Upcoming RTD1619 Media Players – Dune HD Pro 4K II, Zidoo Z9X, and Zidoo X

Realtek RTD1619 hexa-core Cortex-A55 media SoC was first spotted in 2018 in the Linux source code. Since no products had been launched based on RTD1619, I had mostly forgotten about the processor until I wrote about RTD1395 powered Dune HD RealBox 4K.

I was then informed about the upcoming Dune HD Pro 4K II, and a quick search reveals Zidoo is also working on its own RTD1619 media players with Zidoo Z9X and Zidoo X models.

Dune HD Pro4K II

Specifications:

• SoC – Realtek RTD1619 hexa-core Cortex-A55 processor with Mali-G51 Bifrost GPU
• System Memory – 4 GB RAM
• Storage – 32 GB flash, MicroSD slot, external SATA HDD (data + power)
• Video Output – HDMI 2.0b up to 4Kp60 HDR, 3.5mm A/V connector for composite
• Video Input – HDMI 2.0 input for PiP or recording
• Audio Output – optical S/PDIF, digital audio via HDMI, analog stereo audio via A/V connector
• Video Playback
  • 4Kp60 HDR/HDR10+ with 10-bit H.265 and VP9 profile-2, 4Kp30 with H.264, and other common video codecs.
  • Blu-ray support for BD-J, BD4K, BD3D, full Blu-ray menu navigation or simple BD Lite menu
  • 3D video
  • Automatic frame rate switching (including 23.976fps video playback)
• DRM – Widevine Level 1 DRM (Netflix is not currently supported at this time)
• Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n/ac 2T2R WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.x with 2x external antennas
• USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 port
• Misc – Front panel display
• Power Supply – DC 12V / 3A
• Dimensions – 187 x 140 x 29mm

Dune HD Pro 4K II runs Linux-based Dune HD OS and Android 9.0 simultaneously and ships with Dune HD IR Remote with 2x AAA batteries, a power supply, AV and HDMI cables, a SATA cable, and a quick installation guide. It’s a beefed-up version of Dune HD RealBox 4K with a faster processor, more RAM & storage, as well as an extra HDMI 2.0 input, USB 3.0 ports, and an external SATA interface.

Dune HD Pro 4K II is expected to launch soon for $299.

Zidoo Z9X

Specifications:

• SoC – Realtek RTD1619DR ARM Cortex-A55 (Hexa-core)
• System Memory – 2GB DDR4
• Storage – 16GB eMMC flash, SATA 3.0 external port (on side)
• Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60fps; 3.5mm AV jack with composite
• Video Input – HDMI 2.0
• Video Decoding – HDR, HDR10 +, Dolby Vision, 10-bit HEVC/H.265 up to 4K @ 60fps, VP9 up to 4K @ 60fps, H.264 up to 4K @ 24fps
• Audio – Optical S/PDIF, digital audio via HDMI, analog stereo audio via AV port
• Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n/ac MIMO WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 with two high-gain external antennas
• USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports
• Misc – LED front-panel display, IR receiver, 3.5mm RS-232 debug port

Zidoo Z9X runs Android 9.0 and OpenWrt OS simultaneously just like in the company’s Zidoo X9S TV box where Android manages apps and multimedia functions, and OpenWrt Linux handles the NAS functions.

The device was announced on Zidoo forum without photos, and instead, I found some on the FCC website. It’s unclear when Zidoo Z9X will launch and at what price but it should be fairly cheaper than the Dune HD device.

Zidoo X

Zidoo X is much higher-end with the following preliminary specifications:

• SoC – Realtek RTD1619 hexa-core Cortex A55 processor with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU
• System Memory – DDR4 RAM
• Storage – 3.5-inch SATA bat
• VIdeo
  • HDMI 2.0 output and HDMI 2.0 input
  • 4K HEVC/H.265 12bit BT.2020 4:4:4 Color Space
  • HDR – HDR10, HLG, TCH Prime, Dolby Vision & HDR10+ HDR support
  • 23.976 Hz, 59.94 Hz, 25 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz, 60 Hz automatic frame rate and resolution switching
  • DRM – Widevine L1, Playready & Verimatrix Ultra DRM support
• Audio
  • XMOS + AKM4497 audio decoding solution, native DSD and MQA decoding
  • High-Precision temperature-compensated clock crystals for accurate audio playback
  • Dual-Channel DSD 512 and PCM 768-kHz 32-bit hardware decoding
  • Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), lossless playback and cue track
  • Built-in high-performance power amplifier and pre-amplifier
  • optical and coaxial S/PDIF ports
  • XLR/RCA pre-amp output and 6.35/4.4mm balanced headphone output
  • Dual-toroidal transformer linear power supply
• Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 port
• Misc – 5″ LCD Touch Screen with screen mirroring support, RS-232 DB9 debug port

Zidoo X targets videophiles and audiophiles, and there were rumors of a $1,000+ price tag following a price listed on a reseller’s website, but it’s been since removed, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the price. Zidoo X was announced on Zidoo forum last year, and in some more recent comments, one person expects the launch in October 2020.

Thanks to Andreas for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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