Product Reviews

The Archos Jukebox 6000 Recorder is a recordable version of the Jukebox we reviewed in April (see Reviews, 6 April 2001, p36). Like its predecessor, it houses a 6Gb hard disk on to which MP3s, or other data, can be copied.

A record facility has been added to the Jukebox via a line-in socket. This can be used with a microphone to record voice memos or it can be connected to another audio device, such as a record or cassette player. Recorded audio is converted by the Jukebox to the MP3 file format. This is a very easy method of converting LP and cassette tracks to MP3. The only caveat is that you have to manually start and stop recording with each track if you want a separate file for each song.

Copying MP3s from your Mac to the Jukebox couldn't be easier. Once you've installed the driver software, connecting the Jukebox to the Mac with the supplied USB cable mounts the Jukebox on the Mac's desktop. We did occasionally experience problems trying to get the Jukebox to mount, but these were resolved when we followed the connection procedure and order as it is described in the manual.

It's important to note that the Jukebox appears as a PC formatted volume and you shouldn't try to reformat it. Doing so causes the Jukebox to fail to recognise the hard disk. Once it's mounted you can simply

ADVERTISEMENT

copy files and folders in the normal way. Non-MP3 files are ignored by the MP3 player, so the Jukebox can double up as a USB hard disk for storing and transporting any file type.

In addition to the drivers, the supplied CD also contains a copy of MusicMatch Jukebox to enable you to create playlists and save them to the Archos Jukebox. Unfortunately, this process doesn't work and the playlists can't be read by the Jukebox Recorder. Archos recommends a third-party utility for this task, but we couldn't get that to work either. So as with the Jukebox 6000, you have to use folders to combine group tracks and play them in the order they appear in the folder, or select each track manually.

The controls on the Jukebox Recorder have been improved. Extra buttons have been added, and the joypad has been split into four separate buttons. This makes navigating folders and accessing features such as bass and treble control easier. You can adjust the volume with buttons on the front of the device without using the software to move through menus.

Wired for sound

The earphones have also been changed for the better, although unfortunately they're still not ideal. We would have preferred standard 'in ear' earphones without a headband. There is the welcome inclusion of a carrying pouch and we were particularly pleased that an extra set of rechargeable batteries was provided.

The Archos Jukebox 6000 Recorder isn't perfect. We experienced some difficulties - the readout on the LCD occasionally displayed the wrong track name and the playlist problem is a pain.

However, this an excellent upgrade to a sound product. It is well priced and an extremely convenient method of recording and playing MP3s. If you're looking for an MP3 player that offers an easy way of converting your old LPs and cassettes to MP3, the Archos Jukebox 6000 Recorder is the only show in town.