If you are looking TV Box to your home entertainment center to check out what it offers small sized TV Box from the company Shenzhen Zidoo Technology CO., Ltd called Zidoo X1. This small TV Box is available on the Geekbuying at a price of $59.99 and on Amazon for $59 + free shipping.
In this Zidoo X1 review we will try to bring you the characteristics and experience of the operation of this device. Zidoo X1 is a small size and unusual shape Android TV Box powered by Allwinner H3 processor supports 4K (3840*2160p), H.265 and 3D hardware decoding.
Zidoo X1 TV Box Technical Specifications
- Operating System: Android KitKat 4.4.2
- Chipset: Allwinner H3
- CPU: ARM Quad-core A7 up to 1.5 GHz
- GPU: Octa-Core Mali-400mp GPU
- Memory: 1GB DDR3
- Internal Storage: 8GB NAND (up to 16GB)
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n, Ethernet LAN 10/100Mbps
- Material & Color: Plastic in silver
- Audio/Video Output: HDMI
- Audio: AAC-LC/HEAAC/HE-AAC v2,AC3,AMR-NB,DTS,MP3,OGG,RA_COOK,WMA,WMA,LPCM/PCM/ADPCM,FLA
- Video: RM/RMVB, MPEG, MKV, AVI, MP4,MOV,FLV, H.263,H.264,H.265,VC-1,DivX, Xvid, TS,RealVideo,VP6,VP8 up to 4K support
- Interfaces: 1x HDMI (1.4 4K*2K resolution), 1x AV Standard (AV output resolution) 2x USB 2.0 host port, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 1x Micro SD card reader (Support 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB)
What’s in the box?
Inside the box you will find (the necessary things to use Zidoo X1):
- 1x Zidoo X1 TV Box
- 1x HDMI cable
- 1x IR remote (Batteries not included)
- 1x Power adapter(EU or other) 5v 2A
- 1x User Manual
The following video from our YouTube channel where you can take a look at more Zidoo X1 and bundled accessories.
Zidoo X1 TV Box Design
The Zidoo X1 has a very interesting and unusual design, as compared to other known TV Boxes. The shape is a bit like a “turtle shell”. The upper surface is made of glossy plastic. You can also see that the Zidoo company takes care of the execution of their products and can safely say that Zidoo X1 is very carefully and beautifully executed.
The front Zidoo X1 TV Box is a bi-color LED diode which indicates the state of the device. LED is red – standby mode, the LED is blue – the mode of action. In addition to the diode IR receiver is accepting commands from a remote control.
On the back side you will find all the interfaces such as A/V, HDMI, USB, RJ45 Ethernet, USB/TF, Micro SD card, DC/5V.
At the bottom of the device you will find a labels and MAC address.
To use the unit hook up to a TV which probably does not make anyone a problem. Simply connect the HDMI cable Zidoo X1 TV Box and TV, and turn the power on to our TV Box.
As we said, the power is turned, the LED lights up blue.
After the power is turned, on the TV screen appears home screen – ZIUI launcher. Recently we reported that the Zidoo company released two new ZIUI Launchers – ZIUI Frisbee and ZIUI Tile. At Surely everyone will find appropriate launcher. Again, the company Zidoo deserve recognition. Zidoo company maintains a high level of software and updating it. On the main screen you will find: Kodi, file manager, several applications Zidoo (to adjust the launcher interface or configure the buttons on the remote). There were also applications to control the TV Box using a smartphone – with applications Zidoo Remonte Control.
Below is a picture showing Zidoo Remote Control on the TV screen and the application screen of the smartphone. The application works properly and quickly, and there are no problems with it. Simply connect the app and TV Box via wifi.
Zidoo X1 has an HDMI output resolution settings for 1080p 24Hz to 60Hz and 4K 30Hz. Zidoo X1 has Easy Cast application which supports Miracast, DLNA and AirPlay allowing display images and data from the smartphone to the TV screen.
We also have available application allows you to assign specific applications to 3 buttons on the remote control.
When it comes to the use of Zidoo X1 TV Box for playing games it Zidoo X1 handles this brilliantly, but with more advanced 3D gaming encounters problems. Also the service falls (available in the application Zidoo RC) is poorly correct, maybe in the future it will improve. The following screenshots from the game Beach Buggy Racing and Jetpack Joyride.
Operating system and components
Zidoo X1 runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat, namely version 4.4.2 and the Linux Kernel version 4.3.39. Device resolution 1280×720@60.00HZ – information from Kodi (14.2 version). As it is written in the specification, Zidoo X1 is equipped with a an Allwinner H3 processor and Quad core ARM Cortex–A7 and GPU Mali-400 MP, CPU speed between 480MHz and 1.2GHz. The SOC is quite powerful. On the following screens you can see exactly the components used and their specification (Information taken from the application AnTuTu and CPU-Z).
Zidoo X1 received with software version v1.0.14 (screen below). However, there is already a version v1.0.15 release. The company Zidoo gives excellent support for their devices releasing firmware updates. For this to be a big PLUS. The company also releases updates via OTA (“over the air“).
Performance tests and benchmarks
For testing we used the app AnTuTu Video Tester 3.0 and AnTuTu Benchmark 5.7.1. The following screenshots from the video test. The result 867.
To play a video via Kodi (Kodi 14.2 )was more liquid and stable, turn off hardware acceleration ZD Codec (ZD Codec = OFF, the screen below). Video in popular codecs and 1080p works without a problem.
On the other hand, Kodi (14.2) can not cope with H.265 codec. Playing video was unstable and has occurred jumping frames. Even ZD Codec = OFF did not help. But when we used the standard application preinstalled on Zidoo X1 called TvdVideo, video work smoothly without any problems.
Update (08/11/15): New APK Kodi (08/06/15) for Zidoo X1.
The Zidoo X1 scored 1450 on Ice Storm Extreme. GPU Benchmark scored 9,831 points.
As you can see Zidoo X1 is nicely done and designed TV Box. In addition to the design it has many interesting features that allow the user to enjoy the use of Zidoo X1. If you are looking for affordable and functional TV Box to your home entertainment center or want to do with your TV – Smart TV is Zidoo X1 it is for you. Very good value for the price ($59.99). One of the greatest benefits and the things that affect the purchase Zidoo X1 is a firmware updates (for a big PLUS). The Zidoo company listen (zidoo forums) and takes care of providing end-user support and guarantee update. We recommend Zidoo X1 TV Box.
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