If getting a look at five new MP3 players is like Christmas, Christmas might have come early this year (or late depending on how you look at it). In an attempt to restore its reputation from the lagging demand for its Internet tablet, Archos has resorted back to what it knows best: MP3 players.

The Vision line which was introduced in the middle of 2009 has undergone a revamp of sorts.  There is the addition of a single new player which is unheard of, but most of the other changes are rather exciting.

Archos Key

First up is the Archos Key which is reminiscent and comparable to the Clipper. Usually not seen from Archos, the Key is an entry-level player going for a great price.

As a USB-capable device, the Key will retail for around 20 Euros (or ~$28 USD) featuring support for MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA. Capacity is limited to 4GB of storage with a surprise Micro SD slot. Additional features include an FM radio transmitter and voice recorder.

The overall design is simple but elegant featuring a look-alike iPod scroll wheel of a miniature size.

We continue after the jump…

Archos Vision 1 Slim

The first release of the Vision 1 was only announced less than 2-months ago, but the Archos developers seem keen to move onto the next iteration.  If the name is anything to go on, we can expect a more slender player with an improved capacitive sensor interface.

Similarly to the Key, the Vision 1 Slim features a 4GB storage capacity (no word of a SD slot) with support for WMA, WAV, APE, FLAC, and MP3. The difference comes in the support of AVI and your common image formats. A retail price of around 40 Euros (or ~$56 USD) is expected.

Archos Vision 2 Yamaha

Although our source uses the word Yamaha™, this is no mention of the word in any of the product literature or leaked images – rather interesting. The Vision 2 is a big jump from the two aforementioned players with a slew of features.

The Vision 2 Yamaha takes a few tips from Sony’s S540 with its flip-out stand and Yamaha stereo speakers. Forget about that iPod namo because the big eyebrow-raising player includes a video camera.

Available in March, the Vision 2 will retail for around 80 Euros (or ~$113 USD)

Additional Specs:

• Support for a host of file types: MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, WAV, FLAC, WMV, FLV, VOB, AVI, MP4 RM, RMVB, ASF, MPG, JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, WAV, FLAC, WMV, FLV, VOB, AVI, MP4, RM, RMVB, ASF, MPG, JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF.
• Inclusion of an e-book reader and FM Radio (play & record).
• Battery life of 10 hours of audio or 4 hours of video on a single charge.

Archos Vision 3 Cam

The Vision 3 Cam could be mistaken for a phone, but don’t be fooled. It features a 3-inch (400 x 240) QVGA touchscreen as the sole interactive interface to the player.

While price remains unknown, the device will be unavailable come March.

Specifications:

• 8 GB storage capacity
• FM radio and transmitter
• Video camera – records MPEG-4 in a ASF wrapper. What?
• Thickness of 9mm
• Support for a plethora of formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, WAV, FLAC, WMV, FLV, VOB, AVI, MP4, RM, RMVB, ASF, MPG JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF Formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, WAV, FLAC, WMV, FLV, VOB, AVI, MP4, RM, RMVB, ASF, MPG, JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
• Battery life of 14 hours of audio or 4 hours of video on a single charge.

Archos Vison 4

The Vision 4 is the big cheese in the new line-up and probably falls just short of an Internet tablet. Not really. It’s comparable to the Vision 5 or the older 605 model. The device features a 4.3-inch touchscreen. No word on storage capacity, but there is that useful SD slot. We’re eager for further details on this one just like the rest of you.

The other details we know:

• TV output
• Voice recorder
• Clock and calendar application

[via ArchosLounge]

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