In recent years, the move away from physical media has reached its apogee, and today few people use the already obsolete CDs. Both audio and video content has successfully migrated to incorporeal file format stored on hard drives or received in real time using streaming services. At the same time, the quality of multimedia is steadily growing and you can easily find music with a resolution of 24 bit / 192 kHz or even DSD 128, and TVs and projectors have learned to show 4K video.

It is quite natural that with the transition to a new digital era, special devices were required to work with this type of data. And of course they showed up. They were network audio and media players. The first of them are intended exclusively for sound reproduction and are aimed primarily at audiophiles, but the second ones are quite omnivorous and will suit everyone, especially since their cost has recently fallen significantly. The average media player is capable of playing a variety of content from almost any source, be it removable storage, NAS, built-in hard drive or the Internet, supporting both wired and wireless data transfer. It is convenient and easy to use, and the resulting quality is at a very high level.

In fairness, it should be noted that expensive modern top-end TVs have a built-in media player on board, and a regular computer can perform its functions, but each of these options has advantages and disadvantages. With all the convenience of using an all-in-one device, TVs often, although they support working with the main formats, but by no means with all the audio and video codecs that are found within the same media container in various variations. In particular, this applies multichannel audio DTS, with which most representatives of this class categorically refuse to be friends. It will not be possible to install a hard drive inside, instead of which you will have to use a USB-HDD or NAS.

In contrast to them, computers work with any codecs and formats, but without an additional upgrade, they cannot boast of the convenience of media players. First, you will have to get a more practical graphical shell for remote use and buy a remote control. Secondly, in order to properly output multi-channel audio through the HDMI interface, you will need to purchase an appropriate video card, which can also cost a significant amount. And finally, a computer, especially a powerful one, often produces a lot of noise that is not conducive to pleasant viewing. However, those who watch movies only occasionally and are not particularly picky about comfort or versatility can be satisfied with both of these options, but if you want a convenient and multifunctional device for working with any content, you should pay attention to a network media player.

The arrival of a new player

Asian manufacturers were among the first to actively produce network media players, among which Dune HD, which still exists on the market, can be considered a pioneer. In 2006, she introduced her first DVD player, which could play not only a standard video disc, but also various third-party formats that were not very popular at that time. After that, the Blu-ray drive came to replace, eventually giving way to the hard drive. The capabilities were supplemented by modern interfaces and wireless modules, as well as support for multi-channel audio and 3D video. In this form, they are produced to this day, and the quality of the products of this Taiwanese brand is very high.

The second company that contributed to the development of media players was the Korean DViCO, which produced devices under the TVi X brand. From the very beginning, she decided to use a hard drive as a data source, so her the lineup full of unusual forms, which became possible to implement due to the absence of the need to use a CD-drive.

By the end of the 2000s, another Popcorn TV player appeared on the market, a distinctive feature of which was not only the ability to play files from a pre-installed hard drive, but also access to various online services such as radio and television, which allowed it to achieve high popularity in Europe and the USA, where the speed of Internet access at that time was already sufficient for normal operation level. In Russia, the device became known only later, when the Chinese company BBK began to produce it, and dial-up was replaced by more or less sane broadband access.

Design features

All network media players are developed on the basis of a chipset that is responsible not only for decoding the incoming signal, but also for supporting data input / output interfaces such as SATA, USB, HDMI or LAN. Additional functions like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or DVB-T/T2 are implemented by connecting the appropriate modules. The filling is packed in a suitable case, supplied with power, connectors, remote control and released for sale. Proceeding from this, it becomes clear that the main capabilities and quality of operation of such a device largely depend on the chipset model used in it.

The vast majority of devices on the market are based on chipsets produced by Realtek and Sigma Designs. The first of them has in its assortment entry-level modifications installed in inexpensive players, while the second specializes in higher-quality and functional options that differ in significant cost. Sometimes you can also find AmLogic and Boxchip products, but they are budget analogues of the old Realtek developments and are not of particular interest.

The Sigma Designs lineup consists of 12 chips, united in five lines. All of them have support for HDMI 1.4 with CEC, video high definition with 12-bit xvYCC color reproduction, stereoscopic 3D video (RealD), DTS, DD, DTSMA, TrueHD audio decoding and work with 100 Mb, less often 1 Gbps networks. Each of them also has additional features, which can be found in more detail by reading the specification.

There are three chips in the Realtek assortment today, the initial of which is equipped with an HDMI 1.3 port with CEC, but does not come with a network card. Average preset PCI slot Express and 1Gb network interface. The top one is also equipped with a 3D accelerator, can broadcast a stereoscopic signal via HDMI 1.4 interface with CEC and decode 3D.

Representatives

To date, there are many models on the market, both from industry pioneers and from newcomers like 3Q and iconBIT. In addition, the giants ASUS, Sony and others have also taken up their production. If we talk about classification, then it is fully determined by the use of one or another chipset in the design, on which the possibilities depend. Conventionally, all media players can be attributed to one of three price groups: cheap, medium and expensive.

Budget models costing up to 7 - 8,000 rubles will allow you to watch Full HD video and listen to music in the most popular formats. Gradually, devices with the ability to work with 4K resolution appear in this category. Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel audio codecs are almost always supported. Various devices are oriented towards using external drives, internal hard drives, usually purchased separately, or connecting to a local network via an Ethernet port. There are modifications with a Wi-Fi module and a version in the form of an HDMI stick. The remote control is a must. As representatives, you can designate ASUS O!Play Gallery or IconBIT Movie FHD T2.

Mid-price ones with a cost of up to 15,000 rubles work with all formats, decode 3D video and multi-channel audio, and are also equipped with 1 Gbps network controller. Almost all of them allow the installation of a hard drive, have their own Wi-Fi module and a DVB-T/T TV tuner. The number of connectors for switching here is usually the maximum, and the menu and interface are well developed. Complementing all this is the presence of Smart TV technology, which provides simple and convenient access to network services. Featured models: ASUS O!Play HD2 and IconBIT OMNICAST UHD.

Premium devices can do it all, but do it much better. To do this, manufacturers are introducing various functions to improve picture quality, expand the color range, and so on. It is not uncommon to find in them the possibility of installing a pair of hard drives, and the execution is similar in shape to classic CD players or audio components. As in expensive devices for working with sound, in such media players, careful attention is paid to the set of components and circuitry. In general, the premium class in its purest form. An example is the Dune HD Solo 4K model.

Conclusion

If you want a convenient and functional device that can work with most available formats, connect to the Internet and decode stereoscopic 3D video, then there are many worthy contenders in the mid-price segment. For those who do not need wide opportunities and 3D, they may well choose a budget model. And finally, fans of watching movies on big screen Those who have a good audio system in their arsenal will appreciate the advantages of expensive devices that provide a significant increase in quality.

Instead of an introduction, we would like to draw the attention of buyers to the reduction in cost and progress of Smart TV systems over the past year. The ability to connect drives and wide support for various formats are now available even in the most inexpensive TVs. This is great, but the functionality of the "boxes" threatens entry-level media players. Up to complete disappearance.

Players are different

The "injection" of multimedia functions into the TV today can be performed by several classes of devices: the successors of DVD players, computers and tablets paved their way to TV screens.

The most time-consuming type of media players are nettop class models. These avant-garde mini-computers impress with their compactness and stability, and the quality of components, the performance of ultra-low-voltage processors and desktop OS capabilities cannot be compared with the potential of other media players. All the power of computer browsers, content playback programs and file-sharing networks can now be obtained within a quiet and compact "box".

Nettops: media players outside - computers inside

The problem is that the domestic use of these, in fact, desktop computers is hardly compatible with the tasks of a set-top box. Choosing and buying a remote control, finding a suitable media shell and setting up a DVB tuner will require serious patience, and therefore turn the project into a long-term project. We leave this method to experienced and determined fans of the PC platform, and we offer you to get acquainted with the world of nettops in numerous news and reviews on the site.

The next subspecies of media players are devices based on Android OS. Attempts to endow TVs with the functionality of smartphones and tablets have become a trend in recent years: familiar and ready-to-use applications, OS adaptation to high-resolution displays and inexpensive processors have had a positive impact on the distribution similar devices. The disadvantage, as in the case of nettops, is the mediocre adaptation of the system to new controls: manufacturers have to “reinvent” android interface taking into account the lack of touch input, and users to get used to the specifics of using the "lazy" Air Mouse.

Standing apart among these media players are mini-computers of the Android Stick format. These miniature (the size of a large flash drive) devices are deprived digital tuner and have only HDMI connector. But they can boast affordable price and powerful operating system.

HDMI Stick - compact media players based on Android OS

The main role in the media player market is played by devices running Sigma Designs and Realtek platforms - direct descendants of hardware DVD and Blu-ray players. The loss of an optical disc drive is compensated by the introduction of streaming services, "omnivorousness" and, sometimes, a standard HDD connector in the media player case. Being more household than computer equipment, this class of devices rarely allows the installation of third-party applications and services. The efforts of the developers lie in the plane of ease of management and picture quality.

Classic IPTV set-top boxes are still relevant today

Our guide will focus on the last two categories of devices.

In the dark forest of characteristics

Buying a media player can be treated differently. Nothing prevents you from being guided only by the budget for the purchase of the device. And such an approach will not necessarily result in disappointment, since the functionality of even the most budget models today satisfies the needs of an undemanding user. We will try to identify priorities for those who want to get the most out of the media player with minimal investment.

Interfaces

The variety of interfaces in the era of digital broadcasting is fading, so a TV equipped with an HDMI input and support for resolutions from HD Ready and above will be an ideal candidate for connecting a media player. The digital connector will ensure maximum video quality and greatly simplify the output of multi-channel audio to your home theater. The HDMI specification allows you to transmit digital sound to acoustics in an unchanged form (bitstream technology), which makes it possible to use the full potential of a high-quality audio system on media players running Sigma and Realtek platforms. Things are worse for set-top boxes based on ARM Cortex chipsets. In their case, the sound potential is most often limited by the transfer of a stereo stream (LPCM) already processed on the set-top box to the TV.

When it comes to connecting a media player to an outdated TV, the situation becomes much more complicated. In the absence of an HDMI connector, you will have to choose from the following analog interfaces:

composite output. Referred to on devices as AV Out or RCA. Uses familiar for the second decade "tulips" to output video and stereo sound. The quality of sound and video with this connection method leaves much to be desired, and if possible, we recommend using alternative connectors.

Composite interface

component output. Referred to on devices as YUV Out or YPbPr. It is based on all the same "tulips", but the video signal is transmitted through several cables at once, and the final picture quality is the best among all available analog interfaces.

Component Interface

scart. In fact, it is not an interface, but a "container" for transmitting an RGB image with low image quality by modern standards. Rarely found among media player connectors and, as a rule, it comes in the form of an adapter from a composite connector or an S-Video interface.

SCART connector

S video. The least common interface in media players and TVs. Structurally, S-Video is a slightly better alternative to the composite connector. This development did not gain much popularity among TV manufacturers, and today it often catches the eye among the connectors of outdated computer video accelerators.

S-video connector

Media players with an analog tuner on board have practically disappeared from retail, and support for the DVB-T2 digital broadcasting standard has come in their place. The digital television network in Russia is rapidly expanding, but broadcasting in this standard is still far from widespread. The presence of a digital signal in one or another locality it is worth checking in advance on the website of the operator of the all-Russian digital television broadcasting or with local providers.

Form factor and network communications

The usual trick on video recorders with the definition of the flagship "by eye" is no longer relevant. In the media player segment, the bulkiest model is not always the most productive. The dimensions of the new players are dictated only by the number of connectors for connecting to a TV, as well as the presence of a hard drive compartment.

It is also not worth unconditionally giving preference to media players with a HDD connector: in the absence of a “home video library”, this function will very soon cease to be in demand. Connecting a media player to a PC, constantly removing the drive to write new files, or painstaking work with the web interface of a torrent client is tiring. But playing files from the local network will be faster and more efficient. In the case of an Android mini PC, an additional argument for such use is the characteristic lack of ports for connecting drives: the only USB connector is occupied by a wireless keyboard, and the weak current in the device does not allow connecting a USB Hub without mains power.

A capacious drive on board will shelter any collection of media files

Fortunately, media players without support for data exchange over the network are rare today. Even budget models are able to offer an Ethernet connector or Wi-Fi support for receiving content via DLNA or a Samba server. If possible, you should use the RJ-45 connector - wireless playback of Full HD video will require support for Wi-Fi 802.11n and the presence of a productive router in line-of-sight conditions.

The unequivocal advantage of Android-based media players is the support for social functions: clients for Facebook, VKontakte, Skype and other instant messengers work quickly and are always updated to the latest versions. Some media players are equipped with webcam support via USB-OTG, and the second half of 2014 was marked by the release of Android Stick with a video camera and microphone in the body of the device. Alas, the power of the mini PC's Wi-Fi transmitter leaves much to be desired, and in order to play 1080p video over a network, you will most often need a USB to Ethernet adapter.

Playback formats

With some reservations, we can say that the "omnivorousness" of modern media players has reached almost peak values. Over the past few years, there have been no models left on the market that would not be able to play video files in Divx / Xvid, H.264 and MPEG 1/2 formats. As for sound files, it is worth paying attention to the presence of support for high-quality audio in DTS, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD formats. Some media players are deprived of sound support in this format (due to the lack of a license for a codec or the design features of the chipset), so it's better to avoid an unpleasant surprise in the form of a "silent movie" in advance.

As for containers, the popular AVI, MP4 and MKV are easily played even in budget models, which means that any modern model is suitable for watching movies in DVDRip, BDRip, BDRip-AVC and BDRemux standards.

Problems with the selection of a media player haunt only lovers of "full-format" Blu-ray and surround video. 3D movies are often distributed as ISO images or file folders. A truly convenient playback of such a video can only be provided by media players that support the ISO BD3D standard, but with the proviso that the movie will be navigated through a simplified BD Lite menu. Support for 3D HD video in other media players will be limited to the "heuristic" launch of the M2TS file from the folder structure or the complete lack of support for the standard. Unfortunately, support for the full Blu-ray specification has fallen into oblivion along with optical discs. The aggressive lobbying for copy protection called Cinavia played a role in this.

Devices developed in close cooperation with content providers stand apart - in the pursuit of copyright compliance and the promotion of purchases in online cinemas, media players receive limited list compatible codecs and/or streaming services relevant only to foreign audiences.

Governing bodies

The interface of the Sigma SDK and Realtek SDK operating systems was developed taking into account the capabilities of a standard remote control: therefore, controlling such media players does not require additional skills from TV users or game console. Support for computer keyboards and mice is present in many models, but it is of no practical use - multi-stage menus are easier and faster to master using the same remote control than using the mouse cursor.

The comfort of a TV versus the functionality of a computer

Media players running Android go to the other extreme: the lack of touch input in these products can only be compensated for by multifunctional remote controls with a QWERTY keyboard and Air Mouse mode, which are not particularly ergonomic. In the end, all Android Stick users are moving to control through a full-sized set of computer keyboard and mouse - controlling a media player from the couch will never be easy.

Performance and hardware platform

The confrontation between Sigma and Realtek chipsets is painfully reminiscent of the picture on the PC processor market. The Sigma Designs platform typically comes with a finer workflow and superior synthetic performance. The stability and speed of operation of the SMP series chipsets are overshadowed by the high cost of the platform for manufacturers - media players based on Realtek and Sigma that are equal in price will differ in functionality not in favor of the latter.

Realtek media processors are much more flexible. Thanks to a loyal pricing policy, they have become much more widespread. As is often the case in budget products, a number of annoying flaws have plagued the RTD series platforms for a long time - experienced users of media players will nod in the direction of a well-known flaw, when video playback at a frequency of 23.976 frames / s was accompanied by constant jerks. The next negative moment occurred already through the fault of careless manufacturers of set-top boxes: ventilation problems in models equipped with an HDD slot led to overheating and unstable operation of a whole family of media players. Today, all these problems have been eliminated, and the competition between the two chipset manufacturers is on an equal footing.

Comparison of the performance of these platforms can be done "the old fashioned way", guided only by the operating frequencies of the processor, however, the lion's share of the load in the SoC of media players falls on hardware decoders. The efficiency of content playback for these devices is beyond the competence of benchmarks.

Nevertheless, performance measurement in "synthetics" remains the only possible way SoC classification. Specialized multimedia processors and competing chips based on the ARM Cortex architecture can be divided into five classes (in descending order of performance).

For buyers who are not ready to analyze the market in search of the ideal media player, we have prepared a list of current Smart TV systems for any budget and needs. The market leaders will not necessarily appear among these products, but the ratio of price and functionality allows us to recommend these models for purchase with confidence.

Upvel UM-521TV


CPU	Rockchip RK3188 (Cortex-A9), 1.6GHz x 4 cores
Graphic arts	Mali-400 MP4
RAM	2 GB
HD support	1080p
operating system	Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Connectors	1x USB 2.0 1x HDMI 1.4 1x micro USB card reader (SDHC)
Video format support	MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, FLV, RM, RMVB (MPEG4, H.264, VC1 codecs)
Support for audio formats	MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, WAV, FLAC, APE
Network connections	Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 (b/g/n)
Additionally	Google Play app store, compatible with standard USB keyboards and mice
Estimated cost	4500 rub.
Price.ru

The UM-521TV media player is the most successful candidate for livening up the TV screen with social networking, online entertainment and other applications for the Google platform. Quad-core processor, 2 GB random access memory and stock Android Jelly Bean will appeal to buyers for whom timely familiarization with the news feed and videos means much more than painstaking selection of content for long-term viewing.

TVZor TVZ100ZT


CPU	HiSilicon Hi3716C (Cortex-A9), 1 GHz
Graphic arts	Vivante GC800
RAM	1 GB
HD support	1080p
operating system	Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich
Connectors	3x USB 2.0 1x HDMI 1.4 S/PDIF (optical) composite output SCART RF IN RF OUT card reader (SDHC)
Video format support	MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, TP, TS, TRP, M2T, M2TS, MP4, DAT, MPG, FLV, RM, RMVB, (MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, XviD, H.264, VC1 codecs)
Support for audio formats	MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, M4A, WAV, FLAC, APE, AC3, DTS
Network connections	Ethernet LAN 100M, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 (b/g/n)
Additionally	TVZor media shell (IPTV, OTT, WEB TV), "Multiscreen" function (iOS / Android), support YouTube service, compatible with standard USB keyboards and mice
Estimated cost	3000 rub.
Price.ru

The ideology of the TVZor media player goes against fashion - the model belongs to a small class of devices developed in collaboration with content providers. In the Russian market, a limited selection of streaming services rarely boasts of success with buyers, but the TVZ100ZT has every chance of turning the tide. For only 3,000 rubles, the buyer receives a media player with a rich bundle, a programmable remote control with a QWERTY keyboard, a DVB-T2 tuner, an online media library and a set of connectors for connecting to a CRT or LCD TV.

Unfortunately, there is no trace of the functionality of the Android system, and access to files on the local network is closed. But 20 stably working IPTV channels are supplemented with a pack of free series in the online store, and support for formats for digital media is in no way inferior to "full" and more expensive competitors. More details with TVZor TVZ100ZT

IconBit Movie3D IPTV


CPU	Allwinner A20 (Cortex-A7), 1 GHz x 2 cores
Graphic arts	Mali-400 MP2
RAM	1 GB
HD support	1080p/2160p
operating system	Android 4.2.2
Connectors	2x USB 2.0 1x HDMI 1.4 S/PDIF (coaxial, optical)
Video format support	ISO BD3D, MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, FLV, RM, RMVB (MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, XviD, H.264, WMV9, VC1 codecs)
Support for audio formats	MP3, WMA, Ogg, WAV, FLAC, APE
Network connections	Ethernet LAN 10/100 M, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 (b/g/n)
Additionally	iconBIT media shell (IPTV, OTT, WEB TV), Google Play Store, support for USB webcams
Estimated cost	3000 rub.
Price.ru

IconBit Movie3D IPTV

"Functionality over performance" - the Movie3D IPTV model is based on the obsolete Allwinner A20 chipset, and the neighboring Android branded the shell leads to extremely slow navigation through the device menu. In contrast to these shortcomings, the player has a rich feature set and a reasonable price. Working with custom IPTV playlists, support for stereo pairs of the BD3D ISO standard, numerous streaming services and access to the Google Play app store cannot fail to please budget buyers. Beginners will also enjoy the abundance of free content, while experienced Android users will appreciate root access and the ability to install third-party apps. You can learn more about IconBit Movie3D IPTV in our review.

ASUS O!Play Mini Plus


CPU	Realtek RTD1185, 500 MHz
RAM	256 MB
HD support	1080p
operating system	RTD OS
Connectors	1x USB 2.0 1x HDMI 1.3 1x eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo S/PDIF (optical) composite output card reader (SDHC/MS/xD)
Video format support	MKV, AVI, WMV, ISO, VOB, MOV, ASF, TS, TRP, M2TS, MP4, DAT, MPG, FLV, RM, RMVB (MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, VC1 codecs)
Support for audio formats	MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, PCM, M4A, WAV, FLAC, AC3, DTS
Network connections	Ethernet LAN 10/100/1000 M, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 (b/g/n)
Additionally	YouTube, Flickr, Muzee Internet Radio + TV, etc.
Estimated cost	4800 rub.
Price.ru

ASUS O!Play Mini Plus

In the O!Play Mini Plus model, ASUS engineers chose not to get involved in the pursuit of smartphone features. The lack of support for Blu-ray ISO images and shortcomings in the online component will be accompanied by fair complaints from users. However, this model is aimed at practitioners and its main goal is to conveniently play content from local and network drives. Gigabit Ethernet, a card reader and an eSATA connector allow you to take any video and music fully armed. The level of implementation of these functions directly speaks about the quality of the media player. The presence of a composite output will allow you to play Full HD files even on older TVs. But among enthusiasts, O!Play Mini Plus is not respected, since the media player is based on the infamous revision of Realtek MD chipsets, which means that the device is completely closed for flashing at home.

Google Nexus Player

Google presented its vision on what should be a set-top box based on the Android operating system. A model called Nexus Player, developed in collaboration with ASUS, is finally on sale. The interface and functionality of the base Android has been adapted for easy use on the TV screen and content streaming. The media player supports Google Chromecast functions, allowing you to broadcast videos, music and photos from your computer, smartphone or tablet to your TV screen. Distinctive feature interface - automatic ranking of applications and multimedia files according to user preferences.

The basic kit includes a multifunctional remote control with an integrated microphone, and a game pad is available for an additional fee.

Nexus Player is based on a quad-core Intel platforms Atom clocked at 1.8 GHz. The graphics component is based on the Imagination PowerVR Series 6 video accelerator, and the memory subsystem has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. internal storage. Wireless communications are represented by Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1, and among the communication connectors there is HDMI and Micro-USB. The cost of new items is 99 US dollars.

In the early 21st century, watching quality movies on TV required a DVD player. Then, plasma models began to equip their creations with USB connectors, allowing you to watch your favorite movie masterpieces from flash drives. But even after that, the development of multimedia technologies continued. The result of this development was the emergence of special media players, thanks to which the TV can be turned into almost a full-fledged personal computer. What models of such devices are best to buy? This review of the TOP 3 best media players of 2017 will help you find the answer to this question.

Media player Rombica Cinema 4K

This model is considered one of the best representatives of its class of technology. It has the widest range of functions, easy operation, convenient size and reasonable price. Let's study its characteristics in more detail.

Delivery set, external version. This device is sold inside a black cardboard box. In addition to the media player itself, the package includes an AV cord, a USB 3.0 cable, a power supply, a remote control (though without batteries). The model is made of black plastic with a glossy surface. This decision of engineers has its pros and cons. On the one hand, the appearance of the player turned out to be attractive and modern, but on the other hand, the glossy coating quickly becomes covered with scratches and traces of touches. The top of the device is completely clean (no inscriptions, no design highlights). As for the front, it contains an inscription, thanks to which the name of the manufacturer becomes clear. Also, the front panel is equipped with an on / off button and an IR sensor that picks up the signal from the remote control. The bottom of Rombica Cinema 4K is equipped with four rubberized legs and special holes through which air is ventilated. The left side has a compartment designed to install an additional hard drive with a capacity of up to 3 TB. The right side of the model is dotted with special connectors, the purpose of which we will talk about a little later. There are also several functional sockets on the back panel.
Ports and connectors. As mentioned above, all functional ports are located on the right and back side of the device. So, on the right there are 3 USB inputs at once, and one socket is intended for version 3.0. The first two inputs can be used to connect a keyboard and mouse (this will make controlling the media player even easier). Port 3.0 will allow you to connect a flash drive containing your favorite movies, music or family photos. The rear panel was equipped with an audio output, another USB 3.0 jack, an input for wired internet, HDMI output, power supply socket. In addition, Rombica Cinema 4K is equipped with a Wi-Fi antenna for wireless networking.
This element contains all the important buttons that will allow you to control the device quickly and without problems. The remote control will provide switching channels, launching the necessary applications, exiting them, setting user settings. In addition, this control module can be used as a mouse, although the presence of this function is difficult to explain. The cursor will move around the screen as if fidgeting with a mouse, but at this time the user will simply click on the arrow buttons.
interface and software. The developers equipped the considered model of the media player with two interface options at once. The first option is called Nova Launcher. In fact, it is an adapted copy of the Android operating system. The menu design is quite convenient and colorful. There will be no difficulties in choosing the necessary option. However, Android itself is already rather boring, as it is used in almost all mobile devices. Therefore, most likely, the future owner will be more interested in the second version of the interface - the proprietary Rombica menu. This type the design is also quite colorful, but most importantly, it contains all the applications with which you can launch the main functions of the media player. By the way, the number of pre-installed programs is small, but this is more of a plus than a minus. The memory of the device is not clogged with "junk" programs that a person will never use anyway. There are definitely applications for playing music and video files. If the owner wants to expand the program list, the Play Market will be available to him. The only flaw in the software is an error when launching the YouTube application. However, there is hope that this bug will be fixed when a software update is released (yes, there are updates too).
Technical filling and functionality. The "brain" of the device is a processor called Cortex-A. It is equipped with two cores, each of which operates at a frequency of 1100 MHz. The performance of graphic functions will be provided by the Mali-400MP video card. In order for the device to work without "brakes", it was equipped with 1 GB of RAM. Data storage will provide a built-in drive of 8 GB. Of course, this is catastrophically insufficient for storing movies, but we must not forget that Rombica Cinema 4K contains a niche in which you can put an additional 3 TB hard drive. By the name of the model, it is clear that it main function is to play video in Ultra HD (or 4K). Initially, the media player has pre-installed programs that allow you to open files of this type. What's more, Rombica Cinema 4K will open up other varieties of video, from regular AVI to Blu-Ray.

The price of Rombica Cinema 4K in Russia is about 8,000 rubles. Below is a detailed video review of this multimedia device:

Dune HD Solo 4K media player

This is another high-quality variety of a multimedia set-top box for TV that can turn watching your favorite movies into a real pleasure. It contains a solid "iron" and an impressive set of functions, giving the owner a lot of opportunities.

Delivery set and appearance. The device is sold in a white cardboard box. Inside the package, the user will find the media player itself, a remote control, an HDMI cable, a power supply and several attachments for it (so that the owner can connect the set-top box to the network through any outlet), two Wi-Fi antennas, a separate IR sensor, an analog video / audio cord , special brackets that allow you to mount the player on the wall. In addition, the standard set includes an instruction manual. The exact dimensions of this technical product are unknown, but it looks like a stack of 3-4 computer disks. The body is made of black plastic. The top of the considered model has a matte surface. Also, the upper part is decorated with the company logo of the brand-manufacturer. The sides of the media player are glossy, which makes them look quite elegant. Functional connectors are present only in front and behind. The back of the device is equipped with protrusions necessary for mounting Wi-Fi antennas. At the bottom there are 4 rubberized feet that protect the device from slipping. There is also a cover, opening which, the user will find a niche for installing an additional drive.
Ports and connectors. The front panel is equipped with an output for USB 2.0. At the back there is a DVB-T / T2 antenna jack, HDMI type 1.4b output, an IR sensor port, a gigabit Internet connector, a USB 2.0 jack, and a power cord input. Above the last port is a button to enable / disable the device.
Remote control. This element of the kit has a compact design, so it can be used with one hand. The control module does not slip out of the hands and lies in them extremely securely. Almost all buttons are painted black. Also, there is one key each in red, green, yellow and blue. Button travel is very good. A signal that the key is pressed properly is the corresponding clatter. Buttons that are similar in functionality are located side by side.
Technical completeness. The speed of the device provides a 2-core processor called ARM Cortex A9. The operating frequency of its cores is 1.2 GHz. The video functions are provided by the Mali-400 MP4 board. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. Memory for physical data storage is represented by only 4 gigabytes (however, this drawback is corrected by installing an additional hard drive). There is also an active cooling system inside the case. There are no significant flaws in this system; it perfectly performs its main tasks and at the same time works almost silently.
Menu. The interface of the considered model of the media player is represented by a horizontal ribbon, which includes 10 main points. One of several design themes is provided, among which the highlight is a theme called Silver (this is one of the cosmetic innovations added by the developers). Scrolling through the menu, the owner will be able to find applications that launch TV, radio, music player. Also, the menu contains icons, by clicking on which, a person will find out the weather, open social media, will enter the search engine, go to the settings to optimize the player. Naturally, the Dune HD Solo 4K has players that open all kinds of video file formats. But, judging by the name of the model, the most important format for which this device needs to be bought is 4K Ultra HD.
Evaluation of work. In principle, the device plays 4K movies quite well. However, the frame rate is far from high. This model will play a video file at a maximum of 30 fps. Of course, more is not needed yet, but over time, Ultra HD resolution will become very popular, and there will be films that need to be played at a speed of up to 60 frames per second. When that happens, the Dune HD Solo 4K will go out of style. As for other movie formats, there are no complaints here. The device equally well reproduces both standard AVI and high-quality MKV.

The price of Dune HD Solo 4K in Russia is about 300 euros. A video review of the model is provided below:

Media player Rombica Ultimate v02

This model will definitely appeal to all admirers of high-quality video content. It has a nice design, compact dimensions, good technical components.

Delivery set, appearance. The device is sold in a cardboard box, on which the characteristics of the product are briefly described. Inside the box, the user will find the media player itself, a power supply from it, a remote control, batteries for the remote, an RCA cord, an instruction manual, and a warranty receipt. We can say that the equipment is almost complete. The only negative is that there is no HDMI cable (you will have to spend money on it separately). Almost the entire body (with the exception of the front side) is made of black matte plastic. The front panel is also plastic, but its surface is already glossy. Under the "gloss" hides an IR sensor that responds to commands given from the remote control. Functional connectors are located on two sides: on the right and on the rear panel.
Ports and nests. The right side of the device contains a pair of USB jacks. In addition, this part of the player has a slot for a microSD flash drive. The back side of the described model is equipped with an input for the power supply, an AV output, an HDMI connector, a network port, an optical audio output of the SPDIF type.
Technical completeness. The 4-core chip called Cortex A53 is responsible for the speed of the device. The clock frequency of its cores is quite solid - 2000 MHz. The Mali 450 board will provide graphics operations. The integrated processor supports two types of hardware decoding: H.264 and 265. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. 8 GB of space will be allocated for storing files. You can increase the player's memory using an additional card.
Software and practical possibilities. Rombica Ultimate v02 interface can be of two types: standard - launcher, and branded - Rombica. Type 2 is considered more convenient. Already upon purchase, the player model will contain all the necessary applications for watching videos and listening to audio recordings. The number of applications can be increased by Google help play. Rombica Ultimate v02 is capable of playing movies of any quality, but its main highlight is the ability to play Ultra HD format. The playback process itself goes quite smoothly. A characteristic feature of this media player is that it can deliver all 60 fps in 4K resolution.

The price of Rombica Ultimate v02 in Russia is 6,630 rubles.

Our review of the TOP 3 best media players of 2017 is over. We hope that the information provided will help you choose the right set-top box model for you, which will give you hundreds of hours of exciting movie screenings.

What are media players? Why are they needed at all? What they can do, how to use them and why they are MORE CONVENIENT and BETTER than everything else (BluRay, DVD, CD). - Read more about it. Media player is a player for videos, music and photo albums (photos).

Media player is playing files that contain videos, music, or photos. The better the player, the more different file formats it supports. Taking advantage best models you can forget about the word "format" altogether: just select and launch movies, music, photo albums with standard buttons on the remote - just like on the old familiar BluRay, DVD, and CD players.

Why do you need a media player?

Because it's much more CONVENIENT than everything else that came before it - CD players, DVD players and BluRay players.

What exactly is more convenient? Here's what:

1) It is much easier, faster and cheaper to replenish your media collection - a library of movies, music and digital photos.
2) Cataloging and searching for media collection works becomes much more convenient. One or two HDDs with files are much more compact than racks and shelves. Finding and launching the desired file is much easier and faster than going through a disk archive for a long time. In addition, you can organize information according to any principle convenient for you.
3) Storage of information in the form of files is more reliable than on discs (BluRay/DVD/CD).
4) Compared to the similar launch of files on a computer, using a media player is much more comfortable! You use it like a traditional record player - sitting on the couch in front of a big TV. Agree, it's just MORE USUAL AND CONVENIENT to watch a movie than at a desktop in front of a small monitor, holding the mouse, or than watching from a computer on a large TV, each time approaching the keyboard with a mouse to control it.

In addition, the player compared to the computer:

quiet,
more compact
has fewer wires
turns on faster
Easily operated with just one remote control
hangs less often
has a user-friendly interface like a familiar player, and not like a computer - both a small child and an elderly person who grew up in the pre-computer era can easily learn how to use it.

How to use the media player

It depends on the class (features) of the media player you are using. From the whole set that is now on the market, we can conditionally distinguish four classes of media players.

1) Players with USB port, no hard disk drive (HDD), no LAN connection (no network port).

This is the class of the simplest and most inexpensive models. However, they can work perfectly at the level for which they are intended.

Usage

The player is connected to the TV, media files are written to a USB flash drive (or USB disk), which is then inserted into the USB port on the player. We take the player's remote control, find the necessary files on the flash drive, run it. We look, we listen - that's actually all! Simple and convenient. The Jacktop Mini player belongs to this category of models.

2) Players with the ability to embed a hard disk drive (HDD), without connecting to a local network (without a network port).

These models are slightly more expensive than the previous diskless ones. They are convenient because you can record and store files on the HDD built into them. If the capacity of the HDD allows, you can copy your entire old DVD collection, all music / movies / photos from your computer to it and use only the player. A DVD player with disc racks can be immediately sent to the country: where there is a media player, you will no longer need all this!

Usage

To record movies/music/photo albums on the player's HDD, it is enough to connect the player to the computer as a regular external USB drive and copy the necessary files. Then the player can be connected to TV - watch movies, listen to music, flip through photo albums.

In addition, these players, like the previous class of players, are equipped with an external USB port for connecting external USB hard drives and flash drives to them, from which the players can play files. Many models have a background music function, i.e. when viewing photos can be accompanied by music. The most advanced models of this class can perform operations with folders and files, as on a computer - copy, move, delete, rename, create new folders - and all this is easy with a single remote control.

Note

These players (described in points 1 and 2) can play both SD-video (cheap models) and SD- and HD-video (more expensive models). However, almost all new SD models are equipped with an HDMI output, and are capable of outputting an HD signal through the component and HDMI outputs, upscaling the SD picture to HD.

All media players of the following two classes (points 3 and 4) support real (720p, 1080i/p) HD video.

3) Players with the ability to connect to a local network (network port), but without Internet access - both disk and diskless models.

The advantage of these players is that in addition to everything that the models of the two previous classes can, they can connect to a local network and play files from all available network sources - computers, network drives (NAS, Network Access Storage), other network players ( in which the HDD is built in).

Usage

The player is connected with a network cable to the router (network router), video-audio outputs - to the TV. Next, you need to go to the player's settings (setup) in the network settings section and set the parameters corresponding to your local network. In most cases, the factory settings allow the player to automatically log on to the network immediately when turned on. Next, those disks / folders on computers and network drives (NAS) where the media files we need are located should be assigned a common network access so that they are "visible" from any other network device, such as a media player. After that, the media player will "see" all network drives / folders and will be able to play the files recorded in them, and not just files from its local HDD or USB drives. The obvious advantages of such a connection are that, firstly, the player has access to many more places where files are located, and, secondly, it is not necessary to copy files to the player (or connect external USB devices) - the entire media collection can be stored distributed on several network devices (or on a single network server with a large capacity). For example, if there are several rooms in an apartment or cottage, each of which is equipped with a TV and an audio system, it is enough to have only ONE network media server where all movies, TV programs (recorded by a TV receiver), music and a collection of photos will be stored. Each room can use its own network media player and watch something different - from the server over the network, without the need to first copy the files.

4) Players with the ability to connect to a local network (network port), Internet access and the ability to remotely control (from a remote computer) - both disk and diskless.

This is the most advanced category of media players. They have many uses, depending on the user's wishes, the technology available to them, and (often) the degree of familiarity with the topics "media players / computers / computer networks/ Internet”, because a number of initial settings still suggest some immersion in computer topics. But after the settings are made, anyone can use the player, regardless of the amount of knowledge and age. Dr.HD MX80, XF100, XS50 media players belong to this class of devices. What these players can do (in the most general terms):

play files of almost any format (naturally heavy HD-video files of tens of gigabytes);
play files - from the internal HDD (if any), from external USB sources (disks, flash drives), from external eSATA drives (some models), network drives (within the same local network), from remote Web servers (via the Internet );
download files (movies, music, photos) from the Internet (using the BitTorrent protocol);
play IPTV and Internet TV channels;
play the content of popular Web media resources (YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, Yahoo Weather, etc., up to viewing email boxes);
perform file operations (copying, moving, deleting, etc.);
have the ability to remotely control (over the network and via the Internet): control settings, playback of files (file selection, remote start, stop playback), turn on / off, download new files from the Internet, etc .;
make it possible to install new software, including alternative software, which significantly expands the range of player capabilities.

If there are several rooms (not necessarily adjacent), each of which is equipped with a TV with a media player and Internet access, then you can either run the media player autonomously in each room, or control the entire system of media players from one computer. This computer can be either on the same local network with the players, or remote and connect to each player via the Internet (see the figure below). Even a pocket communicator, such as an iPhone, is suitable as a computer. The players themselves can be either on the same local network or outside of a single network.

From a remote computer, you can launch files on each player, stop playback, change settings, turn the player on / off, etc. For example, you have a player at home (it is turned on and connected to the Internet), you are visiting, and your friends also there is a similar player (also with Internet access). You want to watch a movie or photo album, or listen to music that is recorded in your home. What is needed for this? Just connect to your home player and play files from it as from a remote web resource. You can thus easily exchange files with other owners of the players, without rewriting files - just keep the players online (and know their IP addresses, of course).

How can I add content to my home media library? Here are some of the fastest, easiest and most common ways.

1) Many ISPs have one or more FTP servers, which contains thousands of video and music files. It is enough to download everything you need with your computer and dump it on the player’s disk (if the player has a built-in disk), or in network folder computer, or to a separate network drive. Such downloading is free, traffic within the provider's network is usually not charged.

2) Go to any of the Torrent trackers and just download what you are interested in. And completely free! Torrent tracker– Web-portal, which contains an extensive catalog of films / music / photos / software / games / etc., from where special<*.torren t> files, which in turn, when opened by the program torrent client, allow you to easily and quickly download the necessary media files - movies / music / photos / games / software / etc. Popular torrent trackers contain a truly huge database - you can find and download almost any movie (from Hollywood novelties to classics and "art- hausa") or music. The most popular torrent trackers are: thepiratebay.org, torrents.ru, tfile.ru, nnm-club.me, rutor.org, etc.

The most advanced players (the category described in point 4) usually have a built-in torrent client. Can run<*.torrent>file directly on the player, and the player will start downloading on its own, without the help of a computer (naturally, the player must be connected to a working router, and the router must be connected to the Internet).

3) Go to any movie or music Web resource that offers a download service (free or paid); files on such resources are often stored on the well-known rapidshare.com file storage (or similar ones) - from there you can download using the links indicated on the resource pages. If the download is paid, it is proposed to pay via SMS. The amounts are usually ridiculous.

The colossal convenience of media players, their capabilities and flexibility of settings are worthy of several separate articles. A short use of such a device is enough to understand that DVD and BluRay players are already far from yesterday, if not the day before yesterday, and by and large they are not needed. What you REALLY NEED to have at home is the following:

HD TV (display, projector) + separate audio system (stereo or 5.1);
local network connected by a router with Internet access;
at least one computer connected to the local network (for recording new media files);
network disk drive (NAS) for storing the entire collection of media files (the role of the NAS can be performed by the same computer or another computer);
media player (disk or diskless); if it is with the function of connecting to a local network, then there are much more opportunities;
if you watch TV, then you will also need a PVR receiver (satellite, cable or terrestrial, depending on which channels you want to watch), preferably connected to a local network.

On the media player you watch movies and photos, listen to music, watch IPTV and Internet TV channels, YouTube videos etc. On the receiver you watch TV channels coming from satellites, by cable or from the air, if necessary, record your favorite TV shows and movies, replenishing the media collection of files.

And this is, in principle, a complete (well, or almost complete) list of what is needed for complete happiness. If it's a pity to throw away BluRay and DVD players, you can connect them to the additional inputs of your TV and audio system and sometimes watch / listen to discs in the old fashioned way.