R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV, main specifications££££
For the rest, we find the specifications of the R_volution PlayerPro 8K. First, a dual bay for 3.5" 64TB SATA hard drives for a total storage capacity of 128TB at the time of writing. There is also a sophisticated linear power supply based on a massive toroidal transformer and a high-performance 24MHz TCXO internal clock (a perfect multiple of 48kHz for audio and 24Hz for video). Thus, the image and sound quality are favorably affected, both for playing 4K Blu-Ray ISO and 4K MKV files, as well as for content from streaming services. This is a first for this type of hardware; the performance is claimed to be superior to that of an Apple TV or nVidia Shield.
R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV and R_video, 100% digital audio-video experience££££
The R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV therefore offers the possibility of storing the "rips" of your movie/series or music discs on the hard drive(s) of the player or on the R_volution [abc]Nas[/abc] (network video server), to then enjoy them in a completely digital way using a dedicated application, R_video. This latest version, graphically superb with animated backgrounds, displays the film poster, all associated technical information, its cast… The application also allows users to browse their library of titles via various filters (title, actor, director, categories, release date, length…), to automatically group and manage sagas (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Game of Thrones…), to launch a trailer, etc. All with unprecedented speed. In terms of image quality, the R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV boasts cutting-edge technology. Its Amlogic S928X-K/J SoC (based on a Quad Core ARM A55 processor clocked at 2 GHz + a Quad Core ARM A76 chip clocked at 1.9 GHz + an additional core dedicated to system needs) combined with the secondary S905X4-K chip, delivers enormous raw power.
The R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV is therefore perfectly equipped to handle an [abc]Ultra HD[/abc] [abc]8K[/abc] 60 Hz signal up to [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc]. Furthermore, [abc]AV1[/abc] compatibility allows you to enjoy suitable content available on YouTube. Of course, [abc]HDR10[/abc] and [abc]HDR10+ are supported, and the VS10 mode (an exclusive algorithm developed by Dolby Laboratories for 12-bit processing of HDR signals), which can be activated on demand for [abc]SDR[/abc] signals to convert them to [abc]HDR[/abc], and vice versa, offers a further image enhancement. Upscaling, Ultra HD, and 8K are also included. DTS:X Pro and Dolby Atmos are also supported, along with audio decoding of all major sound formats (FLAC, AC-4, HE-AAC, AAC, MP3, AIFF, WAV, multichannel, etc.), all of which can be converted on the fly to 5.1/7.1 PCM via Dolby MS12.
R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV, multiroom experience
Good news, with multiple R_volution players, the R_Share function allows for a multiroom setup to enjoy content in several rooms of a home. While it's possible to simultaneously stream up to four 1080p quality signals, streaming is limited to two 4K Ultra HD streams and one 8K stream. And to top it all off, the R_Sync feature perfectly and automatically synchronizes content between the different players so you can resume playback exactly where you left off when moving from room to room.
R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV, connectivity
As already mentioned, the connectivity includes two HDMI 2.1a CEC inputs/outputs (switch function), one optical output, one coaxial output, one stereo RCA output, one front USB 2.0 port, three USB 3.0 ports (one of which is USB-C), and one Ethernet port.
R_video, better than the benchmark Zappiti? The R_video application is also available (at a price of €5.99/month or €50/year, free for owners of an R_volution player): subtitle downloads, all kinds of icons to define and label content, posters of films signed by R_video (the R_volution database contains approximately 18,000 posters at the time of writing), parental controls, user interface customization, playback of a film soundtrack while browsing, management of 24 Hz and 23.976 Hz signals…
Availability still unknown. Suggested price: €1,699.
UPDATE: The RAM and Flash memory of the R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV are identical to those of the R_volution PlayerPro 8K, contrary to what was initially announced. The above news item has been corrected. UPDATE: The suggested retail price of the R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV is now known. The above news item has been updated. Key features of the R_volution PlayerPro 8K TV: • Type: Media player + Android TV box • Processor: Amlogic S928X-K/J (Quad Core ARM A55 at 2.0 GHz + Quad Core ARM A76 clocked at 1.9 GHz + additional core for system needs) + secondary S905X4-K chip • RAM: 4 GB • Storage: 32 GB • Codec compatibility: AC3, DTS:X Pro, MPEG, AAC, HEAAC, LPCM, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, MQA, VSELP, FLAC, APE Ogg/Vorbis (up to 192 kHz/24 bits), [abc]HEVC[/abc], [abc]VP9[/abc], Iso 3D [abc]BD[/abc], Iso BD, BDMV, [abc]MKV[/abc], M4A, Mpeg-TS, Mpeg-PS, [abc]M2TS[/abc], [abc]Vob[/abc], [abc]AVI[/abc], Mov [abc]MP4[/abc], QT, [abc]WMV[/abc], Iso DVD, Video [abc]TS[/abc], [abc]SACD[/abc] Iso, [abc]AVC-HD[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]DSD[/abc]: yes
• Certification [abc]Hi-Res Audio[/abc]: yes
• Inputs: 3 USB 3.0 ports (one Low Noise), 1 USB 2.0 port and 1 Ethernet port, 2 HDMI 2.1a inputs; • Outputs: 2 HDMI CEC 2.1a outputs, 1 optical output, 1 coaxial output, 1 stereo RCA output; • Gapless function: yes; • Other: Upscaling, Ultra HD/8K, full auto-framerate function (23.976/24/50/59.94/60 Hz), Widevine L1 DRM, dual SATA HDD bays 3.5"
• Multiroom function: R_Share
• Rec2020 compatibility: yes
• HDR10 compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision compatibility
• HDR10+ compatibility
• Dolby Atmos compatibility
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band, Bluetooth 5.2
• Application: R_Video
• UPnP (DLNA) gateway function: yes
• Power consumption (On/Standby): 43 W/0.02 W
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 430 x 343 x 110 mm
• Weight: 10 kg
