This HIFI Media Player Does EVERYTHING! ZIDOO NEO α(Alpha) Signature Edition Review

This video is not sponsored but Zidoo did provide the Neo α(Alpha) for review.

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00:00 Intro
00:35 Unboxing
02:07 Initial Setup
04:12 Music Player Setup
07:01 Importing Video Media
08:47 Poster Wall Intro
09:17 Poster Wall Layout
11:48 Filter Poster Wall
12:24 Poster Wall Settings
14:12 Poster Wall Categories
17:07 Create Favorites
18:33 Media Center and Apps
19:30 Settings
24:38 Controlling the Neo α
27:07 Streaming with Airplay
30:53 Final Thoughts

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Valencia Bespoke Series Theater Seats:

Valencia Cinema Series Theater Seats:

Valencia Premier Series Theater Seats:

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BasX Amplifiers

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My 7.2.4 Dedicated Home Theater System:

Speakers:

Video:
PS5

Audio:

Theater Seating:

Lighting:

Misc:

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My Home Theater Photos & Videos:

#mediaplayer #zidoo #4k

[kriswingert]

@ 1:12, so hi quality the badge logo is coming off the front of the unit.

[deshawzn]

Another device I don’t need my denon, Brennan B2, Qnap, Nvidia Shield, VRRoom 8K hdmi splitter, and Optoma ust pair nicely together controlled by my Harmony elite. Thought this could do more but lack of apps is a killer.

[dragonmandragonman]

I've got the cheapest Zidoo now (Z9X) connected to my NAS and it uses the same UI. I will say if someone is on the fence for one of these, your missing out. I really like mine, coming from a Shield and Emby, this was a better option for me as someone who simply wants the best experience with 1:1 movie rips. I still use the shield for streaming video apps. But I am going to be honest using Plex or Emby with the shield is prob the better streamer out there, but it has it's downfalls trying to play large files and various file types. I have had some 90gb rips lock up on Plex, and will play in Emby but you can't resume the movie or FF, always starts at the beginning. I have had zero issues with playing files using the Zidoo and it acts and behaves like a disc was inserted and just plays the movie. Let's be honest, PLex sucks, especially after it became commercialized and started throwing free movies in the mix. It's also a cluttered UI. Same with shield when it started putting ads on it's home screen. You don't have this with zidoo.

[greatwhiteevox]

things like it's logo already coming off agitates me, lol I don't trust it to be reliable. I wish Sony would make a Legacy player that did Cassette/ CD/MD/SACD/ and Maybe even one that did Digital/ Hi8/ VHS with modern processing you may be able to find some quality lost in the hardware of old mediums. Would just like to see something modern to play and record legacy stuff to preserve what I got. With the resurging nostalgia, maybe there would be a market for a legacy player that matched a modern setups.

[danielwander]

I’ve been using the UHD3000 for a few months now as my first media player. Overall I’m pretty happy with it and I am enjoying the media player/NAS combo more than I expected. It’s definitely not perfect and there are some minor annoyances but I’m definitely not going back to just a blu ray player. Also, I’m pretty sure that some of my issues are solvable with some effort on my part if I get motivated enough to look into it. The Z1000 Pro is probably the better overall fit for me but I was set on something that was normal rack width for a nice clean look so I paid a bit extra for that. I do wish it came with rack ears though, but I just couldn’t let that be the reason to not get it. Besides giving myself a new project and a new toy, the main reason for getting into this was to be able to pack away all my discs. I know some people collect discs and like them on display but I have never been a fan. They take up so much space and I don’t like the look of shelves of discs, so I’m looking forward to packing that all up and reorganizing my room with all the extra shelf space.

Lastly, For years I have been in a constant position atop the Kaleidoscape fence. Tried to talk myself into buying into it a number of times but never able to pull the trigger. Buying the Zidoo seemed to push back to the sane side of the fence and I am so happy I never made that purchase. This type of setup gets me 80% of the way their at a much lower cost. The two features that I’m missing out on are being able to download the movies and getting access to the movies 4 weeks earlier than the blu rays. IMO, that is not worth all the extra money, and when I really thought about it being able to download the movies was not something I really needed.

[anthonyjackson]

Hey Youthman, you mention that you are only using one HDMI to connect this unit to your Marantz. What are your thoughts on splitting the audio and video? is there a real benefit?

[philstevens]

So, there is no problem downloading android apps that can live stream TV?

[mncn]

Ziddo is a Plex replacement, not a streaming box replacement. My biggest issue is trailers NEVER work. I liked it enough to keep it, because it has better audio and video than Plex and Kodi IMO, but when looking at the whole picture the Sheild Pro is still king.

[marvinlpassmorejr.]

Your reviews are excellent, the question that I have is about your personal home theater. Your power in electricity, is your room wired with 15 amps or 20 amps or do u think the difference in power will make a difference.I only plan on getting a 5.2.4 system. Thanks

[brandonparker]

Hey Youthman I wonder if the upcoming DMP-A6 would be a sonic upgrade at all? Now that I have my Anthem AVM90 I am just too frustrated with using Audirvana on my mini PC to play my DSD files as it cannot output native DSD. I love the idea of the NEO Alpha as I also have a 30TB NAS with not only 4K movies ect plus all my Hires 2.0 and 5.1 FLAC and DSD files. To be able to send the native DSD over HDMI into my AVM90 is exactly what I am missing and looking for. I also listen to Tidal and am using my Gustard X26 Pro DAC via the analog outputs to my Anthem. I wonder if the upcoming DMP-A6 would be as good as my Gustard for MQA playback. One device for my Movies and HiRES audio is very appealing. If I wait for the DMP-A6 I would need a separate player for the movies.

[victorpulos]

How is sound quality and video quality on this

[D.]

Will it work without internet after setup and metadata updates? We don’t really own our media if an internet connection is required.

[larsv]

Can I connect a Apple TV4K to the Zidoo Neo and use the dolby vision VS10 to hdr10+ conversion for movies and series with dolby vision instead of HDR10(+)? I have the JVC NZ8 projector that can handle HDR10(+), but not dolby vision, so I am looking for a way to convert DV to HDR10+. Other option is the HDFury Vvroom. However, I would prefere the Zidoo, as it will let me add a movie library on hard drive later.

[aamarrahman]

we need player without UI in projected screen, UI only on the unit display ...

[jimhimesjr]

Why/how would this be better than a networked gaming HTPC with Kodi or something similar? Just curious

[RonG-df]

Hi and thanks for such good review. Have you since tried Tidal on the unit? and how does it sound?

[jondoe]

Ahh I see this is making the rounds now. First techno dad and now youthman. Wonder who is next.

[marcgil]

Does it have a shuffle/auto play feature?

[hunggiatran]

Hello, do we have to turn on or off every time using the machine?

[maxjonak]

How do you get your 4k and blu ray films into Plex?