Archos 605/705 "PocketDish" Questions

[mark722]

I'm thinking of getting an Archos 605 or 705 "PocketDish" but I've seen some bad reviews on other sites for these devices. Being able to take your Dish programs with you and surf the internet wirelessly on this device makes it a very cool concept, but how good does it work? If anyone has had any experiences with these devices, either good or bad, I'd like to hear about them. Also, I was wondering if you have to pay the EHD activation fee to make these work. I don't have an EHD and don't plan on getting one since the 722's drive is already huge.

[harsh]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. The PocketDISH/Archos devices don't do HD
2. Don't expect a lot from a hand-held web browser
3. The handheld can not be used for storage or transfer of DISH programming to other devices

You don't need to pay the EHD fee to use a handheld. You just have to make sure you get the right software on the Archos.

[lujan]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. The PocketDISH/Archos devices don't do HD
2. Don't expect a lot from a hand-held web browser
3. The handheld can not be used for storage or transfer of DISH programming to other devices

You don't need to pay the EHD fee to use a handheld. You just have to make sure you get the right software on the Archos.

It's probably been a year if not close to a year that I got one. When I found out that it didn't do HD, I sent it back. I didn't necessarily want HD, I just wanted 16X9 resolution because HD doesn't mean much on such a small screen. I can't believe that they still haven't been able to work 16X9 on this product and it makes me think that I will never get this item.

[dmspen]

The next generation of Archos players are 16x9 and HD, at least the 705 is. Does 720p. There's a version that has a 320GB hard drive so you can store to your hearts content.

The catch is that every little 'add-on' costs. You want a browser? $19. DVR dock? $29. It goes on and on. Not sure when they will be out.

http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/index.html?country=global&lang=en

[bill-e]

I have the 705 and I spend 3/4 of my life on the road. I use it to transfer SD TV shows and movies for use while in airports and on airplanes. I typically don't use it from my hotel room. I find that now defunct tv series can be viewed in 30-40 mins per episode are are great time wasters while sitting in airports.
As far as HD, yea it would be cool but honestly other than to be able to copy my already recorded HD shows to the Archos (which, I haven't yet heard if the PocketDish plugin will do that with the new generation of players) I don't see the need for HD on a 4 or 7" display.

Internet is limited and slow, at least on the Gen 5 machines. It works in a pinch but if you have a laptop with you that is by far the better surfing machine.

If you travel a lot I think it's worth the money.

Here's a link to some discussion about the new players. http://forum.archosfans.com/viewforum.php?f=45

[lujan]

The next generation of Archos players are 16x9 and HD, at least the 705 is. Does 720p. There's a version that has a 320GB hard drive so you can store to your hearts content.

The catch is that every little 'add-on' costs. You want a browser? $19. DVR dock? $29. It goes on and on. Not sure when they will be out.

http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/index.html?country=global&lang=en

That's good to know. Can you quickly transfer shows from the 622/722 to the 705 using USB 2.0?

[mark722]

The next generation of Archos players are 16x9 and HD, at least the 705 is. Does 720p. There's a version that has a 320GB hard drive so you can store to your hearts content.

The catch is that every little 'add-on' costs. You want a browser? $19. DVR dock? $29. It goes on and on. Not sure when they will be out.

http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/index.html?country=global&lang=en

That link was for the Archos 7 Travel Companion. It also looks very cool but doesn't appear to have a Dish plugin for transferring shows through the USB port at high speed. It does offer the web browser and web tv and radio plugins for free though according to their plugins link:
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/accessories.html?country=global&lang=en&p=plugins
The only Archos players compatable with the Dish plugin are the 405, 605, and 705 models as shown here:
http://www.archos.com/plug-ins/index_dish.html?country=us&lang=en
If Archos ever does make a plugin compatable with the Archos 7, it would seem to be a better alternative.