivity is easy, as the ZP100 features spring binding post speaker terminals, RCA-type line-in and line-out jacks, and a subwoofer out jack.

Simply put, the ZP100 is ready for any setup you have, large or small. You can even match the ZP100 with a pair of Sonos' very own SP100 loudspeakers, which are aesthetically and acoustically designed to complement your Sonos digital music system.

Sonos in Depth The ZP100 is just one part of a complete Sonos digital music system. To make your system complete, you'll need access the Sonos controller (included in the bundle). The wireless Sonos controller gives you instant control over your entire digital music collection, along with Internet radio, subscriptions to online audio services, and even music from your favorite CD or MP3 player. You can turn off the upstairs music while you're downstairs. You can change the song in the kitchen from the den. Plus, the controller's full-color 3.5-inch screen lets you see album art, browse playlists, get detailed track info, and more. To start listening, just pick a room, pick a song, and hit play. The controller even lets you queue the right tunes for the right moment; you can build, edit, and save playlists right from the palm of your hand.

The system supports up to 32 Sonos ZonePlayers throughout your home--from the bedroom to the backyard. Expansion options include additional ZP100s, or you can choose the ZP80, which doesn't have a built-in amplifier but instead connects directly to your home theater or stereo systems. Or better yet, choose both for the ultimate in multi-room music. You can also add more Sonos controllers to give more people access to your music library.

Sonos Setup You don't need to be a professional installer to set up a Sonos system, or a technical wizard to use it. Sonos was designed to work right out of the box. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection and a router to get started. Then, unpack your components, lay them out in your home, and the result will be music to your ears.

Software Sonos offers desktop software for PCs and Macs that's as simple to use as the Sonos controller. Designed with a user interface that accommodates a larger screen, the Sonos Desktop Controller software guides you through both setup and music sharing. It offers the exact same functionality as the Sonos controller, but instead of being in the palm of your hand, it's all on your desktop. You can also use it to set up music folders on your hard drive or to add and edit Internet radio stations.

The ZP100 measures 10.2 by 4.4 by 8.2 inches (W x H x D) while the Sonos controller checks in at 6.5 by 0.95 by 3.8 inches. The entire bundle is backed by a one-year warranty.

Rhapsody and Sonos Now you can hear more music, in more rooms with Sonos and Rhapsody, the #1-Rated Digital Music Service. Sonos connects directly to Rhapsody via the Web, so you don't have to download an application or even turn your PC on. Instead, all that music (millions of songs + ad-free radio) is instantly accessible from the palm of your hand-to play in any room you choose.
With the Sonos Controller you can browse the entire Rhapsody Music Guide, everything from Top Artists, Albums and Tracks to New Releases and editorial recommendations. You can even view track information and album art. And whenever a new song is released, it's in your hands and ready to play-in the bedroom, bathroom or backyard. Rhapsody features Instant, plug-and-play access to millions of songs and ad-free radio on your Sonos system
Discover new music right from your Controller-browse by genre or check out the charts, then build your own library of favorites and create custom playlists
Get album and playlist recommendations based upon the songs and artists you've chosen.
Over 100 professionally-programmed commercial-free radio stations spanning dozens of formats
Customized radio stations based on your favorite artists

Free Rhapsody 30-day trial The minute you took your new Sonos® system out of the box or updated your software to Sonos v2.0, your free 30-day Rhapsody® Trial was ready to go. Now, it's your turn to start listening to all those songs, all over your house.
Simply pick up your Sonos Controller, hit the music button and you'll see the Rhapsody Trial. Now select the Rhapsody Music Guide and browse for your favorite artists, albums, genres, and more.

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Sonos BU130 Digital Music System Bundle Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the absolute best digital jukebox out there, period. As an added bonus, it's flexible, scalable, multizone, wireless... and systems costing twenty times as much do not even come close the ease of use: Sonos currently has the highest Wife Acceptance Factor of any techno-gadget out there, only equaled by TiVo.
Although some amount of technical savvy is required for the initial setup, anybody can pick up the beautiful remote and immediately figure out how to use it (it's a bit like an iPod).
This bundle contains the wireless controller and its charger (but no charging cradle, more on this later), a ZP80 and a ZP100. The main difference between the two zone players is the ZP100 has a built-in amplifier so you can hook up speakers directly to it, whereas the ZP80 doesn't but it offers digital output (coax and optical) which the ZP100 lacks. Both zone players feature an analog input (you could use it for a TV or a satellite radio receiver, for instance) as well as analog line output. It's the perfect starter kit for a two-zone system; you can always add more controllers and zone players later as needed, and seamlessly integrate them into your system.
Sonos has been relentlessly adding features since its initial release: Rhapsody, Pandora, Napster, Sirius Satellite Radio (no antenna needed, you get the feed over the internet). Reliability has been exemplary.
The price may seem a little steep for a music system, but the nearest competitor (Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System) is nowhere near as fully featured (no amplifier, no audio input, no Sirius) and doesn't cost much less for a two zone system. It also seems to be a lot more complicated to setup and use, but I must admit not having any first-hand experience with it.
The only blemish on the Sonos is that they sell the charging cradle separately for a ridiculous amount of money (it's just a dumb piece of plastic) when it's an indispensable part of the system. Considering the fairly high price of the system, I fail to see the rationale behind excluding it from the bundle... It must be the brainchild of some marketing moron. Other than this minor but irritating point... This is just the most enjoyable, reliable, easiest to use system out there.
This NAS box is a perfect complement to your Sonos system and will host the music files so you can turn off your computer and keep the music going: D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure
The infamous cradle (don't forget to order it): Sonos CC100 Charging Cradle for Sonos CR100 Controller
Edit: the Logitech Squeezebox Duet now supports Sirius.
[Edit August 2008] Sonos released new ZonePlayers, ZP90 and ZP120, part of the new BU150 bundle which replaces the BU130. Don't buy the now obsolete BU130 bundle unless you can get it at a significant discount over the BU150.

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Sonos BU130

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Soundcast ICO-411 Outcast (Grey) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was skeptical at spending this type of $$$ for speakers but I was looking for something I could use in multiple venues, wireless and had good sound quality. The Outcast out-performed my expectations and is worth every dollar. I justified spending the $$$ by realizing that I would not need to purchase an amplifier and install speakers in the Patio area or garage and just saving time in the install was reason enough. Plus, this system works flawlessly with my iPOD as I can goto the previous or next song from the unit at a distance of > 350'. The sound quality has remained constantly impressive even while I use this piece in my garage which is >100' away from the transmitter (Included). I have not tested the 350 avertised range but have not needed to go this far. Also, the battery life is excellent. I have not tested the 10 hour advertised rate, but have used the Outcast at a loud level poolside for ~7 hours without any fade to volume or sound quality. This product is the best on the market and should be at $700 but more importantly, these guys got it right when it comes to wireless quality.

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OutCast is an all weather outdoor speaker system designed to provide high performance full range music in the yard or patio. It features an 8” downward firing woofer, four 3” high frequency drivers in an omni-directional array, a 100 watt digital amplifier and the Soundcast receiver. The OutCast is made of water resistant plastic and is designed to operate for up to 10 hours on the built-in, rechargeable battery pack. It has an internal AC power supply that can recharge the NiMH battery pack and operate the OutCast at the same time.As with SpeakerCast, the initial version of OutCast will include the iCast transmitter and be oriented to iPod users. This version of OutCast also has buttons for pause/play and track forward/track back for remote iPod operation. All OutCasts have controls for volume, on/off, and mood lighting. There is also an input jack for direct connection of an MP3 player, which should very useful during social gatherings when guests might wish to play music from their personal players.

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Wolverine ESP 120 GB Portable Multimedia Storage Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent a while trying to find a multimedia device that could read multiple types of flash memory cards (Compact flash cards, SD cards), read the raw files from my Canon EOS 5D camera and have at least 80 GB storage.
This device met all those requirements and also has a big vivid screen. In addition to the above, it is an mp3 player, video player and has an FM radio.
I have the 100 GB version that I purchased from costco for $ 350. I took this along on a long trip (3 weeks), along with a couple of spare batteries.
It performed wonderfully. I downloaded the pictures from my 2 GB compact flash cards at least 15 times. It stored all my RAW files without a hitch. It could also read the raw files generated from my camera and display it. The download speed was very fast.
The Canon EOS 5D generates large files at it highest resolution and fills up my 2 GB compact flash cards quickly. It is too impractical and expensive to carry too many compact flash cards. This device really helps to bridge this gap.
It also has a tetris game, music and video capability in it, to keep my kids happy during long drives.
Highly recommended for digital photographers and also for people looking for a verstile multi media device that can do more than the ipod.

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Designed specifically for busy professional and amateur digital photographers, the Wolverine ESP portable multimedia storage device lets you store and view thousands of photos, songs, and video files in a single convenient device. Digital photographers typically have to purchase multiple memory cards if they want to take a ton of photos while traveling. With the ESP, however, you need only a single card, as the unit's 120 GB hard drive stores the rest. When your camera's memory card is full, simply pop it in the Wolverine ESP's built-in 7-in-1 card reader. With the press of a button, the device transfers all of your photos and digital camera video data into a portable, self-powered mass storage unit. Once the contents of your card are safely stored in the ESP's memory, you can re-fill your memory card with brand-new photos--all without going anywhere near a computer. And because the device is battery powered, you can literally save your data anywhere in the world. It's perfect for traveling, sharing data during meetings, and just about any other on-the-go situation.
The ESP also includes a razor-sharp 3.6-inch LCD screen, letting you view stored photos and videos without plugging them back into your camera. Among the compatible photo formats are JPEG, Bitmap, Tiff, Text, and RAW images, while compatible video formats include MPEG-1, MPEG-4, WMV 9, and XviD. And as with many digital cameras, the ESP prints directly to a printer to save time and energy. The device is no slouch from an audio perspective, either, with support for MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, ACC (MP4 audio), and CDA formats. In addition, the unit's drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to transfer music files from your computer and play them instantly. As a final bonus, the ESP includes a built-in FM radio with 18 presets that lets you listen to and record your favorite FM programs.
Other details include zoom, rotate, and slide show functions; an included A/V cable for connecting the ESP directly to any TV, projector, or stereo system; and compatibility with a separately sold cradle system that lets you record directly from a TV, DVD, VCR, camcorder, or other video source. The ESP measures 5.3 by 2.8 by 0.9 inches (W x H x D), weighs 10.2 ounces with the lithium-ion battery, and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the BoxWolverine ESP (with battery), AC charger, USB cable, A/V cable, earphone, carrying case, software CD, user's manual.

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Coby MP3 Player with 4 GB Flash Memory, USB Drive and LCD MP300-4G (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had one just like this with only(!) 2GB only it was a Rixxo Mambo brand. The functionality was identical though the buttons are differently placed. My son broke his (he's not real gentle with stuff) so I gave him mine and bought this. It plays MP3s and WMAs very well. I use it through my car radio (external input on the front) and it sounds beautifully clear and clean. It also plays podcasts very nicely so that when you turn it off then on in the middle of one it picks up exactly where it left off - almost to the syllable. Doubles as a USB drive if you mistreat it as my son did and break a button.
It also claims the ability to delete songs without going to iTunes or WMP on your computer and the ability to jump to different folders according to the well written instructions though I don't use those features since I just want to hear whatever I put on in any old order. Since it is about 1/4-th the cost of the 4GB iPod or Zune I am quite happy with it.
The output connector is at one of the ends so the headphone jack goes in straight with the body. This makes it easy to fit in my pocket when I'm at the gym listening through my big Sennheiser headphones. Next to the headphone jack is a small ring for some thin thread or wire or something so you can attach some holder.
4GB is about 1,000 MP3 tunes for me at 160-192 Kbps, tunes being 2 to 12 minutes long, mostly 3 minutes. That is a lot, and I'm finally getting to hear my 3 star selections instead of the same 500 5-star selections.
I had some trouble with WMP at first not seeing some of the tunes I had loaded from my other computer so I reformatted it as if it were an external drive (which it is) and reloaded everything and then it was fine. Likely a WMP issue.
The connection to the computer is USB 2.0 and it connects like a USB drive - take off one end protector and stick the whole thing in. It also has a USB cable if the angles are wrong for sticking it directly in.

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Archos 5 500 GB Internet Tablet with Android Review

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(More customer reviews)I just got my new Android 5 500GB direct from Archos yesterday and its quite a beauty. I'm upgrading from my old Archos 5 250GB, so that will be my primary point of comparison. I also have the following to compare to: iPod Touch 64GB, Archos 605, Walkman X, Samsung P2, and a host of other MP3 players large and small.
Given that my iPod Touch upgrade this year was less than astounding, I pretty much figured that this upgrade for Archos would be similarly understated. Mainly I just wanted the extra hard drive so I could backup all my laptops onto my music player. I was wrong! The new Android version seems to have a whole new feel both in form factor and the new software. I had heard that Archos was having problems with the software, but they seem to have ironed most of them out as of 1.1 firmware release. I did update my firmware immediately, and the process was quite smooth.
I'm going to rate this player on my absolute scale. I will also be making notes on the value of the upgrade from my old Archos 5. Note: I mostly use this as a media center to play music and video; secondarily as a backup drive.
Let's get to it then, these are the things I love about my new Android:
1) 500GB -- totally awesome amount of disk, I can now put just about every digital file I own on the Archos.
2) Android interface -- the overall feel of the software interface has definitively improved with the integration of Android. Effects are crisper, the esthetics are cleaner, things seem to happen faster. I especially like how easy it is to access the most recently played song or video from the main screen, pops up with a little thumbnail that you tap on and voila, resumes right where you left off!
3) Apps -- with Android we now have access to some serious app selection. Of course, nobody compares to the Apple App Store, but this comes the closest.
4) Weight -- this actually feels lighter to me than my 250GB.
5) Dock/DVR -- this popped right into my old 5 DVR and started playing right away. I still think this is the best DVR/Player combination available of all the MP3 players.
6) Video/Hi Def -- of the players I have owned, this has the best, biggest, and highest resolution screen.
7) Portrait/Landscape -- Archos has borrowed the iPhone trick of rotating the display according to orientation. I guess they have an accelerometer in there now, I dunno. Still, its fun to see this feature on an Archos. Its a lot easier to navigate playlists in portrait mode.
8) Easy and regular firmware updates -- with a WiFi connection, the firmware updates are easily performed on the unit itself. That's the easiest system I've seen of all my players. One thing I've learned about Archos over the years, they will put out a steady stream of firmware updates.
9) WMV/MTP mode-- very smooth interface to Windows for either Media Monkey or Windows Media Player.
10) Dedicated volume button -- power and volume buttons have been conveniently located onto the top edge. This is actually much easier to use when it is docked on the DVR (which is where mine spends most of its life!).
11) Sound quality is quite good, sounds great through my Klipsch speakers and seems to have more oomph than my other players.
12) WiFi/Browser -- has a good browser and WiFi connection has worked well for me. I think the keyboard is better than the Touch's, although Safari is probably the slightly superior browser. The bigger screen also helps for browsing. Overall I'm inclined to give the Archos the top ranking for browsers.
13) I just discovered Twidroid, one of many apps pre-loaded, allows me to check my Twitter in a really nice format -- love it!
14) Portability -- well there's only so much portability that can be expected with a screen and hard drive this large. This new design is smoother and rounder so its a little more comfortable in a pocket. It is very easy to carry around as a handheld device, fits nicely in my hand as I stroll about the house trying out all of the Android Apps! In any case, this is not as portable as a Touch but I think its pretty good for a small computer -- which is basically what this is.
15) No extra plug ins needed (so far!). Always in the past I've laid out another $40 for additional Archos plugins to play iPod format music and other video formats. So far I haven't had to do that -- thank you Archos :)
16) Archos will stand behind their product. I've had to send in a couple of Archos units over the years and they have always been happy to either repair or replace the unit without quibbling about it, as long as its under warranty. Note: it did take two weeks to get my unit back!
17) Multi threading: now I show my engineer/geek side. This baby can do a bunch of different stuff at the same time, unlike the iPhone/Touch which can really only do one thing at a time. The Android can be doing other stuff while you are listening music. I love the little bar on the top that you can pull down and switch to any other task that is running.
18) Built-in kickstand, very nice feature.
19) Stylus friendly touch screen -- sometimes you just get tired of trying to type a touchscreen keyboard with fat fingers! In general, this is one of my favorite touch screens. Most of the other touch screens, including iPod/iPhone, are capacitance which means stylus won't work
20) Micro USB cable plug-in: finally a standardized USB plug and you can have it resting on its kickstand while plugged in :)
Given that the Archos tops the class in several categories, and continues to be the best 500GB 5 inch screen player available I give it about a 4.7 stars out of 5 (round to 5). There are a few things I'm less than thrilled about:
1) Update: I believe you can now format your drive in a Windows friendly format on 1.7.96 version of firmware. External hard drive EXT3 -- as I understand it, Archos changed to the EXT3 hard drive format for reasons of speed and reliability. The result for me is that I can no longer simply select hard drive MSC mode, plug the Archos into a Windows machine and expect to access the drive. You have to install an Ext3 driver such as EXT2 IFS on your Windows PC. Once I did that I was able to access the hard drive and backup files to my hearts content.
2) The playlist interface didn't get much of an upgrade and its still kind of clunky. I want to simply tap my playlist and it starts playing. Often times I have to do a couple of extra taps to get the thing playing.
3) We lost the dedicated play button and removable battery a while back -- but I still miss them both! None of my favorite touch screen players has either of these features. I'm also missing the brown metallic color and the rubbery backside.
4) Finding a case for this baby is no easy trick. You're not going to find one at the local Best Buy I'm afraid. In the past I've resorted to ordering my Archos cases from European companies like I-nique and Noreve. This is generally true of any player that is not an iPod or a Zune.
5) As always with Archos, you must remember that you are dealing with a French based company. This means that they don't always provide the best support/service/upgrades to us Americans.
6) Lets face it, Archos is always playing catch up. Some of the new features aren't fully functional yet. I do have faith that Archos will fix all the little glitches with things like GPS over the course of the next 6 months. The Apps available are currently a bit limited. I expect this will improve over the coming months.
7) Keep in mind that this is not a unit for the faint of heart. This is more for the hobbyist who wants a cutting edge experience that may take some messing around to get it just the way you want it. If you want something easy that requires minimum effort then iPods are going to be more your cup of tea.
For me this is still the best player of its class -- that class being large hard drive, big screen PMP players with other fun features. Android makes for some fun possibilities, and overall I'm impressed with this as an upgrade. Once again, if you don't mind a smaller screen and you love apps I suggest you get an iPod Touch. If what you care about most is sound quality you may want to get a Walkman X. For me those are your top 3 touch screen players, it just depends on what you care about the most.
Note: 10-23-2009; I upgraded to firmware version 1.2.03 which fixes some App, Browser, and YouTube issues. Apps do seem happier now, upgrade process was very smooth. Still happily listening to tunes for about 8 hours a day with no problems :)
Update 11-7-2009: I've been running version 1.2.15 with a host of bug fixes and the unit does seem more stable in general now. Wifi is working better and USB connection seems more reliable.
Update 11-23-2009: Upgrade to firmware v 1.3.07 -- a long list of bug fixes including a few improvements that I had hoped for to control the scanning of multimedia files/ ArcLibrary. Got an AppsLib update which seems to work more reliably. There seem to be a lot more apps available now (300 ish) in AppsLib. Just keeps getting better and better! Still is playing music day in and day out with no problems and I'm backing up 2 laptops worth of files onto my 5 IT.
Update 12-18-2009: I've been on firmware 1.4.16 for over a week now. Lots of little fixes, seems even more stable now.
Update 2-11-2010: Firmware 1.7.33 (Android Donut) upgrade. The upgrade was a bit of work, I ended up reformatting the drive and starting anew. However, power saving seems to work a lot better and I haven't seen it reset itself for quite a while now. This seems to be the most solid release yet!
Update 4-8-2010: Firmware...Read more›

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ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation, now introduces its new ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet. This product combines all the multimedia know-how that ARCHOS is famous for, with the ANDROID operating system. It offers you an uncompromised Internet, Media and TV experience in a customizable interface. In perpetual evolution with the continuous arrival of new applications, you can personalize your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet to perfectly reflect your tastes and needs.


HD Multimedia
Brilliant 5-inch Touchscreen The ARCHOS 5 features an 800 pixel-wide 5-inch touchscreen, an ultra thin design, and an accelerometer for portrait or landscape viewing. Whether enjoying media yourself or sharing with friends, it delivers outstanding image quality.
HD Video Formats Don't compromise--the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet is able to handle the widest range of video formats, even at HD 720p resolution (H.264 HD, MPEG-4 HD, and WMV HD5).
Your Music Everywhere Enjoy more music formats directly on your device (MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, AAC+, FLAC and OGG Vorbis). In addition, the unique ARCHOS music browsing system allows you to create your playlists without using a PC. Who needs a tuner? Just plug your ARCHOS 5 into amplified speakers and you're all set.
Experience Your Photos Browse through your photos with a simple flick of your finger or play a slideshow with music and transition effects. The high resolution screen is great for zooming in on details.
Take It All With a 500 GB Hard Drive, you won't waste time choosing what files to bring along--take your entire media library with you.

Internet
Fast & Convenient Web Surfing The ARCHOS 5 lets you easily surf the Web. With a Wi-Fi connection (802.11 b/g/n) and the new OMAP3440 processor running at 800 MHz, you get quick and responsive Internet browsing just like on a laptop, without the endless waits for page loads. Enjoy the Web in full width thanks to the 800 pixel wide screen, with no need to zoom in or out.
3.5 G Mobile Phone Connection If you own a standard mobile phone equipped with 3.5 G & Bluetooth technology, simply pair it up to your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet via Bluetooth. This will give you easy access to Internet directly on your device anytime and anywhere.
Web TV and Web Radio In less than 3 clicks, you can access nearly 1,000 Web TV channels, over 10,000 Web radio stations, and 100,000 podcasts. There's no downloading wait time. Radio and TV start streaming directly from a worldwide list of traditional and independent radio and TV stations.
Media Club The Media Club remains the easiest way to get video and music content on the go. With an even richer library with new partners and some of the biggest industry names, you'll discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music albums, and games. Buy or rent your entertainment in a couple of clicks and start watching it on your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet.

GPS
Full-Featured GPS Whether you are walking or driving, you will always find your destination with the on-board GPS. The GPS includes voice assistance, points of interest, fast multiple-route calculations, and car/pedestrian/adventure modes based on the latest maps from Tele Atlas with 3D landmarks.
You can go to your account at anytime on the ARCHOS website and purchase the available maps or cities.
3D Photo-Realistic City Navigation Find your way around cities in 3D Photo Realistic mode. With multi-angle views and four zoom levels, you'll be able to recognize places as if you had taken your own photos from the sky. This is ideal when walking and visiting large cities in the US (available Q1 2010).
Free 7-Day Trial Try the GPS for 7 days free of charge.

TV
HD TV-Out With the Optional DVR Station or HDMI Mini Dock Turn your TV into a real web-connected multimedia platform. Enjoy all the ARCHOS functions on the big screen of your living room. Watch your movies in HD (720p), listen to your music, share your high resolution pictures, play games or surf the Web.
Record your favorite programs with the Optional DVR Station With the optional DVR Station, you have the perfect match for your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet at home. Record TV shows and movies in one step using with the included remote control. Then you can enjoy your recording at home on your wide-screen TV or in the palm of your hand when you are out.

Applications

Ready to go with pre-installed applications Enjoy a selection of fun and practical applications for daily use right out of the box:
eBuddy IM: for instant messaging The multi-platform instant messaging application. Chat from one place to all your friends on the various platforms. Supports MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk, Facebook, ICQ, MySpace and AIM (AOL)
DroidIn: for connecting to LinkedIn Connect to your LinkedIn account to exchange information, ideas and opportunities. Stay informed about your contacts and industry. Find the people & knowledge you need to achieve your goals. Control your career online.
Twitroid: for instant micro-blogging Twitroid is the industry-standard Twitter client for the Android platform. Easily access the famous free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables you to send and read tweets, publish short URLs and pictures.
Deezer: for music streaming Enjoy 35 free web radio stations and the SmartRadio directly on your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet.
Dailymotion: for viewing and sharing videos Browse videos by searching tags, channels or user-created groups.
QuickPedia: for access to Wikipedia Access to the free web-based and collaborative encyclopedia.
ThinkFree Mobile: for viewing Office documents This application allows you to view, edit and create Microsoft Office 97/2000/XP/2003/2007 Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents. You will get a free update before year-end allowing you to also edit and create documents.
E-mail & contacts Stay in contact by using the full integrated Email and contacts applications.
Moov: toggles easily between your apps Moov wraps up your search needs all in one place, so you can quickly toggle between the product's contacts, Google, Wikipedia and the remaining Applications on your product.
CraigsPhone: for access to online classified advertisements CraigsPhone is a centralized network of online communities, featuring free online classified advertisements � with sections devoted to jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, gigs, r�sum�s, and discussion forums.
High Paying Jobs: for access to a list of jobs (US & Canada only) Browse through jobs lists directly on the Product. Search over 2 million jobs from all the leading jobsites.

Add-ons
DVR Station This accessory allows you to record TV, play video back to your TV and charge your ARCHOS. Recording your favorite programs has never been so easy. You can also surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer.
DVR Snap-on Use our DVR Snap-on to record from almost any audio or video analog source when you are on the move.
Mini Dock Transfer your files directly from USB keys, digital cameras, or other portable media players. Quickly charge your ARCHOS with the included charger/adapter. Play video out to your TV with video output in high quality S-Video or standard quality composite.
HDMI Mini Dock Optimize TV playback with HDMI output quality. Transfer your files directly from USB keys, digital cameras, or other portable media players from the standard USB port. Quickly charge your ARCHOS with the included charger/adapter.
Battery Dock Transfer your files directly from USB sticks, digital cameras, or other portable media players. Quickly charge your ARCHOS with the included charger/adapter and get extended playback with the built-in backup battery. Play video out to your TV with video output in high quality S-Video or standard quality composite.

What's in the Box ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, headphones, Standard USB cable, DVR Station adapter, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice.

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Soundcast ICT-111 iCast Wireless Audio Transmitter for iPod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I first heard of the system, a reviewer summed it up by saying "it just works". I couldn't agree more. I purchased the transmitter Soundcast ICT-111 iCast Transmitter and receiver Soundcast ICR-112 iCast Receiver. From opening the box to listing to wireless music in less than 3 minutes. Drop dead simple.
In the past I have tired multiple FM transmitters for my Nano. All have static, drops and distance issues. I feared the same here. I was happily surprised. Not a single problem.
I live in a high rise building in a downtown location. When I switch on my laptop wireless I see lots and lots of connection points. So I was worried about interference with my Soundcast. My receiver is setup in a different room and there is a metal stud wall in-between. After a full month of use, I am happy to report not one crackle, bleep or dropped connection. It just works.
The receiver has a nice feature of being able to stop/play, go forward or backward in a playlist. This also works flawlessly.
This is a well engineered device and it just works.


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There are plenty of iPod docks on the market, but how many work withoutwires? Enter the iCast iPod dock, which incorporates 2.4 GHz Frequency HoppingSpread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to send your iPod's audio signal to your homestereo from a distance. The iCast transmitter comes with several approved,interchangeable iPod inserts, making it possible to accommodate any "dockable" iPod.Setup is simple: Just plug the transmitter and ICR-112 receiver (sold separately) intonearby wall outlets, run a cable between the receiver and your stereo's auxiliary or tapeinput, and place your iPod in the iCast dock. Within seconds, you'll have completeaccess to all your iPod playlists, with no long wires to unroll or programming to master.Plus, you can easily operate all the tracking and menu controls even while the iPod istransmitting a signal. And as with all good docking stations, the iCast charges your iPodwhile you listen.
The real star of the iCast system, however, is the wireless FHSS technology. For years,wireless solutions have been plagued with outside interference from other productsusing the crowded 2.4 GHz band. The Soundcast engineering team, by contrast, refinedthe iCast's wireless technology to the point where neither the microwave nor thecordless phone will affect the quality of the listening experience. No buzzes, nodropouts, and no distortion--just pure, clean sound.
And users aren't restricted to playing their iPod through a single stereo system, as theiCast transmitter can operate up to two receivers at once. Want to play your favoritetunes in the living room and the bedroom at the same time? No problem. Other detailsinclude a full wireless line-of-sight range of 350 feet (150 feet through walls and doors),support for all music formats, and a sleek white housing. The iCast transmitter measures6.8 by 2 by 3.5 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box iCast transmitter, six iPod inserts, AC/DC adapter, 3.5 mm mini-to-mini cable, 3.5 mini-to- RCA cable, user's manual.

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Squeezebox Wireless Network Music Player, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Why are audiophiles buzzing about this inexpensive product? It is the first mass consumer unit to sound as good as much more expensive audio products. I had it up and running with my wireless network in 15 minutes, and was simply stunned by how good it sounded playing my music on computer. Even the internet radio playing through this unit sounded better than any standard radio tuner. Read my experience at musicserver.blogspot.com
I have a huge investment in my current audio system (more than $20k). I read about the Squeezebox on one of the audiophile websites, and was intrigued by having all my music accessible on a computer, but with sound quality to match my high end CD player. After a month of living with the Squeezebox, I can confirm how good it sounds, how simple it is to set up, and how versatile it is. I have not turned on my $3000 CD transport in 2 weeks, and plan on selling it shortly.
I encourage anyone ready to set up a computer system to visit my blog at musicserver.blogspot.com to see how easy it was to set up your music collection on a computer.
For the 95% of people out there who don't understand or care about audiophile quality sound, don't worry. A stock Squeezebox playing your music stored on your computer will sound better than anything you can buy for any reasonable amount of money.
For the uninitiated, a Squeezebox is part of a system of storing your CD collection on computer, and you use the Squeezebox to access/browse your computerized music collection. You need a computer, of course, and to get the best sound quality, you need to rip your music using a high quality format, like WAV or Apple Lossless or FLAC. It works with computers running Windows, Linux or Apple operating systems, and it does not require an expensive computer. Many users are running it with a laptop! It connects to your computer either wirelessly (using built in wifi connection) or via an ethernet cable.
After a month of playing with this unit, I cannot see how I could ever go back to using a CD player. I love being able to tune in and listen to Internet radio stations without having my computer turned on. I bought another Squeezebox for the family home theater system; now my wife can play my collection without me having to worry about misplaced cd's or the kids scratching CD's!!
For hardcore audiophiles who are dubious about how an inexpensive box can compete with separates, read my blog. This box is the real deal, and when upgraded (and particularly when used with your favorite high end external DAC), it is awesome!!! If you don't have or don't want a external DAC, the Squeezebox can be modified by a number of companies to upgrade the existing DAC and produce sound quality to rival top high end players.
The audiophile press and internet gurus are abuzz about this product for good reason. I was pretty skeptical, but it was so cheap I figured I had little to lose. I am not one to gush about gear, but this box is just phenomenal!!! I've rediscovered my music.


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Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80 Add-On Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Great add-on device to my music system, bringing internet music and digital music from my computer to my theater system. It seems expensive for for merely converting wifi radio frequency to RCA inputs to the home theater system. Especially when I realized I needed to buy another bridge device to connect this unit to the home network. But it is simple to install and use. It is unobtrusive and clean.

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For those looking for a simple, powerful, and stylish way to play all your favorite music, all over your house, here's the answer: the Sonos ZonePlayer 80 (ZP80), which is part of the complete Sonos Digital Music System. With the ZP80 you can wirelessly stream the music you have stored on your PC or Mac to your home audio equipment -- your home theater receiver, stereo system, powered speakers, and more. Just connect a ZP80 to any amplified audio device in any room, and that device is instantly and seamlessly part of a wireless, multi-room digital music system. You can even play the same song in different rooms or different songs in different rooms.
Watch a demo of the Sonos Digital Music System.
With up to 32 ZP80s set up in your home, you can use the full-color Sonos Controller to wirelessly control all those devices from the palm of your hand. Sonos liberates the digital music that's stored on your PC, Mac or network attached storage (NAS) box and wirelessly streams it to any ZonePlayer in any room. You can access music stored on up to 16 devices on your home network, plus Internet radio, subscriptions to online audio services like Rhapsody and Audible.com, and even music coming from an external audio source, like your favorite CD player.
You can also use a ZP80 to retrofit a conventional multi-room audio system with home-run speakers or as a wireless extender to increase the wireless range of your Sonos system. No matter where or how you use the amazingly compact ZP80, the digital and analog outputs will deliver superior sound to every room. And because it's designed to minimize noise and distortion, the music you hear will sound virtually identical to the original.
The ZP80 features optical and coax digital outputs for superior audio quality, so it's ready to connect to your high-end home theater or stereo system. There's even an analog audio input for connecting a CD or MP3 player directly to the ZP80, and you can listen to that music on all the other ZonePlayers in your house.
Sonos In Depth The ZP80 is just one part of a complete Sonos Digital Music System. To make your system complete, you'll also need the Sonos Controller. With a wireless Sonos Controller in hand, you'll have instant access to all your digital music, plus Internet radio, subscriptions to online audio services, and even music from your favorite CD or MP3 player. Use the Sonos Controller to access your entire digital music collection and Internet radio from the palm of your hand. Turn off the upstairs music while you're downstairs. Change the song in the kitchen from the den. The Controller's full-color 3.5-inch screen lets you see album art, browse playlists, get detailed track info, and more. To start listening, just pick a room, pick a song, and hit play. The Controller also allows you to queue the right tunes for the right moment; you can build, edit, and save playlists right from the palm of your hand.
With Sonos ZonePlayers in the rooms of your choice, you can play the same song in different rooms, or different songs in different rooms. As mentioned, you can have up to 32 Sonos ZonePlayers throughout your house -- from the bedroom to the backyard. Connect your first ZonePlayer to your router and all the others work wirelessly. Choose between the ZP80 featured on this page, which connects directly to your home theater or stereo, or the ZP100, which features its own built-in amplifier. Or better yet, choose both for the ultimate in multi-room music.
If you choose to extend your system with a ZP100 you can use your own speakers with it, or connect a pair of Sonos SP100 Loudspeakers, which are aesthetically and acoustically designed to look great with your Sonos Digital Music System.
If you're just getting started with your Sonos system, you'll want to check out Sonos' ZP80 and ZP100 Digital Music System Bundles, which combine two ZP80 or ZP100 units respectively with a Sonos Controller. The bundles offer an easy, economical way to get in on the Sonos action. Then, when you're ready to expand you can purchase a ZP80 or ZP100 for more rooms in your home.
Sonos Setup You don't need to be a professional installer to set up a Sonos system, or a technical wizard to use it. Sonos was designed to work right out of the box. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection and a router to get started. Then, unpack your components, lay them out in your home, and the result will be music to your ears.
Software Sonos offers desktop software for PC and Mac that's as simple to use as the Sonos controller. Designed with a user interface to accommodate a larger screen, the Sonos Desktop Controller software for PC and Mac will guide you through both set up and music sharing. It offers all the same functionality as the Sonos Controller, but instead of being in the palm of your hand, it's all on your desktop.
Use the software to set up your system, as well as music sharing. It also helps you set up music folders on your hard drive so they can be shared across all ZonePlayers. The software provides control of your Sonos Digital Music System from your desktop, and you can use it to add and edit your choice of Internet radio stations.
What's in the Box Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80, power cord, ethernet cable, Sonos System Setup software CD-ROM (Windows 2000, Windows XP SP2 or Mac OS X v10.3 and v10.4), and Sonos Digital Music System Documentation.

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MusicGremlin MG-1000 Wi-Fi MP3 Player Review

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(More customer reviews)The concept is great - being able to hop onto unsecured WiFi networks and grab music when and where you feel like it. I never had an issue getting on WiFi networks and the d/l speeds were fine. I have a number of gripes - many of which can be fixed with a s/w upgrade, so I bet this will only get better.
1) you can't download an entire album using your subscription pass - you have to d/l each track individually. Kooky
2) There is no auto-shutoff - at least not that I could find
3) you cant charge via USB if the battery is low - in other words, if your battery is low enough to shut the unit down, you must use AC to charge it. this is super annoying.
4) the unit could be a little slimmer - it's nice and light, but it's a little big.
5) there are some playback issues - if you hit the play button while a track is selected in the music catalog, it goes back to playing the already playing track. it should just play the track you've selected.
overall, I really like the unit and love the ability to 'send' music to the device using the [...]. i'm definitely an early adopter, tho, who puts up with software glitches - not everyone might be so forgiving. I look forward to the new software updates.

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Silver 2gb 2nd Generation Mp3 Multimedia Player Review

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(More customer reviews)WILL NEVER ORDER FROM THAT COMPANY AGAIN...NOT A GOOD ITEM...NEED TO SEND BACK!! NOT WHAT I ORDERED AND SLOW RESPONSE FOR HELP!!

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Archos 5 160 GB Internet Media Tablet Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this as an upgrade to my beloved Archos 605 160GB. I actually purchased this directly from archos because I had trouble getting it through Amazon.
First impressions: beautiful sleek design, love the rubbery backside and the enlarged screen! I find that the touch screen user interface is quite improved over the 605, the buttons all flash when you press them so that is a nice confirmation that you hit it. Also, play buttons and such seem to be bigger than before, easier to hit. Although the glossy, shiny look is pretty to look at, it also shows fingerprints (much like the Touch). Not a big deal to me, I'm used to wiping off my glossy surfaces regularly.
So lets get into the nitty gritty, starting with the things I love about the new Archos 5. Just one caveat, I am using this primarily as a replacement media player for the Archos 605 so I won't speak much to internet browsing issues. I will use as a basis of comparison my collection of MP3 players (ok I'm an addict so sue me!) which includes iPod Touch 2nd Gen 32GB, Creative Zen WiFi 16GB, iPod Classic 160GB, Archos 605 160GB, Archos 604 30GB, iRiver Clix2 8GB.
*) 250GB: gotta love all that storage space, especially since the new Apple Classic tops out at 120GB now it seems Archos is in a class all to itself.
*) Big beautiful glossy color screen, definitely an improvement over 605.
*) Easily connected to my Wifi, browser is now free instead of costing extra like before. Upgrade to firmware was accomplished easily.
*) Easy synchronization of my entire music library and playlists using Media Monkey in Windows Media Mode (605 had problems here, so glad Archos fixed this!)
*) Beautiful full featured DVR dock available (apple doesn't even make one as far as I can tell!)
*) Esthetically the most appealing player I've seen yet from Archos.
*) Nice context menus on most pages (tap upper right corner) that make it easy to get around.
*) Love the ability to switch between hard drive mode and Windows Media Mode (something I do quite frequently). Also nice to be able to put a password on folders with sensitive or Adult content.
*) Ability to play all kinds of audio/video files, although you do have to pay up to $40 for additional plugin firmware in order to play apple and cinema formats.
*) On screen touch qwerty keyboard is really nice, easy to use -- I found it much easier to type accurately than the Touch/iPhone onscreen keyboard.
*) Browser supports flash controls, woohoo, welcome to the 21st century fercrissakes!
*) That 250GB of data is readily available to the PC as a hard drive so I can use it for backups or whatever else I want to do with it. (unlike the Creative Zen for example).
*) Convenient built-in speaker can be used in a pinch: everybody seems to have one of these now but as far as I can tell Archos did it first on the 605!
*) Now Playing music screen is easier to use, volume, and play buttons are easier to use now and it displays the name of the next and previous songs: a feature that I don't see on any of my other MP3 players.
*) Nice dedicated volume and power buttons, the volume buttons are definitely easier to find and use than the 605.
And now, my suggestions to Archos for how they could improve on what I think is a cutting edge beautiful product. Please understand, I'm a nitpicking software engineer so I give 5 stars even though I can find room for improvement!

*) I miss the dedicated hold/tv-out button which has been removed. Not a big deal since can still be done through the context menu.
*) Some of the text menus just look a little strange and seem to take a too much space on the screen. For example, I have to scroll down to get to the "Playlists"... at the very least "Playlists" should be on the first page as its the one I use the most. Really it seems like too many button presses are required to dig down and play a playlist, I wish "playlists" was available from a top level menu because I use it more than anything else...When all is said and done, I honestly believe that there is no comparable product with a big beautiful high resolution screen like this and a huge hard drive. This is it!
Now if you are happy with a smaller screen and less storage, the iPod Touch is arguably a better product: my solution? Buy one of each!
Update 12-31-2008: As of New Years Eve I am still quite happily using my Archos 5 as an entertainment center. It seems Archos heard me and they have made the album art a little bigger in firmware release 1.2.05!
Update 1-24-2009: Firmware update 1.3.05 works great! Had to use my Touch for a few days and very happy to have my Archos back on the speakers, I do believe the sound is better through the same speakers.
Update 3-14-2009: Updated to firmware 1.5.08. Due to previous upgrade, the upgrade process is MUCH easier now because it doesn't try to rebuild its library from scratch (this takes hours when you have a lot of files like I do). I'm also enjoying the "parental control" password which allows me to protect my data from unauthorized access. Still a happy customer :)
Update 5-22-2009: Still very happy with my 5. Firmware version 1.6.53 now offers support for their GPS package and High Def. I tried the GPS package before and it was ok, my favorite thing about it was the windshield mount which really comes in handy on a long drive. The GPS itself is decent considering it doesn't cost much, but can't compare to Garmin. Still, how many MP3 players even offer a GPS option?

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Archos, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players now introduces a new concept: the Internet Media Tablet (IMT). The Archos 5 is the flagship product of this new line, bringing you a new way to enjoy the Internet, your media, and TV--all in a handheld device. The Archos 5 160 GB IMT is a high-end portable device with an ultra-thin design, a black stainless steel body, a high-resolution 4.8-inch touchscreen, and the horsepower of a laptop.
Uncompromised Web Surfing in the Palm of Your Hand With an 800-pixels-wide resolution and a 4.8-inch screen, you can browse the Web just as you would on your PC. No need to zoom in and out, as web pages are fully displayed on the Archos screen. Plus, with Adobe Flash 9 video support, you can natively browse video-sharing websites, such as Dailymotion or YouTube. The Archos IMTs boast enough processing power to surf the Web on the go, just like you were doing it with your laptop. No more endless waiting for the page to load; just grab your Archos 5 and check the latest news right away. Your PC wouldn't have finished booting up by the time you've put the Archos back in your pocket. Once connected to a Wi-Fi or 3.5G network, the included email software allows you to check your email accounts (compatible with POP/IMAP) whenever you want. See the number of awaiting emails right on the Archos 5 home screen, answer back, or share attachments with anyone (only compatible formats). Stay in touch while on the go.

Download hundreds of useful and fun widget applications and then put your favorite ones on the Archos home screen. Check the weather before leaving for work, or see the latest sports results without having to start a new application. In less than three clicks, you can access nearly 1,000 Web TV channels, more than 10,000 Web radio stations, and 100,000-plus podcasts. There's no downloading wait time. Radio and TV start streaming right away from a worldwide list of traditional and independent radio and TV stations.

Your Digital Library in a Thin Handheld Tablet The Archos Media Club remains the easiest way to get video and music content on the go. With an even richer library featuring new partners and the biggest industry players, the Media Club lets you discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music, and games. Buy or rent your entertainment in a couple of clicks and start watching it on your Archos 5. Enjoy a great multimedia experience on the go with a high-resolution 4.8-inch touchscreen right in your hands. Enjoy your favorite videos, browse through your photos with a simple flick of your finger, or play a slideshow of your last vacation.

Plus, you can store your entire CD collection comfortably on your Archos device--there's plenty of room. Rediscover songs left aside for months, or show your friends your latest discoveries. The unique Archos music browsing system allows you to create your playlists without using a PC, and the displayed album covers complete the experience.

Don't get bored on your commute. For a little fun before getting to work or whenever you have a little time to kill, grab your Archos and enjoy some poker, Sudoku, or a round of golf. Premium games can be purchased directly from the tablet or at www.archos.com, or find Flash-based games downloadable for free on the Web.

When you're at home and want to watch a movie or listen to music stored on your PC, just browse the device's hard drive wirelessly and play it without transferring the file. Just stream it via your Wi-Fi network and enjoy it on your Archos.

Experience the Best TV at Home or on the Go With the optional DVR Station, you have the perfect match for your Archos 5 at home and on the go. Schedule and record TV shows and movies in one step with the included remote control. Just locate the TV show on the program guide grid, and you'll have a recording to enjoy at home on your widescreen TV or in the palm of your hand. The DVR Station also will turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Enjoy all the Archos functions on the big screen in your living room. Watch your movies in HD, listen to your music, share your high-resolution pictures, play games, or surf the Web.

Technology Meets Design The Archos 5 features a comfortable, clear widescreen that'll earn a few looks over your shoulder. The touchscreen technology ensures the most instinctive and direct way to access your movies, view your pictures, listen to your music, or browse the Web. The new graphical interface has been designed for total touch control. Reach the main functions with a tap, return at any moment to the home screen, and use the search function to access your files right away. Add shortcuts to your favorite files and display them directly on the Archos home screen for quick access. You also can bring your home screen to life with the new animated wallpapers.

This Archos 5 gives you 160 GB of storage for up to 145 movies, 2.5 million photos, or 40,000 songs--and the processing power to handle them. Enjoy blazing speed with the ARM Cortex superscalar microprocessor.

Add-ons--Enhance Your Archos 5

DVR Station Record TV, play video back to your TV, and charge your Archos device via the DVR Station. With the included TV Program Guide, scheduling and recording from your satellite receiver, cable box, Digital TV adapter has never been so easy. You also can surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer.
DVR Snap-on Record from most any audio or video analog source on the move with the DVR Snap-on, a small device that's no bigger than a pack of gum.
Mini Dock Transfer your files directly from USB keys, digital cameras, or other portable media players with the Mini Dock. Quickly charge your Archos with the included charger/adapter. Play video out to your TV with video output in high quality S-Video or standard quality composite.
Battery Dock Benefit from all the great features of the Mini Dock and get extended playback with the built-in backup battery.
Helmet Cam Turn your Archos into a hands-free digital camcorder with the Helmet Cam, perfect for sports and family fun.
FM Remote A built-in FM receiver and microphone on the FM Remote let you listen to radio anywhere or make voice recordings.
Protective Cases Protect your Archos and show your style with a protective case.
GPS Car Holder Turn your Archos 5 into a high-end GPS with the GPS In-Car Holder.
TV Snap-on (Available by end of 2008) Watch live digital TV right on your Archos, record, and enjoy the time-shifting function.

What's in the Box Archos 5 160 GB Internet Media Tablet, headphones, Archos USB cable, DVR Station adapter (DVR Station is sold separately), screen cleaning cloth, quick start guide, legal and safety notice.

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Jensen VM9311TS - DVD player with LCD monitor and AM/FM tuner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I picked up this unit without high expectations, but was very surprised with the quality of this unit for the price.
The audio and video quality is superb. It wasn't installed in a vehicle with a full "system", but a plain old minivan. It replaced a 1995 Dodge Caravan factory cassette deck. Yeah, yeah I know. :)
Why did I wait so long? I used an MP3 player with a RF modulator, so I didn't care about the cassette deck. My Rio Karma MP3 player served its purpose for over a year until the cassette mechanism finally took a crap on me, so it was time to purchase a new deck.
I contemplated the idea of just picking up any CD/MP3 deck, but figured why not spend some extra cash and have a new toy that I can enjoy?
Installation was a breeze and I had it installed, wired, and running in less than 30 minutes. The dash in my van is easy to work with, so you mileage may very for ease of installation. There's nothing special about installing this unit when compared to a standard deck.
Now on to the pro's and con's of the VM9311TS:
Pro's:
-First and foremost is the price. You will not find any unit with the features this unit has for this price range!
-Audio and Video quality: playback of DivX, XviD, MPEG's, and standard DVD's are crystal clear. No noticeable pixilation, fading, etc.
-Using the touch screen to navigate through DVD's is very user friendly.
-While not an iPod user yet, the ability to connect your iPod to the unit and have full control over it using the touch screen is a big plus. I actually caved in and bought an 80GB iPod Video. I haven't received it yet, but I am looking forward to getting it. I'm dumping my entire 40GB music collection onto the iPod along with all my episodes of Lost, Prison Break, Family Guy, etc onto one piece of hardware. The ability to fully the iPod using the touch screen is a big plus!
-Full set of audio and video outputs. You can connect this unit to your external amp, subs, etc.
-Full set of audio video inputs. You can plug in your video camera to review what you've recorded, Xbox, PlayStation, and anything else with a standard composite (RCA) yellow jack output.
Con's:
-Navigating a DVD full of MP3 is extremely tedious. Here's why... You get a full dump of EVERYTHING on your screen. You can't navigate by Album, Artist, Year, etc. So if I have a MP3 album of Anita Baker and an MP3 album of Usher I actually have to "click" the directory button over 50 times until I get to the artists with their name's being closer the end of the alphabet. You can also use the soft button on the screen to the next directory, but even then you have to press it over 50 times to get through your entire collection. I called Jensen and they confirmed that yes "you have to navigate through all the albums until you get to what you want.
-To make things worse you can not fast-forward or rewind MP3's. This was also confirmed by Jensen.
-I burned a DVD of all the current Prison Break episodes which were in DivX format. They played back beautifully, but here's the most irritating problem. As soon as you turn off your deck (i.e. turn of your car) the video will start playing over again from the beginning. You can skip over to the next video file on the disc, but again, after power-cycling your vehicle the deck will start over with the first file on the disc.
-As with the MP3's you can not fast-forward or rewind individual video files. This was confirmed by Jensen.
-No ability to change the look of what I call the operating system (OS). You can't change the wallpaper, color scheme, etc. What you see is what you get.
-Navigating through a DVD burned with hundreds if not thousands of MP3's is extremely slow. The OS definitely needs tweaking and enhancements, so I'm hoping that Jensen releases firmware updates in the future.
-Every time you turn your vehicle off and restart it, it takes up to 40 seconds before the track you were listening to resumes on a DVD-R. Navigating and resuming playback with a standard 700MB CD-R is faster when re-starting your vehicle.
So with all the cons aside it's still a pretty nice unit for the price. When the iPod arrives I'll post an update and let you guys know what I think.
It's unfortunate that I had to plunk down another $330 just to get the deck to be more user friendly and functional, but my hands are tied.
For somebody not looking to use the more advanced features such as playback of DivX files this deck is perfect for them. Remember that you can't fast-forward or rewind MP3's, so that may irritate even the non-techie.
So with review coming to an end I give this unit a 3 out of 5.
George

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Escient FP-1 Music Manager with Universal Dock for iPod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This product is a pile of garbage. I have a brand new 80 gig classic Ipod that I have been trying to get to work with this product for over 3 months now. I have structured wiring in my house and I have everything set up to distribute the IR Controls to this unit, and have the video and audio ditributed throughout my house. When the product was actually working, I had to reboot it every three or four days, becuase the software would lock up for no apparent reason. Lately, when I updated my Ipod with new Music, the unit just locks up, claiming it is updating the database. I am on my second unit (the first one was repaired by Escient), and I am now experiencing the same problem. This product should have never been released, it hasn't gone through the proper quality control testing to be released to the general public. Do not buy this unit. This product seemed too good to be true, and it actually is too good to be true, becuase it doesn't work.

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The FP-1 provides all of the great on-screen music management features you expect from a FireBall for your iPod. It's a complete FireBall Music Manager with all of the custom install features you need to provide seamless integration of iPod music into any home audio system. The FP-1 can also stream music from any FireBall music server or PC/Mac with or without a docked iPod. The FP-1 even allows other FireBalls to access and play music stored on the iPod including music purchased from the iTunes Music Store.

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COWON J3 32 GB Portable Media Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My Creative Zen:M was getting old, and I had already replaced the battery once so doing it twice was too much for me so I decided to upgrade. That's where the Cowon J3 came in, after doing my research I decided to take a chance on a brand I'd never heard of before.PROS:
- Touchscreen is fast and accurate to the touch
- Beautiful AMOLED screen even when the brightness is toned down
- Plays AAC,MP3,FLAC,WAV,etc etc etc
- Video looks great and is smooth
- Plenty of options for video
- Plenty of options for music
- Recording, speaker, and mic are surprisingly decent
- Jet Effects 3.0 has tons of EQ presets and 4 customizable user options
- Alarm and Radio work great, you get tons of stations
- 3 ways to view everything on your screen, you can switch between them instantly
- Lock option on the side makes it easy to not accidentally turn on the player while it's in your pocket
- Play and volume buttons on other side of also make it practical when you don't want to turn on the player to change tracks
- Sound is amazing, especially with the BBE+ options as mentioned before
- Battery life is great so far, I get tons of hours before a quarter of the battery is even used
- Switches from horizontal to vertical back and forth with ease
- MicroSD slot
- Screen is very durable, it's gorilla glass just like the Cowon S9.
- Did i mentions there's tons of options for the user on this? well there's a ton, it does not disappoint in this reagardCONS:
- Album art does not show up when you change to horizontal view*
- screen is very prone to finger prints as well as back of player, essentially the whole thing
- when you're listening to the radio and want to change the dial up(numbers ascending) you have to press the back button instead of the forward**can be corrected with a nice firmware update.
One thing I do recommend is that you don't purchase this directly from jetmall. Well, that's unless you like multiple charges on your credit/debit card. Amazon is the best way to go, as usually is the case. Overall this product deserves the praise it's been recently getting, just for the sound alone. It's so easy to use the design is simply great. If you want the white version of this though, you're not going to find it on Amazon yet, but it looks just as great from what I can tell and I expect Amazon to make it available soon. About the only thing I could find wrong was how easy it is to smudge the screen, but that's expected with any touchscreen, I'd recommend an anti-glare screen for this problem. Any other problems can be corrected with a firmware update. I have the 2.21 version right now, but I'm sure more are in the works as is per usual with these things. I recommend this product to any music fan, good luck on your search though, it never hurts to keep looking although I'm personally sticking with this one.
EDIT:
JUST DOWNLOADED FIRMWARE UPDATE 2.2 AND THE ALBUM COVERS ARE NOW VIEWABLE THROUGH LANDSCAPE MODE(HORIZONTAL).

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This sleek media player from Cowon boasts a brilliant 3.3-inch touchscreen, playback of a serious list of a serious list of video and audio formats, FM radio and voice recording (or even line-in recording), and 32GB of space for all your favorite media. Not enough? Pop in an SD card for a little extra.

Just Plain Slick Too many media players forget about what's on the outside. The J3 is just 9.9mm thick and features a brushed metallic bezel that's ultra-stylish, and downright attractive.

3.3-Inch AMOLED Display The J3 boasts a 16 million color, 3.3-inch AMOLED display with a 480 x 272 pixel resolution. Thanks to the low-power display technology, the screen is viewable from virtually any angle. It looks great in the dark and even in direct sunlight. AMOLED turns electric signals into video 1,000 times faster than the speed of conventional LCDs, leaving no ghost images while playing video.

Intuitive Touchscreen Interface The COWON J3 boasts super-intuitive touch controls, with gesture recognition features like zoom-able album art, pictures, and text; TrueType fonts for clear visibility at any zoom level; and more. Get where you need fast directly from the durable anti-scratch touchscreen.

Video Playback The J3 plays AVI, WMV, and ASF video files, with codec support for DivX 3/4/5, Xvid SP/ASP, and WMV 7/8/9. That means less conversion on your end. Enjoy all your favorite clips and shows, and just tilt the unit to switch to 16:9 widescreen viewing.

Grab the optional video out composite cable, and you can send your signal to a television for some full-size viewing.

Enjoy Your Music The J3 is a full-featured music player, and it's definitely one for the afficionados. With support for MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, WAV, and APE formats, you can play back most any file. Get detailed track info on the J3's screen with meta tag support, and view LDB 1.0 and 2.0 lyrics files while you listen.

JetEffect Music Enhancement Dial in the perfect sound no matter what you're listening to with Cowon's various sound enhancement tools:

BBE: Refines sound quality
Mach3Bass: Provides deeper, tighter low-end
MP Enhance: Sonic restoration for compressed music formats
3D Surround: Provides 3D sound effect
5-Band EQ: Customizeable equalizer with adjustable band and bandwidth filter

FM Radio and Recorder Enjoy your favorite FM Radio programming using the J3's unique "jog shuttle" touchscreen control for selecting stations. Store your favorites in up to 39 user presets, and record live radio for later listening.

Photo and Document Viewer View or share slideshows of your favorite JPG images, and read your TXT text documents wherever you are.

Bluetooth Freedom The J3 features built-in Bluetooth 2.0 support (A2DP, AVRCP Profile) for use with various wireless devices. Get rid of those cables and enjoy the benefits.

Digital Clock With Alarm Set an alarm to play your music or FM radio, and use the sleep timer to drift off to your favorite songs. You can also use the clock to schedule FM recording for a particular time.

Voice Recording Record voice memos, lectures, meetings or whatever else you need for later using the built-in microphone. The J3 also supports line-in recording, for grabbing audio from external devices like CD players.

Energy Efficient Entertainment The J3 will give you a whopping 64 hours of music playback, and up to 11 hours of video playback, a single charge of its lithium-polymer battery.

Flash Player The pre-installed Adobe Flash Player lets you enjoy Flash games and other utilities, along with the Flash content present on many web sites.

What's in the Box
Cowon J3 32 GB (Black), Earphones, USB 2.0 Cable, Quick Start Guide, Manual CD

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Dual XDMR6850 CD/MP3 Receiver with MP control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Powerfull sound with lots of bass. Attractive, but the neon blue lights are alittle too agressive and bright for my taste. Easy to navigate. Separate bass, treble, fader, balance, loud controls, but cannot modify the band widths. Has 5 different equalizer modes. Recommended!

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Enjoy your CD collection while on the road with the Dual XDMR6850 CD player/receiver, which features compatibility with your mixes burned CD-R/RW discs as well as discs filled with MP3 and WMA files (with ID3 tag display). It offers 200 watts of total peak power (50 watts x 4 channels), US/European radio frequency spacing, 30 station presets (18 FM, 12 AM), a 1-bit D/A converter and anti-shock mechanism for flawless CD playback, and an electronic detachable faceplate for added security from theft.
It also comes with the Dual EAUSB20 Media Player controller, which connects this receiver to your PlaysForSure MP3 player, enabling you to play your MP3 and secure/non-secure WMA collection. You'll also be able to access playlists, fast forward, rewind, and view track and album information -- all from the stereo's faceplate. It requires a digital audio player that's PlaysForSure-rated (not compatible with iPods).
Other features include:
Auxiliary input for MP3 or satellite radio connection
1.0 DIN chassis; import ISO/DIN mountable
Rotary encoder control
Programmable turn-on volume
Selectable confirmation beep
Keyless CD eject
Electronic volume, bass, treble, balance, fader
One-touch memory, auto station store, and preset station scan for radio tuner
Random/repeat/intro CD programming
CD pause
Multi-button power on
5 Selectable EQ curves -- pop, jazz, classic, beat, rock
Black/white dot matrix display

What's in the Box In-dash CD player/receiver, faceplate carrying case, EAUSB20 media controller, printed operating instructions
Note: Professional installation is recommended for this product.

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