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!
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kake - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
Why don't these essentially hyper blu-ray players come with IR receivers built into the front of the device? Make adding a remote so much more intuitive for the impulsive buyer.CZroe - Friday, October 22, 2010 - link
Probably because there is no one IR receiver that can work with everything. For example, MCE remotes require an RC6 receiver and will not work with a standard IR receiver.ckryan - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
Imagine if this Zotac wasn't just BD, could be your digital cable box and DVR solution. THAT would be something. As impressive as this system may be, Zotac could add true two way cable-card support and have a (IMO) all around awesome device. Not just a BluRay player that went to finishing school, but something I've been craving for a hot minute.iSmug - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
It could be when the HDHomerun Prime comes out. Just hide the network attached tuner somewhere.IceDread - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
"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."So streaming is not a good idea? Sound quality is not good ether? Then what's the point?
therealnickdanger - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
"stuttering in high definition Real Media video streams""Real Media" being the point. I haven't seen, streamed, or downloaded a Real Media file since 2001, and even then I avoided them the best I could. That sentence doesn't apply to any other tested HD media, so I don't think you have to worry.
That being said, I'll wait for the Core i3 model - if it comes. No bitstreaming, no sale.
ajlueke - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
Correct, a handful of media types do not support hardware acceleration from the ION. The Atom dual core is not capable of streaming playback stutter free in 1080p on its own in these scenarios.IceDread - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
True, Real Media is not something I use normally. Bitsteaming however, as you pointed out, must work.When you say i3, which one's do you think about then?
Personally I'm very interested in the coming cpu's with integrated gpu. Thou it's some time left before they come.
ProDigit - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
the core i5 is one of them.therealnickdanger - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - link
I have personally used a Core i3-330UM laptop (Acer Timeline X) for bitstreaming lossless to my receiver. It handled Blu-ray flawlessly as well as every other file type I tried *except* it didn't handle 1080p Youtube quite as well, there were very mild frame skips depending on content. A higher speed i3M or an entry-level i5M would probably do the trick. Without the need for Ion, hopefully such a platform could fit into the same chassis. They draw similar power (~18W) and would possibly generate less heat than the Atom/Ion combo.I wish Newegg sold more notebook components. I would just build one myself.