Hi all, Im new to the site and am nearly at the stage of purchasing an AV480, but I have a few Q's. Any help would be great to help me deicde. I know from the archos site and reviews that when recording from the TV Satellite, cable etc, the av480 records it at the screens resolution so that it is perfect for its screen size (320pix etc) : First question: when playing a recroded programme back through a TV is the quality bad or is it good considering that the av480 has enlarge the recorded resolution of the programme to fit a TVs resolution? Second question: Does the above apply to when copying DVDs using AutoGK to the av480? Or is full resolution playback availiable (ie the original resoltuion of the DVD) and it is just a case of the archos then auto sizes the copied DVD to fit its own screen size when playedback on the unit? Hope you guys can understand the questions+ thank you for any help! Matt PS good forum.
Mdw, The archos screen size is 320x240, however it can record video at different res (for the scree or for tv viewing). I recorded a few cartoons for the kids, if you use the highest bit rate (large files) it comes back not bad at all (better than vhs, but not as good as the original show). I would say that the Archos MPEG4 encoder is not great, i have seen much better at those file sizes. However, its quite great given the size of the unit. In terms of watching other movies, as long as the resultion is below 720 width it can be played with the archos (it resize it to the appropriate screen (i.e. tv or lcd)). So - you can watch DVD at thier original res if encoded properly. Its a great gadget, but it does not play the xvid files you can downlaod off the net very well (see the audio sync issues). I guess in 1-2 years it will be mainstream. Its also a very handy storage device, you can move large files in it, and play them on a laptop for example (with a bigger screen).
I just purchased the archos AV480 and had similair synching issues with my archos player but found a fix iwth in the day and now the audio is synched with the video. I went onto archos's website and found some information that the files has to be decoded using Virtual Dub which comes on the archos av480 in the data pc isntallation folder. Here is what I copied from their site and it worked fine. But first I had to install the ACEMCP Codecs pack that can be located here. http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multim...erter-DIVX-Related/ACE-Mega-CoDecS-Pack.shtml After I installed this Codec I installed the Divx Codec and Virtual Dub 1.5.10 and followed these directions and it worked perfectly. Q: How do I use the VirtualDub software? A: VirtualDub is a very powerful tool for converting or editing any type of MPEG media file. Unfortunately, WMV, WMA, and ASF (Windows Media files) are patented and not supported by VirtualDub since version 1.3d. If you want to convert that file type, you will have to use a different software. This tutorial is about converting any MPEG (MPG) file to an AVI that will play on the AV 300 or AV 400. 1. Open VirtualDub and open the MPEG your downloaded. 2. Go to the Video menu and select Filters. The Filters window will open and be empty. Click on the Add button to select the Resize filter. 3. Select the Resize filter and click OK to open the properties of the Resize filter. 4. The AV400 will only support 704 x 480 maximum. Any video you convert must be less than or equal to this. In our example we are already below the maximum. We could increase the size but without further filters the image quality would suffer. For our purposes, click Cancel to close this window and Cancel again to close the filters window. 5. Next, go to the Video menu and select Compression. 6. Select the DivX Codec, and click the Configure button. 7. Variable Bitrate mode MUST be set to 1-pass (simple profile). You may adjust the Encoding bitrate from 300 to 1200. Click OK to close codec properties and return to VirtualDub. 8. Click OK to close the Video Compression menu. Go to the Audio menu and turn on Full Processing mode. A bullet will appear next to Full Processing mode and you will now be able to enter the Audio Compression settings from the Audio menu. 9. Select Lamemp3 and choose the encode rate as desired. Better sound increases file size. If you get an error that the requested conversion is not possible, reopen the audio compression window and choose a lower rate. Try again. If you get the same error keep lowering the rate until the file converts. This error means that you're trying to encode at a higher audio rate than the source file is encoded at. 10. Select "Interleaving" from the Audio menu and set "Enable audio / video interleaving" and "Interleave every 1 frame". 11. Go to the File menu and select 'Save as AVI', name the file and click OK to begin the conversion process. VirtualDub will display the Status window during the encoding. 12. Copy the new file to your Jukebox AV 400 and play it. I hope this helps for anyone having any problems. There is also software on the AV480 in data under pc installation called Setup.exe. You can then install the Archos MPG$ Translator and this will be an easy way to take you through the virtual dub setup.
Ok, I'm going to throw a monkey wrench into this discussion. I was seriously considering getting an Archos AV420, primarily to play movies and maybe record some TV. I've since decided to get a Dell Axim X50v. Why? It's a Pocket PC, so it has tons of other functionality besides just being a multimedia player (PDA functions, WiFi, Bluetooth). With coupons and discounts, it's cheaper than the AV420 (as low as $374), 3.7" LCD, and using included and free software, it will play virtually any video media, including WMV, Divx and Xvid. And of course, it's much lighter and has a longer battery life. So for me it's a no brainer. If you want to learn more, try this site: www.aximsite.com It's like the After Dawn for Dells! Plus, there's a lot of great info on encoding DVDs to Dvix/Xvid using free software that hasn't been mentioned her on AD, such as Fair Use.
I don’t think you really threw a monkey wrench into this discussion. A PDA and PVR serve two different functions. I have a Sony Clie PEG-TH55 and an Archos AV480. The Clie will play mp3s and videos. I have gone to the trouble to save several TV shows to my hard disk and then convert them to play on the Clie. The problem is that it takes a 1GB memory stick to hold a full-length movie. The best price I have seen for 1 GB of flash memory is about US$75.00. Thus, to have the equivalent capacity of an AV420 would cost about US$1500.00. My brain tells me that is not a good value. I use my Clie for PDA kinds of things and my Archos for movies, music and pictures. And Bill Gates never gets a nickel from me for either device.
Hello, I'm brand new here, and you all seem like a very knowledgable bunch..hopefully this is the right place to ask this: I recently got an AV480, and am having a problem recording animated shows onto it. When I record cartoons such as Family Guy or South Park straight from the DVD player, the resulting file plays back with a lot of glitches/pixelation. I don't notice this problem at all when I am copying TV or non-animated DVD's. Also, it doesn't really matter what bitrate or quality (S-video or composite) I use. Has anyone else had this problem or know what causes this? Any help would be great, it's really an irritating problem. thanks
raz_1234 Hi mate thanks for the reply but i didn get this bit: "In terms of watching other movies, as long as the resultion is below 720 width it can be played with the archos (it resize it to the appropriate screen (i.e. tv or lcd)). So - you can watch DVD at thier original res if encoded properly" Matt
you mention before that you solved the sync issue, that is not a solution (to re-encode it) - why it is not sync from the first place (and why do we have to re-encode the video to sync it?)
Happy New Year Everyone! Anyone heard of this new toy? http://www.buy.com/prod/X2_s_MEGA_V...MPEG4_DIVX_WMV_USB2_0/q/loc/440/90141723.html Looks intriguing, especially the size and price, as well as the features. And it doesn't need a cradle like the Archos.
Hi- I have been on the verge of buying a Archos AV480 and just came across this piece. http://www.x2usa.com/ While I know it has a 20 GB hard drive, it has some features that the AV480 does not support. Does anyone know anything about the X2 Mega View 561? It looks as though this may be the way I am going to go, but just wanted to hear some of the opinions from people who know a little more about these things than I do. Any help? Thanks again.
I'm interested in this one too; although I wish it had a SD/CF slot. Lucky me, I'm going to the International CES tomorrow in Las Vegas, and will check out this new PVP as their company will have a booth there. I'm bringing some Dvix/Xvid/WMV video files with me to see how they work with the various players, so I will report back next week.
hi, i would be extremely grateful if anyone could help me out here. I purchased an Archos AV-420 and it arrived yesterday. After playing around with it i plugged it into my computer and had just started to transfer some music to it when i accidentally knocked the usb cable out, when it automatically updated itself, i lost all the information that was pre programmed by archos is there any way to retrieve this data, or just reset the whole thing now when i access the G drive(jukebox) there are no folders, is it possible to get those original folders back? I can access the system and it says i have 17455MB free, is their hidden data or have i lost some of the disk space? thanks in advance
This must have debuted today at the CES show http://www.archos.com/products/overview/pma_400.html What do you think? Similar to theAV400 series, but has wireless connectivity and serves more like a palm. Small HD, but a cool piece also.
TO:geshtasp IF possible After I Read your post for November 11, 2004 I bought the decoder from the link you provide www.lik-sang.com I receive it today and want to know if you can explaint to me how to put the cables. I tried a few ways and got no results. In the www.lik-sang.com shows an S CABLE in both sides and another the White,Yellow, and red in both sides. Can you please help me to figure this out. I only have the one vith the three collors in boths end and the ones that came with my ARCHOS AV 480. thanks noemi
TO:geshtasp IF possible After I Read your post for November 11, 2004 I bought the decoder from the link you provide www.lik-sang.com I receive it today and want to know if you can explain to me how to put the cables. I tried a few ways and got no results. In the www.lik-sang.com shows an "S" CABLE in both sides and another the White,Yellow, and red in both sides. Can you please help me to figure this out. I only have the one with the three colors in both ends and the set that came with my ARCHOS AV 480. THANKS NOEMI
I have A AV440 with my CD collection and films on It. I can encode a film from a DVD to the Archos in one buy using DVDx 2.2 (It's Free) The using DivX 5.2.1 and audio with lame MP3 I can can get a film on the archos in under 400meg Set the the film size to 320 by 288 and you fill the whole screen. MP3 80kb at 44.1khz.
ytrewqdoa - I have had your problem too. There is a article on the Archos support site on this. http://www.archos.com/support/faq/faq_AV400.html says: After connecting my AV400 to my computer, I find new file names and folder names that I never created or they have strange gibberish names. Why? A: Most likely, your AV400's File Allocation Table (FAT) has been corrupted. This could have been due to the AV300 shutting down (due to low battery power) while reading or writing to your computer via the USB connection. To fix a corrupted FAT problem, you should use the Error Checking utility or Check Disk utility. Note: Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems often write extra files to your AV400's hard disk such as finder.def or System Volume Infor.....There are normal and will not harm the AV400. This article covers formatting your Archos: http://www.archos.com/support/faq/faq_General Questions.html I ended up formatting mine and atarting all over again. And now I am very careful about letting it finish file transfers before unplugging it. -Halfred
noemi, Sorry with the late response. I have been out of the country with little access to internet (vacation). I do not have the same model as you have but, please scan and send me the connection table. I will be more than happy to help.
What is the file size after "ripping" a DVD movie ?(DivX format) Based on an average movie being 90 mins
