Archos Jukebox Recorder 20: massive data storage and hundreds of hours of MP3 entertainment in a small, portable package.Follow these facts and see where they lead: Business requires data. Mobile business requires mobile data. Mobile data requires portable storage. I benefit from being as mobile and portable as possible, and I have mountains of data. So I bought an Archos Jukebox A storage device for multiple sets of CD-ROMs, DVDs, tape cartridges or disk modules. Using carousels, robot arms and other methods, a jukebox physically moves the storage medium from its assigned location to an optical or magnetic station for reading and writing. Recorder 20. I know, it sounds like I said, "I need to attend a formal dinner so I bought a clown suit." What does a "jukebox recorder" have to do with mobile business? My original need was a portable large hard drive, to carry around huge database and multimedia files, to move large files between computers, and to make back-up copies of my laptop's files. My laptop has a CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) The only rewritable CD technology. CD-RW disks look like other CD media, but with close inspection, they have a more polished surface with a very dark blue-gray cast. drive, but a CD holds only 700MB of data. A 20GB drives holds 28 times more! The Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 provides a battery-powered 20GB hard drive, plus comprehensive MP3 audio playback and recording. It's truly portable and even comes with a belt-loop carrying pouch. In addition to providing the large portable storage I need, the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 gives me the bonus of a powerful MP3 entertainment system. (See the online article for more comments and details.) Portable hard drive I connect my desktop and laptop computers to the AJR AJR American Journal of Roentgenology AJR American Journalism Review AJR Academy for Jewish Religion AJR Association of Jewish Refugees (UK organization) AJR Accelerated Junctional Rhythm via included USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. cable. Windows gives the AJR's 20GB drive a letter so I can copy and drag-drop any type of data and program files. The Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 supports USB 2 data transfer at up to 480Mbps, and USB 1.1 at 12Mbps. The 40x faster USB 2 is just starting to appear on on new PCs. The Jukebox feature is quite nice. Although the multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective buttons and menus aren't fast and smooth to use like a CD or tape player, the displayed information is great and the audio capabilities are a delightful bonus in a 20GB portable hard drive. The AJR has digital and audio in/out ports. The included headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. fit over-the-ears-behind-the-head and sound reasonable, but from my radio station days I prefer top-of-the-head or stone stick-it-in-your-ear models. Choose headphones with a volume control because adjusting it directly on the Archos Jukebox Recorder is clumsy. I hope the next AIR has a low-tech volume knob right on the unit. If you can avoid filling up the drive with business files, Archos says 20GB will store up to 300 hours of music in 128Kbps MP3 format. The AJR can play MP3 files encoded from 30 to 320 Kbps and variable bit rate (VBR (1) See MP3 VBR. (2) (Variable Bit Rate) Refers to a communications or computer channel that changes its transmission speed based on any number of criteria. ). The AJR records audio in MP3 format. You can enter titles and in[o by laboriously la·bo·ri·ous adj. 1. Marked by or requiring long, hard work: spent many laborious hours on the project. 2. Hard-working; industrious. selecting letters via buttons. But it's far more practical to create and manage MP3 files on a PC. Archos includes a copy of MusicMatch, a Windows program with lots of features but an annoying user interface. Archos says the AJR can encode (1) To assign a code to represent data, such as a parts code. Contrast with decode. (2) To convert from one format or signal to another. See codec and D/A converter. (3) The term is sometimes erroneously used for "encrypt. bit-rates from 30 to 160Kbps, apparently chosen via mysterious "Quality" settings I to 7. (I prefer music encoded at a minimum of 192Kbps, available in MusicMatch and other PC-based MP3 software.) The AJR can playback for close to 10 hours. You can recharge re·charge tr.v. re·charged, re·charg·ing, re·charg·es To charge again, especially to reenergize a storage battery. re it without removing the batteries. UpShot If you're serious about mobile business, you need portable storage. If you enjoy listening to tunes, why not tote one device that gives you both? With no problems to report, I can't evaluate Archos support. But after using the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 on nay belt, in my car via cassette adapter, and plugged into my office stereo, I recommend it. As soon as Archos comes out with a 40 or 60, I'll buy that too! BUSINESS BENEFITS Massive mobile data storage in a compact, battery-powered hard drive that also provides complete MP3 audio playback and record. (+) Oceans of disk space (+) Stores every type of file (+) MP3 recording and playback (+) Very portable (+) Fast USB 2 port (+) Long-lasting batteries (+) User interface and inputs/outputs a tad limited (-) No dedicated volume control (-) Murky MP3 record quality options Archos Technology http://www.archos.com Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 List price: $280 SIZE: 4.5 x 3.2 x 13 in (115 x 83 x 34mm), 12.3oz (350g) STORAGE: 20GB DISPLAY: 8-line LCD, backlit An LCD screen that has its own light source from the back of the screen, making the background brighter and characters appear sharper. BATTERY LIFE: 10 hours claimed BATTERIES: 4xAA NiMH rechargeable re·charge tr.v. re·charged, re·charg·ing, re·charg·es To charge again, especially to reenergize a storage battery. re PORTS: USB 2/1.1, audio line in/headphone out, digital in/out, DC power INCLUDES: USB cable, headphones, batteries, AC power/charger, case, MusicMatch software |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion