Gadgets for Christmas

Rob Beattie ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 03 Dec 2003

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Archos AV340 Video Recorder
£550


Pros
Portable, great screen, decent sound, stores 80 hours of video
Cons
Remote control’s a bit of a throwaway
Verdict
The ultimate portable multimedia gadget


Basically, this is a 40GB hard disk with all the multimedia bits-and-pieces necessary to let it play back MPEG4 video and MP3 music, as well as viewing JPG and BMP pictures. The 3.8in., 320-by-240-resolution LCD is a treat, the interface is pleasingly Windows-like and the controls are straightforward.

The hard disk can store around 600 hours of music or hundreds of thousands of photographs (no, please, no), but it’s the MPEG4 capability that makes the AV340 such fun. Plug the supplied DV recorder module into the expansion slot, hook up a video source, and you can record TV programs directly onto the AV340 -- up to 80 hours, according to Archos. And when MPEG4 settles down a bit as a standard, you’ll be able to download files from the Internet to enjoy on the move.

As well as being able to play back MP3 files you’ve recorded using your PC, the AV340 can also record directly from a sound source via its line in or SP/DIF digital input. Although most people consider this a bit of a fag, it’s a useful feature. And when you think that for another £200 you can add a digital video/stills camera that shoots MPEG 4 video, the AV340 starts to look like one of the most complete gadgets around.

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