Archos AV420 20GB Video/MP3 Player

• Reviewed by: bcarpman

  Strengths: Looks like a cool device if I could get it to work

  Weaknesses: Total Lack of ANY tech support

  Overall: This device does not connect to my computer. Many calls to tech support yielded only endless wait on hold. Emails went unreturned. What use is something like this if there is no support?

• Reviewed by: BJoseph904

  Strengths: Very nice screen. very versatile and portable and serves it's function well. I need something to pass the time enroute to work and home. Earphones work the best.

  Weaknesses: Lacks a stand, audio not very loud on built in speakers but that's why I use earphones and it also allows for privacy

  Overall: Definitely recommend for someone looking for portability as an extra drive, MP3 Player, and video player. Don't expect a high octane entertainment center as that is not its intended purpose. For me, it was free. To see about getting urs free, follow this link...believe me it works if you just do a little leg work which is well worth $420.

• Reviewed by: hrdrock7

  Strengths: very easy to record from vcr and tv. once you figure out how.

  Weaknesses: the instructions manual takes time to understand but once you get it then it is very easy

  Overall: this is the second one i purchased due to the first broke on me due to the buttons stuck once pushed and failed to work again. a major button. other than that i love this product easy to carry around the picture quality is excellent. highly recomended

• Reviewed by: steven_alexander

  Strengths: Great concept

  Weaknesses: Reliability, Design, and Customer Service

  Overall: I have purchased the AV420, the AV480, and the new AV4100 all in hopes that the latter will correct the mistakes of the former. I was dissapointed with all three and I returned all three. No matter what video source I used (Digital camera in realtime and nonrealtime recording, DVD using noncopywrited material, and VCR using noncopywrited material) the recorder loses the signal and even shuts down. When it did have the signal, intermittently, the pic was grainy. I did not buy this for it to be a glorified MP3 player. I bought it for the video recording and playing capabilities. The cradle is ridiculous. You cannot view the product unless it is at an 45 degree angle but the cradle does not tilt so you have to hold it in your hand or get down to the angle. they should have put a kickstand on the back of it. And what is with those permanent wires? How come they did not put connectors on the cradle instead? And the Customer Service is a joke. That Tech guy was no help. He did all the things I had already done to diagnose it. Those guys read from a script. They are not real techs that know their product. These are just the major highlights.

• Reviewed by: botrbob

  Strengths: Very versitile. Does everything an I-Pod does but includes video, pictures, TV recording & camcorder file storing & viewing. Battery life is excellent. Good size screen for a portable.

  Weaknesses: Buttons are a bit tiny for my fat fingers. Like all portable devises I would like a little more audio volume.

  Overall: I bought this for my wife who enjoys reading. She now listens to audio books which we have transfered to the device. Holds lots of books and lots of video. Future date and real time recording of TV programs is also great. It will record an analog signal and convert it to digital for storing and playback. This is great for recording music from my satelite TV signal and having hours of music choice music. Easy to manipulate folders and files using the 'puter. It's the same as managing any hard drive. The 'puter recognizes the device as another drive. Also has helpful file conversion capability. My wife loves it and carries books to listen to, pictures of the kids & pets, hours of music and the last showing of "Desperate Housewives". The battery life and memory is excellent.