Krovatar: confirmed arrival in France of a range of 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray, 3D and portable players

While the historic giants of consumer electronics have mostly abandoned the optical disc sector, the physical media market is finding a second wind thanks to niche specialists. Krovatar intends to meet the expectations of French movie lovers and music enthusiasts thanks to a distribution agreement with AudioSquad. While some may have hastily seen it as a sister brand to Magnetar because of nearly identical technical choices, the connection is in fact strictly material: Krovatar uses the same cutting-edge electronic platform to design its devices. On the menu of this tricolor offensive, several references catering to all usage profiles.

 

Krovatar KBU-300: the universal 4K Ultra HD player The flagship of this range, the Krovatar KBU-300 stands out as a no-compromise [abc]Ultra HD Blu-Ray[/abc] player. The device is based on the MediaTek MT8581 Quad Core SoC, the very same reference chip that already powers renowned high-end players such as the Magnetar UDP800/UDP900. This platform handles native [abc]4K[/abc] video decoding, [abc]Upscaling[/abc] processing of [abc]HD[/abc] sources and dynamic [abc]HDR[/abc] formats [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] and [abc]HDR10+[/abc]. The mechanical section is entrusted to a Panasonic optical drive, guaranteeing stability and precision in playback.

 

 

As for compatibility, the Krovatar KBU-300 accepts all discs on the market: [abc]Ultra HD Blu-Ray[/abc], [abc]Blu-Ray[/abc], Blu-Ray 3D ([abc]BD 3D[/abc]), [abc]DVD[/abc], [abc]CD audio[/abc] and [abc]SACD[/abc] (with native [abc]DSD[/abc] decoding). An important detail for collectors of imported discs: the DVD section is region-free out of the box. Multichannel [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc] and [abc]DTS:X[/abc] audio streams are of course supported, complemented by a multimedia gateway over [abc]USB[/abc] ([abc]NTFS[/abc]) and network ([abc]UPnP[/abc] [abc]DLNA[/abc]) reading [abc]MKV[/abc], [abc]TS[/abc] or [abc]M2TS[/abc] containers in 4K HDR. The connectivity includes a dual [abc]HDMI[/abc] output (to separate video and audio signals), a [abc]coaxial[/abc] digital output, two [abc]USB[/abc] ports, an [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port and a Bluetooth 5.2 APT-X HD module allowing a direct connection to a wireless headset or active speakers. A Bluetooth remote control operates the whole unit.

 

 

Krovatar KB-200D: Blu-Ray 2D/3D and DVD in the spotlight For users with a large Full HD disc collection who do not feel the need to move up to 4K, Krovatar offers the KB-200D. This compact player includes a MediaTek MT8553 chip paired with the same Panasonic mechanism. It supports Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D, DVD and CD audio discs, with decoding of [abc]Dolby TrueHD[/abc] and [abc]DTS-HD[/abc] Master Audio tracks in [abc]bitstream[/abc]. In addition to its HDMI output, it retains a stereo [abc]RCA[/abc] analog output, a coaxial output, a DLNA network port and a USB 2.0 port for playback of file-based media.

 

 

Krovatar KB-100 and KB-100H: the pocket Blu-Ray player concept Even more surprisingly, the manufacturer introduces the KB-100 and KB-100H. These are true mini Blu-Ray, DVD and CD players housed in an aluminum chassis measuring just 180 x 180 x 30 millimeters. Designed for mobile use, in an office or as a secondary source, they output in [abc]1 080p[/abc] and integrate Bluetooth APT-X HD and APT-X Adaptive.

 

 

The KB-100H version takes the experience toward headphone audiophiles by integrating a dedicated ESS Sabre ES9020 converter as well as two analog audio outputs on the front: an unbalanced 3.5 mm mini-jack port and a 4.4 millimeter balanced output. A remote control is included to operate this hybrid box. A detail that matters for travelers and “vanlife” fans: the PD 12V port shown on the side of the device corresponds to a power input in USB-C format (Power Delivery). Since the vast majority of vans and camper vans operate on a 12V electrical circuit, it will be very easy to power this player on the move using a simple cigarette-lighter charger or a recessed USB-C PD wall socket, just making sure that your charger properly supports the 12V output profile (some models switch directly from 9V to 15V).

 

 

Krovatar KBU-500: the audiophile model on the way Finally, Krovatar is preparing the imminent arrival of its flagship, the KBU-500. Expected in France within a few weeks, this Ultra HD Blu-Ray model will aim to meet the demands of the most advanced setups with a heavy chassis stabilized against mechanical vibrations, an oversized linear power supply, gold-plated rear connectivity and an [abc]Oled[/abc] display on the front.

 

The Krovatar player range will be available in France over the coming weeks through AudioSquad’s network. Indicative prices: • Krovatar KBU-300: 449 euros• Krovatar KB-200D: 199 euros• Krovatar KB-100: 269 euros• Krovatar KB-100H: 299 euros

 

Reminder of the key features of the Krovatar KBU-300:

• Type: universal Ultra HD Blu-Ray player

• Processor: MediaTek MT8581 quad-core

• Playback mechanism: Panasonic optical drive

• Supported discs: [abc]Ultra HD Blu-Ray[/abc], [abc]Blu-Ray[/abc], Blu-Ray 3D, [abc]DVD[/abc] (region-free), [abc]CD audio[/abc], [abc]SACD[/abc] (native DSD decoding)

• HDR compatibility: [abc]HDR10[/abc], [abc]HDR10+[/abc], [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc]

• Audio formats: [abc]Dolby Digital[/abc], [abc]Dolby Digital Plus[/abc], [abc]Dolby TrueHD[/abc], [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc], [abc]DTS[/abc], [abc]DTS-HD[/abc], [abc]DTS:X[/abc]

• Multimedia gateway: [abc]DLNA[/abc] and [abc]USB[/abc] ([abc]NTFS[/abc]), [abc]MKV[/abc], [abc]M2TS[/abc], [abc]TS[/abc], [abc]MP4[/abc] files in 4K HDR and [abc]Lossless[/abc] audio

• Wireless connectivity: [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.2 compatible with APT-X HD

• Connections: dual HDMI output (audio/video separation), [abc]coaxial[/abc] digital output, 1 [abc]USB[/abc] 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 Gigabit [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port

• Control: Bluetooth remote control included