Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA400 (Formerly AV500)

By Alexander Grundner | January 7th, 2005 Comments (0)

To some this maybe the most exciting news from CES. We have been inundated with email from users who have been anxious to know when the fabled Archos AV500 Wi-Fi PMP/PDA was going to be released (we’ve had details on it since March ‘04). But FINALLY the company has formally announced that they will be releasing the device, which is now called the Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA400, at the end of January for $799 and will have most of the goodies that we previously reported on, including newly implemented Windows Media DRM protected file support.

Check prices at Amazon: Archos Pocket Media Assistant

ARCHOS ADDS WIRELESS ACCESS TO THE TOP PORTABLE VIDEO PLAYER IN THE NEW POCKET MEDIA ASSISTANT PMA400

New Linux Platform Allows for Device Customization, While You Can Record Directly from TV, Listen to Music, Stay Connected and Browse the Internet

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – January 6, 2005 – ARCHOS®, Inc., the pioneer and innovator in portable entertainment products, introduced today at the Consumer Electronics Show 2005 the Pocket Media Assistant PMA400, a new generation of ARCHOS smart portable devices that combines full video and audio capabilities with wireless connectivity and a new Linux® platform. The PMA400 (previously referred to as the AV500) is a 30-gigabyte pocket-sized devices and is the most versatile portable video recorder/player (PVR/PVP) on the market today. ARCHOS will demonstrate the PMA400 in its booth at CES and the product will be generally available in late January 2005.

With the PMA400, ARCHOS extends its focus on helping consumers eliminate multiple portable devices by combining essential entertainment features— video, music, photos and gaming—with Internet access and Personal Information Manager applications in one integrated handheld device. The PMA400 features the same slim, sleek and light-weight form factor as the industry-standard PVP AV400, with additional revolutionary features that put it generations ahead of competing PVPs.

The PMA400 continues the ARCHOS tradition of letting consumers record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box or satellite receiver, schedule recordings, record and play music, view photos and play games in multiple ways. It also features several ways to connect to the Internet—wirelessly or via Ethernet—personal information manager applications, an LCD touch screen for fast and easy navigation, a 30 gigabyte Hitachi hard drive, and the ability to act as a USB Host for attaching other mass storage peripherals, such as digital cameras, keyboards, hard drives and other portable devices.

The new Linux platform allows for customized applications to be specifically developed for the PMA400. A complete Software Development Kit will be made available on the ARCHOS Web site at www.archos.com, and on a dedicated Web site designed specifically for the PMA400, at www.pma400.com. More details about the SDK will be communicated on these sites once the product is available.

“ARCHOS redefined the MP3 player market with its portable video devices that do far more than play music, and is now raising the bar in the emerging PVP space at a time when many companies are just jumping in,” said Henri Crohas, chief executive officer of ARCHOS, Inc. “Consumers are showing a great thirst for devices that store all of their media in one place for anywhere access, and now those consumers can stay connected and productive at the same time. While 2004 was one of the busiest and most innovative years in ARCHOS’ history, we expect 2005 to be that much more exciting for consumers.”

Enjoy All Your Personal Entertainment Wherever You Go

The Pocket Media Assistant PMA400 offers a range of unique ways to experience and enjoy favorite entertainment content:

• Record, Store and Play Back up to 120 Hours of Video1 Record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box or satellite receiver; schedule recordings remotely; and store up to 120 hours of TV content or 60 full-length movies1 in MPEG-4 SP format.
• Record, Store and Listen to more than 6500 songs1 or 650 CDs1 Record and play MP3, WAV and WMA music files (including Windows Media DRM protected files) with the enhanced music center, and use the ARCLibrary to view by artist, albums, genre, title, year, and playlists. Create a playlist while on the go using the touch-screen and record your own voice through the internal microphone.
• Transfer and View up to 300,000 Thousand Photos1 Transfer, store and view up to 300,000 photos (JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF files) directly from another mass storage device or digital camera using the built-in USB host connection, or computer using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface.
• Play Games Play Mophun™ and Qtopia™ games found on the device or downloaded from the ARCHOS web site.

Stay Connected While on the Road

Essential applications make the PMA400 the first smart entertainment device:

• Connect via Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable and IrDA The PMA400 features built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi for accessing the Internet from any wireless hotspot, or you can connect to the Internet via Ethernet with an optional USB Ethernet adaptor or by using the IrDA port of your mobile phone.
• Customize Your PMA400 with Linux-based Applications The new Linux platform allows you to customize the PMA400 by creating and/or adding third-party software. Check www.archos.com or www.pma400.com for updates regarding release and conditions.
• Browse the Internet and Stay Connected Connect to stock quotes, check sport scores, read news and stay connected using the Opera™ Web browser.
• Connect to a Number of USB Devices Anywhere you Are The PMA400 connects via USB 2.0 (backward USB 1.1 compatible) and acts as a USB Host for transferring files directly from other powered mass storage devices such as other ARCHOS products, digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, keyboards and portable hard drives.
• Send and Receive E-mail The PMA400 features an e-mail client enabling you to read, create and send e-mails from personal and business e-mail accounts (POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols supported).
• Stay Productive on the Road Personal information manager software from Qtopia offers a large number of applications such as an address book, agenda, calendar, and more, with the PMA400 able to synchronize contacts, tasks, to-do list and appointments from computers running Microsoft Outlook™.

Optional Accessories, Pricing, Availability

The Pocket Media Assistant PMA400 comes with a TV Cradle, remote control, headphones, protective flap, stylus, removable battery, USB 2.0 cable, power adapter and universal power plugs. Optional ARCHOS accessories include a USB-to-Ethernet cable for fast Internet access through Local Area Networks, replaceable battery, USB Keyboard, styli four pack, AV travel kit, car adaptor, travel case and stand-up travel case for propping up the PMA400 to watch videos on the road.

The PMA400 will start shipping in January 2005 for a price of $799.95 in the U.S. and 799.99€ in Europe (including VAT), and will be available at major retailers nationwide and on the ARCHOS web site at www.archos.com.

ARCHOS News and Product Demonstrations at CES 2005

In addition to the new Pocket Media Assistant PMA400, ARCHOS introduced today the new ARCDrive 4GB USB key for storing and transporting computer files, documents, music, videos and photos while on the go. ARCHOS will demonstrate its complete line of pocket video, audio and storage solutions in the South Hall, booth number 36401at CES, and also during a press conference Friday, January 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

About ARCHOS

Established in 1988, ARCHOS is the technology leader in pocket audio/video products and has a long history of inventing state-of-the-art devices for people on the go. In 2000, ARCHOS opened the mass market of pocket-sized MP3 players based on a hard disk with the Jukebox 6000. In 2002, ARCHOS launched the first portable video player, the Jukebox Multimedia. The company’s “AV” line of pocket-sized audio/video recorders and players has revolutionized how today’s consumers enjoy their music, photos and videos anywhere, anytime. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia and more information is available online at www.archos.com.

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