ARCHOS
AV300 When I originally wrote about the JBMM (click here for that review) I asked "Is the JBMM a jack of all trades, master of none? Is it a diamond in the rough? Or is it a revolutionary new device?" And I came to the conclusion, "Honestly, in my opinion, it is a little of all three." The question now is how does the AV300 rank up? It is a revolutionary new device! Below, using a similar set of scales and categories, I have ranked the AV300 and described its pros and cons. To compare the AV300 to the JBM20, I've provided new, updated rankings for the JBM20 side-by-side with the AV300's rankings. Why update the JBM20's ranks? The bar has risen and hence some of the JBM20's scores have dropped. Scale Legend:
Basically, the AV300 is a marked improvement over the JBM20s (or AV100s for that matter). In addition to the improvements listed above, the AV300 is noticeably better constructed. It really feels like a quality device. Perhaps the most significant improvement in the AV300, which is the result of several smaller improvements, is the fact that you no longer need a computer at all to use the AV300. With full file management, the DVR, and other general improvements in design, the aV300 is now capable of being a stand alone device. Even if you have a computer you will greatly appreciate the fact that you never NEED one to do something on the AV300. This makes the AV300 truely portable in ways the JBM20 and AV100 never could be. Ignoring all the practical and technical successes of the AV300, though, the thing just looks cool! When I took it out of the box my jaw dropped. To give you another perspective. My girlfriend kinda liked the JBM20; she thought she might like to have one. When we opened the AV300 - before we even turned it on - she said definitively: "I want one!" -Shane Brinkman-Davis 2/24/2004 Update With the RCA Lyra RD2780 out now, a whole bunch of competitors with products coming, and the Cam300 and FM300 modules finally availalable, I thought I'd give you a bit of an update. Archos vs RCA I don't own a Lyra, nor have I actually used one, but here is my impressions from what I've read. The nicest thing about the Lyra is the fact that its video recording and compact-flash capabilities are built-in. Note, though, that the Lyra only suports CF, not SD or other flash types. Another nice thing is the Lyra can record at a higher resolution (320x240@30fps) than the AV300 (304x224@30fps). Finally, it can play MPEG1 files, something I've wanted from Archos since the JBM20 first came out. The Lyra falls short in many catigories, though. The biggest one is its firmware is currently incomplete. There are many features they advertize that, when you actually try to use them, say "sorry, this feature isn't implemented... yet". Another serious problem is you can't record most DVDs with the Lyra since it detects the "Macrovision" copy protection scheme and blocks recording. Lyra doesn't have audio Digital-In or Digital-Out capability. It also can't record in WAV format (96, 128, or 192kbps CBR MP3 only). Finally, no FM or Camera options. The Lyra does have some advantages (its cheaper, too), but from my point of view, the AV300 is a much better over-all product. AVCam 300 See my detailed Cam300 Review here. FM300 I'll try to get an FM300 review up here soon. |