Archos TV+ DVR Touts Wi-Fi

By Geoff Duncan Updated January 4, 2008

Although the product has been in the rumor mill for quite a while, Archos has unveiled its Archos TV+ just ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and already the device is being hailed in some quarters as everything the Apple TV should have been, offering Wi-Fi connectivity, DVR capabilities to record and store television content, the ability to download movies and TV shows from the CinemaNow-powered Archos content portal, and enabling users to sync with their Archos portable media players. The units sport either an 80 GB or 250 GB hard drive…and did we mention the Archos TV+ lets users surf the Web on their TV, courtesy of the optional Opera Web browser?

The Archos TV+ can record NTSC/PAL/SECAM video to MPEG-4 files at VGA (640 by 480 pixel) resolution at either 25 or 30 frames per second with ADPCM stereo sound. For playback, the Archos TV+ supports MPEG-4 and WMV video at up to DVD resolution, with optional plug-in support for H.264 with AAC audio and MPEG-3 with AC3 sound. The TV+ can also play back MP#, WMA, WAV, and (optionally) AAC and AC3 audio files, display JPEG, BMP, and PNG images, and read PDF documents (although not all PDF features may be supported). The TV+ sports 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless networking along with USB and Ethernet connectivity; S-Video, composite, and component video inputs, and stereo analog audio inputs. For connecting to external systems, the V+ offers stereo analog and S/PDIF audio outputs, along with composite, component, S-Video, and HDMI video output. Users can set up recordings using an on-screen scheduling guide and a QWERTY-enabled remote control.

The 80 GB Archos TV+ should be available for $249, with the 250 GB version going for $349. For folks looking for a DVR solution that haven’t already settled on a TiVo (or the iTunes-enabled but far more limited Apple TV), the Archos TV+ may be a very appealing product.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?