Archos AV 500 series Installing the PC Software, Using MPEG-4 Translator, MP3 Sound Codec

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9.1 Installing the PC Software

If your video file is not an MPEG-4 Simple Profile .avi file of the proper size, you will need to re-encode it using the following utilities. For the AV 500, you will need to create an AVI file that is MPEG-4 Simple Profile with a resolution up to 720 x 576 (depending on frame rate) and a sound track that is stereo MP3 or WAV. In actuality, in all cases, a resolution beyond 640x480 does not add any advantage.

MPEG-4 codec (Compression/Decompression)

In order for MPEG4-Translator to compress the video in a file of the format MPEG-4 SP that the AV 500 can read, it requires an MPEG-4 codec to be installed on your computer.If you do not have the approporiate codec installed, MPEG-4 Translator will tell you on start up which codec it requires. You will be able to download it for free from the Internet.

Virtual Dub™

A utility for transcoding one video file into another. This is a general purpose transfer and cleanup utility which has many options allowing for even the most difficult video translations. It will prompt you to save it to C:\Program Files\VirtualDub. You should use this default directory location. Otherwise you will have to instruct the MPEG-4 Translator program where to find it. For more information on Virtual Dub™ see the website - http://www.virtualdub. org.

MPEG-4 Translator

This program, developed by Archos, is a “Front-end” for the Virtual Dub program. It has a simple interface which you use and it then tells Virtual Dub how to process the video file. It sets all the parameters for Virtual Dub specifically to create a video file in the right size and format to be read by the AV 500. When you run it for the first time, the MPEG-4 Translator will need to locate the Virtual Dub program. If you did not install Virtual Dub in the default location, you will have to show the program where Virtual Dub is. If you forget, Windows® will give you an error when you try to launch it.

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MP3 Sound Codec

If MPEG-4 Translator detects a suitable MP3 codec on your PC, it will use it, and your video file sound track will be MP3. Otherwise, it will use the standard IMA ADPCM codec. There are MP3 encoders (usually packaged together as an encoder and decoder) available on the Web for you to download. If you choose to use the LAME codec, make sure that you have a version built with the ACM front-end. You can find other MP3 codecs on the web by using the search terms ACM, MP3 and CODEC in your favorite web search engine. Once this MP3 codec is installed into your system, MPEG-4 Translator will be able to create final video files with MP3 sound, even if the source video file does not have an MP3 sound track.

If you are unsure what codecs (audio and/or video) have been installed on your computer, you can see the list by going to the following location.

For Windows XP, click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices Properties > Hardware, choose Audio Codecs, then click on Properties. You will find a list here of all the audio codecs that are installed on your computer. Decoding of MPEG 2 video files is currently not supported by MPEG-4 Translator. These are usually .mpg or .mpeg format files, not the required AVI file. There are other tools found on the

Internet (FlaskMPEG, Rippack, etc.) that may be downloaded in order to help you with these file types. A good starting place is the website www.mpegmobile.com.

9.2 Using MPEG-4 Translator

Here you see the image of the main MPEG-4 Translator program. When you first run the program, if the required codec has not been installed yet, you will be notified. You should download the codec and install it on your computer. If the Virtual dub program has not been installed, you will also be notified, and you should install it. If you have placed the Virtual Dub program in a folder other than the installer default folder, it will ask you to locate the file.

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Contents Archos Mobile Video Recorder AV 500 Series Table of contents Connecting/Disconnecting* the AV 500 to/from your PC Music Using iTunes with your AV Photo Viewing PhotosBrowser Using the Browser Connecting Devices to the USB Host Port1INTRO Buttons and Connections Replacing the batteryTechnical Support Troubleshooting Technical Specifications Legal 100 Index 104Page 2INTRO First Time Usage Hardware Reset 3VIDEO Playing Video FilesVideo Playback Action Icons Resume Function4VIDEO Playing Video Files from the Internet 5VIDEO Recording Video Files Video recording connectionsRecording a video file Setting the Recording Parameters Where is the Recording Saved?Manually Setting the Scheduler Copy Protection6VIDEO Automated Yahoo! TV Recording Scheduler 7VIDEO Setting the Infrared Emitter Code Part 1 Choose your Device and Brand Part 2 Finding the Right Emitter Codes8VIDEO Editing Video Files Important NoteHow to create an MPEG-4 video file 9VIDEO Creating MPEG-4 Video Files with your ComputerPC Tools MPEG-4 codec Compression/Decompression Installing the PC SoftwareUsing MPEG-4 Translator Virtual Dub MPEG-4 TranslatorTarget & Priority Change SettingsSelect Source & Destination Files StartPlay Screen Icons Music Playing Music FilesButton Control Display during music playbackPlay Mode Browsing through your Music LibrarySetting a Bookmark Playing Through your Stereo SystemSynchronizing Music from Windows Media Player WMP to the AV PlaysForSure audio contentMusic Putting Music onto your AV Supports protected Internet video downloadsMusic Playlists Saving a Playlist Adding songs to a Playlist while listening to MusicMusic Recording Music Cable Connections for Audio RecordingRecording Procedure MicrophoneAudio Editing Incremental RecordingMusic Using iTunes with your AV Photo Viewing PhotosViewing Photos Magnifying Photos Viewing a slideshowTransferring photos to your AV Methods to copy photos to your AVBrowser Using the Browser Info Navigating the Directory StructureFile and Folder Operations CreateDrive contents Copying and Moving Files and FoldersPhoto View Connecting the AV Connecting/Disconnecting* the AV 500 to/from your PCUsing the Virtual Keyboard USB Connection Type ‘Hard Drive’ or ‘Windows Device’Disconnecting the AV 500 from your Computer Connecting Devices to the USB Host Port Sound Settings Play Mode SettingsClock Settings Display SettingsAppearance settings Power SettingsSystem Settings Updating the AV 500 Firmware Operating System OS TV controlTV docking pod Description ‘Hard Drive’ or ‘Windows Device’?Connecting the TV docking pod to your Television System Remote Control DescriptionConnection 2 Breaking your regular TV Connection Connection 1 Powering the TV docking podConnect & Test Method Connection 4 Connect the AV 500 to the TV docking podConnection 6 the Infrared Emitter Connecting it to the TV docking podConnection 5 the S-Video Which device to control?Replacing the battery Thin versionStandard version Technical Support Telephone SupportTroubleshooting USB Connection issuesSolutions Charging and Power issues File issues, corrupted data, formatting, and partitioning25.3 AV 500 locks up freezes operation or Stops Technical Specifications Warranty and Limited Liability Physical DimensionsTemperature Range LegalFCC Compliance Statement Electrostatic Discharge Avoiding Hearing DamageCopyright Notice LCD Pixel Policy Environmental Considerations105 107 109

AV 500 series specifications

The Archos AV 500 series, launched in the mid-2000s, marked a significant step in portable multimedia players, setting the stage for how we consume media on the go. This innovative series stood out for its combination of storage capacity, multimedia capabilities, and user-friendly interface, making it a favorite among tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.

One of the hallmark features of the Archos AV 500 series was its sizeable hard drive, available in various capacities ranging from 20GB to 100GB. This ample storage allowed users to carry thousands of songs, hundreds of videos, and a variety of pictures. The player supported multiple formats, including MP3 and WMA for audio, as well as AVI and MPEG for video playback. The versatility in supported formats contributed significantly to its user appeal, enabling seamless playback of various media types.

The Archos AV 500 series was equipped with a 4-inch color LCD screen, delivering a sharp and vibrant viewing experience for videos and images. The device also supported a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels, ensuring that video playback was both smooth and visually pleasing. This emphasis on screen quality made it a popular choice for users looking to enjoy their media content on the move.

In terms of connectivity, the AV 500 series featured USB 2.0 for rapid file transfers, allowing users to quickly upload and download their favorite media. It also included an SD card slot, enabling users to expand storage capacity easily, a great advantage for those who needed more space for their content.

The Archos AV 500 series boasted an intuitive interface, featuring an easy-to-navigate menu that catered to users of all ages. The touchscreen operation facilitated quick access to media libraries, settings, and playback options, ensuring that the user experience was both efficient and enjoyable.

Moreover, the series included features such as video recording capabilities, allowing users to capture live events or personal moments directly onto the device. This recording function combined with the playback features created an all-in-one multimedia hub.

In conclusion, the Archos AV 500 series was a groundbreaking device in the portable media player market, offering an impressive combination of storage, versatility, and user-friendly technology. Its innovations paved the way for future developments in multimedia devices, leaving a lasting impact on how we engage with digital content.
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