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11 MUSIC – Putting Music onto your AV 500

Your Archos™ product is a certified PlaysForSure™ digital device which means that wherever you find music for sale on the Internet with this symbol, you can be certain that it will ‘Play for sure’ on your AV 500*.

The AV 500 is designed to work seamlessly with Windows Media® Player (WMP) versions 9 and 10. The Windows Media® Player software is used to download digital media content from the Internet to your computer and organizing it. You will also use it to synchronize (copy) the contents of your Windows Media® Player media library to your Archos™ device. See the comparison chart below for an explanation of the different features available when running Windows Media Player 9 and 10 or check out the web site www.playsforsure.com.

*Subscription services require you to be running Windows Media® Player 10.

11.1 Synchronizing Music from Windows Media® Player (WMP) to the AV 500

The Synchronize button in Windows Media® Player (WMP) is a one way ‘sync’ button. That is, it will add music, video, and photo files to your AV 500 so that you have the same digital media on your AV 500 as you have in your Windows Media® Player media library. Of course, you can choose to sync only certain songs, videos, or photos, or sync your entire library. On WMP10, you can click the button Set up Sync

in the Sync tab and then check the box labeled Synchronize Device Automatically. This is the auto-sync advantage of WMP10. If this box is checked, then each time you connect your AV 500 to your PC, Windows Media® Player will automatically start up and check to see if there are any new music, videos, or photos in your media library, and if so, will then copy them to your AV 500. You also have the

possibility to decide what types of media automatically sync when you connect your AV 500. For example, you may only want music files to be synchronized. On the other hand, with Windows Media® Player 9, you have to tell it what you want to sync, WMP9 cannot synchronize automatically when you connect your AV 500 to your computer.

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Note for WMP10 users: Files added to your AV 500 from another computer or files which are recorded from an analog source cannot be added to the Windows Media® Player Library when you connect your AV 500 to the computer. Songs which have been added, will however, be listed in the device’s ARCLibrary.

11.2 Comparison of Windows Media Player 10 to Windows Media Player 9

Windows® Media Player 10 is only available for Windows® XP (service Pack 1) and newer operating systems. It is worth your while to upgrade to Windows® XP (home or professional) and to Windows® Media Player 10. The list below shows the advantages.

Functionality

WMP9

WMP10

Auto-synchronize the WMP library to ARCHOS™ AV 500 on connecting to PC

no*

yes

Can synchronize subscription music (‘to go’ services) to your AV 500

no

yes

Carefree USB disconnection (no special green arrow unmount procedure)

no

yes

Will convert video files** to play on your AV 500 if not in correct format

no

yes

Supports protected Internet video downloads

no

yes

PlaysForSure™ audio content

yes (download)

yes

*Must use WMP9 manual sync function to copy purchased music to the AV 500. **Microsoft reserves the right to limit which video file formats it will convert with WMP10

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Archos AV 500 series Music Putting Music onto your AV, Synchronizing Music from Windows Media Player WMP to the AV, Yes
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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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