Convert video for your Archos player
Although Archos models such as the AV500 and the Archos Gmini can play a variety of video files (including AVI and MPEG-4), some of your movies will need to be converted to the proper resolution and/or format. Before you start down that road, try a free DVD to Archos convert method using Windows Media Player 10 (WMP 10, available only to Windows XP users) to copy your files. You may be surprised by how many files will play on your Archos without any conversion.
MPEG4 Translator, which ships with Archos players, is a utilitarian and effective tool.
The process is the same as copying music: Select the desired movies, add them to your Sync list, then click Start Sync. In most cases, WMP will simply copy the files to your player, though it may try to convert some if necessary.
If you don't have Windows XP or WMP 10 or you've encountered some files that won't play properly on your Archos, you'll need to call in the big guns: MPEG4 Translator and Virtual Dub, which ship with Archos players. These utilities work in tandem to convert most kinds of videos to a format suitable for your player.
Here's how to make it happen:
- Download the free DivX codec and install it on your PC.
- Connect your Archos player to your PC, then navigate to its Data folder using Windows Explorer. From there, venture into the Installation Software folder (this may vary somewhat depending on your model).
- Install Virtual Dub, which actually requires nothing more than unzipping the program into a folder on your hard drive.
- Install and run MPEG4 Translator. You'll be asked to provide a path to Virtual Dub; navigate to the folder on your hard drive where you unzipped it, then select the Virtual Dub program and click Open.
- With MPEG4 Translator running, click Select Source File to choose the video you want to convert, then click Set Destination File to specify where the converted file should end up. If you want, you can send it straight to the Video folder on your Archos.
- In the Target drop-down menu, select your Archos model. If it's not listed, choose Archos Default.
- Click Start--and be prepared to wait. As with all video conversions, these can take time.
- Once the file is complete, copy it over to your Archos PVP and see if it plays. This is what I call a free DVD to Archos convert method.
If you find that this method doesn't suit your needs, you can find Archos Conversion Software in our store.
Topics: Archos Articles, News and Reviews |
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