XMS-888 or XMS-989 or Digitrex GK-4000?

[AussieGuy]

Hi All!

My first post, and I've been reading the forum but I figured I would simply ask what I wanted to know and get peoples opinions.

Which of the above: XMS888 / 989 or Digitrex GK4000 is the best value.

Strathfield is selling the XMS888 locally for $149 which they recommended - the salesman says when Divx releases a new codec I can upgrade it (dunno how true that is).

Digitrex is on eBay all the time and can usually be gotten for about $110 delivered.

Mainly used for: Divx playing (doh!) and burnt DVD's.
I don't have a wide screen TV or surround system at the moment but may get one within the next year if that would change my choice

Any opinions / thoughts etc would be appreciaited.

Thanks heaps
Ernie

[andw]

Hi All!
.....
Strathfield is selling the XMS888 locally for $149 which they recommended - the salesman says when Divx releases a new codec I can upgrade it (dunno how true that is).
....
Ernie
Don't hold your breathe re 888 update, the last one was a long time ago.
Not saying there won't be one, just that it is ESS based, and all ESS based players seem to be waiting on ESS to do something.
Probably one of the better ones available at the moment is the Zensonic Z330, has the most compatibility for divx/xvid subtitles etc.
The XMS989 is very good for DVD disc support, if they can come out with a new firmware, it would be a good contender as well. (also waiting on firmware update for a while)

[d'Wooluf]

If you're getting a WS TV, the XMS-888 won't display divx files in the correct aspect ratio.
Also, if you're upgrading your TV, I think it's worth considering one with component input and progressive scan. The difference in picture quality is considerable. If you go that way, the XMS-989 doesn't do progressive scan (or even component out).
I looked at the Digitrex, too. Apart from the fact that it was only available from e-bay (or my mate's son's scaly associates!), from reading the specs on the web, it seemed that it would only do one of the major DVD formats- sorry, can't remember which.

As Andw said, the Zensonic is worth considering. You might like to look at the new Pioneer model, too. A bit more expensive, though, and a new product, so it's more of an unknown.

[AussieGuy]

Hi!

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like the Zensonic may be the one to get it seems!

Do any major chain carry them, the only place I can find them regularly is on eBay for about $150 for the 330 - less for the 300.

Thanks
Ernie

[andw]

See here for online stores, and some real stores...
http://www.zensonic.com/resellers.php
p.s. you could also support EYO (the forum owner) and buy it from them.
http://www.eyo.com.au/details_DM-Z330.html

[AussieGuy]

Hi Andw

Thanks for the link (should have thought about that myself) - I'm used to manufacturers websites having no info!

I keep forgetting that EYO is a `store' and will look in there as well!

I guess it is the best one to get at the moment, for those (like me) on a limited budget!

thanks
Ernie

[andw]

Agreed re the limited budget thing.
You are always going to run into the occasional files that won't play on a dedicated player.
Some people advocate using a modded xbox, as this will give you (almost) 100% compatability with files.
However with a Z330 coming in at around $150 or so compared with the cost of a modded xbox, it certainly is the pick of the bunch.
IMO it gives the most compatability of any of the hardware based players around (not including Xbox, but that's not a 'dedicated' hardware player).
Best of luck.

[sammm]

Well, I own the Digitrex and it rocks!

It does progressive scan and has all your component outs. It has 5.1 output aswell as optical out.

I cant remember what, but it has one more feature than the Zensonic. Its a pretty average feature (I think it something like enlargement picture or something like that).

Both Zen and Digitrex are MediaTek.

[Reslo]

Is the GK4000 firmware upgradeable?

[sammm]

When I email Digitrex, they claimed that it was if there was enough demand for a new firmware.

No such firmware has been released as of yet...