PMP-120, AV420 or H320

endo55 · #1 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 04:04 PM

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a PMP-120, AV420 or H320.

I mostly want everyday mp3 playback, with video playback from time to time when I travel.

a) I was going to go for PMP-120, but then I read opinions here saying it's not as good as AV420. Is that the general consensus?

b) What is realworld battery life for audio/video on the 3 players (also vs ipod if you know)?

c) Has reliability on the Archos improved? I read people saying they got bad pixels on Archos products.

d) video quality on TV and on LCD, also compatibility with various DivX and XviD files, AV420 or PMP-120?

e) does the AV420 need external software to transfer files (like ipod) or does it work like iriver as a HDD?

Many thanks.

**jeff** · #2 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo55

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a PMP-120, AV420 or H320.

I mostly want everyday mp3 playback, with video playback from time to time when I travel.

a) I was going to go for PMP-120, but then I read opinions here saying it's not as good as AV420. Is that the general consensus?

b) What is realworld battery life for audio/video on the 3 players (also vs ipod if you know)?

c) Has reliability on the Archos improved? I read people saying they got bad pixels on Archos products.

d) video quality (TV and LCD)/compatibility, AV420 or PMP-120?

e) does the AV420 need external software to transfer files (like ipod) or does it work like iriver as a HDD?

Many thanks.

a) Video Quality is excellent and would rate the same on both units.
b) I've taken my PMP-120 to 5 hrs watching video and about 9.5 on audio
c) Archos have come a long way with their product reliability
d) both compatible with TV Out
e) No, it works as an external hard drive just like the iRiver.

In all you cannot beat the Archos for its feature set. For simply playing music and watching the occassional video you cannot go wrong with either.

As far as warranty issues go, i'd rather have the iRiver as their warranty is pretty iron clad and they usually replace faulty units swiftly. I've had no experience with Archos warranty issues.

endo55 · #3 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 05:02 PM

Thanks for your opinion. Anyone else have any views?

mikey · #4 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 06:28 PM

if you want video, you'll probably want to got with a pmp, but the h3xx series might have a firmware upgrade to allow video playback. ive got myself an h320, and its brilliant, but it really depends on your needs.

COOL888 · #5 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 06:56 PM

Please see review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Archos_Pocke...2.html?tag=top

endo55 · #6 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COOL888

Please see review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Archos_Pocke...2.html?tag=top

I already read that thanks. I'm looking for opinions from users who have used the devices for more than a day.

**FlameGrilled** · #7 (**permalink**) October 30th, 2004, 08:19 PM

In perspective, i'll go with Jeff's outline...

What you get, in the Archos AV4xx series (i used a 480 for a while), is photo-exchange (i.e. take a CF card out of a camera, and back up it's contents onto the deck), full basic audio recording facilities (not the crippled affairs that H3xx and H1xx's provide), no tuner, clean video recording and playback (MP4), and no tuner.

So think of the AV4xx as what might have happened if the 'PiMP' (fond name for the PMP) got crossed with a CL JB1, and combined the best of both in a H3xx type sized package or smaller.

The AV4xx is a lot of beastie, for megabucks, it's a matter of your choice if you want to spend the bucks - as it's possible a lot of the AV4xx series facilities may not be important to you.

thebobblehead · #8 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisticJeff

a) Video Quality is excellent and would rate the same on both units.
b) I've taken my PMP-120 to 5 hrs watching video and about 9.5 on audio
c) Archos have come a long way with their product reliability
d) both compatible with TV Out
e) No, it works as an external hard drive just like the iRiver.

In all you cannot beat the Archos for its feature set. For simply playing music and watching the occassional video you cannot go wrong with either.

As far as warranty issues go, i'd rather have the iRiver as their warranty is pretty iron clad and they usually replace faulty units swiftly. I've had no experience with Archos warranty issues.

Having owned both units, for the most part, i agree with Jeff. The battery life is a little better on the PMP-120 units. The PMP can charge from USB (how cool is that for a PVP). The Iriver customer service is way better.
The user interface is better on the Archos. The firmware is much better on the Archos. The PMP is still a bit buggy, and who knows when Iriver will release a firmware.

Both are UMS
The form factor is a toss up. The Archos is smaller, but the Iriver seems a little sturdier, stands up on its own, and some might find it more comfortable to hold.

For most i think it comes down this
USB OTG, FM Radio, and the possibility of 8-bit gameplay VS.
DIVX quality DVR and a CF slot

If the unit is going to be your MP3 player and Video player, i would give the PMP strong consideration.
If you just want something dedicated to video, and video recording Archos all the way.
Im going to try and put a few pics up in a bit.

endo55 · #9 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebobblehead

If the unit is going to be your MP3 player and Video player, i would give the PMP strong consideration.
If you just want something dedicated to video, and video recording Archos all the way.
Im going to try and put a few pics up in a bit.

Thanks for your comments, so you think for everyday use as an mp3 player and occasional video, the iriver is better?

Thanks.

**jeff** · #10 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo55

Thanks for your comments, so you think for everyday use as an mp3 player and occasional video, the iriver is better?

Thanks.

For me yes... As I've said you cannot beat their warranty service!!

endo55 · #11 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisticJeff

For me yes... As I've said you cannot beat their warranty service!!

Thanks, but warranty doesn't really matter to me, since I'll be using it in Europe.

Is Archos more unreliable?

**jeff** · #12 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo55

Thanks, but warranty doesn't really matter to me, since I'll be using it in Europe.

Is Archos more unreliable?

Warranty will matter to you if something happens to it and iRiver America handles the majority of European support since the support infrastructure in Europe leaves a lot to be desired.

In the past Archos has had reliability issues but I believe they have solved most of them.

Again, either player will suit your needs and would be a fine choice.

endo55 · #13 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisticJeff

Warranty will matter to you if something happens to it and iRiver America handles the majority of European support since the support infrastructure in Europe leaves a lot to be desired.

In the past Archos has had reliability issues but I believe they have solved most of them.

Again, either player will suit your needs and would be a fine choice.

Thanks, it's just that I noticed in the past, that if I get something from the US and use it in Europe, by the time it breaks, there's no point sending it back to get it repaired

Thanks again for your comments.

0077 · #14 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 03:26 PM

for the usb on the go - can you hook it up to other mp3 players?

thebobblehead · #15 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 05:56 PM

I attached some pics that compare the two units (sorry the quality isn't the greatest). Note that i still have the screen cover on the Iriver, but it still looks great. Right now i might give Archos a tiny edge in terms of colors, but all of that might be adjustable. You see that Archos is a bit shorter and slimmer. There is a picture with both units standing, but really the PMP-120 is standing (it stands upright on its own so you can sit it on your desk and watch it) and the Archos is resting against the PMP.
If a alternative firmware was started for the PMP-120, it could be really impressive. The possibility of the PMP really supporting different video codecs is exciting. I don't know if Iriver is going to follow through on the gaming, but the form factor is DEFINITELY ready for gaming.

sgreene · #16 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 06:47 PM

Does the pmp, play codecs like divx and xvid?

endo55 · #17 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the pics.

I'm falling for the Archos, it seems smaller, so maybe more practical for every day use.

Thanks.

endo55 · #18 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgreene

Does the pmp, play codecs like divx and xvid?

Yes it does.

**FlameGrilled** · #19 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 08:34 PM

I may be in the process of, after the funeral etc is sorted of an old friend, be handling the selling off of his now-redundant collection of daps etc.

I did notice, when i hunted through the boxes (no, i wasn't looking for stuff for myself, i aint that shallow), there was a recent unopened parcel of a largish nature.

In it, still shrink-wrapped and sealed, was a brand-new Archos AV480 - from what i can tell, it's only been sitting there for a month (poor git only passed on a week ago - he had a nasty encounter road-testing his new custom-bike project, and met a 'blind' driver the nasty way). So it's got at least 11 months warranty on it.

I'm still deciding how to dispose of it, should the deceased's family ask me to handle the disposal of goods, if so - i'll list what is available and ideas of prices wanted.

What's more painful than disposing of his personal favourite worldy possessions, is having to clean the blood and guts of the nearly intact bike - can't try to fix it and sell it for his family with bits of his mortal remains attached, can i..??

endo55 · #20 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameGrilled

I may be in the process of, after the funeral etc is sorted of an old friend, be handling the selling off of his now-redundant collection of daps etc.

arg that sucks (but I'll give $450 for an AV380).

**FlameGrilled** · #21 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2004, 09:06 PM

Noted, endo55..

It indeed is a 'that sucks' situation - and don't the driver know it (he's currently in the ICU, and reduced to a liquid diet as far as i know - some of my old friend's biker buddies made sure he learn't to look first, and not treat their fellow bikers like cockroaches)

I'll post a notice when i know what's happening over the redundant kit.

endo55 · #22 (**permalink**) November 1st, 2004, 10:46 AM

Hey,

Do any of them come with wired remotes to put between device and headphones?

Cheers.

endo55 · #23 (**permalink**) November 1st, 2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameGrilled

It indeed is a 'that sucks' situation - and don't the driver know it (he's currently in the ICU, and reduced to a liquid diet as far as i know - some of my old friend's biker buddies made sure he learn't to look first, and not treat their fellow bikers like cockroaches)

motorcycles are too dangerous