Archos Jukebox 6 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500201
Archos Jukebox 6 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500201
The Archos Jukebox HD-MP3 Recorder is the first, portable MP3 recorder and 6GB Hard Drive, which gives you real-time, on-the-fly recording of up to 6 000 minutes of top quality music in MP3 format. You can record directly from any audio source, including your stereo set, radio, or pre-amplified microphone via the stereo, line-in jack. It will also work as a high-quality voice recorder.You can record from any analog or digital sources at bit-rates up to 160 kbps and can move your recordings back to the PC without any specialized software. It also doubles as an extremely portable 6 GB hard drive for PC or Mac laptops or desktop computers, and you are able to store your data and photos at the same time. This exciting Jukebox HD-MP3 Recorder and Player is the first palm-sized, real-time MP3 encoder, plus an MP3 Player and 6 GB Hard Drive that connects to the computer through an ultra-fast USB interface. There’s no need for special software to download MP3 songs. Just drag & drop MP3 files from windows Explorer.The Archos 500201 Jukebox HD-MP3 Player-Recorder is one of those rare hardware products that are surprising in nearly every way. The first surprise is its small size. You’d expect an MP3 player equipped with a 6 GB hard drive to be at least the size of a portable CD player, but the Archos Jukebox takes up little more space than a deck of playing cards. The rounded corners are covered in thick blue rubber, adding shock protection for the relatively fragile internal hard drive and providing just enough grip to keep the player from sliding off a car dash (although we recommend you leave it on the seat).
Archos provides nearly everything you need to get the most out of this device right out of the box, including a USB cable for connecting the device to your PC and an audio adapter cable that lets you connect the headphone jack or input jack on top of the Jukebox to the RCA input or output jacks on your stereo equipment. This allows for all sorts of possibilities. You can easily output audio from the Jukebox to your stereo equipment, or hook the device up to a tape player and record your tapes directly into MP3 format. It’s this ability to record that really sets the Archos Jukebox apart from the pack.
Another nice thing about the Archos Jukebox is that you can use it as a portable hard drive as well as an MP3 player-recorder. Take it between home and work and use it to transport all your important files. Take it to the library to download files and listen to music as you bring them home.
All this would be for naught if the audio playback quality wasn’t up to snuff, but output is stellar. Provided the MP3 recordings you have are of high quality, the Archos Jukebox plays them back without a trace of hiss, popping, or other anomalies, and the fidelity is outstanding. The device really thumps out the low-frequency bass, while maintaining crisp, tight mid- and high-frequency output even at the limits of its amplification.
The LCD display on the front of the unit makes it easy to navigate folders and load playlists, as well as control the unit’s advanced features like the bass boost, balance controls, and playback modes. One of the nicest things about the display is that it is flanked by four green LEDs, which provide even backlighting without consuming much power.
The pitiful headphones included with the device are about the only thing we could find fault with, along with the fact that you can’t listen to music through the headphone jack when the device is connected to a PC. You can play the MP3 files stored within using MP3 playback software installed on the PC, however, and the package comes with a copy of Musicmatch Jukebox to get you started.
It also comes with a driver CD, but we didn’t even need it to use the Archos Jukebox with Windows XP. We plugged it in, XP instantly recognized it as an external hard drive, and we were in business. All this convenience comes at a relatively high price, but it’s worth it if you need the recording abilities this device offers. –T. Byrl Baker
Pros:
- Excellent output quality
- Can record directly into MP3 format
- Uses rechargeable batteries that last for a long time and comes with an AC adapter
- Playlists and music folders can be copied directly from a PC to keep everything organized.
Cons:
- Low-quality headphones
- Relatively expensive considering there are 20GB MP3 players on the market
The ARCHOS Jukebox HD-MP3 Recorder/Player combines a 6 GB hard drive for storing up to 1,500 songs and an MP3 recorder, providing up to 100 hours of MP3 audio recording.
You can record from any analog or digital source at bit-rates up to 160 kbps, and you can port your recordings back to your PC without any specialized software. The Jukebox HD-MP3 doubles as a portable 6 GB hard Drive for PC or Mac laptops and desktop computers.
Merge your entire collection of MP3s and CDs (150 audio CDs, or 1,500 songs) into one handheld device. Slip it into your pocket, and listen to all your favorite music wherever you go.
You can also use your Jukebox HD-MP3 as an optional hard drive to store all your data, images, and software. Update with a simple click at the ARCHOS Web site and download the latest firmware that supports additional software extensions.
The Jukebox HD-MP3 connects to the computer via a fast USB interface. There’s no need for special software to download MP3 songs–just drag and drop MP3 files from Windows Explorer or from the Mac desktop.
The HD-MP3 is powered by either AC power (adapter included) or four AA batteries. It also comes with stereo headphones, carrying pouch, USB cable, master software, and driver diskette.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Stars Look at another product
I guess some poeple have found a lot of happiness in this product, but I have had a very poor experience. I’ve gone through two of these. The first one began malfunctioning a few months after I got it. When I went to email Archos, they never answered. Then I tried their customer support phone number and finally got through after about 5 tries. I succesfully returned it, (which was hell in and of itself), and the Archos poeple gave me a new one in the mail a few weeks later. It came with about 7,000 fragmented files. When I managed to recover them, I was unable to delete them. I was also unable to remove any mp3s that I put on the player. I dont even try to turn it on anymore, because it takes over a minute to turn on, and if it gets hit in the slightest, it restarts or freezes. I wasted 300 dollars on this.
1 Stars What a waste
We bought three of these things for three different family members for Christmas in 2001. I just came across one of them in a “junk” drawer and am throwing it out. Just wanted to write this review now just in case anyone is looking at this item. All three of these mp3 players broke within 3 months after Christmas. The button became stuck on one of them, another just shut down completely and the third’s screen scrambled after a few months. Waste of time and money.
5 Stars Awesome…
… This is not only a small easy to use device but, setting it up is a snap too. I love how it’s it’s own little drive. My whole mp3 collection that I’ve collected from past years (I was one of the first mp3 users) fits entirely on the player. Get one now. It’s awesome. Only thing I think may eventually replace this, for me, is the same player with higher capacity! (I have the 6GB) Overall, it’s a wonderful little player!
4 Stars a wonderful but sometimes fickle lover
This thing is permantly attached to my hip. I’ve used most of the 6GB, mostly from recording my vinyl collection. The sound is good. Rechargeable batteries and no discs make this preferable to most portable cd players.
Some issues: 1) hard drive sometimes freezes, forcing me to restart the player; 2) hard drive has crashed once (I now keep most files backed-up on computer); 3) A/C cord was poorly built and subsequently frayed, making it inoperative. I could not find an equivalent at Radioshack and thus had to give Archos another $$$for a replacement. 4) Archos customer service–if you manage to get through to them at all–[stinks].
Still, the Jukebox recorder is a great product for me. Even if I had extra cash I’m not sure I’d go w/the iPod as it doesn’t record. If I hadn’t blown $$$ on a replacement AC adaptor, I probably would have bought the microphone kit from archos.
2 Stars Archos buyers beware
The thing worked great for a year. The recording function did a great job transfering a bunch of vinyl to mp3, and the sound was good. Then the AC adaptor cord broke. Couldn’t just use a Radioshack replacement, so I gave ARchos another 30 bucks for their version. Then the power started crapping out for no apparent reason. I’ve tried new batteries, new software and everything else, including Archos customer support, which is absolutely non-existent crap. Now the thing only runs when plugged into an AC outlet, making it rather useless. Archos buyers beware!
Filed under: Jukebox Mp3 Players Reviews