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Zensonic Z500 Hi-Def Network Media Player |
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CPU Utilisation, Sample Videos, Conclusion
Main Processor:
The Z500's CPU is not a heat-intensive Intel or AMD processor but a very efficient Sigma 166Mhz EM8620L. Don't be fooled by the lack of a heatsink - this dedicated baby decodes XVID's and 1080p videos more efficiently than my water cooled Athlon 64 3800+.
When playing a high quality 674x353 XVID over the LAN the Z500's processor only reached 2.9% - 5% cpu usage. Playing the same file on my A64 3500+ (@ 2.4Ghz) consumed 24% cpu usage in Media Player 10 and 10% with VideoLan/VLC.
 
(Z500 processor usage on the left, PC on the right)
Reading a high definition 8447 kbps Windows Media 10 (WMV-HD) 1440x1080 resolution video via SMB then asking the Z500 to downscaling the image to standard PAL consumed 61% cpu usage. Playing the same file on my A64 3500+ (@ 2.4Ghz) consumed 72% cpu usage in Media Player 10 and 62% with VideoLan/VLC.
 
(Z500 processor usage on the left, PC on the right)
Video, Music and Picture Quality:
There is not much to say here but the Z500's image and sound quality is stunning. I doubt most expensive TV's on the market can even play 1080p images (maybe 720p or 1080i). Even if you do not have a fancy TV (like me) the Z500 will scale down higher resolution photographs and videos to your television.
Menus and Interface:
A picture tells a 1000 words, so if you click on the images below they will load a short video capture of the Z500 menus in action (requires the XVID decoder).
Boot to Menu: (Click below for 1.6MB Video)
Main Menu: (Click below for 0.9MB Video)
View Menus: (Click below for 2.6MB Video)
Extras Menu: (Click below for 1.0MB Video)
(All) Settings Menu(s): (Click below for 14.0MB Video)
640x480 Picture Slideshow (Low Res Images): (Click below for 5.0MB Video)
8 Megapixel Picture Slideshow (High Res Images): (Click below for 2.6MB Video)
I was an early adopter and I have had my Z500 since January 2006. In that time I have experienced and reported a few bugs. Zensonic have taken the feedback and released 2 new firmware updates that have greatly improved the device. Also to Zensonic's credit they offered to replace my power supply to a cooler and more powerful unit at their cost (including freight both ways). However, all new Z500's sold after mid April 2006 already have the new power supply installed.
Conclusion:
The Z500 is a great upgrade for your DVD player that allows you to view pictures and movies or play music from USB memory key/removable drive, CD's, DVD's or over directly from you PC via wired or wireless. The Z500 remote offers a blue backlight to allows you to see the buttons in the dark.
Pros:- Plays 99% of all video formats that I could throw at it.
- Plays Music over the LAN/Internet.
- Also plays WMV 10 (720p and 1080p)
- Great support from Zensonic (new firmware features, source code etc).
- Offers many video outputs.
- Blue backlight on the remote (activate when desired).
- Future software features from Zensonic (via firmware updates) and Open Source.
- Efficient playback of videos (makes fast PC's look so 1980's)
Cons:- No H.264 support (MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC)
- No WPA wireless support (only WEP)
- Picture viewing is sometimes unstable.
- uPNP Media Servers can be tricky to setup.
The Zensonic Z500 proves that you do not need a Small Form Factor PC to play XVID/DIVX or even high definition 720 or 1080p movies in your lounge room. The Z500's firmware can be updated from the Z500 itself (over the Internet) or you can update via CD. Zensonic have also released the Linux Z500 source code for the brave.
All in all the Z500 plays almost every type of video without hunting for missing video codec's to install. Zensonic did a great job with the Z330 and Z340, now it is the Z500's time to shine. If you have a High Def TV or you want to play XVID/DIVX/WMV movies on your TV, check out the Zensonic Z500. It can be found online for about $500 AUD.
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