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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Popmarter on November 11, 2004, 11:02:22 AM

Title: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on November 11, 2004, 11:02:22 AM
http://www.archos.com/products/overview/gmini_400_tech_specs.html

It says it records in wav and has 20gb space and a whole lot of other options. Ok ok, no digi in, but apart from that....something to stealth with?? (349 euro is a bit different from sonosax minir82 's "not above 6500 euro".)
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Rick on November 11, 2004, 11:57:03 AM
If your not going digi-in then I would suggest the R1 personally. I bet the A/D in that is much better and you can do 24bit. Just to bad it can only do 44kHz and the 2gb+ flash cards are bit high.
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: timP on November 11, 2004, 12:18:58 PM
I have an archos that records .wav via line in just fine for cheap if you want it...
20GB and built like a brick...level meters etc......

pm me if you want more info..
been trying to sell it for ever...................
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on November 11, 2004, 12:24:37 PM
you mean this archos, or the previous version?

why are you selling?
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: pfife on November 11, 2004, 12:25:44 PM
Popmarter- why are you not interested in the NJB3?
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Ed. on November 11, 2004, 12:36:09 PM
to big to stealth he says.

meh! i say.
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on November 11, 2004, 12:39:15 PM
right, to big, to bad levels and hard to get around here. to me, it does not have that much pro's worth spending the money now. i'd rather wait for the R1 or something different.
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Rick on November 11, 2004, 12:46:53 PM
Wait for the R1. You only have to wait a month or two. I'm planning on getting one I'll let you know how it works out.

Though it would be cool to watch a movie on the Archos if a show got boring  ;)
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Rick on November 11, 2004, 01:00:08 PM
I was looking at the manual, the levels look decent, but it doesn’t say what sampling rates it supports. It also doesn’t say how long the battery last. Since it’s an internal battery you better hope for at least 4 hours.
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on November 11, 2004, 01:07:06 PM
yes, i think this unit has just a bit to much stuff. like i am gonna watch a video on that? where should i do that? at work?? :-)
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: timP on November 11, 2004, 01:20:50 PM
http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=23490.0
love the little thing, just have an IRIVER for tunes and JB3 for recording..

levels are really nice, batt length I got was 4 1/2 with out the batt back up I have

was going to give it to the grrl, but she had to have a little tiny IRIVER too


made a few Great recording with my mini ATs>Archos, but the thing hardly ever got used...

(sorry for trying to hock my stuff not in the yardsale....)
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Thom Joad on November 12, 2004, 08:12:30 AM
I have a Gmini400.  I've ran it for two shows now.  4060>Aerco MP2>Gmini400.  To tell the truth, I can't notice a difference in A/D quality between that and my D10ProII, but then again my ears are not "golden."  The unit is really sweet.  It would be hard to watch a full feature length movie on the small screen, but only because of it's size, the colors and resolution are outstanding for such a small package.  It does have a coax video out to go to a TV.  The recording screen is set up really nice, with meters that go from green to yellow to red.  It can do 16/44 or 16/48.  I've ran it for a full moe. show ~3.5 hours with the battery indicator being at the 1/4 level at the end of the show.  Also, there is no file size limit that I've seen, but then again I haven't ran it for more than that 3 hour show.  It feels very sturdy and well built.  I was kind of worried about the layout of the controls from looking at the picture, like it would be awkward to operate, but if you've ever held the original Nintendo game controller, you'll have no problem.  My one gripe so far is it does take a little while for the battery to recharge, but I think that has something to do with the fact that it is supposed to be a "lifetime" battery, no sending it back to the factory in 2-3 years to get the battery changed. 

I can send anyone who is interested the second show I did with it.  Brad Mehldau Trio, 10.30.04  The Egg, Albany NY.  The moe. show I used it on had some minor bass brickwalling and I'd rather not spread that.  I attribute it more to the 4060's and the fact that I had about an hour before the show to learn the meters of the Gmini400, as I got it in the mail that day.  Luckily, my Earthworks were also running, so I still got a great tape.  Let me know if anyone wants a copy of the Mehldau, mattandfelina at yahoo.com  Take it easy.

Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on November 12, 2004, 08:53:32 AM
Cool this is good news, i will keep an eye on this unit and see if it gets available in the shops here. thanks for telling!

Ps. are there some special wallets(?) for this unit so i can eb protected from scratches etc.
ps. 2. does the unit have a HOLD button???
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Thom Joad on November 12, 2004, 10:10:17 AM
Ps. are there some special wallets(?) for this unit so i can eb protected from scratches etc.

I'm pretty sure there are vendors that offer protective carrying cases for these.  I use an old case that came with a Braun shaving kit, in which the Gmini, line in jack and my dual RCA>stereo mini adapter fits in nicely.

ps. 2. does the unit have a HOLD button???\

yes, you can lock the buttons by holding the F1 button down for three seconds.
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: seethreepo on December 30, 2004, 12:49:31 PM
Ps. are there some special wallets(?) for this unit so i can eb protected from scratches etc.

I'm pretty sure there are vendors that offer protective carrying cases for these.  I use an old case that came with a Braun shaving kit, in which the Gmini, line in jack and my dual RCA>stereo mini adapter fits in nicely.

ps. 2. does the unit have a HOLD button???\

yes, you can lock the buttons by holding the F1 button down for three seconds.

I got one for christmas  any first time user hints? 

Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: Popmarter on December 30, 2004, 03:09:16 PM
try making some pictures of recordlevels and put them here? :-)
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: pfunk_49 on January 01, 2005, 11:49:44 PM
I have an archos that records .wav via line in just fine for cheap if you want it...
20GB and built like a brick...level meters etc......

pm me if you want more info..
been trying to sell it for ever...................

are you still trying to get rid of the gmini?  I'm very interested in one of these.

pfunk_49@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Archos Gmini 400 ?
Post by: pfunk_49 on January 02, 2005, 12:40:03 AM
I'm thinking of buying one of these for both taping and a helmet cam for skiing.  Can you record video and CD quality audio with this?