[Hi-Jack]

Last news article of the year, let's make it about HDX and their newly announced BD-1... We received a sample which we can play with while HDX continues developing firmware to make the unit a bit more mature as we both agree it's not there just yet to please the more demanding customer or balance the value of the expected MSRP at €279 properly in features and stability. As with all companies at first, HDX will need time to mature their software layers as it is clear they are at the very beginning of creating their own middleware and enable themselves to be independant in the future and develop whatever they feel is a priority. This however leads to the HDX BD-1 to be immature at this early stage just like the launch of the other "new chip based" media players we seen over the last few months. None had an impressive sheet to deliver where one mainly was impressing for the price (€99), the other for the hardware (rf remote, big display, full size alluminum design) and now the HDX BD-1, fir it's size (although not that mini). It all will come down to what HDX can provide in the coming months to make this a success.

On the interface called HDX "voir", we feel it has nothing much worth to "voir" just yet (voir = look/see in French) as it lines up images and clearly show some borders and rought overlays. That's about it, but HDX is working on a surprise as interface and even dropped the word "XBMC" in the process of dicssussing so let's see what they come up with...). Know that purchasing the HDX BD-1 is an investment and not a real exchange at first so mostly fit for the ones adopting to the newest models fast and pioneering. Updates will open the road for the regular customers along the way...

The BD-1 will support BD backups and original disks via external attached BD-ROM. BNot all drives will work as a license is required for each model supported and HDX has not closed the research yet. The unit supports both SMB and NFS as network protocol but network functions are still unstable and an auto detect network seems to fail with our unit. we already notified HDX to provide a manual solution if this happens.
HDX takes the safe approach with starting to deliver the unit and basic / minimal functions that make up for the core of the unit including NFS, SMB, UPnP, BD support and general playback. Contents include battery, remote (same as PCH C-200 without RF and white backlit), manual, power supply, HDMI cable and the player. The unit has both USB and eSATA ports for extensions.

We look forward to review the BD-1 fully by the end of January (either Advocate86 or me will conduct it, or maybe even both) which gives HDX several weeks to come up with some fixes and enhancements to dress up for success...

[kozzie]

The sample is at the right adres. Nice!
When it's finished, it could be a very good replacement for my Tvix M-6500A.
I'm looking out for your review!!

[vrossi46]

It support IP TV?

[Likvid]

When will it be out for sale?

[Hi-Jack]

Early January the unit should start showing at stores although only low volumes will be available at the early days...

Vrossi, IPTV will not be a main target for this unit as far as I know... Maybe HDX can respond to that for you...

[grinzecat]

Originally Posted by kozzie The sample is at the right adres. Nice! When it's finished, it could be a very good replacement for my Tvix M-6500A. I'm looking out for your review!!

ack, the most promising mediaplayer afaiac. I am dying to get my hands on one! A classy GUI together with full featured playback of DVD- and BD-backups over LAN is all I need (oh, well, plus some kind of photo slideshow, no doubt). Too bad DViCO does not deliver full BD playback yet, since aside from that I do like the 6500a pretty much.

[boekhour]

I think the backlighted remote is also a big plus.
I saw the hdx 1000 remote in a store, its much better then the remotes I've seen delivered with other mpplayers.

[grinzecat]

Originally Posted by boekhour I think the backlighted remote is also a big plus. I saw the hdx 1000 remote in a store, its much better then the remotes I've seen delivered with other mpplayers.

As a real A/V-junkie, I use universal remotes in every room anyway, so the remote would not be an issue for me - as long as it is a standard IR remote and not a proprietary one e.g. like the RF remote of the Popcorn C-200.

[boekhour]

Originally Posted by grinzecat As a real A/V-junkie, I use universal remotes in every room anyway, so the remote would not be an issue for me - as long as it is a standard IR remote and not a proprietary one e.g. like the RF remote of the Popcorn C-200.

Agreed when you are a real AV-Junkie. But for "normal"'people its a plus. I personally don't like the cheaper universal remotes (<150 euro's), so when a company delivers a descent backligthed remote for the player itself with good lighted buttons, I dont have to buy an expensive universal remote which costs more then the player itself!

[grinzecat]

Originally Posted by boekhour Agreed when you are a real AV-Junkie. But for "normal"'people its a plus. I personally don't like the cheaper universal remotes (<150 euro's), so when a company delivers a descent backligthed remote for the player itself with good lighted buttons, I dont have to buy an expensive universal remote which costs more then the player itself!

No doubt it's a plus, absolutely. BTW there are lots of universal remotes on the market significantly below the 150€ mark which are quite useful, e.g. the Harmony 885, one of the best remotes (without RF though) IMO.