Nixeus Fusion HD Review
by Ganesh T S on March 4, 2011 3:26 PM EST- Posted in
- Home Theater
- Media Streamer
- Gadgets
The home screen on the Nixeus Fusion HD is pleasing.
However, things start going downhill once you start navigating the internal menus or try to pull up options when playing media files. Don't mistake me, the UI is completely functional, but the fonts and the appearance are like what graphics used to be on DOS machines in the 1990s. Some of examples of the rudimentary UI during file playback are given below:
I am probably spoilt after seeing the UI of the WDTV Live Hub, the NTV 550 and the Boxee Box in this area, but I really feel Nixeus must improve upon this in their future products.
A gallery of the UI pictures is provided below:
As can be seen in a couple of the gallery pictures, the Fusion HD has a host of online services such as YouTube, iMedia (Fusion Web Channel) etc. These services are a hit or a miss (like in many other media players which have YouTube access). There is also support for Flickr, Shoutcast and Live365, which definitely work better than the video services.
The other special selling point for the Nixeus Fusion HD is the web browser. This is not usually implemented by other SMP 865x based media streamers.
AnandTech.com on the Nixeus Fusion HD Web Browser
Unfortunately, visiting any Flash website causes the browser to crash. In fact, I wouldn't advise using the browser unless it is just plain text and pictures on the website you plan to visit. The SMP 8655 platform is not powerful enough for Adobe Flash implementation or running a full featured browser. Unless Nixeus moves away from the Sigma Designs platforms, they should not implement web browsers in their future products.
There is also BitTorrent support, but, frankly, how many users are going to download their copy of Ubuntu using the Fusion HD? That said, I find BitTorrent clients on many media streamers. There must be a market for this feature and consumers must be demanding this probably. Another aspect I liked about the Fusion HD is the extensive support for keyboard and mice (even wireless!) through the USB 2.0 host port. Network setup and shared folder access (both SMB and NFS) were quite straightforward and proceeded without a hitch.
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Trefugl - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
Even support for something like SiliconDust's HDHomeRun would be great. I have one of those that streams to my network, but I haven't decided what to do about recording (using my desktop for testing it out now). I'd love to have something like the Boxee Box that would be able to browse the TV guide and record shows to my NAS... one day maybe.Suntan - Saturday, March 5, 2011 - link
Have you looked into SageTV?HD300 hardware extender at the TV, computer running the tuners at the backend.
It's another option.
-Suntan
TrevorH - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
Why no reviews of the market leaders in this segment? Where is Popcornhour? TVIX?ganeshts - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
TViX Slim S1 is up next :)Popcorn Hour... No review units with AnandTech right now.. Once they put something new out, we will try to get hold of one :) Right now, our review queue is pretty full.
DigitalFreak - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
As soon as one of these streamers gets the ability to properly play back WTV files, I might just pick one up.mgl888 - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
off topic, but is Anandtech located in Sunnyvale?ganeshts - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
AnandTech has a set of freelance reporters spread all over the world. It is just that I happen to reside in Sunnyvale :)mgl888 - Sunday, March 6, 2011 - link
Awesome, we could be neighbors!We have the same postcode. :)
SlyNine - Friday, March 4, 2011 - link
"One of our MKVs with DTS-HD audio exhibited random dropouts when bitstreaming. However, a couple of other movies with DTS-HD MA in MKV bitstreamed for the full duration without any issue. But, some points were docked because our test stream didn't play perfectly"Could this be because of Ciniava DRM?? I only skimmed the artical so I don't know if Ciniava is present or not, But please look in to it and tell us if future players use this protection, or any others like it I'm not aware of.
ganeshts - Saturday, March 5, 2011 - link
No, that particular stream doesn't have Cinavia. It plays perfectly OK on the NTV 550 and the Boxee Box.Cinavia is only applicable to streamers which have AACS license, and even then, it doesn't appear mandatory right now. So, none of the media streamers support it.
I am keeping a close watch on Cinavia developments, so if there is anything new I find not reported elsewhere, rest assured, AnandTech readers will be the first to know about it :)