Archos launches new PMPs with Wi-Fi video streaming

June 15, 2007 - French consumer electronics firm Archos has launched its fifth generation of Portable Media Players (PMPs), which offer Wi-Fi Internet access and video streaming on the high-end models.

The new Archos 605 and widescreen 705 models offer inbuilt Wi-Fi b and g connectivity, touch screens, 800 x 480 screen resolution and the Archos TV Guide.  The Archos 605 will be available from August 2007 in the UK with a 4.3 inch screen in 4Gb, 30Gb and 160Gb versions, starting from GB£150.  At the more affordable end of the range are the ultra mini 105 music player and ultra portable 405 PMP, both with 2Gb of flash storage, as well as SD card slots. 

The new Archos 605 supports flash video playback and the facility to stream web videos from sites such as Youtube and Dailymotion.  Archos recently announced that it is teaming up with Dailymotion in the UK to offer content to users to download on the go, with a 30 minute TV show taking around 20 minutes according to the company.

Henri Crohas, the CEO and founder of Archos, commented: “Generation 5 is a breakthrough product line for Archos… the new products represent the first connected PMPs that give consumers exactly the options they’re looking for.” As with previous top-end models, the Archos 605 comes with a television docking station, enabling programme recording from a television, DVD player or Personal Video Recorder (PVR) via phono cables, and the ability to synchronise the unit’s integrated Archos TV Program Guide with the local cable or satellite provider for easy TV scheduling and recording. 

A range of optional plug-ins will also be available for the range, with a web browser plug-in available for the 605 and 705 models, as well as an Internet radio plug-in and optional support for the latest formats for high definition (HD) video (720p at 24fps) from the unit to a TV.

Archos is also readying a new PVR called the Archos TV Plus, which enables users to record and save programmes, while also offering the option to connect the new Archos PMPs to the device and take the content away for viewing on the move, as well as Internet surfing via the TV.  The Archos TV Plus is expected to be launched at the beginning of September 2007.