ARCHOS Introduces 2.2-inch LCD AV Player
July 28, 2005
Irvine, CA - ARCHOS introduced the $329.95 Gmini(TM) 402 Pocket Multimedia Center. The slim 20 gigabyte hard-drive-based video, audio and photo device is now Microsoft PlaysForSure(TM)-compatible, supporting both protected download and subscription music services, and features a 2.2" color LCD screen and metallic casing.
The Gmini 402 is an upgrade from the Gmini 400 released last year, and the company says you can take up to 80 hours of video, 200,000 photos or 10,000 songs in your pocket wherever you go.
The ARCHOS Gmini 402 is designed for media enthusiasts who want to take their video, photos and music with them on a stylish pocket-sized device. With its sleek metallic design, the Gmini 402 measures only 4.17" x 2.37" x 0.69" and is 5.64 ounces, yet offers the largest hard drive capacity and color LCD screen for a product of its size, according to the manufacturer.
ARCHOS says their Gmini line of music players offers an extensive list of features, including:
-- Storage for up to 80 hours of video, 200,000 photos or 10,000 songs.
-- Autosync with Windows Media(R) Player 10 allows for easy transfer of media from the PC.
-- Transfer photos directly from digital cameras(2) using the USB host port.
-- Allow DVD-quality movie playback and photo viewing on the screen or on the TV.
-- Play DivX(3), MPEG-4(3) and Windows Media Video(4) files.
-- Play MP3, WMA and protected WMA audio files.
-- Supports Microsoft PlaysForSure download and subscription services to allow easy transfer and playback of music or videos acquired from PlaysForSure-compatible online stores.
-- Synchronize or download files from either the PC or Macintosh.
"The Gmini 402 improves our PC-centric line of Pocket Multimedia Centers, offering integration with Microsoft PlaysForSure and Windows Media(R) Audio and Video protected files," said Henri Crohas, ARCHOS chief executive officer. "The Gmini 402 is a perfect summer holiday companion to take all your favorite digital entertainment on the go."
Access to Secure Music through Microsoft PlaysForSure
The Gmini 402 allows protected video and music content to be purchased, downloaded, subscribed to or rented from PlaysForSure-compatible online stores, which include music services MSN Music, Musicmatch, MusicNow, Napster and Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and video store CinemaNow. Using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface, the Gmini 402 is designed to easily auto-synchronize music and video with Windows Media Player 10 each time the device is connected to the PC. The company says that the Gmini 402 supports the widest array of music and video formats, including MP3, WMA, protected WMA and WAV audio files, and DivX, MPEG-4, and Windows Media Video files.
Pricing and Availability
The ARCHOS Gmini 402 is available now at select retailers and online, and is priced at $329.95 in the United States. The Gmini 402 comes with earphones, USB cable, USB host adaptor, AC power charger, Quick Start Guide and a protective pouch. Optional accessories include a car adaptor, protective case, additional power charger, sound case, FM remote control and double headphone kit.
(1) 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less. Hard drive capacity is an average based on a 20GB hard drive, 3.5 minutes/song and 64 kbits/second WMA (for better quality, 128 Kbit/second or more recommended); 500 kbits/second MPEG-4 audio/video encoding and 1h30/movie (for near DVD quality, 1500 Kbits/second encoding or more recommended); JPEG, VGA.
(2) Only cameras compatible with Mass Storage Class USB.
(3) Read DivX 4.0 and 5.0 files compatible with MPEG-4 SP with B-Frames AVI (MPEG-4: ISO standard by Moving Picture Experts Group); AVI: audio/video file container by Microsoft. MPEG-4 SP with B-frames AVI up to 720x480@30f/s NTSC or 720x576@25f/s PAL.
(4) Microsoft WMV9 SP up to 352x288@30f/s and 800 Kbit/s; supports WM DRM.
DivX(R) is a registered trade mark of DivX, Inc. All other companies or products mentioned herein are the trademark or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information go to:
ARCHOS
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