Archos on Friday announced the pending release of its Pocket Video Recorder AV4100, a handheld video player that can also schedule and record video itself, without needing a computer. Designed to complement Archos’ existing AV400 line, the AV4100 packs a 100GB hard disk drive inside.
The AV4100 includes a cradle that connects to a TV or home entertainment system using analog audio and composite video connections to RCA jacks or S-Video. The cradle also includes an infrared (IR) emitter to control your cable box tuner. Using the Recording Scheduler, you can record your favorite programs directly to the AV4100, then take them on the road.
The device records video MPEG-4 SP AVI format with ADPCM stereo sound — Archos describes the recording quality as “near-SVCD quality,” at up to 512 x 384 pixels at 30 frames per second. Playback quality — for videos sourced elsewhere — is higher. Archos claims that the AV4100’s 100GB storage capacity makes it possible to record up to 200 full-length movies in MPEG-4 SP format.
The AV4100 includes a USB 2.0 interface that makes it possible to connect to a Macintosh or PC. It also features a built-in CompactFlash (CF) Type I slot, and can work with other flash media using a CF adapter. In addition to video, the AV4100 can view JPEG and BMP images, and can play back MP3, WAV and WMA audio.
Optional accessories include a carrying case and a “travel audio video kit” for recording on the go. System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.2.4 or Mac OS 9.2 or higher and an available USB port. The AV4100 costs US$799.95 and will be available by the end of February.