Product Face-Offs
Archos 5
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| Pixmania.co.uk | 33.50 | |
| Amazon.co.uk | 37.00 | |
| Comet | 79.99 | |
| Amazon.co.uk | 89.99 | |
| Amazon Marketplace UK | 159.99 | |
| Pixmania.co.uk | 195.00 | |
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| LCD screen | 12.4 cm | ||
| Screen resolution / Colours | 800 x 480 pixels / 16 million couleurs | ||
| Storage | HDD 60 (+cartes No) | ||
| Dimensions/Weight | 127.5 x 78.3 x 12.9 mm / 251 g grammes | ||
| Battery | 22 h audio, 7h video | ||
 See all specifications | |||
| File formats supported |
Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV, Flac, OGG Video: MPEG-4, AVI, WMV, M-JPEG |
 Hide specifications | |
Florent Alzieu
Test date: October 23, 2008
Test date: October 23, 2008
Recording TV
To make the Archos 5 work with your television, you'll need to add the optional DVR dock. This features several inputs and outputs including composite and HDMI cables, and allows you not only to watch content from your portable device on your TV, but also to record TV shows.
A year's subscription to an Electronic Program Guide is included, but after this content will set you back 19.80 euros a year (25 USD / 15 GBP). As soon as you have found your favorite show in the listings, all you need to do is select it and the Archos 5 will record it automatically.
A year's subscription to an Electronic Program Guide is included, but after this content will set you back 19.80 euros a year (25 USD / 15 GBP). As soon as you have found your favorite show in the listings, all you need to do is select it and the Archos 5 will record it automatically.
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Once the DVR station has synced with your satellite decoder or digital terrestrial television tuner, it uses an infra-red interface to activate the right channel.
It's impossible to record TV using a HDMI cable because of the HDCP system that these connectors use. Instead, you're limited to using RGB component cables to record video at 640 x 480 resolution.
Since we tested the Archos 5, plans to make a 3G version available have been unveiled. We're looking forward to testing one, but for the time being, this test refers to the vanilla version.
According to Archos, its new Archos 5 is the latest in its line of 'Internet Media Tablets'. What this means in practice is a device which combines a video, photo and music player with an Internet connection, allowing you to surf the web and check your e-mails.
Connectivity is either via WiFi or using a 3G dongle which can connect with the optional dock (see gray box, right).
This latest model crowns Archos’ range, and is now above the earlier 605 WiFi, which we tested back in August 2007/
Ever since then, a new media player from Archos has been hotly anticipated.
Handling
The most striking aspect of the Archos 5 is the total absence of buttons on the front.
They've disappeared to make room for a 5’’ touch screen, which, although now larger, still has the same maximum resolution of the 605 WiFi: 800 x 480 pixels.
The next big surprise also concerns the screen, which has gone from a matte finish to a glossy one.
All of that shininess may look nice in the showroom, but it strikes us a very unusual choice for a device that’s designed to be used outside.
The only way to avoid reflections of ambient light sources or your own face is either to find a way to avoid direct light, or to tilt the screen so that you’re no longer visible in it.
Fortunately, the screen does have admirably wide viewing angles, making it easy enough to find the right angle, but it's a pain when Archos could so easily have kept the matte screen.
Interface
For all its touch-screen brilliance, the Archos 5 is not entirely devoid of buttons.
The power switch and a volume slider are joined on the right-hand side of its case by the headphone jack and a small speaker.
Behind, a support allows you to stand the Archos 5 upright, which is cool for showing off your photos.
The whole thing is wrapped in an excellent metal case that’s becoming of such a high-end product, but it is very easy to get dirty.
As befitting a mobile device, battery life is very good.
With the backlight set to level 2 (194 cd/²), you can watch video with headphones for four hours.
Turning the backlight down to level 1 (115 cd/m²) allows the battery to go on for an excellent five hours and fifty-one minutes.
Video
Once again, Archos have produced a device with an excellent quality display.
As we mentioned earlier, the viewing angles are nice and generous, but noise is well handled too.
Playback is highly customizable, and you can choose from different audio channels and camera angles easily where these are available.
One plug-in that you can buy from Archos allows you to produce a High Definition signal (720p) that you can send to your TV using the optional docking station.
When we tried to watch a DVD file on a Full HD LCD TV without using the special plug-in, the colors weren’t particularly accurate, and, unfortunately, buying the paid-for codec is the easiest way to improve the situation.
If it is connected to the Internet, the Archos 5 can also access a whole series of Web TV stations.
The offerings are fairly diverse, and set to grow, but if there’s nothing that interests you, you can still watch Flash video on sites like YouTube.
Audio
Time after time, manufacturers don’t pay any thought to the quality of the headphones that they ship with their devices and Archos are no exception.
The headphones that come with the Archos 5 just don’t do it justice: the sound is very flat and has virtually no bass.
When we tried to watch a DVD file on a Full HD LCD TV without using the special plug-in, the colors weren’t particularly accurate, and, unfortunately, buying the paid-for codec is the easiest way to improve the situation.
If it is connected to the Internet, the Archos 5 can also access a whole series of Web TV stations.
The offerings are fairly diverse, and set to grow, but if there’s nothing that interests you, you can still watch Flash video on sites like YouTube.
Audio
Time after time, manufacturers don’t pay any thought to the quality of the headphones that they ship with their devices and Archos are no exception.
The headphones that come with the Archos 5 just don’t do it justice: the sound is very flat and has virtually no bass.
You need to find something a lot more powerful before you see what this device is really capable of--try our Product Survey: Headphones if you’re stuck for ideas.
By default, Archos include shortcuts to give access to two different music download platforms, Jamendo and Music Me.
The first only carries indie artists, and it’s up to you to choose how much you think a track is worth.
The second, Music Me, is a more familiar option, and for a monthly subscription of just under fifteen euros (20 USD / 11.75 GBP) a month you can make unlimited downloads from the service’s catalogue.
Interestingly, this bundled deal seems to be less good value than what Music Me offer on the web, where the same service is available for 10 euros a month and also lets users stream tracks, as well as downloading them.
As with the Web TV service, you can also stream a whole range of different Internet radio stations for free.
Games
Despite its handy form factor, gaming isn’t really the Archos 5’s strong point.
Although the large screen is nice for viewing websites, the device just can’t produce the sort of graphics available on dedicated handheld gaming systems.
As soon as you select ‘Games’ from menu, you are automatically redirected to Archos’ Internet portal, where you can choose from three packs of four games each for ten euros.
The options are all fairly standard--sudoku, golf, poker and so on--but the compatibility with Flash means you’ll be able to play games you find elsewhere online.
Internet
Fortunately, the web browser is ‘free’ on the Archos 5, unlike on earlier models where it was another expensive download.
It resizes websites to fit the shape of the screen, which is sensible.
By default, Archos include shortcuts to give access to two different music download platforms, Jamendo and Music Me.
The first only carries indie artists, and it’s up to you to choose how much you think a track is worth.
The second, Music Me, is a more familiar option, and for a monthly subscription of just under fifteen euros (20 USD / 11.75 GBP) a month you can make unlimited downloads from the service’s catalogue.
Interestingly, this bundled deal seems to be less good value than what Music Me offer on the web, where the same service is available for 10 euros a month and also lets users stream tracks, as well as downloading them.
As with the Web TV service, you can also stream a whole range of different Internet radio stations for free.
Games
Despite its handy form factor, gaming isn’t really the Archos 5’s strong point.
Although the large screen is nice for viewing websites, the device just can’t produce the sort of graphics available on dedicated handheld gaming systems.
As soon as you select ‘Games’ from menu, you are automatically redirected to Archos’ Internet portal, where you can choose from three packs of four games each for ten euros.
The options are all fairly standard--sudoku, golf, poker and so on--but the compatibility with Flash means you’ll be able to play games you find elsewhere online.
Internet
Fortunately, the web browser is ‘free’ on the Archos 5, unlike on earlier models where it was another expensive download.
It resizes websites to fit the shape of the screen, which is sensible.
Less helpful is how small the text is after this resizing, and we found that we regularly needed to zoom in to see pages properly.
Another problem was the size of links, but the touch screen is incredibly sensitive and works with just a single fingernail--which is what you’ll need sometimes to click on some of the tiny text.
You can also configure an e-mail client to work with POP and IMAP servers.
GPS
Like the earlier Archos 605 WiFi, you can add an accessory that allows the Archos 5 to act as a GPS receiver.
It’s a great idea, but an expensive one--the extra module costs around 100 euros ( USD / GBP).
Despite Archos’ best efforts, it’s still a long way behind the market leader for dedicated GPS systems, TomTom.
Conclusion
Archos’ products are very difficult to categorize: they’re somewhere on the frontier between smartphones and laptops.
You can’t use them for calling, but they’re a lot better for accessing the Internet than any phone we’ve ever used.
Having said that, you can still achieve a lot more with even the most basic netbook.
Another particularity is that Archos choose their own partners.
As ever with this kind of tie-in arrangement, there are advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, users gain from services that have guaranteed compatibility and work as intended, but on the other, innovation is stifled and Archos remain able to charge for access to the services.
And charge they do: if you buy an Archos 5, you’re unlikely to stop spending when you purchase the device itself.
All sorts of little extras are needed to get the most out of this product: codes to support certain file formats, games, the dock you’ll need to use it with your TV … they're all separate services charged for separately.
If you are interested in an Archos 5, we suggest you consider the total cost of the accessories before you buy one!
Another problem was the size of links, but the touch screen is incredibly sensitive and works with just a single fingernail--which is what you’ll need sometimes to click on some of the tiny text.
You can also configure an e-mail client to work with POP and IMAP servers.
GPS
Like the earlier Archos 605 WiFi, you can add an accessory that allows the Archos 5 to act as a GPS receiver.It’s a great idea, but an expensive one--the extra module costs around 100 euros ( USD / GBP).
Despite Archos’ best efforts, it’s still a long way behind the market leader for dedicated GPS systems, TomTom.
Conclusion
Archos’ products are very difficult to categorize: they’re somewhere on the frontier between smartphones and laptops.
You can’t use them for calling, but they’re a lot better for accessing the Internet than any phone we’ve ever used.
Having said that, you can still achieve a lot more with even the most basic netbook.
Another particularity is that Archos choose their own partners.
As ever with this kind of tie-in arrangement, there are advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, users gain from services that have guaranteed compatibility and work as intended, but on the other, innovation is stifled and Archos remain able to charge for access to the services.
And charge they do: if you buy an Archos 5, you’re unlikely to stop spending when you purchase the device itself.
All sorts of little extras are needed to get the most out of this product: codes to support certain file formats, games, the dock you’ll need to use it with your TV … they're all separate services charged for separately.
If you are interested in an Archos 5, we suggest you consider the total cost of the accessories before you buy one!
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Almost six hours of battery life
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Big screen
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Very precise touch screen
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WiFi and 3G Internet access
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Reads Flash content
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Glossy screen
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Easy to leave fingerprints on case
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Too many extras are expensive
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Requires a separate dock for connection to TV
The Archos 5 certainly fills a particular niche: it's bigger than a smartphone but smaller than a netbook and performs some of the functions of both. The biggest disappointment is the switch to a glossy screen, though we're also beginning to get tired of Archos' insistence on making just about every service and accessory a paid-for extra. Straight out of the box, the Archos 5 is just a shadow of what it can be.
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