xPLAYRZx Posted January 28, 2023 Posted January 28, 2023 2 hours ago, TP1 said: They both have their quirks and it just depends which quirk you can live with more over the other. ^^ This ^^ Have also owned both and agree neither are perfect. In my experience the Zidoo is the lesser or two evils, but not without its own issues. These media players rank #2 on my 'most annoying things about home theater' list. I would rarely go a viewing without cursing at these media players (usually out loud). It pains me that there isn't a better (more mature) option out there. I only suffer through it for the convenience.
Guest Posted January 28, 2023 Posted January 28, 2023 3 hours ago, TP1 said: The Zappitti does have an issue with video not showing for the first few seconds of play which can be annoying. This was the big killer for me - it just wouldn't play nicely with the Trinnov - unbearable in fact. Plus, at the time it seemed to be I had to run a Zappiti server seperately (think there are ways to get around that now). The video settings were a nightmare, and no matter what configs we tried, movies would display fine, then the interface menus wouldn't - or vice versa. In the end it became just all too hard. By the same token, the Zidoo worked out of the box, and then a few quick tweaks on the advice of Clarity Calibration, I've had no issues at all since (except for when I messed with Google Play Store and tried to run apps that just don't work natively - they should just remove Play Store functionality IMO). Either way, as you say it depends on people's use cases, and perhaps compatibility with connected devices.
Guest Posted January 28, 2023 Posted January 28, 2023 55 minutes ago, xPLAYRZx said: It pains me that there isn't a better (more mature) option out there. I only suffer through it for the convenience. There is, sort of I guess - in Kaleidescape. Which if it became legit and licensed in AU and opened up the ability to play locally stored content, they would open their customer base up fifty-fold - despite the premium asking price IMO. 1
xPLAYRZx Posted January 28, 2023 Posted January 28, 2023 Agreed, but alot of 'if's' in the Kaleidescape scenario. I'm not holding my breath for this to ever come to Australia, let alone the ability to play local content (that would be the dream). Let's just hope the next generation of Zappiti/Zidoo players fair better. 1
powerav Posted January 28, 2023 Posted January 28, 2023 2 hours ago, xPLAYRZx said: These media players rank #2 on my 'most annoying things about home theater' list They have been my number 1 for about 15 years but i still get the latest one thinking it will be the greatest. I think the issue is that they are all based on Android TV and that the OS is always years behind Android and you can't upgrade.
TP1 Posted January 29, 2023 Posted January 29, 2023 I think the issue with media players like zappiti , zidoo and dune is that they are not supported by the manufacturing heavyweights or copyright owners. For that reason they will only ever be made by minor players with limited resources. 2
Guest Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 Hearing Zappiti is finished, no more. Don't have any other news at this point.
powerav Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 3 minutes ago, Marc said: Hearing Zappiti is finished, no more. Don't have any other news at this point. And of course it’s the one I bought oh well. Not surprising though considering Zidoo is just getting better and better.
Guest Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 5 minutes ago, Marc said: Hearing Zappiti is finished, no more. Don't have any other news at this point. And Dune is largely no more, due to tech embargo because of Russian connections. Leaves Zidoo as only option, and pricing in new products going up!
xPLAYRZx Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 Condolences to all the Zappiti owners out there. Let's just hope Zidoo doesn't see the same fate otherwise (convienient) options for ISO/BDMV playback will be essentially gone. 1
powerav Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 I use mine through the explorer with my collection of music concert bluray rips so I should be right for a while. 1
drummerboy01 Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 I am thinking Zidoo will eventually follow. Although I could not say when but discs will go quicker than we think. Content for Kaleidescape is the only thing holding it back in this country but would not be surprised if Kaleidescape ends up having some competition soon. Someone correct me if I am wrong as I am far from up to date on all this.
drummerboy01 Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 On 29/1/2023 at 12:47 PM, TP1 said: I think the issue with media players like zappiti , zidoo and dune is that they are not supported by the manufacturing heavyweights or copyright owners. For that reason they will only ever be made by minor players with limited resources. Yea could be but don’t forget there are other factors at play here. The powers that be are out to stop ripping of discs and I think that has a lot to do with it. When you have to buy a special bluray drive then have a copy of a decrypter to get past the legal stuff to get a 1 to 1 iso or mkv on there with software then that has always posed a problem to all parties. Too much politics involved so will always see problems. I am beginning to think that Zappiti are seeing this.
Guest Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 27 minutes ago, drummerboy01 said: I am thinking Zidoo will eventually follow. Although I could not say when but discs will go quicker than we think. Content for Kaleidescape is the only thing holding it back in this country but would not be surprised if Kaleidescape ends up having some competition soon. Someone correct me if I am wrong as I am far from up to date on all this. Kaleidescape would be in AU if they could get the licensing agreements with the studios sorted. They can't, because the costs $$$ are prohibitive vs the amount of units they would sell in this small country. With that in mind, I can't see anyone ever offering up competition to Kaleidescape in AU. We will likely get blockbusters quicker to stream, but will still be compressed lossy versions via streaming apps.
Guest Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 29 minutes ago, drummerboy01 said: Although I could not say when but discs will go quicker than we think Let's face it, without torrents, Zidoo and Zappiti wouldn't have a market. Yes, everyone will tell you they are ripping their Blu-rays and playing ISOs, and I am too - but let's be honest 90% of the market for these players has a large NAS stored collection of downloaded movies and TV shows. As long as piracy exists, then local media players will also. 2
TP1 Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 44 minutes ago, Marc said: We will likely get blockbusters quicker to stream, but will still be compressed lossy versions via streaming apps. According to the makers of AppleTV-X and a couple of users, the modified Apple TV can outperform discs. I'm a bit sceptical myself but good to know there is scope to improve streaming further. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/appletv-x-i-am-playing-with-something-new.34884/
powerav Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 6 hours ago, Marc said: Let's face it, without torrents, Zidoo and Zappiti wouldn't have a market. Yes, everyone will tell you they are ripping their Blu-rays and playing ISOs, and I am too - but let's be honest 90% of the market for these players has a large NAS stored collection of downloaded movies and TV shows. As long as piracy exists, then local media players will also. Yep, even if you own the disc it’s easier to torrent it.
Guest Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 8 hours ago, TP1 said: According to the makers of AppleTV-X and a couple of users, the modified Apple TV can outperform discs. I'm a bit sceptical myself but good to know there is scope to improve streaming further. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/appletv-x-i-am-playing-with-something-new.34884/ Very intriguing. I had not heard about this.
drummerboy01 Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 On 28/1/2023 at 6:48 PM, Marc said: There is, sort of I guess - in Kaleidescape. Which if it became legit and licensed in AU and opened up the ability to play locally stored content, they would open their customer base up fifty-fold - despite the premium asking price IMO. One can always hope. That would be fantastic. I would def jump on board. Anyway I am still happy with my Zidoo for lounge room viewing and can appreciate the lengths Zidoo have gone too to give us at least good quality in the video side of things. One thing I will do and am sure of for my theatre room is I will ride the 4K UHD disk train till it folds completely. 1
cwt Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 16 hours ago, TP1 said: According to the makers of AppleTV-X and a couple of users, the modified Apple TV can outperform discs. I'm a bit sceptical myself but good to know there is scope to improve streaming further. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/appletv-x-i-am-playing-with-something-new.34884/ Certainly ties in well with what we know about hdmi and its excessive jitter . Will be easier to validate than something which just effects sound like MQA and is more subjective As much as I dislike proprietary methods like apple ;Kaleidescape may have missed the boat for good [if it was ever in the ocean ]
Guest Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 25 minutes ago, cwt said: Certainly ties in well with what we know about hdmi and its excessive jitter . Will be easier to validate than something which just effects sound like MQA and is more subjective The HDMI hardware clocking has a big influence on SQ. That is the reason why my Panasonic UB9000 playing a disk sounds better than a Zidoo playing the same ripped media. A very active Zidoo user on their forum, Nice Monkey, has come to the same conclusion about HDMI. Looks like Apple has focused on improving the HDMI in this new product.
drummerboy01 Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Snoopy8 said: The HDMI hardware clocking has a big influence on SQ. That is the reason why my Panasonic UB9000 playing a disk sounds better than a Zidoo playing the same ripped media. A very active Zidoo user on their forum, Nice Monkey, has come to the same conclusion about HDMI. Looks like Apple has focused on improving the HDMI in this new product. Agree. The UB9000 is a fantastic piece for what it costs. Even the 820 is a fantastic player for the money. I have 1 of each and never been happier.
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