Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1223 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Archos
• Model: Archos 5 250GB Inter
• Released on: 2008-09-15
• Dimensions: 5.08" h x 30.83" w x 50.20" l, .55 pounds
• Display size: 4.8

Manufacturer's Description
Archos, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players now introduces a new concept: the Internet Media Tablet (IMT). The Archos 5 is the flagship product of this new line, bringing you a new way to enjoy the Internet, your media, and TV - all in a handheld device. The Archos 5 250 GB IMT is a high-end portable device with an ultra-thin design, a black stainless steel body, a high-resolution 5-inch touchscreen, and the horsepower of a laptop.

(Click on image below to change view.) Buy or rent media from the Archos Media Club, surf the Web, and enjoy your music, photos, and videos anywhere, anytime.

Ultra-slim at just half an inch deep. Click to enlarge.

Uncompromised Web Surfing in the Palm of Your Hand
With an 800-pixels-wide resolution and a 5-inch screen, you can browse the Web just as you would on your PC. No need to zoom in and out, as web pages are fully displayed on the Archos screen. Plus, with Adobe Flash 9 video support, you can natively browse video-sharing websites, such as Dailymotion or YouTube. The Archos IMTs boast enough processing power to surf the Web on the go, just like you were doing it with your laptop. No more endless waiting for the page to load - just grab your Archos 5 and check the latest news right away. Your PC wouldn't have finished booting up by the time you've put the Archos back in your pocket. Once connected to a Wi-Fi or 3.5G network, the included email software allows you to check your email accounts (compatible with POP/IMAP) whenever you want. See the number of awaiting emails right on the Archos 5 home screen, answer back, or share attachments with anyone (only compatible formats). Stay in touch while on the go.

Download hundreds of useful and fun widget applications and then put your favorite ones on the Archos home screen.Check the weather before leaving for work, or see the latest sports results without having to start a new application. In less than three clicks, you can access nearly 1,000 Web TV channels, more than 10,000 Web radio stations, and 100,000-plus podcasts. There's no downloading wait time. Radio and TV start streaming right away from a worldwide list of traditional and independent radio and TV stations.

Your Digital Library in a Thin Handheld Tablet
The Archos Media Club remains the easiest way to get video and music content on the go. With an even richer library featuring new partners and the biggest industry players, the Media Club lets you discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music, and games. Buy or rent your entertainment in a couple of clicks and start watching it on your Archos 5. Enjoy a great multimedia experience on the go with a high-resolution 5-inch touchscreen right in your hands. Enjoy your favorite videos, browse through your photos with a simple flick of your finger, or play a slideshow of your last vacation.

Plus, you can store your entire record collection comfortably on your Archos device- there's plenty of room. Rediscover songs left aside for months, or show your friends your latest discoveries. The unique Archos music browsing system allows you to create your playlists without using a PC, and the displayed album covers complete the experience.

Don't get bored on your commute. For a little fun before getting to work or whenever you have a little time to kill, grab your Archos and enjoy some poker, Sudoku, or a round of golf. Premium games can be purchased directly from the tablet or at www.archos.com, or find Flash-based games downloadable for free on the Web.

When you're at home and want to watch a movie or listen to music stored on your PC, just browse the device's hard drive wirelessly and play it without transferring the file. Just stream it via your Wi-Fi network and enjoy it on your Archos.

Experience the Best TV at Home or on the Go
With the optional DVR Station, you have the perfect match for your Archos 5 at home and on the go. Schedule and record TV shows and movies in one step with the included remote control. Just locate the TV show on the program guide grid, and you'll have a recording to enjoy at home on your widescreen TV or in the palm of your hand. The DVR Station also will turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Enjoy all the Archos functions on the big screen in your living room. Watch your movies in HD, listen to your music, share your high-resolution pictures, play games, or surf the Web.

Technology Meets Design
The Archos 5 features a comfortable, clear widescreen that'll earn a few looks over your shoulder. The touchscreen technology ensures the most instinctive and direct way to access your movies, view your pictures, listen to your music, or browse the Web. The new graphical interface has been designed for total touch control. Reach the main functions with a tap, return at any moment to the home screen, and use the search function to access your files right away. Add shortcuts to your favorite files and display them directly on the Archos home screen for quick access. You also can bring your home screen to life with the new animated wallpapers.

The Archos 5 gives you 250 GB of storage for up to 160 movies, 1.2 million photos, or 60,000 songs--and the processing power to handle them. Enjoy blazing speed with the ARM Cortex superscalar microprocessor.

Add-ons--Enhance Your Archos 5

• DVR Station
  Record TV, play video back to your TV, and charge your Archos device via the DVR Station. With the included TV Program Guide, scheduling and recording from your satellite receiver, cable box, Digital TV adapter has never been so easy. You also can surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer.
• DVR Snap-on
  Record from most any audio or video analog source on the move with the DVR Snap-on, a small device that's no bigger than a pack of gum.
• Mini Dock
  Transfer your files directly from USB keys, digital cameras, or other portable media players with the Mini Dock. Quickly charge your Archos with the included charger/adapter. Play video out to your TV with video output in high quality S-Video or standard quality composite.
• Battery Dock
  Benefit from all the great features of the Mini Dock and get extended playback with the built-in backup battery.
• Helmet Cam
  Turn your Archos into a hands-free digital camcorder with the Helmet Cam, perfect for sports and family fun.
• FM Remote
  Built-in FM receiver and microphone to listen to radio anywhere or make voice recordings. This item is not yet available at Amazon.co.uk.
• Protective Cases
  Protect your Archos and show your style with one of the many protective cases. This item is not yet available at Amazon.co.uk.
• GPS Car Holder
  Turn your Archos 5 into a high-end GPS with the GPS In-Car Holder.
• TV Snap-on (Available by end of 2008)
  Watch live digital TV right on your Archos, record, and enjoy the time-shifting function.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Great bit of kit
I have had two previous archos 504 and 605 and this is by far the best. The screen is excellent, very easy when uploading files use it in pc hard drive mode just drag and drop you videos, music files or pictures, if i were you dont use windows media to sync it, I aslo have the DVR Station which i use to record off the TV and works very well. the battery life is about 6 hours video and about 20 hours music, the only negative is that you dont get a charger with it, you have to use the usb cable to charge it which takes for ever, i bought a mini dock that charges it in about two hours.
Please dont let other reviews put you off i love it you cant go wrong. if you want to watch your films on the go its the best on the market, it play loads of video formats unlike the ipod. lovely big screen.

Archos 5 250GB
After reading various reviews of the Archos on Amazon I was unsure about whether to buy the product or not, however these `expert' reviews all over the internet seemed to love it so I decided to go for it.

Firstly if you are looking for a simple portable Mp3 player then it may be an idea to look elsewhere- be warned this is not a small or lightweight product. I would advise that you look in a shop before buying off the internet, (I looked in Comet and they were very helpful). Also ask for the memory size you are buying, the 60GB is considerably slimmer than the 120/250GB (the 120/250 pictures are the ones on the left and top in the Amazon images, the one on the right and bottom is the 60GB- I found this slightly misleading).

As for the various poor reviews some seem slightly farfetched i.e. paint scratching off- obviously this will happen if you scratch the product!!!! As for the player dying soon after taking it out of the box, did you charge it?? I had this happen and panicked until my Dad pointed out I hadn't charged it. I suggest you fry the battery overnight before the first time you use it- it is worth it. Another good one is- `the player froze after it was shaken'- it has a hard drive!! Of course it will freeze if shaken vigorously!

Sadly others are a lot more realistic- dead or stuck pixels seem to be a major issue. Mine arrived with a STUCK pixel, NOT a dead one there IS a difference. Stuck pixels can fix themselves over time, I had two and after a day one has gone and I am currently trying thousands of pixel fixing systems for the other. You have a stuck pixel if it is stuck as a colour, a dead one is totally black. Archos have a very silly stance on this, they only replace the product if it has 4 or more broken pixels but Amazon will take it back with just one.

Anyways the player itself is fantastic. The screen is top class, excellent response- better than the iPod touch- and the quality is just amazing! The hard drive is almost silent and loads music extremely quickly. They do sting you with the plug-ins but to be honest you probably won't need them. The Wi-Fi connection is also fantastic, it has a huge range.

Overall I would say this is a fantastic product, but maybe Archos could clean up their product quality control and support. And remember most people only review bad experiences- the only reason I wrote this review was to show the brighter side of what is a great product. (Sorry if I rambled a bit there...) :)

Great product, no problems encountered.
As the product description is contained at the page, I won't repeat it.

My experience in the first month of use is without any problem. Specifically:

- device is picking up internet connection via wifi and is working fine

- no dead pixels on screen

- no lock-ups or problems

- picking up internet radio via wifi (this gives 1000s of stations)

- have picked up some free to air TV stations via wifi

- artwork is showing on all my music

- stunning handling of music playlists - it will rebuild a 4000 track playlist in a couple of seconds and handle it without a problem.

- no tracks missing from the library

- picture viewing is excellent and can be run as a slideshow while listening to music

- I have picked up email on the device and replied to it without issue

- battery time once charged fully in excess of the stated time (I've had 15 hours playing music)

- great screen quality for viewing movies

- have added new Opera Widgets and Flash games which work on the device.

- no issues with the shining coating coming off (I keep mine in a leather holder bought at Amazon).


I have over 200gb of content on the device and have watched films, listened to music, listened to internet radio, ran screenshows of pictures, browsed on the internet, downloaded email, used the flash widgets, put on more widgets and used many of the features. It's a remarkably feature packed item but very different to an iPod and it is a matter of choice as to preference.

I have not had any issues and I'm really enjoying using the device. Getting a mini-dock is essential as you need to charge it up regularly if using it every day as I do.

There are always niggles and people may have another experience, but this is my second Archos device and do not have any problems to report.

Once you have the mini-dock which charges the device in two hours (or less, you don't have to worry about any power drains and I've found the battery life extended once it is getting a decent power supply rather than just via USB.

So for me, a great product with excellent features.