The Greatest Multimedia Device Evaaarr!

MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
edited June 2003 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">OMG!!! Coming soon! Must have!!!</div> (From MSNBC: <a href='http://www.msnbc.com/news/921628.asp?0dm=C12MT&cp1=1' target='_blank'>http://www.msnbc.com/news/921628.asp?0dm=C12MT&cp1=1</a> )

I have no words...

<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->THE AV320 IS ONE in a series of portable devices from Archos that just might revolutionize what entertainment you carry with you every day. The first model in the 300 series, the AV320 has a 2.5-inch, 20 GB hard drive inside. The device itself measures 4.4 by 3.2 by 1.2 inches and weighs 12.5 ounces. It’s a lot bigger than an iPod, or your favorite MP3 player, but once you know what’s inside you’ll understand why.
       The AV320 has a backlit, 3.8-inch LCD screen, capable of handling 320 by 240 pixels. Inside, Lithium-ion batteries should give you four hours of on-screen video watching or 10 hours of listening to music (with the display turned off) before needing to be recharged by the AC adapter/brick that comes with the device.
       Just to give you an idea of what you can do with your AV320: Its 20 GB hard drive is capable of storing up to 40 hours of MP4 (near-DVD quality is they way they describe it) video, 1,000 hours of audio or 200,000 photos. You can watch that stored video on the device itself or connect it to your TV and watch the video on a bigger screen.
       It gets better.

The AV320 also comes with an ingenious little attachment that allows you to record TV and DVDs directly onto the device. It’s called the Digital Video Recorder, but because of video copyrights it’s really an analog recording adapter. Connect it to a composite or S-video output from your DVD player, cable box, VCR, etc., and you’re automatically recording a file for playback on the AV320’s screen. You can record small MP4 files of many movies or TV shows, store up to 40 hours of them, and then view them at a later time.  

         That’s a lot of cool items jam-packed into a $569.95 device. And if you really need more storage space, the AV340 (with a 40 GB hard drive) sells for $629.95.
       But the wonders of the AV320 don’t end there:
       The device also comes with a remote control that handles all record/playback functions and has a built-in FM radio inside, allowing you to press a button and record an MP3 stream directly from your favorite station.
       Archos also plans to sell a 3.3 megapixel camera attachment which should retail for under $200. In addition to taking photos, the attachment turns the AV320 into a videocam system. And that 20GB hard drive gives you hours of recording capability and playback through your TV. Or you could just download the file into your computer for editing.
      
EASY TO USE
       The AV320 connects to both PCs and Macs (OS 9.2 and X) through a USB 2.0/1.1 port, with an optional FireWire connector available. The firmware inside the device is upgradable from the Archos Web site.
       But that might be one of the few times you actually hook it up to your computer; Archos has designed the AV320 to be essentially a standalone device. 

Archos has created its own, brand-new operating system to run this little marvel. The OS is icon-driven and looks great. Once you get to know what all the multi-function little buttons on the front can do, you can zoom around and get where you need to go with ease.
       You can record MP3s up to 160Kbits/sec and playback MP3s up to 320Kbits/sec. As for video, you can play back MP4 files with MP3 stereo sound at resolutions up to 640 by 368 pixels at 25 frames-per-second. The device also plays AVI files, XviD and DivX 4.0 and 5.0 formats. QuickTime 6 compliance is under development. The built-in photo viewer reads JPEG and BMP files of any size.  
  
        The AV320 comes with a set of headphones and has both analog and digital stereo inputs and digital outputs as well as a composite video/earphone/line-out jack. There’s also a built-in microphone.
       I’m sure I’m leaving out loads of stuff. You get the idea: The AV320 is an amazing device, one which will only get better in the future. In the few days I’ve had to play with it, the 320 has zoomed to the top of my wish list. Too bad it has to go back.
      
A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE
       In the meantime, I’ll play with an AV120, the predecessor to the AV320. 

Think of the AV120 as an over-sized, metallic iPod on steroids, with a very small video screen.
       The AV120 is a slightly smaller (4.3 by 3.1 by 1.1 inches and 10 ounces) stand-alone recording device with a much smaller (something like 1.5-inch) 237 by 234 pixel screen, a text-only operating system and nearly all the capabilities of its bigger brother. Suggested retail price for an AV120 is $399.95; $469.95 for the AV140 with the larger drive. A 1.1 megapixel camera, the digital recorder module, FM radio/remote control and memory card readers are optional.
       Check out these handheld personal entertainment centers before you buy any other MP3 player or portable video device. Be the first on your block to get your hands on one of the hot new devices of the future.
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Comments

  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited June 2003
    Archos website: <a href='http://www.archos.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.archos.com/</a>

    And pictures!

    <img src='http://www.archos.com/img/products/290x230/av_320.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

    <img src='http://a799.g.akamai.net/3/799/388/d1235c711248d4/www.msnbc.com/d/v/130x100/p_krakow_archos_030604.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    It's like a proper version of those bulky monitor only pcs. Excellent.
  • DreadDread Join Date: 2002-07-24 Member: 993Members
    I want it, now! *checks financial situation*
    ...
    who needs college anyway <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    /me taps fingers imaptiently waiting for it to come out... if only I had been able to use this on my european flights instead of watching the crap in-flight movies. Did you see how you can record right off your TV too??? I could record MP4's off HBO, then watch them at the office! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • DreadDread Join Date: 2002-07-24 Member: 993Members
    edited June 2003
    I was actually going to get this baby because my old mobile phone has eh...<i>dropped</i> in to wall too many times so I was going to get phone and camera both in one but now this AV320 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    <img src='http://www.cellular.co.za/phones/nokia/2002/nokia_3650.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

    We are so ?ber <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • SaltySalty Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 6970Members
    20 GB hard drive? Thats more then my computer! I bet those tricorder thingies from Star Trek are comming out soon. I mean we got a dvd player thingy camera cell phone. I want to reverse the polarities of stuff I find while im on the move.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    <!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I want to reverse the polarities of stuff I find while im on the move. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This so needs to be a signature, somewhere....

    I've spent all morning trying to convince my wife to let me get this, and yet somehow she still refuses. Looks like I'm going to have to spring for some roses and chick-flicks; she's playing hardball...
  • InsaneInsane Anomaly Join Date: 2002-05-13 Member: 605Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, NS2 Map Tester, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts, Future Perfect Developer
    OMG I WANT.

    Costs a lot though D:
  • DubersDubers Pet Shop Boy Edinburgh, UK Join Date: 2002-07-25 Member: 998Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Jun 5 2003, 03:42 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Jun 5 2003, 03:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I want to reverse the polarities of stuff I find while im on the move. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This so needs to be a signature, somewhere....

    I've spent all morning trying to convince my wife to let me get this, and yet somehow she still refuses. Looks like I'm going to have to spring for some roses and chick-flicks; she's playing hardball... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Buy it for her! Then she can't turn round and shout at ya for buying stupid crap for yourself. Like she would actually use it anyway lol.
  • BurrBurr Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9358Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+Jun 5 2003, 10:59 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ Jun 5 2003, 10:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Jun 5 2003, 03:42 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Jun 5 2003, 03:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 5 2003, 10:58 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I want to reverse the polarities of stuff I find while im on the move. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This so needs to be a signature, somewhere....

    I've spent all morning trying to convince my wife to let me get this, and yet somehow she still refuses. Looks like I'm going to have to spring for some roses and chick-flicks; she's playing hardball... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Buy it for her! Then she can't turn round and shout at ya for buying stupid crap for yourself. Like she would actually use it anyway lol. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    hes got a point there <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • OttoDestructOttoDestruct Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7790Members
    Buy it and load it up with a chick flick and pictures of roses and stuff <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    I saw this too.

    My initial impression:

    :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    I grew 27 mouths!
  • WheeeeWheeee Join Date: 2003-02-18 Member: 13713Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    would be even better with solar power supplements <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • RenegadeRenegade Old school Join Date: 2002-03-29 Member: 361Members
    OMG HAX. 2 "elite" f0r j00 n00b! AAAHH! *Head explodes*

    I feel better.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    The fact that I could plug my digital camera into it an preview pictures in a 4" LCD? Or record shows/movies directly off my TV and watch them when I'm working a late shift? Or stick compactflash cards right in? Or that I would be the envy of everyone? Priceless...

    <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • LegionnairedLegionnaired Join Date: 2002-04-30 Member: 552Members, Constellation
    Ownage. Add a cell phone and a money compartment and it's everything I'd ever need in my pockets.
  • CplDavisCplDavis I hunt the arctic Snonos Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12097Members
    Sounds like my minidisc player, only u can watch video on the device instead of going through a tv.

    I love me minidisc player. Pocket sized, and i can put 4 hours of music on each disc. I can reuse the discs and customize the tracks and edit them, mmmmmmmmmmmm
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    Except your minidisc player is based on 10+ year old technology. Those things came out at the same time as Micheal Jackson's "Dangerous" albulm. If you don't know when that was, here's a hint: he was still black. :P
  • ZelZel Join Date: 2003-01-27 Member: 12861Members
    they need to strap a cell phone to the back and then surgicially implant it into my forearm. tadaa, my life is complete.

    it also needs a flip cover and a radiation sensor, then itd be a leet tricorder
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    Pretty cool oh wait... no... can we say LapTop?
  • roachemsroachems Join Date: 2003-04-02 Member: 15148Members
    I need to get a job to afford all these cool high-tech stuff
  • DubersDubers Pet Shop Boy Edinburgh, UK Join Date: 2002-07-25 Member: 998Members
    OMG pr0n on the move!!! My life is complete!!!
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Now if they made a 9.5x11" and/or an 11x14, and had the screen stylus-writable with the Wacom angle/pressure sensors in it, I MIGHT be justified in buying something like that for $600... mostly as at that point I'd never need to buy another sketchbook again. Just draw on the tablet PC, and if I like it, print it out for lightboxing onto final medium.

    Oh.. wait. They do have those, they just cost about ten times as much. X_X
  • GadzukoGadzuko Join Date: 2002-12-26 Member: 11556Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OMG pr0n on the move!!! My life is complete!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    rofl.

    Eh, it's only.... ummmm... a month's pay, with my current summer job. Maybe if I say that I'm changing my major to digital media design or some such buzzword and that I need it for school, I can justify it to my parents.
  • SaltySalty Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 6970Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OMG pr0n on the move!!! My life is complete!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    porn does come in magazine form. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • SirusSirus Join Date: 2002-11-13 Member: 8466Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    MonsE is whippppped.


    Wicka CHH !
  • BogglesteinskyBogglesteinsky Join Date: 2002-12-24 Member: 11488Members
    i'll just wait until they release a 1024 X 768 version.

    High res pr0n on the move
  • antifreezeantifreeze The guy with the goods&#33; Join Date: 2003-05-12 Member: 16232Members, Constellation
    Umm, Who has some money to spare for me??
    MonsE are u signed up to every newsgroup and newswebsite in the world?? You come out with all these news stories, 5 a day.
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 6 2003, 02:09 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 6 2003, 02:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ Jun 5 2003, 09:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OMG pr0n on the move!!! My life is complete!!! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    porn does come in magazine form. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    But it's not on the move!
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