Zidoo Z9X - Review - Best 4K Media Player

[@grobin3745]

Nice review, thank you! A lot of people have issues when streaming local video from a dedicated player (NVidia, Apple, etc) to their 4k tv...one thing often overlooked is the HDMI cable. If experiencing judder, stutter, buffering etc, it may not be the player or the ethernet cable. If the distance from the media player to the tv is over 5m/16ft, even the latest 4k HDMI cables seem to fall short over time. Upgrading to the latest 8k Certified Active (fiber optic) HMDI 2.1 cables may be the solution (not the passive 8k cables). Upgrading to the 8k Certified Active (fiber optic) HDMI cable resolved all the issues I've had recently, and was much less expensive than replacing my AVR, media player, etc. Monoprice 8k Certified active slimline cables are currently the best value out there. Cable length starts at 24ft (approx $65).

[@MATechYoutube]

👍🏽

[@PapaD420]

Great video. I just purchased a z9x pro and I'm really enjoying it. Still have a lot to learn. I not sure exactly how to add a new ripped movie to the the hdd hooked up to the zidoo. Can you post a step by step video on how to fo it. Thank you Dale

[@MATechYoutube]

It should automatically scan new content but I’ll post a video showing how to do if it doesn’t. Bare in mind my process is for a NAS drive so your exact method may differ slightly as it won’t refer to a network share and rather just a directory.

[@patrickcreary9771]

Hi, when will you post the video to the black GUI you use? I love it it looks much more modern..

[@MATechYoutube]

I’ll be posting it soon so just stay tuned for the channel, haven’t filmed it yet as was having a little break from KZbin after a very busy year but I’ll try and post it asap.

[@249up]

@@MATechKZbin Thank you for this great video. You have done. Cannot wait to see the one where you change the home launcher😊

[@daeejon3100]

Thank you for the great video. I have music streamer for music but for my movies, is this for me? I have big collection of 4k disks. Can I rip my disks and watch them through my NAS connected to my home network? How about streaming apps like Netflix and others? Thinking about neo S or neo @. Which one you recommend?Thank you.

[@MATechYoutube]

For movies and music this will playback almost everything you from a NAS drive. I wouldn’t even look at the other models unless you need built in storage as they all playback about the same.

[@daeejon3100]

@@MATechKZbin thank you so much.

[@FooFighter33]

Hey. Just bought one and setting it up now on my AWOL projector using your guide. Thanks for that. Can I ask what remote are you using? The supplied one is a bit naff! Can you post a link to it please? Thanks mate!

[@MATechYoutube]

It’s a bestjoy but I don’t think there’s any available on Amazon currently. I’ll check with the manufacturer and see what link they’d like you to use.

[@FooFighter33]

@@MATechKZbin Thanks mate!

[@MATechYoutube]

This is the link, shows as unavailable for me but I’ve been told that’s the link I should provide people: amzn.to/3X29xHQ

[@robkeil1357]

Thanks for this! Can you use this to wirelessly access and play files on a hard drive that is hooked up to a computer in another room?

[@MATechYoutube]

It can access network attached devices, if the drive can be accessed on the network it will work but if it’s plugged into computer via usb then most likely that drive won’t have its own up address and therefore won’t be accessible

[@lucasadd]

Good afternoon, congratulations on the content. I need to clear up a doubt. I'm from Brazil and I'm thinking about buying this product. I already have a PC that serves as a server, I have several films on it. And I watch the movies on TV (via the WiFi network, it's not wired to the server PC) through Plex. I want a zidoo so I can have maximum quality, with dtsX atmos and so on. My question is: With the zidoo z9x can I watch movies like the plex? Without cabling the server PC with the zidoo device. This way, without cables, just on the same WiFi network, the films run smoothly? no crashes or loadings?

[@MATechYoutube]

Yes it connected to any drives visible on your network.

[@andrebradley1924]

All I have is my movies downloaded to my external hard drive which model is best for me

[@MATechYoutube]

Z9X is probably best as it can connect directly to the device.

[@myhomeaudio8751]

I have Z1000 PRO and it is awesome

[@MATechYoutube]

What made you opt for that model, was it onboard storage?

[@paulrevere1479]

Same here. I had a Zappiti and I was disappointed so I decided to get the Z1000 pro and I’ve been extremely happy with it. Zidoo from now on for me

[@myhomeaudio8751]

@@MATechKZbin one internal hdd slot and the looks and build quality. If this is not a preference for others then z9x is enough

[@myhomeaudio8751]

@@paulrevere1479 correct

[@andrebradley1924]

Hello Sir Question what model is best for me all I have is my movies load on a external hard drive

[@magtour]

What remote is that you’re using?

[@MATechYoutube]

BestJoy remote www.bestjoy.net/

[@paulgrimwood3700]

I bought this box today and it’s awesome. I was getting fed up of my nvidia shield since there last proper update early this year. Plex stutters and it’s not a nice experience anymore. This plays so smoothly through there own built in app home theatre and looks well tidy. I have messed about With many android boxes over the years so know about side loading. That was a breeze though got an App Store Tivimate my preferred launcher (wolf) all working fine. I’m like you where I have an Apple TV 4K purely for streaming and use the zidoo for home media and tivimate.

[@MATechYoutube]

Exactly, even though I prefer the Apple TV I am finding myself watching all NAS content via the Zidoo and then Apple TV for all streaming content. The Zidoo does have a few niggles but playback is ultimately what matters and the added trailers was a feature always missing on infuse.

[@jovidec6274]

@@MATechKZbin when you say "even though I prefer the Apple TV", do you mean in terms of picture quality overall? Or for streaming only?

[@MATechYoutube]

I prefer the Apple TV for its speed, use-ability , the look, the interface, basically everything but the fact it doesn’t do lossless, doesn’t have in movie trailers and isn’t as focused as the Z9X. If the Apple TV had those 3 things I’d never consider anything else, but the Z9X fills in on the movie experience a bit better than the Apple TV currently (and I don’t see that changing with how apple operate). Not something everyone would do but having both is perfect setup.

[@jovidec6274]

@@MATechKZbin thank you for your response. I already have an apple TV 4k with Infuse and just pulled the trigger on the zidoo z9x for my ripped iso files. Waiting for it.

[@MATechYoutube]

👍🏽

[@wyn2208]

can you change the playback speed on this device? like if I want to watch something at 1.2x speed etc? I do that on youtube and want something capable of doing it for movies on my tv.

[@MATechYoutube]

Pretty sure there is an option for this but I’ve never used it personally

[@MrBjorn6]

I was thinking of getting the zidoo. Z3000

[@MATechYoutube]

Built in storage will cost more but it has its benefits as it’ll still work even if your network goes down where as NAS based systems won’t work when your internet goes down.

[@estusflask982]

@@MATechKZbin NAS work great when your internet goes down.

[@MATechYoutube]

It doesn’t, when your internet drops out even though it shouldn’t have an issue with LAN, it does and nothing will load as it can’t direct the traffic

[@marcgil256]

does it have a shuffle/autplay feature for the media center?

[@MATechYoutube]

Yes, I use it when watching tv shows so it keeps playing the next episode without having to go back to the poster wall.

[@marcgil256]

@@MATechKZbin Thats good to know, does it allow you to play it in random order? Also have you tried it for movies?

[@MATechYoutube]

I think it did have shuffle as well, I believe once you set it it applies to movies and tv series so I’ve left it on repeat all and then it plays through all episodes but there were other options iirc.

[@HenkVandensnitzelsteenlaan]

Does it support dts 5.1 over optical? I have heard some people say it doesn’t support it.

[@MATechYoutube]

I’ve only ever tested it connected up to my AVR via hdmi. It definitely supports dts but not sure about over optical, I don’t see why not as the only formats that usually don’t work over optical is anything above 6 channels.

[@HenkVandensnitzelsteenlaan]

@@MATechKZbin Ok, thanks for the reply.

[@christineclair5843]

Help me i have an external disco WD elements, on my mini mac, it is possible transfer my movies from there with no problems?

[@MATechYoutube]

It should playback external drives but can’t say whether higher bit rate files would play back without any issues

[@christineclair5843]

@@MATechKZbin all is fine, thanks

[@adrianmischiu3523]

I have an LG C2 an I use Zidoo Z9X PRO for play Dovi. I noticed that Dovi from netflix and Disney installedon tv is brighter than Dovi from HDMI 2.1 Zidoo. Can you do a test? Or Can you explain me why? Thanks

[@MATechYoutube]

You can use this for Dolby vision, and most likely your source settings are different for the built in apps to the zidoo hdmi port so that will be the difference, however the zidoo does do some processing for LLDV as well.

[@adrianmischiu3523]

@@MATechKZbin I use TV LED for processing

[@MATechYoutube]

???

[@adrianmischiu3523]

@@MATechKZbin I have an LG C2, I watching a lot of DV content. There are .mkv format.What do you recommend ? Apple TV 4k or Zidoo Z9X Pro Thanks

[@MATechYoutube]

Only the Zidoo can playback true 7.1 audio so if you care about Audio then the Zidoo is better but if not then the Apple TV is a lot easier and more versatile to use (you will need to purchase infuse app or similar to playback).

[@jonyao76]

Can it read more than 10tb ext. hdd? Does it support mkv?

[@MATechYoutube]

I haven’t used external HDd connected to it so can’t comment on that (my NAS is 12tb) but it will playback mkv.

[@songjin9420]

of course

[@waseemhussain1865]

Would this be better than nvidia shielding pro? As that can also play all media via Plex

[@MATechYoutube]

If you’re looking for a all out media device the Z9X is better, if you want other functionality/apps then go for the Nvidia shield/Apple TV. For me having a dedicated device that will play all formats and provide the best audio/video makes this worth it. Also for Dolby vision I believe this also beats out almost everything else out there thanks to its VS10 engine.

[@jesushuerta9878]

Hi do you need a special type of HDD format ? and whats the maximum capacity eg 4gb storage so the player can read it?

[@MATechYoutube]

I believe Ntfs allows file sizes greater than 4gb. No maximum size for what it can read or but rate as long as you’re using gigabit setup with NAS/router/z9x

[@BlueOcean...]

What is " HDMI in" for?

[@MATechYoutube]

Connecting a second device like a cable box for Picture in Picture

[@thewishmastur]

Can it play MKV files and output Dolby Atmos audio?

[@MATechYoutube]

Yes, it’ll do bitstream audio

[@isroilboyerkinboyev1596]

He is best youtoube bloger

[@MATechYoutube]

👍🏽

[@Virtualis_Laposborton]

Can this player be set so that the TV does not always perceive it as an HDR signal, but has 4K upscaling? Because my Thomson THA100 player is always detected by the samsung TV as an HDR signal, even when I play SDR content.

[@MATechYoutube]

Yes you can choose to force SDR if you wanted to and also vice Versa or match content

[@patrickcreary9771]

I just got the Z9X and no matter what I do I get constant stuttering and the media is unwatchable. I have my hdd connected to the usb 3.0 and Im using a Sony A90J… any ideas I can tey?

[@MATechYoutube]

If your hdd has network connectivity then connect it to your router and connect the Z9X via SMB network connection and see if that’s any better.

[@patrickcreary9771]

@Let's talk... I’ve tried everything.. from auto settings 23hz.. match frame-rate .. match FR & Res… I even got the Z1000 pro .. thinking maybe the Z9X was powerful enough but it still happens after like 2 mins of smooth play

[@patrickcreary9771]

I transferred a few movies and shows.. especially the ones that were causing trouble from my ironwolf pro 12tb to my 10tb and they played without issue.. I switched to match all your settings and am now transferring all files from the 12tb to the 10tb… seems like it is the hdd which os weird because it plays fine in plex .. thanks for all your help.. I’ll keep you updated

[@patrickcreary9771]

All is working well, actually watching it now. Its only one partition. Not sure why my 12tb was acting up. I was using plex on my apple tv 4k, nvidia shield, and my directly installed on my tv

[@patrickcreary9771]

I reformatted the 12tb and its also working now.. same format at before but as long as it’s working I’m happy.. you’ve been a tremendous help and I really appreciate it.. Zidoo has better picture quality than the shield pro so I was frustrated when I couldn’t get it to work. I got a super cheap Synology 918+ and will be setting it up this weekend so I’ll probably bother you again. 😂

[@pitapitabread]

the menus look like a very old version of Kodi (XMBC)

[@MATechYoutube]

Perhaps, it’s designed to be simple so it’s better at doing what it’s made for rather than trying to do everything like other boxes and failing to be great at anything.

[@oliverbugden]

Excellent review !!

[@MATechYoutube]

Thanks. 👍🏽 I’ll have some video comparisons between this and the Apple TV 4K coming soon (as long as it doesn’t get copyright strikes again 🙄)

[@oliverbugden]

Yes I would love to see that ! Although you should try and Compare with oled to get most accurate results . This review was great, especially when you said it looks and sounds better than the Apple TV I was always very curious . Tbh I don’t have nas storage atm but it’s something I would consider after seeing it combined the zidoo . I have ditched the shield and Apple TV for now . I’m currently using the fire cube 3 and it’s powerhouse they added true hd /atmos and dts pass through recently on plex . It Dosent look as good as the Apple TV but a lot better than the shield So it’s win for me combined with full audio pass through

[@MATechYoutube]

Biggest difference for me is with Dolby vision content, because the Z9X has its own vs10 processing it handles DV content a lot better for my projector compared to watching it in hdr10 alone as I’d get on the Apple TV on the same device. My comparison is between infuse on Apple TV and the Z9X, I have plex setup but don’t use it personally.

[@steveurso9717]

Anyone has the screen go black and lose signal when hdr10 movie would play? Dv works fine. This only occurs when connected to an AVR.

[@MATechYoutube]

Do you mean the hdmi handshake or that it just loses picture altogether?

[@steveurso9717]

@@MATechKZbin I think it's both. Handshake issue causing the TV to lose signal. I have an Nvidia Shield (2015) and it has issues with enabling full UHD color on the Vizio

[@MATechYoutube]

Make sure your settings on the TV is set to extended for the hdmi input. Most TVs have an option where the hdmi port itself can be set to normal or extended, I have to enable that on my projector and also on my AVR.

[@steveurso9717]

@@MATechKZbin the Vizio does not have this option.

[@MATechYoutube]

It may be called something different but almost all manufacturers have an option for it.

[@Darkoholic]

Is this better than the nvidia shield pro for local media playback? :)

[@MATechYoutube]

I’ve not used the nvidia shield personally (always been an Apple TV use myself) but others who have claim it is better.

[@jvcalleja]

This plays local media shield plays remote media but I have them both and shield is amazing...this is not sorry but everyone praising it and it's not even better than my HD dune...not even close!

[@masudkabir9214]

well said.

[@MATechYoutube]

👍🏽

[@opoaloas9563]

No the Best it's UHD3000 but it's not the same price 🤪

[@MATechYoutube]

Yeah I meant more in terms of value for money.

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

I prefer a real bluray player

[@MATechYoutube]

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, my main thing is wanting access to all my media without having to mess around changing discs. I have a Blu-ray player gathering dust somewhere as I had it connected but never used it as it’s so much quicker and easier to see all your media via this or the Apple TV.

[@paulrevere1479]

You prefer a Blu-ray player you mean. Zidoo is a media player

[@jeremyquadri]

If you say "essentially" one more time!

[@MATechYoutube]

The edits make it worse as I cut out all the blanks but point taken.