Zidoo 8K Media Players FAQ

It would be ideal if we could introduce other sites for searching for subtitles, just like in Kodi, besides opensubtitles, thanks!

 

I remember playing LARN on the 1040ST. Magical!!
The things we used to be awed by. Ascii based graphical games.

 

Stumbled on this page in search of an audio sync fix... not sure it's the correct place to report, but wanted to note that turning OFF the match frame rate (and resolution) seems to have fixed it for me. This was my test scenario (and where I first noticed the problem):

• File: Tron Legacy 94.84GB hybrid remux, 4K, 24p, MKV 100457 bitrate; DTS-MA audio
• Z9X-8K on 1.2.22_G firmware; all of the "recommended" settings noted in Mark's thread
• 4K 98" TCL QLED TV w/ DV, HDR10+, etc.
• Emotiva MR1L receiver
• Terramaster F2 NAS w/ 8GB Ram; 16TB Toshiba drives
• 8K certified 48Gbps HDMI cables
• Cat 6 ethernet direct router connection

In the Tron Legacy scene where Gem ignites the plasma cutter on her finger, the ignition sound was happening before the flame appeared. Note that I ALSO tested this same file (via Plex) on both an Apple TV 4K and a Fire TV Cube gen. 3, and in those cases, the flame sound and appearance happened simultaneously. This confirmed that the audio sync issue was happening with the Z9X-8K's handling of the file vs. an issue with the file or the receiver, TV handling, etc.

I tried adjusting all kinds of parameters, including auto syncs, HDMI settings, cable swapping, TV pictures settings, DV settings, receiver settings, etc. So far, the ONLY thing to have made a difference was to turn off the frame matching on the Z9X-8K. Oddly, this "fix" is what's also recommended for audio sync issues with the Apple TV 4K, so perhaps the problem is similar.

Anyway, I'm not sure if this "fix" will hold (and I wish I didn't have to turn off the frame match), but it's the only thing that's worked for me so far. Open to other ideas that might be a better fix!

 

@pmindemann. In settings under 'Audio settings' is 'Audio offset'. Here you can set a global offset for Dolby and/or DTS audio.

 

Thanks! Yeah, I was aware of that setting, but I still see a couple challenges...

• It doesn't affect every file. I tried two rips of Tron Legacy, and it had issues with both... Top Gun Maverick rips, too. Conversely, I ran 8, different audio sync test files and none of them showed the sync to be off. So, a "universal" adjustment would make files that play fine suddenly be out-of-sync.
• There's no objective way of determining how much of an adjustment to apply, creating uncertainty as to whether it's "right" or close, but maybe still off?
• It doesn't address the core issue of why two other streaming devices can seemingly play the same file just fine, without adjustment.

Thoughts?

 

Music question -- does the Zidoo use the lyric file format ( songname.lrc ) for anything? My brother gifted me some HD music downloads, and the folders had .lrc files I have never seen before. Time stamped lyric files? New one on me. Curious if the Zidoo music playback system uses them for anything like display, or just ignores? Trying to decide whether to keep or "clean house" and remove them from the music folders, which look like in this case are by artist, without album folders, but all the files have clear meta data even Windows can read and display artist, title, time, album name, etc.

Thanks folks. Super minor non issue thing - just curious. Putting all the HD music on the Zidoo, to not duplicate my CD collection on Eversolo DMP-A6MEv1.

An .lrc file is a synchronized lyrics file format commonly used for displaying lyrics that match the timing of an audio or video file. It's a plain text file containing time-stamped lyrics, allowing media players to display the correct lyrics at the appropriate moment as the song plays.

 

Mmm. I have an issue with DTS audio. I use the movie Batman Begins - the conversation in the cell at about 4 minutes in. I simply adjusted until it looked correct. Needed to set it about 150ms behind. TBH 95% of my audio is Dolby so not a major issue for me.

 

Hello,

Just for your information, you should be careful with tests based on this version of Tron Legacy, which is anything but a remux.

Actually there is no BR-UHD edition of this film.
A UHD transfer was indeed mentioned several years ago, but it was never validated by the director or any video editor.

This huge file of more than 90 GB, is therefore the "handmade" creation of an enthusiast, probably from a simple desktop computer, using the automatic features of a software to create a 4K upscale from the BR (1080p), and apply an HDR conversion.

Regardless of the fact that the image made this way has never been validated by the director, and even if the audio streams are the original ones... the resulting file (which is absolutely not a remux) has been heavily manipulated, and therefore is perhaps not the most reliable sample to use for technical and compatibility testing.

 

I did a forum search but not a lot of helpful posts came up, probably due to the age of what I'm after.

Is there an FAQ or comparison table for the 8K models? My Z9X HDMI port seems to have died and it's buggy as hell so I brought the Z10 Pro out of the shed to use as the main media player, which leaves me no streamed in the shed for music.

Is the Z9X 8K the next logical upgrade to get? is it close to EOL? Are there new players coming soon? Is there anywhere to view the spec differences of the 8K models side by side in an easy to read way?

 

The Z9X 8k is not likely to go anywhere soon. It has been out a year or less (if memory serves). If you simply want to output audio and video via HDMI, then all the newest models are essentially identical. As you go up the newest product line, the differences deal with internal HDD options and non-HDMI audio input/output options.

https://www.mcbluna.net/wp/zidoo-model-overview/#AM928

 

Here is a spec sheet I found and has been using for the past couple of years. Hope it helps.

https://www.mcbluna.net/wp/zidoo-player-specification-comparison-sheet/

 

Hello,

i have a question !

The PSU of the Z9x 8k being of lesser quality of the one included in the Z3000 pro, is a difference in audio/video quality should be expected ?

As i dont need HDD bay and 2nd HDMI, i'm thing about downgrading my Z3000 pro to a Z9X 8K.

Thanks for reading me.

Cheers.

 

Not if you use digital outputs only, such as HDMI and S/PDIF. Those will give you identical quality on any model.

The power supply will make a difference to analogue outputs, but I strongly advise against using analogue connections for anything other than speakers. Keep the signal in the digital domain for as long as possible. If you must use analogue to go from decoder/processor to power amp, ensure it's a balanced connection. If you use RCA connections, it implicitly signals that you do not care about quality.

 

Considering the amount of outputs on the Z9X8k, i guess it's HDMI all the way audio + video.

 

True, this is the most logical conclusion. However that port labelled AUDIO might be tempting for someone.

 

that would be a shame :

 

I've a question about the "status" of the new 8k devices. I wanted to buy one beginning of this year, but at this time I was reading about unfinished software and small issues and bugs.
So I thought until now they had some time to fix issues and would be happy if some users could give some feedback about their experience.

My plan is to use it for following things (Z9X 8k):
Replace AppleTV + Infuse for movie streaming from my NAS
Replace Ifi Zen Stream for Tidal Connect streaming (Ifi is buggy and since last update Tidal Connect is not working)

Something specific for my use case:
I don't use a surround system, just a stereo.
So I would connect the Zidoo with USB audio out to my RME Adi-2 DAC's USB Input.
When I don't use the DAC and the soundsystem the sound should come "regularly" through the TV with HDMI.

Also when listening to Music from Tidal connect, can the Zidoo properly play the right bitrate, also when they are changing from song to song?
Like when switching from 44,1/16 to 192/24 back to 48/24 will it output always the right one to the DAC over USB?

I also don't think it makes sense for me to buy a "bigger" model than the Z9X 8k, as I'm using my external DAC and don't need an internal HDD space or a 2nd HDMI out for audio or even analog audio out.

BTW: Is it still possible to install the Firmware with the G for Android Play store?
There are 2 more apps that I would like to install on the Zidoo if possible, it's Teleboy and Eon TV.

Would really appreciate some experiences and wish you all a nice weekend!

 

@Eki Shaw
Is there a way to install USB Audio Player Pro on devices with AML S928X socs? I looked in the Play Store for my UHD8000, but unfortunately it's not there. It's in the Play Store for the UHD3000 and installs perfectly. Can I make it available for download in the Play Store?

 

I have the _G version of Firmware installed on my UHD8000 and since I got it at launch, I've been trying to find a way to have this app installed - just isn't available. It's ok on my Z1000 Pro so I've never understood why it isn't available on the UHD8000.

So I shall add my request to @Eki Shaw too please

 

i instal usb audio player but ui on the app is not intended for android tv , wich in that case controling this app is very annoyng...