ARCHOS TV Connect review, a multimedia connected console – specs and unboxing (part 1)

Spotted a few months ago under the name Ludo, the product has recently been renamed to ARCHOS TV Connect when introduced early 2013 at the CES in Las Vegas. The Android device is designed to be clipped on top of a TV, it is the “computer” part of the TV connect, it has similar specs to the ARCHOS 101 XS, featuring a Texas Instruments TI OMAP 4470 processor running at 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, a full USB host connector, WiFI, Bluetooth, an Ethernet port, a micro SD slot, a webcam and a LED notification system (that should help to warn you for incoming calls while watching TV)
The TV Touch remote control offers a full QWERTY keyboard coupled with rotational mouse capability and analog stick and buttons for gaming. The TV Connect currently runs on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, it should be available in the coming weeks at ~ €129 / £99 / $129.

This review will first present the device specifications and packaging, see how the remote controller and Android works, check the performance and usability of using Android on a TV.

ARCHOS TV Connect specifications

Operating System	Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Build number: JRO03L
CPU	Dual Core Texas Instruments TI OMAP 4470 running at 1.5 GHz Integrated GPU: Imagination POWERVR SGX 544 (single core)
Flash Storage Memory	Capacity 8 GB Speed: Class 6 range (tested Read: 28041 Kb/s Write: 7130 Kb/s)
System Memory	1 GB
Additional storage	Micro SD slot
Display	Up to 1080p (TV resolution dependent)
Bluetooth	Yes
Wi-FI	802.11 b/g/n
Gravity Sensor	Yes (on ARCHOS TV Touch Remote controller)
Camera	1 Mpixels (front facing) Pictures resolution: 1280×960, video: 720p
GPS	No
HDMI	Yes(mini HDMI, aka HDMI type c connector)
Interfaces	microUSB port full size USB Host port MicroSD slot Integrated Microphone 2 notification LEDs
Battery life	Not applicable as the ARCHOS TV Connect has no battery, AC powered only. ARCHOS TV Touch Remote (controller) battery life not measured
Google Play Store / Android Market	Yes The ARCHOS TV Connect is net yet reported in the Google Play certified devices.
Dimensions	As announced by ARCHOS: 235 x 105 x 34 mm
Weight	ARCHOS TV Connect: 190g ARCHOS TV Touch Remote: 190g
Official Product page	at archos.com

ARCHOS TV Connect unboxing video

ARCHOS TV Connect packaging

You will find in the box:

the main unit (ARCHOS TV Connect) that clips on the TV

the remote controller (ARCHOS TV Touch Remote)

The keyboard is currently not localized and comes only in QWERTY layout for all territories, let’s hope ARCHOS will consider making local versions for non English users.

Here is a 360° view of the controller (Flash required), use your mouse or keyboard to turn.

a power charger it outputs 12 V, 3 A, European socket for the power on the wall.
The TV Connect can’t be powered from the micro USB connector.
a mini-HDMI (HDMI type C) cable to connect the tablet to a TV
booklets: a “need help ?” paper, a warranty/legal and safety notice, a user guide
It looks like ARCHOS has put some efforts in improving their user manual as the TV Connect ships with a complete 226 pages user guide in multiple languages (EN / FR / DE / ES / IT / NL / PT / RU)
It covers the specifics of the TV Connect, from getting the user started, remote control TV Touch handling, Game Mapping Tool and more general topics with Android and Archos Media player