Archos 604-wifi

[Mike S]

I ran across these units while searching for a recording device to use with "lipstick" cameras for in flight video.

The local Sams Club has been carrying them at $329 or so, just reduced to $199.

So, I bought one.

Anybody already using an Archos out there?? Will it work for in flight videos, or did I just spend couple hundred for an expensive toy that I might as well give to the kids???

If any of you are using one of these, are you using their camera, or ???

Any input appreciated.

Mike

[BuckWynd]

Mike,

I just saw the same unit for sale yesterday at Circuit City, and I was wondering the same thing. It's a DVR, so in theory it should be able to record a lipstick camera signal. The biggest issue I saw was that it has a USB connection only, which means you'd have to connect it to its optional docking station in order to have a normal video input jack. That might make it a bit clunky and large to use in-cockpit.

Also, as a product that's geared toward people who watch videos and TV instead of people who record video on a bullet camera, there didn't appear to be one-button recording. I'd like to jump in the airplane and push "REC," not go through several menus, and fiddle with software.

I'm still looking for the perfect "RV" recorder, although I think the Archos units are great little viewers. I might just buy one for viewing my future tail-cam videos!

[Mike S]

Buck, thanks for the input-----------they offer a helmet camera accessory, which has a remote control.

I have only seen it on their web site, which is why I am asking here.

Hopefully someone will have had direct experience with one of these units.

Mike

[sonex293]

I've been using a Archos 604WiFi for about 4 months now, mainly as a VCR replacement. My plans are to use it for recording inflight video when the time comes. I'm still about 6 months out before first flight. I have the helmet cam and it works well. The camera is a Sony lipstick camera which will allow the use of different lenses to change viewing angle. Here are some examples on YouTube using the helmet camera..

Paragliding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBCl2EP8xdw
Snow Boarding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxD5K55aUeE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMm-k7E2qAs
RC Helicopter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxEjOS8dj1Y
Motorcycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPNAp7z_iB0

If you want to use your own camera, you can buy the Archos Travel Adapter, which allows you to plug any RCA Composite camera and also provides line level stereo audio input. All in all, I am quite impressed with the record quality. The unit is hard drive based, so high altitude and heavy turbulance may cause problems.

--
Michael Crowder

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by sonex293

If you want to use your own camera, you can buy the Archos Travel Adapter, which allows you to plug any RCA Composite camera and also provides line level stereo audio input. All in all, I am quite impressed with the record quality. The unit is hard drive based, so high altitude and heavy turbulance may cause problems. Michael Crowder

This is the type of info I was looking for.

Glad that any camera will work, I was concerned about proprietary/compatability issues.

Mike