Archos unveils DVR, WiFi-enabled set-top box

Archos unveils DVR, WiFi-enabled set-top boxArchos, best known for its portable media players, is the latest company to enter the highly competitive and volatile consumer facing set-top box market. Offered in 80GB ($249) and 250GB ($349) versions, the Archos TV+ features TiVo-like DVR functionality, as well as WiFi and Ethernet connectivity to support access to the Internet for web browsing and downloading paid-for video content from CinemaNow. Additionally, the device can operate as a media extender of sorts, to stream content (movies, TV shows, photos and music) from a PC to the TV.

The Archos TV+ offers support for an impressive range of video and audio codecs. Used as a DVR, programs are recorded in MPEG-4 (AVI) at VGA resolution (640 x 480 at 30 or 25 f/s), while the device is capable of playing back MPEG-4 video (which we’re pretty sure includes DivX/Xvid), MPEG-2, WMV and H.264, although some codecs require the purchase of additional plug-ins. On the audio side, the Archos TV+ can playback MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, WAV, and AAC.

Archos QWERTY remoteNotably, the Archos TV+’s web access is powered by the Opera browser with Flash video support (similar to the Nintendo Wii), giving full access to video sharing sharing sites such as YouTube, along with the rest of the Web. To support Web surfing, the Archos TV+ comes with a QWERTY remote control, so as to make checking email or searching the Internet a much more pleasant experience than it would be if driven by a standard TV remote.

last100 is edited by Steve O'Hear. Aside from founding last100, Steve is co-founder and CEO of Beepl and a freelance journalist who has written for numerous publications, including TechCrunch, The Guardian, ZDNet, ReadWriteWeb and Macworld, and also wrote and directed the Silicon Valley documentary, In Search of the Valley. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

2 Responses to “Archos unveils DVR, WiFi-enabled set-top box”

  1. W00d says:

    Archos just keeps impressing me. With their DVR and wireless PMP this looks promising as well. Love your products archos. Keep it up.

  2. Avi Ezra says:

    Hi
    Can I get more technical details or specifications about your Archos unviels DVR WiFi enabled set top box
    Regards
    Avi Ezra

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