Archos 605 WiFi (160 GB) Digital Media Player

Before I received the 605, I spent the entire week reading and watching up on its features, problems, and reviews. I read many reviews on here that praised the archos, and some that were disgusted with what they got, and many that were fine but not so thrilled by what they got.

For my own experience with the 605 wifi, I was extremely satisfied. I would suppose most people that voted against the archos received a faulty package.

First off, When I first opened up the box, my first thought was "What the hell? It's smaller than I expected." Since I've heard many say its quite big, and the pictures online make it look ugly and big also. It's quite pleasing to the eye when its held right in your hand. Though this is just an opinon :)

Second, I turned it on and instantly knew how to navigate it. It's that easy. I used the opera web browser (+$30 on archos.com) and loading pages and roaming around online was simple, and easy to do. It is pretty fast considering its 1/1000th the size of a computer and uses a wireless connection.

Moreover, I was pleased with the sound quality, though many "audiophiles" were disappointed. I have to say, it doesn't play loud, but I don't listen to music "that loud" and it was perfect sound range for me. The equalizer does a good job of getting the sound you want, and it compares well with other music players.

The video is where this baby really shines: it's beautiful. I have a collection of movies on my drive that I've been waiting to bring around, and this baby plays it all. It's ultra versatile compatibility with file formats makes it too easy to use. Connecting it to a TV and watching it via the DVR station (+$100) it is still beautiful.

The drag and drop feature really hits home. It's ultra easy to do, and I prefer it over syncing with windows media. On a side note: so far, I've only used 28% of this massive 160 GB hard drive, though I've not even near done getting everything on it.

The touch screen + combo side buttons + the DVR remote makes this player have 3 different ways on controlling it. I found that ridiculously too easy to use. The touchscreen is VERY fun to use; I love it.

Things that I don't like would be the slow interface. Things take a few extra mili-seconds to load, though I don't know if other PMPs are like this since I've never owned any other one.

I got this baby on ebay for less than 400 with the DVR station and the cinema/opera browser plug-in. But when I tried to register it, I was denied since it was already registered (to install the plug-ins). So I was recommended to call archos and they solved my problems very well. I was pleased at their service. She didn't even say bye after I said I was done. Most customer service people whisk you away after you're done, but she didn't.

Overall, its a great music player (a bit bulky if for pocket play) and it polishes as a video player. The extra features that it comes with makes it shine through compared to the ipod touch. Hope you get one and have fun.