The older generation will definitely agree that the description “media player” suits the ZIDOO Z1000 PRO best. Both in size and design, as well as in finish and functionality. Perhaps, flagship models from Beelink and Ugoos may outperform the Z1000 PRO in gaming performance. But when it comes to other characteristics, ZIDOO has no competitors. Even the famous Dune has left the niche of large players to resemble Chinese compact TV boxes.
ZIDOO Z1000 PRO: Claimed Specifications
| Chipset | Realtek RTD1619DR |
| Processor | 6x Cortex-A55 1.3 GHz |
| Video Adapter | Mali-G51 MP3 |
| RAM | 2 GB (DDR3 3200 MHz) |
| Storage (Flash) | 32 GB (NAND Flash) |
| Expandable Storage | Yes, microSD cards, HDD or SSD |
| Operating System | Android 9.0 |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz / 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac 2T2R |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.2 |
| Inputs and Outputs | 1x HDMI 2.0 Out, 1x HDMI 2.0a In, 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x SATA 2.5 external, 1x Micro SD card reader, 1x HDD 3.5 internal slot, 1x RJ-45 (1000 Mbps), 1x S/PDIF (2CH, 5.1CH), 1x CVBS composite audio/video, 1x RS232 |
| Physical Dimensions | 350*240*75 mm |
| Weight | 2.72 kg |
| Price | $400 |
It may seem that for such an expensive TV BOX, the RAM memory would be insufficient. But this is not a tablet or a smartphone, whose performance depends on RAM. Media players have a different task. Performance and image output quality depend more on other technical characteristics. Don’t believe it? Look at TV-BOXes in the form of HDMI sticks. They have only 1 GB of RAM. But that doesn’t prevent them from delivering 4K@60 images without lag from any source.
First Impressions of the ZIDOO Z1000 PRO
Some may remember VHS recorders at the end of the 20th century. The ZIDOO Z1000 PRO TV box strongly resembles a top Panasonic cassette player. And this resemblance works in favor of the player. It looks very cool from the outside. If you have an audio equipment stand, the TV box will fit perfectly with other devices. The remote control is another story – it’s incredibly cool, works via Bluetooth, and is easy to program.
The case is metal, with active cooling – these are two criteria that prevent internal component overheating. You can even skip testing for throttling. The front panel has no frills. The only drawback is the placement of two USB ports under the HDD bay cover. The manufacturer placed them oddly. But these are minor details – on one of the side edges, there are two more ports.
The internal drive bay is designed for a 3.5 SATA HDD. Any disk of the right thickness can easily fit into the slot. For connecting a 2.5 SSD, there is a dedicated port on the side. A nice bonus is the power and interface cables included in the kit. Based on the ports on the rear panel, the ZIDOO Z1000 PRO media player is clearly not in the budget class. The presence of two HDMI ports – OUT and IN – is a plus. It’s convenient when you need not just to connect a TV but also to build a multimedia system in your home or office.
Starting the ZIDOO Z1000 PRO and Overall Impressions
After familiarizing yourself with the interface, you will immediately understand what you paid $400 for. Like professional-level equipment, the ZIDOO Z1000 PRO has a wonderful and very user-friendly launcher. Gorgeous interface, ease of use, excellent functionality – everything is designed by people for people. It’s clear that the manufacturer paid a lot of attention to software development.
The device setup is very flexible. Initially, dozens of dropdown menus for settings can be overwhelming. It’s not always clear what they are and how to make the right choice. But luckily, there is a wonderful thing called “user manual.” Reading this manual is recommended for all ZIDOO Z1000 PRO owners who want to enjoy media content to the fullest.
This device is not designed for gaming but for playing sound and video from any source. And the ZIDOO media player has all the necessary tools for this. Licenses for most popular audio formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS. It can even play a Blu-Ray disc image. Accordingly, the TV box (it’s hard to call it that) is aimed at people who value convenience and quality in media playback. If you need an affordable solution, you might be interested in the Zidoo Z9S console.
