By Stray Bullit from Redwood City on 5/10/2007

I recently purchased the Archos 604 player after spending a few hours researching products on the web. The 604 came very highly recommended, but everyone said to be certain to buy the docking station as well. Good advice that. Sure it adds a bit to the overall cost of the player, but it provides a vast amount of functionality that really completes the package.

Once out of the box, the docking station isn't much to look at, but it plugs easily into just about any home entertainment system allowing you to both record and playback programs off any of the -04 series of devices from Archos. In addition to composite, component, and S-Video outputs, you also have a choice of composite or SPDIF audio outputs. Inputs are a bit more limited, with just composite video/audio, and S-Video inputs. Also, while my Archos 604 is capable of outputting up a signal of up to 720x480, the docking station only allows recording up to 640x480. Most importantly, the docking station also comes with an AC adapter, so you can charge your video player without resorting to a USB cable and a powered-on computer.

There are two ways to record programs for the video player, either directly (by hitting the record button when connected to an input source), or via scheduling. The 604 comes with scheduling software installed, but it is useless without the docking station. However, when docked, the 604 works just like a VCR where you can program up to 8 entries to record shows by time and date. The docking station even has an IR emitter that can control most VCRs, cable boxes, and satellite dishes. Best of all, the docking station includes an IR remote to allow you to record and playback programs from the comfort of your own couch.

The docking station may not be as simple to use as a VCR (though your Archos player will never be found to blink *12:00*), it is a definite must if you wish to enjoy the full capabilities of the Archos -04 series players.