Problem playing through TV

The Archos 404 attaches to the TV using either a DVR Station or a special AV cable. The AV cable uses a special small audio-style mini plug on one end to the standard red, white and yellow composite video connectors on the other.The docking station can record from and playback to the TV. The DVR Station 5 uses S-Video and red/white RCA plugs for connection to the TV. Optionally you can use the yellow/red/white composite connections instead. Hook it up similarly to a VCR, input from the cable box to the input of the DVR Station and output of the DVR Station to the input of the TV.

http://www.archos.com/support/download/manuals/connection_guide_dvr_station_v1.1.pdf
http://www.archos.com/support/support_tech/manuals.html?country=us&lang=en

i have the same problem. as far as i know it is because large external hard drives require more power and the archos does not provide enough power. it would probably work if u got a hd which had a separate power source.

You have posed a very good question with a very complicated answer. There are two things you MUST have in order to do what you are asking:
1) Your "docking station" cannot be the Archos mini-dock, b/c the mini dock has inputs only. Your docking station must be the Archos DVR Station - Gen 5.
2) You have to have a digital cable box, FIOS, or digital satellite box.

You will be recording from your cable, satellite, or FIOS box instead of directly from your TV. Hook the red, white, and yellow cable from one of the red, white and yellow outputs of your cable/sat/FIOS box to the specialized adapter of the DVR Station (make sure your Archos 605 is properly docked inside). Here is a link to the connection guide if you don't have it:
http://www.archos.com/support/download/manuals/connection_guide_dvr_station_v1.1.pdf

Once the connection is set up, you must follow the exact directions printed on pp.11-15 of the DVR Station user manual - it will require downloading several pieces of software. My only reccomendation is that you make sure that the Archos 605 is fully charged before proceeding, b/c if it loses power during the process, you may ruin your mp3 player. Here is a link to the DVR Station user manual:
http://www.archos.com/support/download/manuals/english_user_manual_dvr_station_gen5_v3.pdf

If you have followed the instructions exactly, you will be able to schedule your recordings to your Archos 605.

There are two catches that I noticed with this player - 1 major and one not-so major:
1) Not-so major: Your subscription to the TV guide that enables you to schedule recordings will only be free for 1 year
2) Major: The DVR Station forces you to choose between an NTSC and a PAL format when choosing a TV standard for playback. PAL is only for Europe, so never select it under any circumstances. NTSC is shutting down on February 17, 2009 - in a little more than a month. After that time, you may not be able to display the recordings that you have made to your TV itself.

Good luck!

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Archos 605 Wifi w/ Archos DVR Station Gen 5

You have posed a very good question with a very complicated answer. There are two things you MUST have in order to do what you are asking:
1) Your "docking station" cannot be the Archos mini-dock, b/c the mini dock has inputs only. Your docking station must be the Archos DVR Station - Gen 5.
2) You have to have a digital cable box, FIOS, or digital satellite box.

You will be recording from your cable, satellite, or FIOS box instead of directly from your TV. Hook the red, white, and yellow cable from one of the red, white and yellow outputs of your cable/sat/FIOS box to the specialized adapter of the DVR Station (make sure your Archos 605 is properly docked inside). Here is a link to the connection guide if you don't have it:
http://www.archos.com/support/download/manuals/connection_guide_dvr_station_v1.1.pdf

Once the connection is set up, you must follow the exact directions printed on pp.11-15 of the DVR Station user manual - it will require downloading several pieces of software. My only reccomendation is that you make sure that the Archos 605 is fully charged before proceeding, b/c if it loses power during the process, you may ruin your mp3 player. Here is a link to the DVR Station user manual:
http://www.archos.com/support/download/manuals/english_user_manual_dvr_station_gen5_v3.pdf

If you have followed the instructions exactly, you will be able to schedule your recordings to your Archos 605.

There are two catches that I noticed with this player - 1 major and one not-so major:
1) Not-so major: Your subscription to the TV guide that enables you to schedule recordings will only be free for 1 year
2) Major: The DVR Station forces you to choose between an NTSC and a PAL format when choosing a TV standard for playback. PAL is only for Europe, so never select it under any circumstances. NTSC is shutting down on February 17, 2009 - in a little more than a month. After that time, you may not be able to display the recordings that you have made to your TV itself.

Good luck!

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

I had the problem that the record feature was not available in or out of the docking station and therefore i could not record. Archos connector on bottom of unit senses a change in the resistance of the device it's docked with and knows if it's the DVR station or not.

Turned out to be a hardware fault - i had to RMA both the Archos and the docking station (while in warranty) and Archos fixed it/them.

That may not help you much.

PS: I think i zapped my DVR station with static one day and that might have been the original cause.

The adapter that comes with the Archos 605 must be firmly fixed to the docking station by pressing very firmly with a loud click. It feels delicate so if you only click it lightly it wont connect properly. This is poor design but at least it is OK now.

What kind of HDD do you have, do you have any type of output on it. You stated that you haven't connected the docking station to it and the TV...? The best thing to do is to connect your Archos to the Docking station. Set the docking station up correctly, with cables coming out of the HDD (if it has some sort of output) to the station and out of the station to your TV. Once you set that up, you can use the Archos as a mini DVR or VCR. Go to the REC option on the main screen of Archos, you'll have an option for Video Recorder (tab on top). If you play any source on the HDD, then all you have to do is press the Rec option on the Archos. If you already have a file on the HDD, then try just moving it over into the Archos once you connect the Docking station to your computer via USB or just use the USB cable connected to the computer with the HDD. I use the USB preference as Windows Media Device. (found under menu/settings/system). Is is basically a HDD itself. Remember the Archos will only play certain videos without the purchase of any extra plugins.
Good Luck

hi there, it should be easy, if your wanting to record off the tv/dvd or video you need to plug (lets say your using phono leads,the ends with red,white,yellow on them) into the output on the video (or what ever the device) the on the docking station plug them into input. then on the archos go to the videocorder n away you go. hope this has help`d

YOU NEED TO GO TO SETTINGS ANDCHANGE THE PLAY MODE TO PAL FORMAT

It sounds to me like there's an Component A/V cable issue. Please re-check the cable connections making sure they are connected correctly. When using the docking station and Component A/V cables you must be sure the cables are connected with their corresponding colors on the back of the DVR Docking Station. Also check that the format of the recording is compatible with the "TV Standard" in the settings menu of your Archos. It will be either NTSC (USA) or PAL (Europe). Be sure to check the Video Output Settings of the Archos to be sure it is set to the same type of cables you are using- component, RGB, s-video or composite. Good luck!