Archos Jukebox 10 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500297

by Archos

Product Details

Product Manual [8.13mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000633EN
• Item model number: 500297
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,343 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Archos Jukebox Recorder 10 combines an MP3 recording device with a 10 GB hard drive for storing up to 165 hours of MP3 audio. Merge your entire collection of MP3s and CDs into one handheld device. Slip it into your pocket, and listen to all your favorite music wherever you go.

With the Jukebox Recorder 10 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 Recorder 10 doubles as a portable 10 GB hard drive for PC or Mac laptops and desktop computers to store all your data, images, and software. The Jukebox Recorder 10 is compatible with USB 1.1.

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. Update with a simple click at the Archos Web site and download the latest firmware that supports additional software extensions.

The Jukebox Recorder 10 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Product With Poorly Designed Firmware, September 2, 2002

By 

Kristopher G. Williams "zerokoolkw" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Archos Jukebox 10 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500297 (Electronics)

When I first looked into getting an Archos Recorder I was a little worried because of the mixed reviews. What I found once I purchased the item is probably typical of anything you buy, while some of what people said was true others were not so true. First of all anyone who gives this product less than 4 stars is being over-critical. Most of these individuals are upset because it doesn't perform that one little task they thought it would, the way they thought is should or they broke it themselves and are taking out their misuse of the product on the product it self. Here are some of the untrue myths about the recorder:

1. "You can't make playlists on the unit itself"-WRONG. You can use playlists created off unit by Winamp or other MP3 Players OR you can create playlists on the unit itself.

2."Because it's a hard drive it can't be used while running(or any activity that causes the unit to bounce around)-WRONG I bounced it, shook it, and did everything I could to TRY and make it skip and I couldn't.

3."The plastic casing is poorly made"-LOOK PEOPLE, Throw an IPod and this player up against the same wall. They both break the same. It's a delicate piece of technology not a baby chew toy. Besides it comes with a carrying case that protects it from any hazards outside of a warzone(where the rest of us live).

NOW Valid Issues With The Archos Jukebox Recorder
1. "Firmware isn't the greatest"-Very True. The IPod's OS is much better suited for MP3 sorting capabilities while Archos's seems to be suited more for data. For example, when playing songs the player won't play songs outside of the folder you are in. You can solve this by making a huge playlist with all of your songs on it.

2."You can hear the hard drive spinning when you are recording.."-True. This is only the case when using the built-in mic(which was desined for voice-recording, where little beeps really don't matter). Laptops often have this same issue. It can be solved by using an outside mic or recording from a source that can be connected to the line in port.

All in all this is a excellent product, the price reflects it's value. If you want something with better on-board software pay the extra money for an ipod, however as far I know ipod's don't have the excellent recording feature provided with this player.

Thanks For Reading My Review!!

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Archos 10GB Recorder... the bootleggers dream come true!, March 17, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Archos Jukebox 10 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500297 (Electronics)

The Archos jukebox series has been bad in the past. Lets be honest, the first jukebox releases came with a backlit screen that allowed you to see three lines of text. That can't possible be a good thing. Lets also recall the output quality of the first jukeboxes. Not too good. No bass, almost like you were playing your music through a tin can. Nasty! But now, the NEW SERIES of Archos high capacity jukeboxes have made a complete turn around. Up to 8 lines of text! This means you can see EXACTLY what you're playing AND whats going to play next! You can scroll through lists and lists of songs. Yes the playlist function still chokes on lists longer than 30 songs. There is a very easy solution: just organize songs into folders. I have over 100 songs in a single folder, the player does not choke! Batteries are also a plus. Yes it takes a skilled surgeon to remove the battery covers, but they're still AA batteries. Other mp3 players have those nasty telephone batteries that cost over fourty dollars to buy! Thats crazy! Just buy a huge pack of rechargable batteries and bring them around with you. Its a lot cheaper, and, not to mention a lot smarter. The screen is backlit AND has a battery saver option. It does scare me a bit that when youre charging your batteries the LCD screen stays lit, but Im sure the fine people at Archos have thought of that...I hope. Firmware is easy to download too. The sound of the player is a million times better than its previous brother. Bass is good, mid range is not so bad, and the highs are perfectly crisp. Ah NOW ON TO THE BOOTLEGGING PART! You can take this device to a concert, set it on your lap and tape the entire thing with very little background distortion. Take it back to your computer, label it, put it in a folder of concerts or whatever, and you have your own private stash of concerts. Pretty sweet, I must say. All in all this is a perfect device. It holds a ton, and it looks pretty good. Its smaller than the D-link Roq it, and has far better output. If you have the money, seriously consider the Archos Jukebox 10GB Recorder. Its an amazing device.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE MY ARCHOS!, August 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Archos Jukebox 10 GB MP3 Player/Recorder/Hard Drive 500297 (Electronics)

I got this ... after ditching the Nomad Jukebox for its dire battery life and buggy MP3 software. and its a dream come true! Let me tell you why.

1) DRAG AND DROP files from the Windows Explorer! It shows up as an extra Hard Drive in My Computer! No need for slow awkward transfer software!

2) USE IT TO CARRY YOUR OTHER FILES AROUND! Because of the drag and drop system store any files of your choice, such as pictures or software files, applications. I have a folder on it solely for other files, kept away from the MP3s.

3) A DRASTICALLY IMPROVED MANUAL!. Ive read the manual to the original Jukebox and yes it was bad. After sitting down and reading this new manual, it was a huge improvement, step by step flow charts and every feature explaned. The grammar and spelling still has room for improvement, but overall a huge step up. Plus the website has further hints and tips.

4)EXCELLENT SOUND QUALITY!. The supplied headphones are perfectly acceptable, but for even better sound try some of Sony's range. You get loads of enhancements such as Bass Boost, Loudness, Bass, Treble and Balance.

5)RECORD DIRECTLY TO MP3. Use the built in mic or analogue or digital inputs. You even get a free Y-cable thrown in for analogue recording via the Line-in. Nice! And the sound is great as well. you can change the quality from 1 (low) to 7 (CD sound)Plus you can change the sampling rate from 16Khz to 48Khz, and alter the recording level as record. Monitor the clear level meters to avoid clipping or distortion :-)

6)PLAYLISTS! You can create a playlist on-the-fly, or you can use the supplied Musicmatch software for playlist building. I don't like Musicmatch so I use Winamp to make my playlists and I use Freerip to rip my MP3s. RIP DIRECTLY ONTO THE ARCHOS WITH FREERIP!

7) BUILD QUALITY! The body design is silver metal with blue rubber corners for shock protection. The buttons have a nice positive click when depressed. Overall the unit feels very study and that gives me the confidence to take it out and about without fear of malfunction. You can change the batteries without a screwdriver if you are very careful, thereby preserving the Archo's sexy looks.

8)The Jukebox cannot randomly shuffle across multiple folders. WRONG!

Just make up a large playlist up to 1000 songs from any directory of your choice, hit Shuffle mode and away you go! 1000 songs is almost more than 2 days of continous music! Also you can randomly shuffle across ALL directories if you are using Windows XP and Windows Media Player! When your PC is powered up, switch the Jukebox on, plug the USB cable in, click on Play Files With Windows Media Player, click on Shuffle in Windows Media Player and away you go! (The USB cable is the only lead required).

9) Finally BATTERY LIFE! 10 hours on a full charge. Why have an MP3 player with hundreds of songs if the batterys only last 4 hours (take note Creative Labs!)

So there you have it. Im so happy with my Archos im never away from it. Wherever I go, my Archos follows.

I LOVE MY ARCHOS!