Thursday, January 3,2008 @ 11:25am
Archos to trump Apple with TV+?
Archos is about to announce a dedicated media hub that should offer features simply not possible on the Apple TV or most other media hubs, according to a leak from UberGizmo. Called the Archos TV+, the extender will pull videos from the local network to the TV but will use its connection more intelligently than the current Apple hub: both Ethernet and Wi-Fi can be used to download content directly to the TV+ through an Archos portal site or to browse the web with a mobile version of Opera similar to that found on the Archos 605 Wi-Fi and other handhelds. A new remote will include both a directional pad, a trackpad, and a keyboard.
Viewers will also have more options for capturing and video output, according to the claim. In addition to component and HDMI video out connections shared with its Apple challenger, the Archos box will sport RCA and S-video outputs as well as video input through all but HDMI, allowing it to record standard-definition TV. Its USB 2 port will be immediately usable for transferring content between the hub and virtually any Archos handheld of the past three generations, the company adds.
An actual launch date is unknown, though Archos is expected to release the TV+ in the US with both 80GB ($250) and 250GB ($350) versions and therefore undercut the Apple TV with both more features and a lower price.
