Archos revamps Wi-Fi media players

Archos has updated its 600-series digital media player line, building on last summer's 604 with a new model that offers a bigger display and more storage.

Archos's 605 WiFi: wireless PMP

When the Archos 605 WiFi goes on sale this coming August, it'll be offered with a choice of 30, 80 or 160GB of hard drive music and movie storage. Archos indicated it will also make a 4GB Flash version available.

For each, the screen's a 4.3in touchscreen LCD, just like the 604, but this time the resolution has been expanded to 800 x 480 from 480 x 272. Archos has squeezed some extra time out of the player's battery, too, upping the playtime from 16 hours to 17 hours for music and from five hours 5.5 hours for video.

Like its predecessor, the 605 WiFi has 802.11g wireless on board to download content. It can play a wide range of sound and video formats; display JPEG, BMG and PNG images; and allow you to read PDFs. Wireless brings access to Archos' Content Portal download service

Archos' Content Portal download service

And with Archos' bundled DVR Station unit, the player becomes recorder, grabbing sound and video from the Station's AV ports. The docking cradle ties into the 605's on-board DVR software and electronic programme guide.

Archos' EPG app

Available in August, the Archos 605 line's prices start at £150.