Archos Gmini 220; some new/unique features

[austonia]

No information available on the Archos webpage yet, but I found some details about the upcoming Archos Gmini 220 player at Amazon and J&R:

+ Plays MP3, WMA, WAV and views JPEG images
+ 20gb hard drive, 1.8-inch disk (probably Hitachi's)
+ icon-based GUI
+ 8mb buffer
+ 10 hours playback
+ 2.5" 16 level grayscale LCD with blue backlit 160x160 pixels. 11 lines of characters and an icon bar
+ Browse by ID3 tag database or file directories
+ Delete, rename, copy and move files and directories
+ Mass Storage Device support
+ USB2.0
+ SPDIF Digital Input, Stereo Analog Line-in
+ Analog Line-out, headphone Jack
+ 3.07 x 2.66 x 0.9 inches (78 x 68 x 23 millimeters)
+ 6 oz (170 grams)
+ MadWaves Interactive Music Composer
+ FM Remote Control Tuner
+ PC & MAC Compatable
+ Built-in mic and voice recording
+ Compact-flash slot/reader
+ Software modules will be available for download from the Archos website which expand its functions.

Expected price $350

A few things to point out. The ability to browse by ID3 tag database or directory structure is incredibly useful and the only other player that supports this is the iRiver iHP-100/120. Ability to move files around is especially interesting, let's you organize the music files wherever you are. The screen here is as detailed as a Palm PC (160x160)...nice. Built-in CF slot is unique, but I doubt viewing JPEGS will be very useful considering the greyscale screen. Digital input is cool, but it doesn't seem to have a digital output, and I'm not sure if it has an anlog line-out or just a headhphone jack. The Madwaves Music Composer should be a fun app.. Madwaves has thier own quirky MP3 player with this software but it did not sell very well. The dimensions make it look more like the Karma than an iPod. Very promising design so far, the first Archos I may be interested in purchasing.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally posted by austonia Ability to move files around is especially interesting, let's you organize the music files wherever you are.

If they do this in the same way that they did on the av320, it should be pretty good... Its visually like a stripped down version of windows explorer, but each side is independant of eachother... so by switching back and forth between each side and browsing to different locations, moving files is easy. Renaming files and creating new directories is kind of a pain however since you have to deal with an on screen keyboard... if you've played any video games and had to put in your high score name, you know how big of a hassle this is

 

[etys rule]

As a longtime former Archos owner, if they've really gotten rid of those god awful bumpers and have indeed added the analog line out, them sign me up. I'll buy it. Looks interesting.

Especially the file management software.

Any idea on drive upgrades?

 

[austonia]

Quote:

Originally posted by etys rule Any idea on drive upgrades?

probably not since it uses a 1.8" drive that is highly integrated to reduce the unit's dimensions

 

[etys rule]

looks like the 120 version has no line out. figures. doubt they have added it to the 220. also, now that I look at the 220, my finger cringes at having to hold down that little button. How I love that wheel.

 

[austonia]

finally it's alive on archos' website

http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500452.html

 

[Edwood]

Bleh. No lossless compression support. Supports WAV, why not APE or FLAC?

-Ed

 

[JiPi]

Woo! That's serious iHP-120 competition, especially for the price. If only there would be someone
willing to take the plunge now...

 

[Skeeve]

Quote:

Originally posted by JiPi Woo! That's serious iHP-120 competition, especially for the price. If only there would be someone willing to take the plunge now...

Why would anyone be mad enough to buy a 1st gen product from archos though? One to watch out for in the shops would probably be safest option.

 

[JiPi]

Did you notice the word 'plunge' there?

 

[Skeeve]

Fair enough, i'd tend to describe most new mp3 player purchases as taking the plunge, I guess i have to go away and think of a suitable word for buying an archos.

 

[Sweet Spot]

Looks like a brick with a gui on it. Hideous. And look at those freekin' edges ...you could put a freekin eye out with them ! Not to mention, keeping it in a pants pocket could be a potential danger waiting to happen. Can anyone say "painful vasectomy" ?

 

[etys rule]

They should fire whomever designs the casings. First it was bumpers, now sharp corners and tiny buttons. I'm quite glad I bought an iPod in September. I was considering waiting for the 220. Archos told me they expected to ship in November. SURE.

I'd buy a Rio in a heartbeat. Looks like Archos may be DEAD. We'll have to see how it sells. Not well, I'd imagine. And again, NO CASE. What's with that. Try getting a case that fits. Well I guess no case is better than that nasty neoprene one they used with the Jukebox series.

My 2 cents.