3

Table of Contents

 

1

Ports, Buttons, and Connections

5

 

 

2

First Time Usage

6

 

 

 

2.1

Charging the Battery

6

 

 

 

2.2

Turning the Archos™ 204 ON and OFF

7

 

 

 

2.3

Changing the Interface language

7

 

 

 

2.4

Caring for the Archos™ 204

7

 

 

 

2.5

Foreign Character Sets

7

 

 

3

Playing Music

8

 

 

 

3.1

Playing a Music File

8

 

 

 

3.3

Playback Menu Items

11

 

 

 

3.4

ARCLibrary Specifics

11

 

 

 

3.5

ARCLibrary Updating

12

 

 

 

3.6

Setting a Bookmark

12

 

 

 

3.7

The Resume Function

12

 

 

 

3.8

Locking the Archos™ 204 Buttons

13

 

 

4

Putting Music onto your Archos™ 204

14

 

 

 

4.1

Synchronizing Music from Windows Media® Player (WMP) to the Archos™ 204

14

 

 

 

4.2

Comparison of Windows Media Player 10 and 11 to Windows Media Player 9

15

 

 

 

4.3

Transferring your CD collection to the Archos™ 204

15

 

 

 

4.4

Installing Windows Media® Player (WMP) 9

16

 

 

 

4.5

Installing Windows Media® Player (WMP) 10 or 11

16

 

 

5

Playlists

17

 

 

 

5.1

Creating a new Playlist

17

 

 

 

5.2

Loading a Playlist

18

 

 

 

5.3

Playing a Playlist

18

 

 

 

5.4

Playlist Menu Options

18

 

 

6

Settings

20

 

 

 

6.1

Changing the Sound Settings

20

 

 

 

6.2

Changing the PlayMode Settings

22

 

 

 

6.3

Changing the time & date settings

23

 

 

 

6.4

Changing the Display Settings

24

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.5

Changing the Power Settings

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.6

Changing the System Settings

26

 

 

7

Using the Browser

27

 

 

 

7.1

Inside the MUSIC Folder

27

 

 

 

7.2

Navigating the Directory Structure

28

 

 

 

7.3

File and Folder Operations in Browser Mode

29

 

 

 

 

7.3.1 Contextual Menu on a File

29

 

 

 

 

7.3.2 Contextual Menu on a Folder

29

 

 

 

 

7.3.3 Contextual Menu while in the Double Browser

30

 

 

 

7.4

Using the Virtual Keyboard

30

 

 

8

Viewing Photos with your Archos™ 204

32

 

 

 

8.1

Using the Photo Browser

32

 

 

 

8.2

Photo Browser Contextual Menu

33

 

 

 

8.3

Transferring Photos to your Archos™ 204

34

 

 

 

 

8.3.1 Transferring Photos in Hard Drive Mode

34

 

 

 

 

8.3.2 Transferring Photos in Windows Device Mode

34

 

 

9

Connecting the Archos™ 204 to a Stereo system

35

 

 

10

Connecting the Archos™ 204 to/from your Computer

36

 

 

 

10.1

USB Connection Type (‘Hard Drive’ or ‘Windows Device’)

36

 

 

 

10.2

Connecting the Archos™ 204

36

 

 

 

10.3

Disconnecting the Archos™ 204 from your Computer

37

 

 

11

Updating the Archos™ 204 Firmware

40

 

 

 

11.1

Download the A204.AOS file

40

 

 

 

11.2

Copy to Archos™ 204 root and Update

40

 

 

 

11.3

‘Hard Drive’ or ‘Windows Device’?

41

 

 

 

11.4

Activate the Update

41

 

 

12

Troubleshooting

42

 

 

 

12.1

USB Connection issues

42

 

 

 

12.2

File issues, corrupted data, formatting, and partitioning.

44

 

 

 

 

12.2.1 Windows® ME Running Scan-Disk (Error Checking) - Hard Drive Mode only

45

 

 

 

 

12.2.2 Windows® XP & 2000 Running Check Disk Utility (ChkDsk) - Hard Drive Mode only

45

 

 

13

Technical Specifications

46

 

 

14

Technical Support

47

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2
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Archos 204 user manual Table of Contents

204 specifications

The Archos 204 is a compact and versatile portable media player that gained attention upon its release for its impressive features and user-friendly design. With a striking blend of functionality and portability, the Archos 204 quickly became a popular choice among consumers looking for an efficient way to enjoy music, videos, and photos on-the-go.

One of the standout features of the Archos 204 is its capacity to store up to 20GB of content, which allows users to carry thousands of songs as well as videos and images. This generous storage space was particularly appealing to those looking to consolidate their media collections into a single device. The device features a bright 2.4-inch color display, which enhances the viewing experience for video playback and photo browsing.

The versatility of the Archos 204 extends beyond music and video playback. It supports a variety of video formats, including MPEG-4 and WMV, making it a flexible option for users who want to watch their favorite shows or movies. The Archos 204 also includes an easy-to-use interface, which simplifies the navigation of playlists, video files, and image galleries.

Another significant characteristic of the Archos 204 is its audio quality. Equipped with built-in stereo speakers, it delivers a surprisingly rich and clear sound, allowing users to enjoy their music without needing external headphones or speakers. It also supports popular audio formats such as MP3, WMA, and WAV, ensuring compatibility with most audio files.

For those who value connectivity, the Archos 204 provides USB 2.0 support, enabling fast data transfer with computers for easy syncing of media files. This feature allows users to quickly update their libraries and keep their content fresh without hassle.

In terms of battery life, the Archos 204 offered users a robust performance, allowing for several hours of continuous playback on a single charge. This was particularly useful for long journeys or extended use outside the home.

Overall, the Archos 204 encapsulates a blend of convenient features, ample storage capacity, and quality audio-visual performance, making it an outstanding choice for media enthusiasts seeking a reliable portable player. Its balance of form and function makes it a memorable entry in the world of portable media technology, appealing to a wide array of users looking to enhance their digital experience.