Here are some details I've managed to get from a Singapore distributor of Archos portable DVRs. I actually got to play with both the 604 and the 704, snapped some photos, a short video and the full specs which no one seems to have. I've shared everything here: http://theory.isthereason.com/?p=1535

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Kevin Lim

Cool I posted it on the blog: http://archosfans.com/2007/02/23/first- ... 704-wi-fi/

Thanks a lot for it!

So.. the screen quality is good?

Hello Charbox, thanks for re-posting it. The Archos 704 screen is incredible... even though it isn't 16 million colors (just 262,000 colors), the size (800 pixel wide) is just awesome for viewing video and web pages (but no javascript/flash). The stereo speakers at the bottom are really loud, so a few people can share this screen to watch a show. With the price points between the 604 and 704 not too far off, one might consider getting the 704 instead, since it also works with the helmet cam like the 604. Only thing is the size and weight, which makes the 704 less portable than the 604. It's like carrying a brick, so thank goodness for the huge stand on the back!

Charbox, actually the video isn't as helpful as the photos I took, which includes the full specifications of the Archos 704 Wifi. If you can add this photos link to the blog post, that'll be great.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inju/tags/archos/show/

Sounds cool.. The 630 grams and 4.5 hour battery life is interesting information..

According to some american e-commerce sites, there will be also a 80GB version. And I suspect that if it's 2.5" HDD inside then just as for the 504 there could be a 160GB maybe even a 200GB HDD version..

Anyways it's great to hear that the screen quality is very good.. Did it look like it had some good viewing angles?

Did you try using the browser on that 800x480 screen? Did the pages load in a way that totally looks like browsing on a computer? Is it responsive when scrolling?

No problem with viewing angles, as seen in the short video. It's just huge! Also, I believe there's a regular 2.5" or 1.8" hard drive in there, since I could feel it whirling a little in the device while I was accessing videos.

Thanx for sharing brainopera! Really appreciate it!

On the above picture it looks like the 704wifi is twice as big as the 604wifi...
Know what I mean? Like a A4 sheet is twice as big as an A5 sheet of paper... so 2 604wifis upright and next to eath other might be only slightly bigger than the 704...

How fast was the browser compared to the 604wifi? Did the same web page load dramatically faster?

Thanks for all the pics and info. Looks nice, but yes, still very big like the AV700. I had the AV700 for a week.. it kept getting referred to as the "Blackberry 1.0" and the case it came with looked like a purse. Wish Archos would've went along the lines of the Cowon Q5, I like the idea of a 5" screen.

Hello all, I just received the Archos 704, together with the DVR station and the Helmet Cam. Apparently there's a launch date of March 15th, after which the embargo would be lifted and I'd be able to post a full (probably video) review.

For now let's just say that the web browser won't be the main reason why you'd be using the Wifi feature for.

Nice one brainopera, can't wait for the review

Ad hoc connection? I hope so...

whats a ad hoc connection when its at home!

any sign of java/flash

if it had that id defo get an 80gb one to wipe the floor with the ipod

No ad-hoc connection that I could see of, though that's a great idea since Archos has made their software open source. You can connect to one another units if you're on the same network though... using the Windows File Sharing (SAMBA).

Web browser speed doesn't seem that great... I don't have a 604 to compare with, but it take a while to load pages and by the time you have 3 tabs opened, it crawls. I wonder if there's a way to check processor speed.

No Java, No Flash. Wish it were true.

I get this weird problem of the screen turning all white whenever I plug the device in. This means that to watch a video or do anything at all, I have to unplug it. Perhaps my unit's defective, or it's a bug. Is this a common issue on the 604 as well?

well im a little gutted!

i would have bought this if it had at least flash/java support

think il be waiting for a 80gb 804 wifi with flash/java support

archos pull your finger out please! make it so

After reading the post... I guess it's not worth making the shift right now (I have an Archos 604)... but i liked very much what they did to the buttons.

It's official! It's now being sold in North America (Canada & USA) for $549 for an 80 GB 704 Wifi!

http://hotmp3gear.com/Archos%20704wifi.htm

Just returned my 3 week old 604 wifi to Sams club since I had purchased the 704 two days ago. It will arrive on Friday and I will post a review.

Still, no news on the official website yet... wonder why.
Not shure about those speaker, but unless they deliver a considerable higher sound than 604, maybe it would've been better if they just get rid of it.

I mean, it would've been sexier if they made the screen take up all the front space...

Next step for me is buying a small DVD player to watch stuff in my bedroom.. I'm too lazy to rip every single DVD I have. :P