subject: 7 Tips on Buying HDD Players by HDWorth [print this page] 7 Tips on Buying HDD Players by HDWorth 7 Tips on Buying HDD Players by HDWorth
There are now too many hdd players on the market to choose from. An unexperienced customer does not have any ideas about what really makes up a good HDD Player.This article by hdworth offers 7 most important tips on buying a HDD player.
HDWorth Tips 1: Who are the real hdd playermanufacturers?
At least 70% of the world's HDD players come from China. Others are from Korea mainly. There are more than 100 HDD player manufacturers in China. Most of them are not professional HDD player manufacturers. HDD player is a very new product, even the oldest and most experienced HDD player manufacturers in China do not have a history over 10 years.
It is a public secret that there are less than 10 real HDD player manufacturers in China. Others just buy the main boards and change the case, then they claim they are HDD player manufacturers, including several top 10 HDD player brands in China.
Therefore, it is very important to know the manufacturer of the HDD player you are going to buy. But if you are buying an OEM product, then you may not be able to know who the manufacturer is.
For personal users, there is no need to buy HDD players from the manufacturers; the manufacturers usually do not deal with end-users.
HDWorth Tips 2:What's the solution of the player?
The solution (chipset) used in the HDD player determines the basic functions of the HDD player.
On the market now, there are mainly 4 brands of chipsets:
a) Sigma Design: The most powerful chipset series on the market. Sigma design chipsets have the most excellent codec ability.
HDD players made with SMP chipsets have the best video, audio, picture quality. Therefore, these HDD players are the most expensive.
b) Realtek: The most popular chipset series on the market.
The Realtek 1073 chipset is the most classical and still the most popular and cost-effective chipset on the market. It supports almost all video, audio and photo files with additional powerful network performance like: YouTube, RSS, Weather, CNN&BBC; News, Radio functions.
Therefore, the Realtek 1073 HDD players are still the most popular players, especially in the Southeast Asia because this chipset also supports RM/RMVB video formats, which makes up over 70% of the internet video files in these countries.
c) Amlogic: Chipset series that is quite cost-effective.
More and more HDD players are now using the Amlogic chipset because it supports most full hd video files with a competitive price compared with Realtek chipsets. The Amlogic 8626h chipset is now in popular use. Though not as powerful as Realtek series, but it can be very cost-effective for full hd starters.
d) Mstar: Chipset series that satisfy the basic HDD playback functions.
HDD players made with Mstar chipsets can be sold at an extremely low price and satisfy the basic video playback needs. Therefore, these HDD players are in great demand in some Asian and African countries.
HDWorth Tips 3: How's the firmware?
The firmware is very important. HDD players with the same chipset might have different functions. That depends on the R&D ability of the manufacturers. Many manufacturers just use the default firmware of the HDD player chipsets, while few HDD player manufacturers have the ability to develop its own UI and make some improvements of the original HDD player firmware.
HDWorth Tips 4: How's the looking and what's the case material of the HDD Player?
Do not judge a person by his appearance. It is the same with HDD players. But once you've chosen the Chipsets, the case and the material of the HDD player do matter then.
Firstly, choose one that looks "acceptable" to you. After all, you are gonna be with the HDD player for sometime. Just like a girlfriend, better to choose a "good-looking" one if other conditions are similar.
Secondly, choose the HDD player case material. Plastic case is light but not very good at heat dissipation. In this case, you'd better choose one with internal cooling fan. Metal case is comparatively heavy but looks better and has better cooling ability.
HDWorth Tips5: What interfaces does the HDD player get?
Look at the backside of the HDD player, usually the interfaces indicate the functions of the HDD player.
One word: The more, the better.
Below is a classic back interfaces of a HDD player from HDworth:
HDMI interface is a must for full hd video and best audio output for HDD players.
AV/Ypbpr interface, though can not put out 1080p, but it is better than nothing. You may need it when HDMI interface of the HDD player goes wrong, or if your TV doesn't support 1080p.
LAN interface indicates that the HDD player has some network functions.
Usb host/usb pc interface are very useful and should be considered a must for a HDD player because you may use it to read a HDD or exchange data with the computer.
Coaxial and optical interfaces are for audio use, if you think audio output is essential for you , this would be a must for your HDD player.
Cooling fan is very necessary if there is an internal HDD in the HDD player.
HDWorth Tips 6: Is there a HDD bay? What's the HDD max capacity?
If there is a HDD bay design with the HDD player, it would be very easy to install the HDD. Some HDD players may have an external SATA interface. Other HDD players do not support internal HDD, some even have to loose screws to install a HDD.
If you do not want to spend too much time unscrewing the HDD player, you'd better choose a HDD player with HDD bay design. As to the max capacity, now most HDD players support up to 2T. But some do not. Please make sure of this before buying the HDD player.
HDWorth Tips 7: What's the warranty policy?
For HDD players, manufacturers usually offer 12-36 months' warranty time for an OEM/ODM order. But the shop you are shopping with might not offer the same policy.
The 7 Tips For Buying HDD Players From HDWorth above is the most important things when choosing a HDD player. Customer can refer to these tips when choosing a HDD Player.
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