Stationary media players recent years have won a lot of fans. Combining the benefits of a PC and a regular DVD player, they allow without setting up a huge number of parameters to watch movies and listen to music without using a computer.

And first will understand the terminology

Here, in fact, it is very easy to get confused. Let's say if you ask a friend: "pick me up a media player," he will go to the online store and buy you iPod Touch. or shuffle - depending on your budget.

And you will be very unhappy, and completely fair: for you ordered at all this. But my friend did not know this: since the time of Bill Clinton, the media players called exactly that portable personal devices for playing sound, and the fact that now the media players are increasingly called the telecases for playing audio and video materials, generates the above-described confusion. Stationary media players are connected not only to the usual TV, but also a projector, and even to the standard monitor.

Media Center for the Future - Center for Intellectual House?

And call them not only by the "media players". Also behind such consoles, the name "Media Center" and "Media Player" was fixed. That's the "media center" seems to us the most correct and unequivocal name, because a confusion may also be confused with the "media trip": after all, it is also called computer applications to play multimedia data, like Winamp.

And media centers - they are alone. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, they will be called back in the future.

We define the budget

Choose a media center with a heart, as you know, and a wallet. Because you can buy a model for several thousand with a minimum set of functions and a limited number of supported interfaces, hard drives, with or without a drive, with support for multichannel sound or without ... In general, here, as anywhere else, there is a single and direct dependence on the amount which heads you lay out for the media center.

Therefore, for the beginning, we will tell you what can be in such devices in principle, and each of additional parameters We'll have to pay extra.

With a disc or without?

First-invoor, to which you usually pay attention to both sellers and buyers, - hDD. It is on it (or on them) a multimedia information is stored. And since the main purpose of media centers - reproduction of films, and the movies today occupy quite a lot of tens of gigabytes, the size of hard drives are calculated by terabytes.

The amount of memory of the media center is a significant indicator

Stationary media players divide on this basis for two camps: with a built-in hard drive and without it. In that other subject, there are advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of the built-in hard disk It is that the whole collection is stored in one place. And this place, as a rule, is a standard 3.5 format hard disk. " Sometimes it is a "laptop" 2.5 inches.

The disadvantages of the built-in "hard" are much more than the advantages. First, the volume is still limited. Middle two-three terabytes today are quickly clogged under the string. Of course, in such a situation, the external hard drives are saved by USB, but then the idea itself loses any meaning. On the other hand, the maximum amount of the most expensive media centers today is 6 TB and this should be enough for most users.

The second minus of the built-in disks is much more serious: no one will argue that the reliability of the usual "pancake hards" today is much lower than about 10-12 years ago (however, and SSD is not Fort NOKS). We do not even say that they can warm greatly, and therefore in such a media center need to consider a competent ventilation system (which, moreover, is an additional costs that go on shoulders and seller, and, accordingly, the buyer). The point is precisely in the low fault tolerance of all without exception of Winchesters.

Therefore, a more reasonable option from all sides looks like a media center without a hard disk and connecting it via USB. You can choose from the models of external "hard", from their own technical characteristics, and from the volume, of course. This is if you plan well, a very big collection of everything in a row.

But the main plus - the dismissed media centers occupy significantly less space, their dimensions can be called well, just tiny compared to their monstrous disk biases.

By the way, in large media centers there may be a drive for DVD or Blu-Ray. So that it was more convenient. And if there is no drive - it can be installed instead of the built-in "hard", which increases the functionality of the device. There are models with docking stations for iPhone, iPod and iPad - for Apple devices fans.

Well, the last moment is worth mentioning - support for memory cards. These are usually the most common SD / SDHC, and they are needed mainly to demonstrate photos from the camera. The film, of course, can also be recorded, but it will not be reproduced to be quick.

Blu-Ray drive today is far from extra

Connectors: What do you connect?

As for the supported interface standards, it is now difficult to give any tips. For example, the standard de facto became HDMI, but also the usual "tulips" (RCA connector) are an unchanged attribute of a decent device. Not to go anywhere and from the morally outdated S-Video, SCART connectors, you can meet familiar on ordinary computers VGA and DVI, and you can not take into account the fact that in lately High-speed Thunderbolt and DisplayPort connectors are gaining popularity. If you can buy a media center with at least one of the last two connectors - take, you will not regret. This can be called even buying "on the grow". Of course, there is always a USB at least 2.0, without which today is completely nowhere.

Part of the media centers has a USB-Slave mode, when activated which the device connects to your desktop, taking the appearance of a removable hard disk and allow you to put the required information on your internal drive.

Specifications

But this is not a smartphone. If the smartphone has a choice on the basis of technical characteristics, it may simply be to horror, variatives due to abundance technical parametersthat are all important, then for media centers, hardware issues are concluded, first of all, in the processor power: than it is more powerful, the less delays when starting, fewer brakes during playback (this also applies to video with large permissions and bitrates), and the higher the price, Of course. And the rule here is one thing: the processor is more powerful - the player is better.

By the way, processors in players are now often installed similar to those in smartphones. And do not be surprised, seeing Cortex A9 in the technical characteristics.

Standards and formats: What will we watch?

Supported standards - hardly the most important characteristic Any stationary media player (media center) after the hard disk volume. Of course, you can buy a super-supersheum or super jammer player for a five-digit amount - and as it has known, it will not support the standard of audio or video data you need.

Compact media players are not much inferior to more overall solutions.

Cheap media centers support a limited number of video formats. As a rule, this set consists of HD / HDV MPEG2 (TP, TS, MPEG - 1080i / P), WM9 HD (1080i / P), DivX, including HD (720p); DivX 3.x / 4/5/6, XVID, MPEG1, MPEG2 (Extensions MPG, IFO, VOB, ISO). Audio formats - standard set MP3, AC3, OGG and WMA, plus multichannel DTS. And if also external subtitles are supported - very good, then you will see the letter SMI, SRT and SUB in the list of characteristics.

Higher Level Players will already give you support MKV, H.264, Blu-Ray, MPEG4, MOV; Audio formats PCM, LPCM, AAC, M4A, MKA, AIF, AIFF and Lossless Flac and APE, not to mention various multichannel sound formats. Graphic formats are supported by the default almost all players alone and the same: JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG. The output here is simple: the more formats support the device, the better. And even better - so that he supported FullHD, so that you could enjoy a high and supercount permission. Of course, FullHD processing implies a fairly powerful processor, which, in turn, increases the price ... Well, you understand.

Navigation by file System It is done using the embedded file manager, and it must be convenient, not toporing. To communicate with the car brings pleasure, and not selected break.

Internet functions

What is the symbiosis of opportunities personal computer and portableness, stationary media players are gradually starting to figure out an increasing number of functions that make them similar to their grandfather - desktop. Actually, in the number of functions it can be called a computer with limited features.

Media Player S. wireless connection to the network

For example, Internet access. If, with the appearance of the first media centers, this possibility was not even considered in mind its uselessness, today this attribute is actually mandatory. Connecting to the Internet can be both according to the standard Ethernet RJ45 connector and via Wi-Fi, and the latter meets more and more. Internet in the media center is needed for many reasons. For example, from an entertainment point of view - to play content from social networks like YouTube or "In Contact" (even individual modules for working with those or other social networks are already built into the firmware of some models), to work with torrent trackers directly (built-in torrent -clin), for communication with its main computer (if there is no desire to carry the box there and here), well, and, of course, to update the firmware.

Of the more exotic Internet applications, you can call support for Internet radio and IPTV. And the latest models support the Wireless DLNA multimedia data standard, and if there is a TV or at least a smartphone with DLNA support, you can not care for wires and connectors at all.

Firmware and ways to deal with it

There were those times when to update the firmware it was necessary to drag some large and complex device to the service center. Today, even smartphones are updated via Wi-Fi, without requiring any other connection to the PC, backup Data, launch of programs from under Windows and other unnecessary actions. And what the media centers are worse?

A good and honest manufacturer who is a stuff about the fate of buyers, regularly releases new firmware for their devices. Moreover, not only to eliminate any errors in the firmware, but also the purpose of expanding supported formats.

A set of interfaces is a very important indicator of the media player.

So if you have a high-quality stationary media player, but without supporting some particularly rare format - do not hang your nose, with time support will be with your device. Plus, the new firmware may contain some interesting new features. All this information is usually freely available on the manufacturer's website.

How not to get confused on the menu: Select the best interface

The interface is the main thing, with which you have to deal with the user. And if in the computer environment you can choose the operating system and repaint it appearance Like a soul, the media center usually has much more limited features. And this is understandable: the media centers are not intended to ensure that the user constantly admire the appearance of the program, and to view the movies or listening to music.

The interface at the stationary media player can be divided into two parts: software and hardware. The hardware is a liquid crystal screen on the body of the device itself, it is far from all (the cheaply does not even smell the cheaply), and it is contextual-dependent: that is, it appears information relating to what is happening on the screen now. It can be or setting information (if you dig about them in this moment), the name of the selected file or files, temporary information about the file playback, codec data, and so on, and the like.

The output here can be done only one: the interface must be convenient for you personally, the user. No matter how powerful the unit, an uncomfortable and illogical interface can reduce all the advantages of even the most advanced media center. Therefore, before you look at the number of supported formats and admire the speed, appreciate how it is convenient for them to use it in principle. And will you then curse the gadget last words and carry it back to the store?

Exotic: Android and 3D

In addition to the above standard characteristics, media centers have a lot of others.

Conceptual decisions can be home interior decoration

For example, noise level. It is clear that the larger the box inside the box, the more all this will warm it. Therefore, fans are needed or other cooling systems. And the more turns in small fans (big and not set), the more noise makes the unit. Therefore, if you take a stationary media player, let's say, in the bedroom - take care of choosing a silent model; Moreover, in many directories there is a special category with this title.

The second point is just beginning to appear. stationary players on Android OS. That is, these aggregates still slowly turn into a computer. Why do you need a full-fledged OS in the media center? First of all, for easy access to the built-in browser and software media player. The first provides the ability to find the required torrent on some "rutrequera", download it, save and reproduce, and the ability to start the player application will help defeat the format as an unsupported player. Plus, the surfing opportunity can be used to access various television and audio internet streams ... Not to mention the fact that there are already media centers with a keyboard, but with using Android You can also post on Twitter, and "in contact" hang.

Android media players are just beginning to gain popularity.

In general, media centers, repeat, slowly turn back to computers. Actually, S. the appearance of Android It can be assumed that before Windows is not far. But then the media centers will go to a dead end - there will be no differences from the desktop.

Another point to pay attention to television capabilities: Advanced models have standard coaxial inputs for teleconnectants and can not only broadcast television on the screen, but also to record it.

The latest noticeable exotic is support for 3D formats. For example, the newest media centers can reproduce stereovideos and photos in the relevant few formats. Here you can say only that such support for shortness should be in most stationary media players, since stereo-formats get slow, but still constant expanding popularity. In media players are supported different formatsAnd you need to watch individually every model.

How to choose?

The process of choosing the media center is actually quite complicated, as you have already done to make sure, and the price is not always correlated with quality. Let's say there are a lot of successful examples of how people buy cheap stationary android media players in chinese online stores, finalize their file and get excellent devices.

Choosing a media player, decide that for you "the main question"

When choosing to pay attention, it is necessary for the factors that we have listed above in this article. And to the power of the processor, and on the number of supported formats (and most importantly - which), and the situation with hard drives, and on the possibility of part of the Internet in general and wireless data transmission in particular.

There is no universal recipe. Even if you plan to spend quite a few thousand to the media center, try to choose the one that will not disappoint you. Because sometimes it's better, fastening the heart, spend a little more, but it's still calm, knowing that your new family member without problems "will digest" any film from your huge collection - well, or lossless music.

Appearance can be quite unusual

Probably, everyone remembers the most popular consoles for the TV from the nearby past - VCR. With the help of the wires, it was connected to the TV, a video cassette with a record was inserted into it, and recording was played. Media players perform the same role. That's just his capabilities much wider. It can be equipped with a built-in hard disk on which you can store video data, or reproduce a video content from external media - flash drives, memory cards, hard disks or from the network. The last item, in general, opens the most wide opportunities for use. You can watch videos with YouTube, online cinemas, wander through the Internet with a browser. As you can see, the media player makes a real TV full computer with great opportunities.

The first media players looked like

Main functions and specifications of media players

Media centers for TV differ in the ability to reproduce different types of content. Almost everyone can play sound and video files. Plus there is a small list of graphic files.

Concerning operating systemthen on board may be different android version, Linux, TVOS and even Windows. What kind of choose, decide the end user. The presence of Wi-Fi will reduce the number of wires in the room. Although the network via Ethernet can neatly pave the cable least noticeable. Support for modern video quality formats are no less important. Modern players can play 4K standard.

First of all, probably should determine the type of device connection to the network. If at home there is a Wi-Fi router, take a wireless option. If the network via cable, you can take a media player and without Wi-Fi.

Lovers of a clear and colorful picture best pay attention to the maximum resolution of the device. The highest type is Ultrahd today. It is able to play video with a resolution of 3840 × 2160. True, you need to take into account a couple of nuances. The first - the source of the video should also correspond to 4k, otherwise satisfaction from high quality pictures can be spoiled. The second - the TV should also be able to play Ultrahd.

The choice of the operating system is rather addictive to one or another line. Accustomed to android, please, there are versions with this system. Like Windows is the same. Well, if the fan apple products, then tvos. In addition to known systems, there are different Linux options.

The media player must be omnivorous, that is, to be able to reproduce everything that he "applied." To do this, it must be equipped with MPEG4, H.264, VC1 and others. The presence of modern connectors for connecting will significantly simplify the task of connecting the device and TV, as well as interchangeable media. Therefore, the media player must be equipped with standard audio, video and HDMI connectors.

Port and HDMI plug

Its own memory in the form of a built-in hard disk will save content directly to the device, and then reproduce it as needed. Computing power The media players determine, as in many other mobile devices, processor and RAM. Of course, there are also a number of other parameters, but it is better to focus on these two. The higher the characteristics of the system, the better. Similarly, select and RAM. In media players, two types of cooling can be used: passive and active. Active much more effective, however, no more. Passive - silent, but may not cope with overheating.

Overview of the main manufacturers of media players

Media players produce many different manufacturers. Among them immediately come to mind the basic leading brands: Apple, Nvidia, Xiaomi, Google, Pioneer, Dune, Rombica. This is just a small list, in fact there is also a lot of little-known Chinese brands. Sometimes among them you can find really decent and high-quality models.

Each brand applies its features, chips, design. Uses its operating system or uses already existing. One way or another, we will also meet with several of their representatives.

Rating of the best media player models, regardless of the OS

Let's look at a small selection of media players on different platforms and from various brands. Among them are expensive and well-known models, as well as simpler and cheaper.

Apple TV 4K 32GB

Opens Apple's player selection. It is made in a laconic black style. A small box with rounded edges is nothing superfluous. Maximum resolutionwhich is capable of playing the player, is in standard 4k. Playing player can video formats MOV and MP4. Sound and graphic are supported by all known. Connecting to TV takes place digital canal HDMI 2.0. Wi-Fi can be used to communicate with the Internet. From alternative interfaces, you can highlight Bluetooth and Ethernet. To communicate other devices apple companies - iPhone or iPad - AIRPLAY technology has.

Apple TV 4K 32GB

Performance provides its own production processor - Apple A10X FUSION. RAM in the 3 GB player, built-in - 32. Manages all the equipment to develop Apple - TVOS. Boxes are available to iTunes, Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu, HBO. Also present the ability to play a flash type content. The player for the TV has passive cooling. You can purchase this model for 13,000 rubles.

Nvidia Shield

Almost omnivorous media player for a TV with USB from the famous manufacturer's company graphic processors. The maximum supported resolution is in the 4K range. The list of video formats is quite wide: MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, ASF, M2TS, MP4. The same applies to sound Files - The player is able to read them all. Connection occurs on the standard HDMI 2.0. Many interfaces, you can connect anything: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 USB, Ethernet.

The processor inside the device is installed in its own production - NVIDIA Tegra x1. RAM - 3 GB. Android 7.0 is used as the operating system. Service is available in it. Google Play.. Cost of the device - 13 500 rubles.

ROMBICA SMART CAST V02

Very interesting media player. It is interesting, first of all its design. Structurally, it is a flash drive, which instead of the USB port connects directly to the HDMI connector.

ROMBICA SMART CAST V02

Maximum, which can reproduce this media player, - FullHD. Despite the fact that the player is very compact, he knows how to connect to wi-Fi networkhas AirPlay and USB port. Buy this little and compact player It is possible for 2,000 rubles.

Dune HD TV-102W

Extremely simple, but functional smart media player for a TV with a big list of losing formats. Here are the main ones: MKV, AVI, WMV, ISO, VOB, MOV, MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, PCM, M4A. There is also built-in support for subtitles. Maximum resolution - 1080, that is, FullHD. Set of interfaces Standine: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 USB, Ethernet. Connecting to TV is due to HDMI.

The processor in the player is installed Sigma Designs SMP8674. Helps him RAM volume of 512 MB. There is no built-in memory, but there is Flash, which is used as ROM. The cost of the player is about 7,000 rubles.

TV IconBit Movie FHD T2

The design of this device will especially appreciate minimalists. At first glance in the off state, it seems that it is a simple lifeless box. However, if you connect it to the electrical outlet, then the blinking LEDs are frozen and shown current Time. This prefix is \u200b\u200binteresting because it can reproduce not only FullHD standards, but also television - DVB-T, DVB-T2.

TV IconBit Movie FHD T2

Connecting to TV is possible with HDMI. Otherwise, this is a middle player capable of playing a large list of formats. To read from external media there is a USB port, which turns the console to the USB player for the TV.

Media players for TV on Android - Rating 2017-2018.

And now let's see what can offer us a media player market with android operating system on board.

Xiaomi is known not only functional smartphonesbut also media players. This model is one of the most interesting and productive. Characteristics are not bad - the ability to play video in standard 4K, big set Supported formats, there is not only HDMI, but also stereo, audio and composite video. From wireless interfaces, you can select Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can connect an external hard disk or a USB flash drive using USB.

Xiaomi Mi Box International Version

The performance is answered by the Amlogic S905 chipset. RAM in the device 2 GB, its - 8. The type of cooling is used passive. It is worth such a device about 5,200 rubles.

ROMBICA CINEMA 4K.

Media player with a hard disk, which, however, will have to be purchased separately. Able to play video in 4K format. The list of supported video formats is simply amazing. They are already there are more than 20. There are also built-in subtitle support. You can connect the player to the TV using classic audio and video connections or via HDMI. Inside the device there is a place for a hard disk of the format of 3.5 inches.

ROMBICA CINEMA 4K.

RAM in the device is represented by 1 GB, built-in - 8. Cooling is active. A little disappoints the use of operating android systems 4.4, which is already morally and technologically outdated, and, most likely, updates to new versions are not expected. You can buy this model for 7,000 rubles.

Minix Neo U1.

The own memory in this device is 16 GB, operational - 2. AMLOGIC S905 processor. Maximum video format - 4k.

Operating system - Android 5.1. Interfaces, in addition to standard wireless, there are HDMI, USB, Ethernet, MicroSD. Cooling in the device is passive. Cost - 8 500 rubles.

Google Chromecast 2015.

Product OT google companies. Managed using a smartphone based on Android or iOS. Can play video in 1080p format.

Google Chromecast 2015.

RAM presented 512 MB, built-in - only 256. The cost of such a device is 3 000 rubles.

How to connect a media player to TV - General nuances

In fact, there is nothing complicated. Any modern TV is equipped with an HDMI connector. It is standardized and has the same type on all devices. A HDMI cable will be needed for connectivity. It will be more difficult if HDMI is not on the TV. You have to use a composite signal.

ATTENTION!

Before buying a media player, you should make sure that the TV corresponds to the gadget connectors.

HDMI-RCA adapter cable

In general, everything is not as scary as it seems. Even if the TV and the media player do not have common connections, there are a bunch of various adapters on the market, with which you can connect anything to anything. In most cases, you will need to find the RCA - HDMI cable.

How profitable to buy a TV media player - market overview

We collected the media executives to the TV in one table with prices and characteristics.

Device	Characteristics	Features	The average price (as of April 2018), rub.
Apple TV 4K 32GB	Resolution: 4k. OS: TVOS. Outputs: HDMI. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Ethernet. Processor: Apple A10X FUSION. RAM: 3 GB. Your memory: 32 GB.	AIRPLAY, IPTV support, remote control, passive cooling, Siri.	15 000
	Resolution: 4k. OS: Android 7.0 Outputs: HDMI. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB. Processor: NVIDIA Tegra X1. RAM: 3 GB.	Internet radio, external power supply, voice control, remote control.	14 000
ROMBICA SMART CAST V02	Resolution: FullHD. Outputs: HDMI. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB.	Support AirPlay, remote control, passive cooling.	2 220
	Resolution: FullHD. Outputs: HDMI, audio, stereo, video and composite. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Ethernet, USB. Processor: Sigma Designs SMP8674. RAM: 512 MB.	NAS server.	8 000
TV IconBit Movie FHD T2	Resolution: FullHD. Outputs: HDMI, audio, stereo, video, composite. Interfaces: USB.	TimeShift, tuner, remote control.	2 500
Xiaomi Mi Box International Version	Resolution: 4K. OS: Android 6.0. Outputs: HDMI, audio, stereo, video, composite. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB. Processor: Amlogic S905. RAM: 2 GB.	DLNA, AirPlay, IPTV, Internet radio, remote control.	6 000
ROMBICA CINEMA 4K.	Resolution: 4k. OS: Android 4.4. Outputs: HDMI, audio, stereo, video, composite. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB. RAM: 1 GB.	Location under HDD, 3.5 inches, IPTV.	7 500
	Resolution: 4k. OS: Android 5.1. Outputs: HDMI, audio, stereo, video, composite. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB. RAM: 2 GB.	Connector under an SD card, remote control, passive cooling.	9 000
Google Chromecast 2015.	Resolution: FullHD. Outputs: HDMI. Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac. RAM: 512 MB.	IPTV, Internet radio, managing a smartphone.	3 500

Extensive development network technologies And improving the productivity of computers led to the gradual integration of the TV and the Internet, combining them into a single media center. Today, you can view any content received in real time from the cloud storage, online service or NAS server, play various games or comfortably browse web pages on big Screen. All that will be needed for this is to simply connect a media player to TV and select the most appropriate source of the signal. Device and capabilities of this useful gadget We have already considered the article "", today we will talk about the best representatives who can work with Ultra HD Ultra HD video.

Sunvell T95.

Chinese developers recently do not cease to delight us with high-quality products for affordable money and TV prefix T95 produced by Sunvell, definitely, one of the best options in the budget price segment. For the modest cost of 5,000 rubles, you will receive a full-fledged media player capable of reproducing all major audio and video formats (including 4K resolution), made in a neat metal case providing better heat transfer than more frequently used plastic.

The device was created on the basis of the AMLOGIC S905 processor, it has 1 GB of operational and 8 GB of integrated memory, as well as the MALI-450MP graphics accelerator. Android 5.1 is used to control, allowing you to install great amount third-party players, applications and games. Streaming content with NAS or online services can be fed both via a wired Ethernet connection and wireless Wi-Fi. To play files from external drives there are two full-size USB ports, OTG connector and SD card slot. Connecting to the TV is performed via the standard HDMI or AV connector port. The player perfectly copes even with the highest bit rate, withdrawing a smooth picture without any twigs. In general, for its cost, the device is very and very worthy.

Rombica Smart Box 4K

Singapore company ROMBICA has long been not new to the market of media players and boasts a wide range of excellent models. Their classical budget SMART BOX solution has undergone more than one processing, to acquire in the latest modification of full-fledged support for the 4K permission. The media player is able to reproduce most of the popular formats with various codecs, but unlike Sunvell T95 can also work with 3D. The use of the Android operating system will help to easily install any suitable software, although directly from the player box are already equipped with applications for viewing online TV, working with Internet services and cloud storage facilities.

In addition to the Android standard interface, the ROMBICA branded envelope and the KODI Media Center, which is convenient to use and with the help of the remote control, and connect the keyboard with the mouse. The set of switching connectors is represented by two USB ports for connecting flash drives or external hard drives, HDMI and Ethernet interfaces, composite video output, couple audio outputs and an SD card slot. Wi-Fi wireless module is also present. Performance is responsible arm processor With four Cortex-A7 cores and 1 GB RAM. Inner memory Limited 8 GB. The price for Smart Box 4K begins from 5,000 rubles.

Iconbit xDS94T2.

IconBit products are well known for russian market, and XDS94T2 is its new flagship, launched on sale at the beginning of this year. Here you will find everything to create a full-fledged entertainment center on the basis of a TV, capable of working with a multitude of signal sources. In addition, the media player supports a 10-bit color depth, 4K resolution, AIRPLAY wireless transmission used in Apple devices, HDMI CEC technology, allowing you to control various functions not only with the remote control in the remote control, but also with the TV On board the built-in DVB-T2 tuner. Technical filling is also at the level: the processor with the four Cortex-A53 cores, operating at 2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and the graphics accelerator ARM MALI-450 MP.

Using Android 5.1 provides access to a large number of applications available for downloading in Google Play, as well as video playback from online services. Not forgotten developers and switching, equipping XDS94T2 to all that one way or another can be useful in the farm. In addition to the standard Ethernet, HDMI and USB, the last of which the player has three, a composite video output, an optical audio output and analog audio output on RCA connectors. Wi-Fi wireless module and Micro SD slot, naturally, are available. All this is the presence of audio and video DSP with hardware acceleration of decoding, providing first-class picture and sound. The average cost of XDS94T2 is 8,000 rubles.

Beelink i68.

The I68 player, manufactured by the Chinese company Beelink, as well as its TRONSMART ORION R68 META clone is based on the modern eight-year Rockchip RK3368 chip and PowerVR G6110 graphics accelerator, providing high image quality and support for 4K permissions. The number of RAM is 2 GB, and the built-in 8 GB. The device perfectly copes even with the most heavy files and is able to work with 7.1-channel sound. Using Android 5.1 as the operating system opens access to a wide range of various applications and provides a convenient and visual graphical interface.

Switching capabilities are presented with an HDMI interface for connecting to a TV, Ethernet to connect to the network, a USB pair to connect external drives, microUSB to play content from a smartphone and optical audio output to receive a signal to receiver. Wireless modules are two: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is a microSD slot. It is noteworthy that Beelink I68 firmware is suitable for TRONSMART ORION R68 META and on the contrary, allowing you to choose the most relevant. The price of the device in Russia today does not exceed 8,000 rubles.

Dune HD Solo 4k

Perhaps the best media player produced by the twin priority of the smart TV industry is Dune HD. Their Solo 4K brainchild provides extensive functionality and magnificent picture quality, but its cost of 25,000 rubles is difficult to call accessible. For this amount you will receive support for IPTV, 3D, various multichannel sound formats, output full Menu Blu-ray discs when reading Blu-ray images and BD3D ISO, the ability to install an internal hard disk and using the device as a NAS or FTP server, a built-in DVB-T2 tuner, an active cooling system and other no less useful features.

Thanks to the 10-bit color depth and the application of post-processing technology, the VXP image used in professional products, the media player creates an image of reference quality that does not have equal among competitors. In a word, a real top class, focused on people who want to get the best detail and color reproduction.

Network audio players came to replace CD players. In terms of sound quality, they are not only not inferior to the old disk players, but often exceed them, because they are able to reproduce music recorded with ultra-high resolution. If the audio CD sound is recorded with a resolution of 44 kHz / 16 bits, then new HD-audio formats use higher bitrates: 96 kHz / 24 bits and 192 kHz / 24 bits.

Some network player models can operate in a USB-DAC mode (connect to a USB computer) and in the preamp mode.

Formats

Many modern TVs (Smart TV) can independently play video files. However, by the number of supported formats, it is far to the best samples of stationary media players. For example, not every Smart TV boasts the M2TS format support and the ability to play ISO images Blu-ray or DVD. Many media players support lossless formats audio files (without loss of quality) - it is necessary if you plan to connect high-quality acoustics and amplifier to the player.

Additional functions

To view the 3D video content, via the media player requires support for the Blu-ray 3D image playback and the HDMI interface of the version is not below 4.0.

In some media player models, it is possible to work as a torrent client when it can download and save files from torrent trackers to the hard drive.

TV tuner with support for DVB-T2 in the media player will help go to the new digital standard essential television. DVB-T2 is defined as the standard of ground digital air television in Russia, but it is not supported in old TV models.

An alternative to TV tuner is IPTV - Internet TV. IPTV support media players allow you to watch television channels if the Internet provider provides such a service.