Zotac ZBOX Blu-Ray HD-ID34 Review
by Alan Lueke on October 19, 2010 2:15 AM EST- Posted in
- HTPC
- ION
- Atom
- Home Theater
- Media Streamer
- Gadgets
The Nvidia ION GPU has already been run through the HQV 2.0 test suite in an earlier review by Raja. I also can the system through our media streaming test suite. Being that the system is an HTPC, format support is really not an issue, as the user can install all the players and codecs they choose. To give the hardware an accurate test however, media was played back with PowerDVD 10 Mark II Ultra. Many of our tested audio files include 5.1 tracks that would not playback correctly with the included 2Ch+2Ch version of PowerDVD 9 included with the hardware. The following softwares were used to process our media streamer test suite:
- Cyberlink PowerDVD 10.0.2113.51 Mark II retail
- MPC-HC x64 1.4.2499 with ffdshow Audio Decoder (x64 SVN 3572)
- VLC 1.1.4
The Zotac ZBOX obtained 308 out of a maximum possible 358 points (86%) in our media streaming test suite. Most of the points were lost in files containing a bitstreaming test for an HD audio codec, which the Zotac Zbox is simply incapable of doing due to the limitations of the hardware. Also, points were lost due to stuttering in high definition Real Media video streams. These decode for Real Media is not accelerated by the GPU and the Atom D525, without the aid of the ION, is not able to playback HD content stutter free.
Using a Kill-a-Watt meter, the system posted 12 Watts of power draw while idle and a max of 45 Watts while under load. Using RealTemp GT the system idled with a CPU temperature of 33C while it posted 44 C under load. I streamed all media files from my main system using the gigabit Ethernet connection only. I wanted the most bandwidth I could get to accurately test the hardware in the system.
Fan noise is hardly appreciable, and I had to hold my ear to the unit to hear the fan noise in my testing room. Unfortunately, my primary LED backlit LCD display did not fit the VESA mount, and I wasn’t willing to drill holes in the wall simply to test this unit. I have included additional images of the unit in the image gallery below.
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cjs150 - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
It looks pretty.As you said most people thought it was a high class AV component.
And then it drops the ball big time:
1. HD audio codec: how simple do we have to make this? With my AV receiver I expect sound and video through the HDMI cable in full glorious HD - any HTPC has to do the same. Really what are manufacturers thinking of, my requirements are exactly the same as everyone else with an AV receiver
2. No OS so I have to add my own (extra cost) which brings me onto next problem
3. What about a remote? This is in the living room it has to be controllable from a logitech remote
4. Any room for a TV tuner - I guess limited to USB stick tuner which are not the best
Golgatha - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
I totally agree with point #1. If it can't do HD audio + video output via HDMI, I am completely not interested. Yes it takes more horsepower than what this device has, but it is a necessity. My HTPC has an ASUS Slim1.3 sound card and a Q9400 for a reason.ajlueke - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
1. As I said in the review, the lack of bitstreaming support in the hardware really will keep this machine from functioning as a living room HTPC. However, in my bedroom the display setup features a wall mounted TV alone, using only the TV speakers. In this situation the Zbox is an elegant solution for expanding my HD movies and videos music etc into the bedroom over the wired connection I have in the house.2. It is interesting the the unit includes windows software to playback blu-ray's (PowerDVD 9) but no windows. There is some extra cost associated with supplying some OS's, but you can get an upgrade version of Windows 7 professional for relatively cheap, ($64.95 is the lowest I have seen with a .edu email address.) But added cost is added cost.
3. I'll agree with this limitation. Having to try and add an IR receiver to a slim wall mounted device does detract from some of the asthetic.
4. There are two PCI-e mini ports within the device, one is occupied by the dual channel wireless card, while the other is open. Othereise USB is always an option.
Golgatha - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
This is true. I do wonder if they included GbE or just 10/100 though. GbE is pretty much required for streaming Bluray rips.Golgatha - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
I suppose the inclusion of USB 3.0 would be fine though for GbE if it doesn't come standard. Would be nice if you didn't have one more needless dongle coming out the back of this device though.mindbomb - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
it probably does have gbe, but bluray discs tend to have bitrates of like 30-40 megabit, so 100 megabit can handle it comfortably.ajlueke - Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - link
GbE is included standard. All the tests I ran I streamed the media off my main HTPC to the Zotac via wired gigabit connections in my home.mindbomb - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
just a reminder, it can bitstream DTS and DD and LPCM.It can't bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD. FFdshow can convert truehd to pcm, and dts-hd has a dts core, so on both fronts, you are set.
so, do you want to qualify your statement?
mindbomb - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
oh wait, you're the guy that wrote the review.i want to take my comment back lol.
just wanted to say i can imagine it as a living room htpc, it just wouldnt be ideal.
ajlueke - Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - link
True enough. It can bitstream core DTS and Dobly digital, as well as decode and output 5.1 or 7.1 LPCM, but the lack of HD audio codec bitstreaming will keep it out of the living room for mnay users. I also feel than some of the aesthetic apeal is lost mounted on a wall by a TV that already has a sizeable A/V rack for a receiver, STB etc.