Zidoo Z9X 8K Review: Is This the Ultimate Media Box for Demanding Users?

The Zidoo Z9X 8K is a high-end network player tailored for home cinema and audiovisual enthusiasts. Equipped with the new Amlogic S928X-K processor with a dedicated NPU for image optimization, it features 6 GB of DDR4 RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage, providing a smooth experience and ample application and cover art capacity. Its comprehensive connectivity includes HDMI 2.1a supporting 8K at 60 frames per second, USB 3.0, SATA port, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. This allows for easy integration into any modern and equipped setup.

This device’s main strength is its ability to handle all major video formats, including Ultra HD 8K, native 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG standards, while supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio pass-through. The software optimization on Android 11 and numerous apps enable the exploitation of network services, local playback, and Home Theater library management. Compared to direct competitors like Nvidia Shield and Dune HD players, the Z9X 8K targets the most demanding users concerned with image quality, sound dynamics, and network versatility, all while maintaining an excellent price-quality ratio in the high-end market. We’ve tested it.

Zidoo Z9X 8KTechnical Specifications

Zidoo Z9X 8KDesign, Simple Yet Functional with Two Antennas

The design of the Zidoo Z9X 8K is remarkably simple. The device features an aluminum alloy chassis with a black sandblasted and oxidized finish that resists fingerprints and shocks, adding a premium touch that is highly appreciated in an audiophile living room. The device has compact dimensions (189 x 129 x 25.4 mm and weighs 550 g) which allow for easy integration, regardless of the TV cabinet or home cinema setup.

On the front, a discreet LED display (whose brightness can be customized) shows the main information and allows for quick status checks of the player.
There are two fairly large antennas, ensuring excellent wireless signal stability.

They can be folded down if you’re using the Ethernet port.

Zidoo Z9X 8KConnectivity, Everything You Need

Practically, the device offers well-distributed connections at the back and sides, greatly facilitating access for connecting all peripherals, from NAS hard drives to 8K projectors.

This is one of its strong points. The Zidoo Z9X 8K indeed features a rare comprehensive set of connections, thoughtfully designed to cover all needs of a complete home cinema system. At the back, there is an HDMI 2.1a port managing video output up to 8K at 60 frames per second, compatible with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG and pass-through audio for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, ideal for enjoying the best audiovisual quality. There is also a USB 3.0 port. In addition, the Toslink optical audio output and 3.5 mm headphone jack add versatility on the audio side.

The device includes a Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for efficient network streaming, a dual-band (2.4 G and 5 G) MIMO Wi-Fi 6 module, and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless accessories: headphones, speakers, or remote controls. There is also an RS-232 interface and IP/Control 4 compatibility for home automation integrations.

Also note the presence, on the left side this time, of two USB 2.0 ports allowing the connection of hard drives, USB sticks, or various peripherals, and a SATA 3.0 port offers the possibility to connect an external high-capacity hard drive up to 16 TB, perfect for large multimedia libraries. Finally, two additional USB 3.0 ports are available on the right side of the device.

The Remote Control

There are two remote controls for this device. The one provided by default is backlit (you have to press a dedicated button located at the bottom right) but not Bluetooth. This is the case for another model (V12), sold separately.

The button layout is identical on both models: intuitive; central navigation, direct access to menus, volume adjustments, source selection, and programmable colored functions are well spaced, which limits false operations and secures daily use. Customizable shortcuts and playback control make the experience particularly enjoyable for toggling between files and applications, as well as for speeding up searches within your library.

Ergonomic, the remote control is responsive, although you must aim at the device if you have the default remote. Otherwise, you can control the device from your smartphone or tablet using the Zidoo Controller app. Note that during our test, the volume function did not work properly, forcing us to manage this setting via the controls of the TV or amplifier.

Zidoo Z9X 8KPerformance

Perfect Interface for Multimedia Content

The performance of the Zidoo Z9X 8K is truly impressive. This is largely due to its Amlogic S928X-K penta-core processor supported by 6 GB of RAM, which ensures exceptional responsiveness and total fluidity of the interface, even when navigating through vast libraries or accessing enriched cover art.

Indeed, let’s remember that compared to Nvidia Shield or other multimedia boxes like Google TV Stream, Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd generation, to name a few, this is not a connected interface that allows access to streaming apps. Here, the content is mainly local, whether video or audio files. It focuses on that and does it particularly well.

We say “mainly” because, in reality, since the system is based on Android, it is possible to install apps from the Google Play Store. However, streaming apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+ are not certified, which means that, de facto, they are limited: 720p and stereo. From our perspective, this wastes the capabilities of this player, because even though it has particularly advanced upscaling capabilities, you will not objectively reach the level of a certified device that can fully exploit the highest configurations of these platforms. We tried several times to install apps (streaming) from .apk files, unfortunately without success.

For local content, the device delivers a very precise image, with exemplary dynamics and colors faithful to video standards, up to 8K at 60 fps. The integrated upscaling technologies really enhance old or low-definition content, allowing for detailed display on recent TV or projector.

The VS10 video processing engine automatically optimizes colorimetry according to the content and can convert HDR to SDR on the fly for non-compatible screens, always ensuring an optimized experience, regardless of the hardware used.

On the audio side, the reproduction is also of a high standard, with the Z9X 8K supporting the most demanding lossless formats (DSD, SACD ISO, FLAC, WAV) and ensuring listening transparency, enhanced by a high-quality power supply designed to minimize digital noise. The Z9X 8K is, in our view, one of the best in its category, offering perfectly stable, versatile, and high-performance playback for the most demanding audiovisual uses.

Zidoo Z9X 8KHow Does It Perform in Video and Audio Playback?

To be convinced, we subjected it to numerous media tests. But let’s say that it is clear that the Zidoo Z9X 8K supports a particularly wide list of currently available video and audio formats on the market. It is thus capable of playing uncompressed Ultra HD 8K and native 4K files, including ISO Blu-ray and Blu-ray UHD images, allowing the display of original menus, access to all bonuses, and advanced management of subtitles (color, size, position, and automatic download settings).

Very practical, its multiple USB 3.0/2.0, SATA, and gigabit Ethernet ports facilitate direct playback from external hard drives, NAS, or PC/Mac servers: it supports SMB, NFS, DLNA, WebDAV, and UPnP for maximum network compatibility.

On the audio side, it decodes almost all multi-channel Dolby and DTS formats, and allows bitstream pass-through of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks to home cinema amplifiers. In addition, its versatility also extends to high-end music playback, including native SoundCloud streaming, gapless playback, and cover art recognition.

Zidoo Z9X 8KA Highly Customizable Interface

For its interface, the device relies on the Android 11 system associated with what could be called a proprietary Home Theater 4.0 overlay.

This overlay offers a native 4K display, particularly pleasant on large screens and projectors. Thus, walls of posters, covers, synopses, and metadata are superbly rendered. If there are errors, which can happen, it is possible to perform manual searches to find the right media.

This greatly facilitates the management of large multimedia libraries. To top it all, navigation is fast and fluid: direct access to movies, series, music, or photos, display of thematic lists, and smart search by title or actor, all contribute to making the experience practical and pleasant.

In addition, note that the interface is also largely customizable: everyone can edit covers, create custom collections, adjust the display (4K or 1080p according to preferences), and modify the presentation of content according to their needs. Series or movies that are part of the same saga are grouped together, which is very practical.

Advanced settings allow you to adjust the video output (SDR, HDR, Dolby Vision), synchronize audio, or manage subtitles very finely. The settings are extremely numerous and allow for adaptation to all configurations.

Zidoo Z9X 8KPrice and Release Date

The Zidoo Z9X 8K media player is available for a price of approximately 280 euros.