Reviews

Blitzwolf VR Headset Review: Good VR On A Budget?

Blitzwolf have entered the world of VR with the Blitzwolf VR headset. Building on Google Cardboard’s foundation, the Blitzwolf VR headset adds in premium materials, padding and straps. Is this the ultimate Google Cardboard VR headset? Read our Blitzwolf VR headset review to find out!

I want to say thanks to Banggood for sending a sample to review.

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What’s In The Box?

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Blitzwolf have provided a respectable set of inclusions inside the box:

  • 1x Blitzwolf VR Headset
  • 1x Replacement Rubber Bumpers
  • 1x English Instruction Manual
  • 1x Cleaning Cloth

Blitzwolf VR Headset Review: Design

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Taking the Blitzwolf VR headset out of the box, it’s clear that this is a fairly large headset – probably on par with other VR headsets like Samsung’s Gear VR and Oculus Rift in size.

The unit is leagues above Google Cardboard in terms of build quality (as you’d expect!). The whole unit is made of plastic, with elastic straps to hold the unit on your head and thick leather-like padding around the eyes for added comfort.
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The three elastic straps are fully adjustable and held in place with velcro. I’ve got a large head but didn’t have any issues adjusting them to fit.

The front of the unit shows of some Blitzwolf branding. Prying off this faceplate (it’s held in place with magnets) reveals additional ventilation for your smartphone.

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The entire front of the unit also opens up (again, using 3 strong magnets to hold it shut) to allow you to fit in your smartphone in the unit’s telescopic grip. Blitzwolf have stated that 4-6inch phones are supported, though you may need to remove your case to get it to fit. That said, my iPhone 6, Galaxy S4 and LeTV 1S fit in just fine.

The part of the headset that comes in contact with your phone’s screen has foam to protect it from scratches which is a nice touch. Cutouts are also available for routing cables, such as chargers and headphones if you need it.

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With the smartphone holder being held closed with magnets, I was worried it wouldn’t hold the phone in place when closed. Thankfully, I was wrong. Even with some more vigorous head movements, the front panel remained securely shut.

There’s a couple of dials that allow you to tweak the headset to make it more comfortable. The top dial allows you to adjust pupillary distance (aka PD – the distance between your pupils). There’s two dials on the side for myopia adjustment, bringing the image closer or further away if you’ve got issues with distance vision. There’s a little play in these dials which doesn’t affect use but does attract from the build quality somewhat.

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Google Cardboard comes with a magnetic switch which is used to interact with some apps but this functionality is missing on Blitzwolf’s unit. Instead, you’ll either need to open up the front panel to physically touch the screen or opt for a Bluetooth controller. However, most VR apps are designed to be controlled only with head movements or a controller so this wasn’t as much of an issue as I first thought it would be.

The unit’s build quality feels good and durable, so I’m not concerned that it’ll fall apart on me.

Blitzwolf VR Headset Review: Using It

Using the Blitzwolf VR headset is simple. Open up the front on the unit,  slide your smartphone into the holder (making sure to keep everything centered) and fire up your favorite Google Cardboard-compatible app.

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Use the aforementioned dials to tweak the unit’s settings to make the image sharp and you’re ready to go.

Lens quality was fantastic and leagues better than those that came with the Google Cardboard headset. The lenses are clear without any unusual distortion, leading to nice, sharp images.

That said, image quality is also dependent on your smartphone’s resolution, as using Google Cardboard tech halves the horizontal resolution. At times, my Samsung Galaxy S4’s 1080p resolution looked a little grainy but that’s not the fault of the headset. If you’re wanting a better image, use a phone with a higher resolution (such as the Xperia Z5’s glorious 4K screen). A larger screen also leads to a more immersive experience.

I tried a heap of VR apps (check out my favorites here) and having a proper VR headset is far more immersive than Google Cardboard. Without light leaking in and no need to hold the headset in place, the experience is leagues better.

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The leather-like padding around the eyeframes is nice and comfortable, even after lengthy gaming sessions. However, I got a little sweaty around the eyes.

My smartphone also got a little warm too, so I’d recommend opening up the front vent if you’re planning on playing with VR for long periods of time.

Should You Get One?

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Do you want to flirt with VR without draining your bank account? Finding Google Cardboard isn’t durable enough for you or just sick of holding it on your face? If so, I thoroughly recommend the Blitzwolf VR headset.

It’s well made, comfortable, leagues better than Google Cardboard and an affordable upgrade to experience the wonders of virtual reality. Thoroughly recommended.

Getting One

You can get the Blitzwolf VR headset from Banggood for around $26 or with a Bluetooth controller for an extra $1.

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Alternatively, it’s also available from Amazon.

Blitzwolf F1 Bluetooth Speaker Review

The Blitzwolf F1 is the rising company’s new Bluetooth speaker. With dual 5W drivers, a dedicated subwoofer, in addition to a massive 1800mAh battery, AUX In and handfree calling.

I want to say thanks to Banggood for sending me a unit to review.

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Blitzwolf F1 Technical Specifications

  • Speaker Power: 2 x 5W,S/N ≥60dB
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0+EDR (A2DP, AVRCP), 3.5mm Aux In
  • Range: Approx. 10m
  • Battery: 1800mAh
  • Battery Life (Rated): 10-12 hours (Playback)
  • Power: micro USB 2.0 port for charging
  • Size: 162×62.6×28.6mm
  • Weight: 270g

What’s In The Box?

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Blitzwolf have provided a solid set of inclusions. Inside the box, you’ll get:

  • 1x Blitzwolf F1 Bluetooth Speaker
  • 1x 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
  • 1x Micro USB charging cable
  • 1x Wrist Strap
  • 1x Instruction Manual

Blitzwolf F1 Review: Design

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The Blitzwolf F1 looks fantastic  The Blitzwolf F1 features a solid aluminium shell that has a nice sandblasted finish. Each speaker grill has it’s own pattern, with a bold X on the front and a diamond on the rear. 

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It’s also a good size – around the size of a pencil case. This means that it’s small enough to chuck in a bag and take with you.

The top of the speaker features 5 diamond-shaped rubber buttons for skipping tracks (oddly labelled as +/-), answering calls/pairing, play/pause and a power button. There’s also a tiny hole for the microphone.

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Only the larger Call/Pairing button is backlit. I would have liked to see them all lit up to make it easier to use in the dark but it’s not a big issue.

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The ends of the speaker are capped with contrasting red rubber. A flap on the right side hides the charging and Aux in port, resulting in a very clean looking unit. These rubber flaps also help the unit achieve its IPX-5 rating, with Blitzwolf claiming that the unit should be safe from splashes, dust and drops.

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The left side has a connector for a wrist strap which is nice inclusion but I have to admit I didn’t use it at all while I was reviewing the unit.

Blitzwolf F1 Review: Using It

Holding down the power button for a few seconds boots the unit. Pairing is done like pretty much every other Bluetooth speaker, by selecting the “Blitzwolf F1” from your smartphone’s Bluetooth menu. There’s a tone that lets you know when it’s paired that sounds pleasant unlike a recent speaker I reviewed.

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Music playback is either controlled via your phone or the unit’s onboard controls. Whilst the Play/Pause button’s function is obvious, the +/- buttons actually pull double duty. A short press will skip tracks whilst holding them down will adjust the speaker’s internal volume. This is actually independent of your smartphone’s volume so you can push the speaker pretty hard.

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There’s also the Call button which will answer an incoming call on the speaker, whilst holding it down will put the speaker into Pairing mode.

The Bluetooth connection is rock solid, and I didn’t experience any breakups at the 10m limit, even through a wall. Bluetooth can be a bit of a drainer on your smartphone’s battery though. Thankfully, the Blitzwolf F1 supports Bluetooth 4.0, meaning the speaker sips energy from your smartphone when paired.

Auxiliary input is handy for devices that don’t support Bluetooth. Connecting up the included 3.5mm cable automatically switches the speaker to using the cabled connection making it incredibly easy to use.

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Blitzwolf claims that the speaker should be good for around 10-12 hours and that feels about right. After a few hours of blasting sweet metal, I’m only down to 75% so their estimate seems right.

Blitzwolf F1 Review: Sound Quality

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The Blitzwolf F1 is a great sounding Bluetooth speaker. I found low, mids and highs to be fairly balanced. It’s clear the dedicated subwoofer is at work here, as most Bluetooth speakers sound tinny due to tiny drivers not being able to cope with lower frequencies.

Bass-heavy tracks such as Hard by Tech N9ne and Bass Face by The Midnight Beast sounded great, maintaining their punch. Mellow tracks showed off good detail whilst the chaos of death metal balanced bass with treble to ensure the complex vocals remained clear over powerful drum beats.

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That said, at maximum volume, highs became slightly more pronounced as the subwoofer tried to match the drivers volume. That said, audio still sounded excellent, outperforming most other speakers in this price range.

Distortion was incredibly rare, with only a single test track creating some slight crackling at maximum volume.

Speaking of volume, the Blitzwolf F1 is pretty loud. According to my sound meter, I was able to hit 95db at 30cm at 90 at 1m, which is pretty impressive, particularly for such a compact unit. BlYou won’t be replacing your home theatre or dedicated stereo system with it, but filling up a small to medium sized room was no issue.

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The hands free feature is a nice addition but in practice is pretty useless. Whilst I had no issue hearing the person on the other end, the Blitzwolf F1’s microphone simply isn’t sensitive enough so I could barely be heard. Don’t throw out your Bluetooth headset just yet.

Should You Get One?

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The Blitzwolf F1 is an impressive Bluetooth speaker. With great audio quality, a good mix of features and top-notch build, the Blitzwolf is a great option that offers the style and most of the features of Xiaomi’s top-of-the-line speaker without the price tag. A great option.

Getting One

You can get the Blitzwolf F1 Bluetooth speaker from Banggood for around $35.

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Alternatively, it’s available from Amazon.

Mpow Armor Plus Bluetooth Speaker Review: Battle Ready?

The Mpow Armor Plus is an incredibly rugged Bluetooth speaker packing dual 8W drivers, a subwoofer and aux in. It certainly looks the part, but how does it sound? Read our Mpow Armor Plus review to find out!

I want to say thanks to Mpow for sending me a sample to review.

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What’s In The Box?

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Mpow have included an good set of inclusions in the box:

  • 1x Mpow Armor Plus Bluetooth speaker
  • 1x micro USB charging cable
  • 1x 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable
  • 1x Carry Bag
  • 1x English Instruction Manual

There’s no power adapter in the box, but the Mpow Armor Plus charges via micro USB so pretty much any USB charger should do the job.

Mpow Armor Plus Review: Design

Taking the Mpow Armor Plus out of the box, you’re struck by just how militaristic this speaker is. The whole unit’s a stylish gun-metal grey, with strong geometric features. From its chunky style to dark colour scheme to geometric angles and exposed screws, this unit looks ready for battle. I love it.

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The whole body of the unit is covered in thick silicone to protect the unit, including the buttons. The buttons are embossed into the rubber, protecting the electronics from dust and water. There’s all the key buttons here, including power, skip tracks, volume controls and a button to answer phone calls.

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The unit is dominated by the massive metal speaker grills on the front and rear and surrounded by a chunky plastic frame. There’s a massive Mpow logo on the front of the unit. A rubber flap on the right side hides the unit’s micro USB and aux in ports.

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The unit’s heavy, weighing in at a hefty 1.3kg, though that’s not surprising given the large battery and rugged design. It’s not the most portable Bluetooth speaker but that’s not what it’s designed for. It’s designed to be placed somewhere and be ready to take a beating, like on in the outdoors or on a building site.

The unit feels well-made and, whilst I wasn’t willing to try to beat it to the edge of death, it had no issues surviving a few waist high drops with only minor scratches.

Mpow Armor Plus Review: Using It

The massive 5200mAh battery takes a good few hours to charge.

Holding down the power button for a few seconds boots the speaker into pairing mode. Simply pick the Mpow Armor Plus from your smartphones Bluetooth menu and you’re ready  to go. The speaker will reconnect automatically to the last paired device quickly.

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Speaking of pairing, there’s handy spoken cues for turning on the unit and pairing. However, the “Power On” cue always starts a fraction of a second into the sound clip. It doesn’t affect usage at all but it sounds odd and is a disappointing oversight.

Music playback can be controlled via your smartphone or the onboard controls, allowing you to pause or skip tracks easily.

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Audio volume on the speaker is separate from that on the phone so by maxing out the phone and speaker volume, you can achieve some serious volume thanks to the unit’s dual 8W drivers.

Behind the thick rubber flap is the 5V 2.1A USB port that can be used for charging your gadgets. Whilst I replace a dedicated power bank with the Mpow Armor Plus, the feature is definitely handy if you’re away from a power outlet – like out camping.

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The Mpow Armor Plus is water resistant but not waterproof. It’ll handle splashes fine but don’t submerge it unless you want a dead speaker.

Battery life was good. I was easily able to get around a week of regular use so Mpow’s 22 hour estimate seems about right.

Mpow Armor Plus Review: Sound Quality

Sound quality is a mixed bag. When I initially tested out the speaker, I thought it sounded pretty average.  However, later found out there’s actually two audio modes, indoor and outdoor, that sound drastically different.

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The speakers outdoor mode (seemingly the default mode out of the box) prioritises bass over everything else. Music sounds muddy, with subtle elements drowned out by the units surprisingly powerful lows.

This seems to cause an odd fluctuating volume effect, with treble -centric passages appearing louder than those demanding more bass.

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Thankfully, pressing the phone button toggles  the unit into indoor mode. There’s no way to tell which mode you’ve changed to, as a genetic thunk only alerts you that you’ve changed modes.

Indoor mode causes music to sound far more balanced, with treble getting a welcomed boost. The weird volume fluctuations also disappeared too.

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Thankfully, there appears to be a memory mode so it’ll stay in the same audio mode when you turn on the speaker next time.

In terms of volume, the Mpow Armor Plus it’s capable of some serious volume, easily filling a medium to large room with music.

I didn’t notice any clipping or distortion during testing, even at maximum volume which is a massive plus.

Mpow Armor Plus Review: Microphone Quality

I wouldn’t recommend using the Mpow Armor Plus as a handsfree device, despite it’s built in microphone. Audio quality is fine for recieving a call, with the audio being loud and clear enough.

However, trying to speak to the person on the other end is terrible. The microphone is simply not sensitive enough so the person on the end can’t hear you at all.

Should You Get One?

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The Mpow Armor Plus has me conflicted. From an purely audiophile perspective, it’s pretty average – not amazing but not terrible. However, the Mpow Armor Plus is a decent speaker that definitely handles the “Armor” part of its namesake well.

If you’re wanting a speaker that you can throw around and can pump out plenty of volume and bass, the Mpow Armor Plus is a respectable option. Those looking for a solution for listening to music around the house should consider other alternatives.

Getting One

The Mpow Armor Plus is available from Amazon.

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Alternatively, it’s also available directly from Mpow.

Andoer CST-09 VR Headset Review

The Andoer CST-09 is a premium VR Headset based on Google Cardboard’s technology. By utilising your smartphone’s screen and high-quality lenses, the Andoer CST-09 allows you to experience virtual reality without breaking the bank. But are they worth your hard-earned money? Read our Andoer CST-09 review to find out!

Thanks to TomTop for sending me a sample to review. Use coupon “TOMTOPVR” to get it the VR headset and Bluetooth controller bundle for only $17.39.

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What’s In The Box?

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Inside the box, Andoer have included:

  • 1x Andoer CST-09 VR Headset
  • 1x Replacement Rubber Bumpers
  • 1x English Instruction Manual
  • 1x Cleaning Cloth

Additionally, TomTop are offering a bundle with a compact Bluetooth controller which is suited for VR:

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Andoer CST-09 VR Headset Review: Design

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The Andoer CST-09 VR headset is a large bit of kit, with a design similar to pretty much every VR headset in the market such as the Gear VR or Oculus Rift.

Essentially a much fancier Google Cardboard, the Andoer CST-09 takes Google’s cardboards VR solution and turns it up to 11. Andoer have upgraded the materials, added straps to hold it on your head for hands-free fun and building in plenty of customisation controls to make it as comfortable as possible.

The rear of the unit houses the two lenses, with comfortable leather-like padding around the frame that’s very comfortable when on your face. Large straps (adjustable via velcro) hold the unit on your face. I’ve got a big head but I was able to adjust it to fit comfortably.

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The front of the unit features a removable plate with Andoer branding. It’s held in place via strong magnets and can be removed to provide additional ventilation if required. There’s also cutouts for cables (such as for your headphones or a USB cable) which is handy.

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The entire front panel opens up to reveal the smartphone holder tray. The clips that secure your smartphone are spring-loaded, providing a good grip and keep the phone from moving when you’re looking around. A soft foam surround helps cushion your phone’s screen if it’s larger than the viewing area.

The smartphone holder extends to support phones from 4.0-6.0 inches. I didn’t have any issue using it with my iPhone 6 and Galaxy S4 though the larger phablets may struggle to fit.

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The front panel is actually held in place by a series of strong magnets. I was worried it wouldn’t be strong enough to hold the phone in place but, despite shaking my head enthusiastically during a few VR games, it stayed in place.

There’s also a few dials to help tweak the unit to make it more comfortable. The top of the unit has a dial for adjusting pupillary distance (PD – the distance between your eyes). There’s also a dial on either side for myopia adjustment, allowing you to move the image forwards or backwards if you’re short sighted.

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You’ll notice there’s no magnetic switch like the one found on Google Cardboard so for apps that require it, you’ll need to use a Bluetooth controller or your fingers instead. Thankfully, most apps are designed not to need it.

The actual build quality of the unit feels solid. Everything feels like it’s well made. I’m not concerned about the durability of the unit.

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In terms of the included Bluetooth controller, it’s compact and comes with an analogue stick and 4 face buttons. There’s also a Bluetooth shutter mode that allows you to use it to take photos on both Android and iOS so it’s usefulness extends beyond VR.

Andoer CST-09 VR Headset Review: Using It

There’s really not much to using the Andoer CST-09. Just slip in your smartphone and fire up your favorite Google Cardboard-compatible app.

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After using the various dials to adjust the VR headset for the best image quality and comfort, it’s just a matter of enjoying the experience.

The soft, leather-like material is very comfortable. Even after using the goggles for an hour straight, they never got uncomfortable but I did get a little warm.

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Speaking of heat, I found my smartphone did get a little warm when the goggles were fully sealed as the screen is constantly running. Removing the front panel greatly improved the situation.

The lenses are miles better than the one’s that come with Google Cardboard, leading to a much sharper image.There was no obvious distortion or cloudiness – just pure VR goodness.

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That said, the higher resolution your phone’s screen in, the better the experience. My Galaxy S4’s resolution is 1080p and images looked a little grainy at times given that Google Cardboard halves the horizontal resolution, though that’s to do with the tech itself and nothing to do with the VR headset.

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I tested as many VR apps as I could get my hands on (see my favorites here) and having a proper VR headset makes a massive difference. Without having to hold the Google Cardboard viewer in place and having all light blocked out leads to a far more immersive experience. Watching a 3D movie in a VR cinema or racing around a VR racetrack is an incredibly unique experience. Getting to flirt with VR without having to fork out $600-odd to play with the Oculus Rift is just awesome.

Should You Get One?

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If you’re looking to flirt with virtual reality and want to upgrade from Google Cardboard, I highly recommend the Andoer CST-09 VR Headset. It’s well-built, highly flexible and incredibly comfortable.

Though they’re missing the magnetic button of Google Cardboard, the Bluetooth remote is definitely a workable solution – particularly if you’re wanting to dabble in more interactive VR experiences such as VR games.

Getting One

You can get the Andoer CST-09 VR headset from TomTop for around $20. Use coupon “TOMTOPVR” to get it with the bundled Bluetooth controller for $17.39.

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Alternatively, it’s available from Amazon.

Zidoo X5 Review: How Good is Zidoo’s First Amlogic S905 Android Box?

The Zidoo X5 is Zidoo’s latest Android TV box and their first powered by the Amlogic S905. It also features 1GB DDR3 RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, b/g/n WiFi and 10/100 Ethernet. Sporting a stylish design and bringing Zidoo’s trademark ZIUI to the table, is Zidoo’s latest a success or a flop? Read our Zidoo X5 review to find out.

Thanks to Zidoo for sending me a sample to review.

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Zidoo X5 Technical Specifications

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What’s In The Box?

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Zidoo have given the basics to get you connected:

  • 1x Zidoo X5 unit
  • 1x Power Adapter
  • 1x IR Remote Control
  • 1x HDMI Cable
  • 1x English Instruction Manual

Zidoo X5 Review: Design

Zidoo-X5-Review-03It’s great to see that Zidoo have come up with another unique design for the X5.

The device has a square footprint, but gently tapers down towards the front of the unit.

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The glossy silver shell is reminiscent of the one we saw on the Zidoo X1. I was expecting it to attract fingerprints, but it’s actually not too bad.

The X5’s ports are on the left side and rear of the unit. The left side has two fullsize USB ports and a micro SD card slot.

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The rear of unit has a reset button, DC power, AV output, 10/100 Ethernet port, HDMI output and optical audio.

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The bottom lip underneath the Ethernet port is a massive design flaw. It handily blocks the ejector pin on the Ethernet cable, making it a nightmare to try and remove – even with the various tools I had on hand. It’s disappointing that such a flaw made it through to the final version.

The included IR remote is reasonable. It’s got your typical set of Android buttons, a numpad, colored shortcut keys and a button to toggle mouse mode.

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There’s also a separate set of controls that can be learned from your TV remote. That’s useful, allowing you to control everything from the one remote. Though I’d recommend you get a Logitech Harmony if you want to control more than 1 device.

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The buttons are reasonably nice and not too loud. It’s better than most Android boxes, but  there are better ones out there. As usual, getting an airmouse will have a much more pleasant experience.

Zidoo X5 Review: Using It

The Zidoo X5 boots automatically when plugged in. With a wireless keyboard and mouse plugged in, a cold boot takes around 46 seconds whilst resuming from standby is instant.

Zidoo have included a “power management chip inside the X5 that allows it to cleanly power on and off via the remote.

Zidoo’s ZIUI from the X1 has come across relatively unchanged. It still uses it’s attractive tiled UI with various shades of grey.

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There’s a host of preconfigured tiles for key apps such as Kodi and the Google Play Store. Additionally, there’s a row of customisable shortcuts which put your favorite apps at your fingerprints.

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Interestingly, Zidoo have opted to limit the UI to 720p which is strange given that the Amlogic S905 can easily handle 1080p output. Thankfully, video output is unaffected and still renders at the correct resolution.

The Settings menu is skinned identically as other Amlogic S905 boxes, including the same capitalization issues.

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There’s not to much in terms of preloaded apps, with Kodi 15.2, Media Center, Miracast and an APK installer making an appearance.

Google Play works as I was able to install my various apps. It’s not rooted out of the box though Zidoo have created a “One Key Root” APK that will easily root it for you.

HDMI CEC is also supported and I had no issues using my Samsung TV’s remote to control the Zidoo X5.

The unit ships with Android 5.1 and boasts a single 4.76GB partition (of which 4.62GB is free). I’m glad to see more manufacturers doing this, as it maximises the amount of usable space for the end user.

As with other Amlogic S905 boxes, the SoC handles Android 5.1 well. I didn’t have any lag or slowdown when navigating Android, though Kodi would take a little while to exit.

The Zidoo X5 supports OTA updates. Zidoo have already released firmware 1.0.10, though it’s not available on their OTA services so you’ll need to download it and use the local update features. That said, the actual update process was just as streamlined as with Zidoo’s other Android boxes.

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Firmware seems fairly stable. The only issue I encountered was constant crashing of the pre-installed version of Kodi unless the cache was clean. Thankfully, installing Kodi 16.0 from the Play Store solved the issue.

Zidoo X5 Review: Media Playback

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With the recent release of Kodi 16.0, I tested media playback using this version.

Codec Video Performance (Kodi 15.2)
1080p 3D SBS H.264 OK
1080p 3D ABL H.264 OK
1080p24 H.264 OK
1080p High Bitrate H.264 Watchable (Lots of Skipped Frames)
1080p60 H.264 OK
720p50 H.264 OK
1080i25 H.264 OK
4K 30FPS H.264 OK
4K 60FPS H.264 Unwatchable (Video lags behind Audio)
1080p24 HEVC OK
4K 30FPS 8-bit HEVC OK
4K 30FPS 10-bit HEVC Not Supported (Crashed Kodi)
1080p VP8 OK
720p Hi10p OK
1080p Hi10p Unwatchable (Video Froze)
1080p MPEG2 OK
1080p VC1 OK
Unencrypted Bluray ISO (Sintel) OK

The Zidoo X5 performance was generally good, with most common formats playing back perfectly. However, it’s disappointing to see that my 120Mbps H.264 sample didn’t play smoothly.

I was impressed to see that automatic framerate switching worked. 23.976FPS content played back well without any noticeable artefacts, though I couldn’t verify that it was natively rendering at 23.976Hz or 24Hz.

Deinterlacing performance was good, without any obvious artefacts when playing back interlaced samples.

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5.1 Audio Passthrough

Dolby Digital 5.1 passthrough via HDMI worked fine via Kodi 16.0

Netflix

Netflix works, though video is only rendered at 480p due to the device not being Netflix-certified. Unfortunately, this is the case for 99% of Android boxes.

External Storage Support

Playing back movies from my 2.5″ USB-powered HDD and USB flash drive worked perfectly.

Zidoo X5 Review: Gaming Performance

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To test gaming performance, I installed 2 games,1 2D and 1 3D titles:

The S905’s pentacore Mali-450 GPU performed solidly. Jetpack Joyride was smooth and I was able to max out Beach Buggy Racing at 1080p whilst still getting a good framerate.

Gaming Controllers and Bluetooth

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I hooked up my shiny new GameSir G3 via Bluetooth for some Beach Buggy Racing. Thankfully, it worked fine.

According to SixAxis Compatibility Checker, the Zidoo X5 is compatible so those wanting to hook up their PS3 controllers should be fine.

Zidoo X5 Review: Networking

Networking performance was tested using Wifi performance was tested using Wifi Speed Test, conducting 3 tests and averaging the results. My router is approximately 5m away, with a single wall between the router and the device. WiFi performance is heavily impacted by a number of factors so your performance may vary.

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Wireless Performance

Wireless performance was fairly strong, achieving 33.7Mbps up and 45.1Mbps down.

Realworld performance seemed good, though I did suffer terrible speeds at first. Nothing would stream without buffering every few seconds until I rebooted the unit. Afterwards I didn’t have a problem streaming 1080p and 4K H.264 videos from an NFS share so it must have been a temporary hiccup.

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Ethernet Performance

Jumping over to a wired connection, the 10/100 performance came very close to spec, achieving 97.3Mbps upload and 94.3Mbps download.

Zidoo X5 Review: Benchmarks

Benchmark Score
Antutu 6.0  35958
Antutu Video Tester 3.0  922
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited  6698
3DMark Ice Storm Extreme  4643
GeekBench 3 Single Core  580
GeekBench 3 Multi Core  1658

Zidoo X5 Review: Power Consumption

Off Standby Idle 1080p24 Video Under Load
0W 0W 3.4W 3.2W 6.5W

Thanks to the Zidoo X5’s dedicated power chip, standby power is essentially 0W. Great for those mindful of power consumption.

Should You Get One?

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The Zidoo X5 put up a solid performance, with good media playback (with automatic framerate switching), respectable gaming performance and an intuitive UI. Some unusual bugs mar the overall product, though Zidoo are more dedicated to providing regular firmware updates than most companies.

Though it’s on the lower end in terms of hardware specs, if you’re after Android TV box that ticks most of the boxes and are willing to overlook its flaws, the Zidoo X5 is a good option.

Getting One

You can get the Zidoo X5 from GeekBuying, Amazon and AliExpress for around $60.

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HiMedia H8 Review: How good is HiMedia’s Latest Android Box?

The HiMedia H8 is an Android 5.1 TV box powered by the octacore Rockchip RK3368 processor. With a stylish design, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage, how does it perform? Read our Himedia H8 review to find out!

I want to say thanks to Himedia for providing a sample to review

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HiMedia H8 Technical Specifications

[aps_product_specs id=”4816″]

What’s in the Box?

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Himedia have given you everything you’ll need to get connected inside the box:

  • 1x HiMedia H8 unit
  • 1x IR Remote Control
  • 1x Power Adapter
  • 1x HDMI Cable
  • 1x Instruction Manual

Himedia H8 Review: Design

The Himedia H8’s rectangular design is simple yet elegant. Despite looking similar to other Android tv boxes, a silver chamfered edge helps it look unique yet still blend in with your other AV equipment. The unit’s black matte finish looks nice and keeps fingerprints to a minimum.

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Himedia have opted for an all-metal case and it really pays off. The case adds weight to the unit which makes it feel well-made, rather than a cheap Android box.

In terms of ports, they’re located on the side and rear of the unit. On the right side, there’s two fullsize USB 2.0 ports.

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The left side houses a full-size SD card slot.

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Most of the ports are located on the rear of the unit. From left to right, we’ve got the external WiFi antenna, optical audio, composite video output, HDMI output, Ethernet and DC In.

It’s interesting to see that Himedia have opted to include the three composite video outputs rather than the single port that requires an adapter. It’s not something that’s often seen any more but I’m sure a few users will appreciate it.

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The included IR remote is pretty comprehensive and feels great. Aside from the typical Android buttons (namely Home, Menu, and Back), there’s also a full set of multimedia controls, a 3D button and even a TV buttons which can be learned from your TV’s IR remote.

For those that need it, there’s also a mouse mode, though I’d recommend that you fork out for an air mouse for a far better user experience.

I also think it’s important to call out that the remote isn’t clicky like those included with most Android boxes. That means that button presses are nice and silent, making the controller feel well made rather than cheap and nasty like others on the market.

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HiMedia H8 Review: Using It

The HiMedia H8 automatically boots when plugged in to power. With a USB keyboard and mouse connected, a cold boot takes around 30 seconds. There’s no standby mode unfortunately but the unit can be powered on and off via the remote.

HiMedia have shipped the H8 with a unique TV-friendly launcher that looks like a more refined version of the MediaBox launcher we’ve seen before, with nice animations and a consistent design throughout.

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Everything animates smoothly, such as the transitions between pages to the menu selector, making the interface feel very polished.

There’s large shortcuts for key apps such as Kodi and YouTube whilst folders allow you to organise your apps so they’re readily at your fingertips.

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There’s a couple of pre-loaded apps such as Netflix, Facebook and Kodi to name a few. The Google Play store is installed and I was able to install various apps from there without issue. The box isn’t rooted from the factory but there’s methods available.

OTA updates are also available via Settings menu, making it easy to update to the latest firmware from HiMedia’s servers or local media.

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As expected from the Rockchip RK3368, the processor handles Android 5.1 well.

Firmware seemed to be stable, as I didn’t have any crashes during testing.

Himedia H8 Review: Media Playback

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Media Playback was tested using the pre-installed version of Kodi 15.2

Video Codec Video Performance (Kodi 15.2)
1080p 3D SBS H.264 OK
1080p 3D ABL H.264 OK
1080p24 H.264 OK
1080p High Bitrate H.264 OK
1080p60 H.264 OK
720p50 H.264 OK
1080i25 H.264 OK
4K 30FPS H.264 OK
4K 60FPS H.264 Unwatchable (Video lags behind Audio)
1080p24 HEVC OK
4K 30FPS 8-bit HEVC OK
1080p VP8 OK
720p Hi10p OK
1080p Hi10p Unwatchable (Decoding Issues)
1080p MPEG2 OK
1080p VC1 OK
Unencrypted Bluray ISO (Sintel) OK

The HiMedia H8 did a solid job playing back media, handling almost every file I threw at it. The usual culprits tripped the box up, with 4K 60Hz H.264 and 1080p Hi10p video samples struggling to play back like nearly every box I’ve tested.

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I was impressed to see that automatic framerate switching actually works! This is something few Android boxes actually have functioning and is a massive plus for media fans. Whether I was playing 24Hz or 50Hz content, the Himedia H8 automatically changed my display’s refresh rate to match.

23.976FPS videos seemed to play without any visual artifacts. However, I couldn’t verify if the box was rendering the video at 23.976Hz or 24Hz.

Deinterlacing performance seemed good, without any major artifacts during playback.

5.1 Audio Passthrough

Dolby Digital 5.1 passthrough worked fine via HDMI.

Netflix

Netflix worked fine on the HiMedia H8. However, video resolution was limited to 480p like most other Android boxes.

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External Storage Support

I didn’t have any issues playing back videos from my USB-powered 2.5″ HDD or USB flashdrive.

Himedia H8 Review: Gaming Performance

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To test gaming performance, I installed 2 games,1 2D and 1 3D titles:

Gaming performance was good as expected, with both Jetpack Joyride and Beach Buggy Racing playing well at 1080p on maximum settings.

Gaming Controllers and Bluetooth

Unfortunately, the Himedia H8 doesn’t have Bluetooth so Bluetooth devices aren’t compatible. That means a 2.4GHz controller such as the Tronsmart Mars G01 is a must.

Gaming using my Tronsmart Mars G01 was perfect, with the pad automatically detected as an Xbox 360 controller when plugged in and working with Beach Buggy Racing.

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Himedia H8 Review: Networking

Networking performance was tested using Wifi performance was tested using Wifi Speed Test, conducting 3 tests and averaging the results. My router is approximately 5m away, with a single wall between the router and the device. WiFi performance is heavily impacted by a number of factors so your performance may vary.

Wireless Performance

Wireless performance was reasonable, achieving 48.7Mb/s upload and 42.8Mb/s download when connected to the 2.4GHz band.

In terms of real-world performance, I didn’t have any issues playing back my 1080p and 4K H.264 samples from my NFS share.

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Ethernet Performance

The HiMedia H8 was almost able to saturate it’s 100Mb Ethernet port, achieving 95.9Mb/s upload and 94.6Mb/s download.

HiMedia H8 Review: Benchmarks

Benchmark Score
Antutu 6.0 37976
Antutu Video Tester 3.0 469
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited 7913
3DMark Ice Storm Extreme 5125
GeekBench 3 Single Core 676
GeekBench 3 Multi Core 2317

Himedia H8 Review: Power Consumption

Off Standby Idle 1080p24 Video Under Load
0W N/A 3.8W 4.1W 6.2W

Unfortunately, as standby isn’t supported on the HiMedia H8, no power consumption values can be reported for this mode.

Should You Get One?

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The HiMedia H8 is an solid Android TV box. It’s well-built, performed well during gaming and media playback and even supports Automatic Framerate Switching in Kodi – a massive plus for movie lovers. However, the lack of Bluetooth may be an issue for some, particularly if you’re a gamer.

Overall, the HiMedia H8 is worth a look if you’re wanting a capable media player that can handle some gaming too – as long as you’ve got a USB-based controller.

Getting One

The HiMedia H8 is available for around $100 from GeekBuying, AliExpress and Amazon.

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