I have to say it. It‟s a poor execution of playing media files where
DVD‟s do miss bookmark options and overall, there is no ZOOM
function. Other features like A-B, Slow playback, Frame by Frame
are equally missing the party of the CM3PVR. One would start
wondering what is possible besides the basic play and stop functions
and there is actually something that works… FF/RW in increments
starting from 2X to 4X, 8X and 20X.
PLAYING MEDIA – AUDIO
Supported audio formats are MP3, WMA and WAV. Playlists are not
supported, neither is the oh so ever wanted and appreciated FLAC.
Also in this section we return to an overly disappointing interface
layout where the tag info does not even fit the provided space as
the “labels” are already taking up all the space available.
Since the device is lacking a display, you can‟t expect to play audio
without turning on your TV. In fact, with the TV turned on it‟s not
any better with such interface. The same comment as in the video
section here: take away the time/date column to improve readability
of the files and at the same time, expand the tag information to a
better layout. Hey, at least we can browse during playback, but only
in the same folder.
PLAYING MEDIA – PICTURES
We can be very brief about the picture abilities of this player as if
Video content already misses any features it could have including
ZOOM, we cannot expect a “low level extra option” as picture
support to have them. In addition, the player only supports JPEG
files.
Pictures can be previewed on the left hand side of the screen.
Pressing PLAY on a file starts a slideshow, beginning with the
selected file while pressing the “TIMER” button allows you to set the
slideshow interval. (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 to 60 seconds).
Rotation and mirroring of the image can be done using the arrow
buttons but as stated already, no ZOOM or panning functions are
spotted.
Depending on the images, the preview and load times vary but are
pretty slow in general, just as the global navigation of menus and
options on this particular player.
CONCLUSION BUGGER
This is a very basic, but well built SD player/recorder as long as we
approach the device in hardware only. The feature set sounds
impressive but is in fact almost none existent. Everything falls short
either in features, online presentation and more. In a time where
High Definition is becoming the standard, more and more people are
looking for HD players/recorders although there is a market for SD
solutions. Those however need more than the basics like Ethernet
(streaming, UPnP, SMB, NFS), EPG services, PDC, more versatile
scheduling options, file tricks like ZOOM, Slow playback, frame by
frame, multiple bookmarks and tons of others…
I can‟t help but feel that this unit came out 2 years too late. Now,
this device is only recommended to people who want a basic
recorder and want to take the first steps into the digital media
world. Alternatively, it would make a nice bedroom player/recorder.
It‟s cheap (around 220€) and it‟s portable + has a nice design.
For my personal taste, I expected a replacement for my „good‟ old
KiSS DP-558 but I‟ll stick to it until the next recorder comes along. I
don‟t want to go “back” if you catch my drift. I would miss the EPG
and the network functions too much. My search continues…
PROS
Complete package (all cables included)
Build quality/nice design
Time shift info
Price tag package (500GB HDD inc.)
Copy functions
CONS
No editing functions
Interface quite poorly designed
Slow overall navigation
No EPG or PDC
No NTFS support at all
Now I move and hand over the keyboard to Hi-Jack. He looks willing
to say a few things too
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