Archos DVR Station (7th Generation) Review

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(More customer reviews)Summary: This product is best thought of as an Archos media tablet docking station. It provides the tablet device with power and external connectors, and not much else. As long as that is all you need, it performs that function well when mated to the associated Archos media tablet.
Caution: Bridge Out Ahead....
The biggest issue that most people will have with the DVR Station is the way it is connected into the typical entertainment system. Their connection guide shows this as a bridge device in-between a video source (like a satellite receiver) and the TV. The trouble with this approach is that there is no video pass-through functionality when the installed tablet is powered down or removed. This will pose a major problem for multi-person households where one person might want to watch some video programming while their housemate has the tablet elsewhere. This was the major show-stopper in our household. The only way around this limitation is to invest in additional electronic HW (like a multi-output AV receiver) so that the video source can be split/shared between the TV and the media tablet.
This Is Not Your Father's DVR...
(The rest of this pertains more to the Archos 5 Internet Tablet than the DVR Station, but, since you wouldn't be buying the DVR Station unless you wanted to take advantage of the DVR functions of the tablet, it is pertinent data.)
The details around the "DVR" functionality of the Archos 5 Internet Tablet combined with this device are sketchy at best. While the combination does meet the definition of a Digital Video Recorder in that it "records video in a digital format to a disk drive or other memory medium within a device", you should not expect much more functionality than that (time-shifted viewing being the biggest missing DVR-like feature).
My tablet with nothing added but the latest, up-to-date FW fixes could not even handle recording in 4:3 mode without serious video stutter/jitter. I was able to get a reasonably smooth video recorded if I put it into 16:9 mode, but this tended to chop off the top and bottom of most programming as my satellite receiver is still producing 4:3 content. This really put a crimp on the hockey game I was experimenting with as you could no longer see the scores and game info at the top of the screen. This combination is definitely a non-starter for those of us that haven't made the jump to HD cable/satellite content.
Overall: The DVR Station might make a good addition for someone that has extra video outputs to play with, has all of their content in 16:9 format, and is willing to live with a "jiggle the handle" approach to video recording until the kinks get sorted out, but, for the rest of us, it's "Buyer Beware".

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The DVR Station is the perfect bridge between your TV and your ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet or ARCHOS 7: record your TV programs and turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Just insert your ARCHOS into the DVR Station and enjoy all the functions of your ARCHOS tablet on your home TV.

With the Electronic TV Program Guide, scheduling and recording from your satellite receiver, cable box, Digital TV adapter has never been so easy. You can also surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer.
You can also play back on TV in DVD quality through the composite, S-video, RGB or YPbPr video outputs. And with HDMI output, on compatible TV sets, you can watch films or any content in HD quality. The DVR Station includes a remote control with a built-in keyboard and a mouse pointer that will let you experience Internet on your TV just like on your PC. You can navigate through the web directly, write and send emails without booting up your computer. Or pick your evening's movie on the Media Club. From your couch, on your TV.
TV Recording Easily record your favorite programs.Record from nearly any external analog video source such as your satellite receiver, Digital TV adapter (DVB-T), VCR or cable box.
HD Content Playback Playback HD videos up to 720p from your ARCHOS to your TV with the included Hi-Def plug-in and the HDMI output.
Full Internet Experience Browse the Web comfortably and write your emails using the included remote control.
Faster Charging Charge your ARCHOS quickly (not available for ARCHOS 7).
Media Club Discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music albums and games. Buy or rent your content in just a few clicks and get instant access to it on your TV.
Stream from PC Stream any of the music, movies or photos from your PC to your TV using your Wi-Fi home network.
Multi-Channel Sound Enjoy your films with 5.1 Surround Sound on your home cinema system through the SPDIF output.
Unique Remote Control The DVR Station includes a remote control with a built-in keyboard and a mouse pointer that will let you experience Internet on your TV just like on your PC.
What's in the Box DVR Station, Remote Control, Power Adapter/Charger, US Plug, Two S-Video cables, Two Audio RCA Cables, Hi-Def Plug-In Card, User Guide

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