IFA 2007 – Archos launch TV+ PVR and media streamer, announce prices

Here’s something I really can’t wait to get my hands on: Archos’ TV+ PVR/media streamer/web surfer, which the company were flaunting at IFA 2007.  An instant competitor to the AppleTV – and, so my gut feeling says, with the potential to blow it out of the water – the compact box has a choice of 80GB or 250GB hard-drives and a plethora of connectivity including HDMI (outputting 720p Hi-Def), WiFi, USB 2.0 and ethernet.

Designed to be compatible with the Archos DVR Station Gen 5, shown above, which is a docking station for the latest 605 and 405 PMP units, and coming complete with a rather nifty remote control with full QWERTY keyboard, altogether it adds up to what Archos are calling “the only DVR to integrate seamlessly with a portable device.”

Software plug-ins can add new funtionality to the TV+, including support for Flash (can anyone say YouTube?), while a simple to use EPG is ready out-of-the-box.  It should be available imminently, priced at £179 ($361) for the 80GB and £259 ($523) for the 250GB.

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