My archos 504 will play for 2-3 mins then will freeze.

You can drag and drop dvd files (divx/avi+AAC codecs) into the video folder of the device, but in order to play the you must buy the Archos cinema plugin. Visit the Archos official page and search your model.

Check the Power Settings. It may set to 8 seconds.

Hi,

This problem seems to occur when the device overheats. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but most videos set at 720 by 480 wont play when the device is left running for a long period of time. The smaller video files, however, still play. I think it deals with the amount of system resources required for such files to play. If you turn the device off completely by going to menu, power, and turn off device, and leave it sit for 30 minutes, all files should play properly when you turn it back on.

As a suggestion, DO NOT leave your Archos powered on and on the dvr station. This causes the device to constantly run, and if you havent noticed the Archos operates at an extremely high temperature.
Also try the reset button just as a back up to what i have put. Karlos

chack AVI cord

This is a good player available in the market.
ONE: Try a hard reset. Just unplug the power cord for 30 minutes or more, then try again.
TWO: the lazer head reader will be faulty, which would result in freeze and cause sound problems
It will not be wise for you to take the set to a repair facility simply because the repair, unless it is under warranty or you have an extended warranty plan, because the cost of repair is as much or more than the purchase price of a new player.

Problem fixed by going to 2nd menu group (left click the menu button) display>external display and selecting s-video (this is the cable I use)

Download Magic Video Converter from www.isohunt.com and change the video to WMP Standard 8. You don't need 1.25 GB vids for the archos, it's too high a quality for such a small screen.

its a protected movie and 504 wont play them out to the tv.

try resetting it via the button under the battery cover next to the hard drive, and if not, connect it to your pc, and format it as quick as poss.

I have put plenty of DVDs onto my Archos, but I use the optional cradle which connect to the TV as well as DVD players. You simply connect the DVD player onto it and play your dvd, which switching on the Recorder function on your unit.

Alternatively, can you convert the DVD onto your PC and then transfer onto the Archos in normal fashion, or is this what you are saying you tried to do already?