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 Zotac ZBOX HD-ID34 is an elegant HTPC capable of playing back DVDs and Blu-Ray discs straight from the optical media. It can be wall mounted next to your display and connected with a single HDMI cable. Most users, however, will want to run a RJ-45 cable to a wall outlet for HD streaming as the Wireless-N connections, in general, do not deliver enough bandwidth (heavily dependent on the home setup). Numerous connectivity options allow this system to also host your media connection with eSATA and USB 3.0 connections. Since the unit ships devoid of an OS you can even install Windows Home Server if you so choose.
The low power usage, heat, and elegant styling make this a perfect media playback device in any room where full HD audio isn’t a requirement. In the main home theater setting, the limitations of the hardware as far as HD codecs are concerned as well as the four channel imitation of the software may be reasons to look elsewhere.
As I mentioned before, there are two separate versions of this box, the HD-ID33 and the HD-ID34. The only difference being that the HD-ID34 comes preloaded with 2 GB of memory and a traditional 250 GB HDD. The HD-ID33 will set you back $399, while the loaded unit costs $499. Those looking to bring their own HDD or an SSD to the party to speed up the system may want to save the $100 and go with the HD-ID33. For those who just want to load an OS and start streaming, the HD-ID34 will perform admirably.
Honestly, I think this is a real win for Zotac from the industrial design viewpoint, and it is possibly the best looking Atom/ION2 Blu-Ray system that can be bought currently. I have been looking for a stylish system to hang in the bedroom next to a wall mounted LCD, and this system really looks amazing. The blue circular LED power light is somewhat annoying, but it can be disabled in the systems BIOS. Couple that with low noise, decent power consumption, a styling that the significant other doesn’t hate hanging in the open, and you have a winner in your hands!
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
40 Comments
View All Comments
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.