Archos TV+: Web-powered Wi-Fi PVR

Looks like Archos has finally let the cat out of the bag on its first set-top PVR, the Archos TV+, at CES 2008. Looking to do everything Apple TV failed to deliver, the Archos TV+ is offered in 80GB and 250GB flavours, for $249 (£125) and $349 (£175) respectively.

Features include HDMI out, an onscreen recording guide, 640x480-pixel video recording quality, a Qwerty remote control, an infrared emitter for controlling your cable box or TV, built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet that can be used for on-demand video downloads from CinemaNow, a fully functional Opera Web browser with Flash video support (YouTube, DailyMotion, CNET TV), optional Flash game downloads, and it even includes cables (gasp!).

Like Apple TV, the Archos TV+ also allows you to stream existing audio, video and photo content from your home PC. The Archos TV+ might not have the integrated iTunes support of its competition, but it is compatible with the vast swathe of competitors that use DRM-protected WMV or WMA audio and video files. A USB 2.0 connection allows the Archos TV+ to be used as a hard drive for a tidy transfer of files on and off your PC. In addition, a USB 2.0 host connection offers the ability to transfer photos from your digital camera or connect any MSC-compatible MP3 or video player.

For those of you who have been procrastinating about building your own PC-based DVR (Mythbox, MediaCenter, BeyondTV), the Archos TV+ seems to offer a one-stop solution for recording, archiving, and transferring your favourite TV shows. -Donald Bell

Update: Read our full Archos TV+ review.