Of particular interest to us is the BDP0821.

This player has a USB port that allows users to plug in a USB harddisk and play the formats this player supports. This includes AVI, WMV, MKV and TS files with up encoded streams of 1080p H.264, MPEG2 or VC-1. Direct stream output of AC3 and DTS audio streams is supported but not higher end codecs. Only bluray discs playback supports this.

USB drive supported is NTFS format and srt subtitles is supported too.

While this player has a ethernet port, it can only use it for accessing BD-Live content.

BDP-0821 is firmware upgradable so it remains to see if the manufacturer can build in more functions into it.

Next time we will also cover their networked media media HMC8161 (non-NMT).

For more information you can go to http://www.quan360.net/

These are players using the Sigma 8635 chipset and thus potentially they have the playback capabilities of similar players on the market right now. The Z400 and Z400W also have features such as Bit Torrent downloading, LAN network capabilities such as accessing NAS and streaming, RMVB streaming via network and high end audio codec (e.g. DTS-HD) passthrough via HDMI. Z400W has built-in wireless capabilities connecting up to wireless N networks.

They are using their own firmware and based on the screenshots they sent us, it looks clean and easy to use.

Basic features of Z400 and Z400W includes the following:

• Support streaming media’s playing (movies, music and photos) from your home PC to you HDTV through LAN.
• Support 2.5” built-in SATA HDD playing.
• Support USB 2.0 devices playing, with intelligent identifying, as well as plug and play function.
• Support automatic searching and intelligent connection with IGRS & UPNP devices.
• Support HD movies’ BT download, from any appointed website on the internet, as well as i-box website itself which was embedded.
• Support full 1080p high definition TV signal output reaching highest 1080p/60Hz
• Full compatible with Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA format, original sound code pass through
• Completely support all kinds of multimedia format, including MKV, VC-1 and H.264, as well as SD format RM/RMVB
• Support media files’ collection from PC or USB devices on the LAN (copy to the built-in HDD)
• Support all kinds of audio/video output, including HDMI 1.3 out.
• Support DHCP and manual input IP address when network connection.
• Multiple data port: 2*USB2.0 Host, 1*USB2.0 Device, 1*LAN
• Firmware’s upgrade through USB2.0 port and online

Specifications of I-BOX Z400W (Z400 has same specifications except without wireless)

Chipset – Sigma Design SMP 8635
Adopted Standards -  TCP/IP, IGRS & UPNP, USB2.0; P2P (BT) download
Built-in storage Support 2.5 inch SATA HDD

Media Format Compatibility
Video formats: HD: H.264, VC-1, MKV, MOV, X.264, Mpg2-HD, DivxHD, XvidHD, MPG, MPEG,
TS, TP, M2TS. SD: WMV9, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, RMVB, ISO, DVD (MPEG2), VOB
Subtitle formats: .SRT, .SUB, .SSA
Audio formats: Audio codecs: WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC
Audio pass through: DTS, AC3, DTS-HD, MA, DTS-HD HR, Dolby-True HD, Dolby Digital Plus
Picture formats: BMP/JPG/TIF/GIF/PNG, with 720P output.

A/V Outputs
Video: YPbPr Component Video, HDMI 1.3, Composite Video, S-Video
Audio: Double Track Stereo Analog Audio Output, Digital Coaxial Audio OUT, 5.1 Digital Optical Audio OUT (full compatible with Dolby 5.1 and DTS)

Supported Output
Resolution Video output:
YPbPr（Component Video）1080i analog signals
HDMI-1080p pure digital signal, embedded sound
Composite 480i analog signals
S-Video 480i analog signals

Advanced Control
Video: Support multi subtitles switch ; Support time axis adjust for subtitle
Audio: Support multi audio track switch; Support multi audio frequency control item
Television System: NTSC / PAL / HDTVï¼›Support 16:9 / 4:3
Data port: 2*USB 2.0 (USB1.1 compatible) HOST; 1*USB 2.0 (USB1.1 compatible) Device
Ethernet 10-baseT/100-baseT.
UI display
Support language shift from Chinese to English
Support display area and screen size adjustment
USB Devices
Supported
FAT32、NTFS format MSF, USB driver
System
Requirement
Windows 2000, XP, Vista
10/100Mbps internet
Power Supply
Input: AC 100-240V, 1.5A, 50-60Hz
Output: DC +12V/3A
System Upgrade Support firmware’s upgrade via USB 2.0 port, or directly upgrade on-line
Net Weight 1.25KG (without HDD, and other spare parts)
Dimension 260×200×50 mm

Website: www.i-box.cc

From Westen Digital website:

From Western Digital Website:

Combined with a My Passport portable drive (sold separately), this player is the most convenient way to play HD movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV. Also works with popular USB drives, and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Designed for My Passport, works with many other USB storage devices – Play content from most popular USB drives,and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.
Full HD video playback and navigation – up to 1080p – Experience the spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio. Use the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using our crisp, animated HD menus.
Collect without limits – There’s no limit to the size of your media collection; just add more USB drives for more space.
Advanced navigation

* Thumbnail and list views – Browse your content by filename or by thumbnails of photos, album covers and movie cover art.
* Media Library – This unique feature lets you view all your media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. You can view your content by categories such as genre, album, artist and date.
* Search – Search by genre, title, artist, filename and partial filename.

Photo viewing

* Create custom slide shows with a variety of transitions and background music
* Zoom and pan
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Movie viewing

* Fast forward, rewind, pause, zoom, and pan
* View subtitles
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Music playback

* Fast forward, rewind, pause, shuffle, repeat
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Access two USB drives simultaneously – Two USB ports on the player let you connect two USB storage devices and access them simultaneously. Our Media Library feature aggregates the content on both drives into one list sorted by media type.
HDMI and composite video connections – The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port lets you connect to the highest quality HDTV or home theater. Additional composite (RCA) outputs ensure compatibility with virtually all television sets.
Includes free media conversion software – ArcSoft MediaConverterâ„¢ 2.5 — a fast, easy-to-use application that converts photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.
Ultra-compact design – Fits easily into your entertainment center.
Ideal For
Hassle-free playback of HD movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your TV.

System Requirements

* My Passport portable hard drive or other USB storage device with supported video or audio content stored on it.
* Standard or high definition television with HDMI or composite video connections

Package Contents

* HD Media Player
* Stand for My Passport portable drive
* Compact remote with batteries
* Media converter software (Windows only)
* Composite AV cable
* AC adapter
* Quick Install Guide