Product Features
- S905X4-K media processor (special version with all licenses): S905X4-K media processor is the most advanced version of the latest media processor from Amlogic which includes all possible technologies and licenses: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS. Most other media players based on S905X4 use a stripped down version without all or some of these licenses.
- 4 GB operating memory : Ensures excellent performance and support for the most heavy Android apps. 2x more than in many other simpler Android TV devices.
- 32 GB flash memory: Provides a lot of space for Android apps and other needs. 4x more than in many other simpler Android TV devices.
- 1 Gbit Ethernet: Ensures fast data transfer and smooth playback of high bitrate video when using a wired connection to the home network.
- Wi-Fi 6: This newest Wi-Fi standard provides a better wireless performance and a better wireless range, when using a wireless connection to the home network
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+: The media player supports not only HDR technology (supported by the previous generation of media players), but also the most latest and advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ technologies. In conventional HDR technology, the brightness range is set at the beginning of the film and does not change during the film, so completely dark and completely bright scenes may have insufficient detail. In the latest Dolby Vision and HDR10+ technologies, the brightness range can vary from frame to frame, so the maximum picture detail is provided even in scenes that contain only dark or only light elements.
- IR control: The media player has the built-in IR receiver and can be controlled also by IR commands (Google IR codes). This means you can use 3-party programmable or learnable remote of your choice to control the media player, or integrate the media player with your smart home via IR. For example, you can integrate the media player with a smart speaker by using an IR emitter device controlled by the smart speaker.
- Chromecast built-in: The media player includes "Chromecast built-in" technology, that lets you stream your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your TV. This technology can be used on both Android and iOS devices (via Google Home app) and also on any laptop or a PC (via Chrome web browser). More details: https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/learn/tv/
- Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is the most widely used advanced technology for surround sound. Dolby Atmos draws you in deeper, so you hear more and feel more, for a more realistic and immersive audio experience. This media player supports Dolby Atmos sound both when watching streaming services such as Netlix and when playing files from your local library (in formats such as ISO, BDMV, MKV, and so on).
- Newest Dolby MAT technology: This media player includes the newest Dolby technology for multichannel surround sound - Dolby MAT. Using Dolby MAT technology, the media player does not just output the fantastic Dolby Atmos audio to your TV or A/V receiver, but also performs partial decoding of the audio directly on the media player. This improves A/V synchronisation, reduces latency, and improves compatibility. Nowadays this approach for audio output is recommended by industry leaders such as Netflix and Google.
- AV1 video codec : The media player supports the very newest AV1 video codec, which helps to get up to 50% video quality improvement without increasing video bitrate (or requires up to 50% lesser bitrate for the same video quality). This new video codec is already used by YouTube and will be increasingly important for various services. Many other media players do not support this new video codec.
- YouTube 4K HDR and VP9 profile 2: The media player supports the modern "VP9 profile 2" video codec, which is used by YouTube for HDR content. Some other media players do not support this video codec and thus do not support HDR in YouTube.
- USB 3.0 host port : Allows you to connect USB storage devices (such as flash drive, HDD or SSD) and ensures fast data transfer and smooth playback of high bitrate video. Connected USB storage devices can also be accessed from local network via SMB file server function built-in into Dune HD Media Center.
- Bluetooth: The built-in Bluetooth interface allows you to easily connect various remote controls, wireless keyboards, mice, joysticks, audio speakers, headphones, headsets and other devices.
- Bluetooth remote with microphone, customizable app button and TV control : The remote controls the media player via Bluetooth (which means you do not need to direct the remote towards the media player and that the media player can be hidden). The built-in microphone enables Voice Search functionality. A special customisable app button can be configured to quickly launch any app. Besides, the remote can use IR channel to control TV and A/V receivers.
Dune HD Media Center features
- Dune HD user interace The famous Dune HD user interface, developed during more than 14 years, specially optimized for the use on TV screens, tuned for the best possible usability, makes it easy and convenient to use the media player. It is a convenient, powerful and easy-to-use way to work with your local media library and other features of Dune HD media center.
- Dune HD movies organizer and movies encyclopedia : āMy Collectionā function organizes a user's movies collection into a nice looking catalog. A comprehensive movies encyclopedia provides the information about hundreds of thousands of movies with detailed descriptions, posters, cross-links between movies and persons, trailers, direct links to online video services, etc. Advanced file browser automatically recognizes movies. More details: https://dune-hd.com/support/mycollection
- Integration between Dune HD media center and Android TV streaming apps: Dune HD media center not only coexists with Android TV in one device, but also integrates with Android TV streaming apps to provide unique conveniences, which would be impossible when using two separate Android TV and media player devices. For example, imagine that you just finished watching "Terminator" movie from your local library and want to watch "Terminator 2", which is not available in your local library but is available in Netflix. Dune HD media center can help you quickly launch Netlix to watch this movie. Or you can easily study the detailed information about all other movies of a director or some actor (or just about other similar movies), and then quickly start watching some of these movies in some streaming service.
- Widest support for Dolby Vision file formats: Dolby Vision is supported for all popular file formats (MKV, MP4, TS, M2TS, ISO, movie folder structure). All popular Dolby Vision profiles (profile 5, profile 7 MEL and FEL, profile 8) are supported. In all cases, the important Dolby Vision information (Dolby Vision RPU metadata) is extracted and transmitted to TV to ensure the proper Dolby Vision picture on the TV.
- Dolby Vision profile 7 FEL: Dune HD media center supports direct playback of Dolby Vision profile 7 FEL double-track and double-layer files. This is the most advanced Dolby Vision format. Dune HD media center plays video in this format using both tracks/layers. The important Dolby Vision information from the second track/layer (Dolby Vision RPU metadata) is transmitted to TV together with video data from the first track/layer. The passed video data uses 10-bit color depth - the maximum color depth supported by OLED-panels in OLED TVs, i.e. this fully uses the capabilities of OLED TVs. Combined with the full use of DolbyVision metadata this gives an excellent Dolby Vision picture on the TV screen.
- Playback of Dolby Vision movie ISO/folder structures: Dune HD media center supports direct playback of movie ISO/folder structures in Dolby Vision format (Dolby Vision profile 7 MEL and FEL), including playback in full menu mode.
- Smart home: Dune HD media center provides the powerful IP Control interface and has a lot of options for integration into Smart Home and Home Automation systems, such as Control4 and Crestron.
- Built-in SMB file server: Dune HD media center has a built-in SMB file server, which allows access to all connected storage devices (such as USB HDD) and internal memory of the media player from local network.
- Parental controls: Dune HD media center has a built-in parental controls functionality. You can use it to lock access to the entire media player (including all Android TV apps) by a schedule (or example, allow your kid to use the media player only from 14:00 to 16:00 and from 20:00 to 22:00).
- Linux-based Dune HD OS: Dune HD media center runs a Linux-based Dune HD OS in a special virtual container. This Linux-based OS helps to ensure stable operation and smooth media playback.
- Best-in-class movie ISO/folder structure playback: Dune HD media center has the best-in-class support for playback of movie ISO/folder structures. A special playback engine provides full menu support and helps to ensure smooth playback of the entire movie w/o any audio/video interruptions even when playing movies with complicated structure.
- Automatic framerate/resolution switching : Dune HD media center can automatically switch output framerate and resolution to match the played content. This helps to ensure absolutely smooth video playback and use the best way for video resolution upscaling (resolution upscaling by the the media player or by the TV). Dune HD media center implements an advanced approach for video mode switching, which bypasses the limitations of Android TV 11 (many other media players which use Android TV 11 can not support automatic framerate/resolution switching at all because of these limitations).
- Flicker-free framerate/resolution switching :Dune HD media center implements its own advanced flicker-free approach for automatic framerate and resolution switching, which switches video mode before the start of file playback (rather than after). Many other media players switch video mode after the start of file playback, which causes unpleasant flickering.
- Dolby and DTS audio : Dune HD media center can play Dolby and DTS audio tracks in all formats (up to Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and DTS X). All formats can be output as multi-channel audio (output is in formats up to 7.1 PCM, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and DTS). All formats can also be output as stereo (downmix). See specifications for more details.
- Multichannel DSD and other advanced music formats : You can play music in various advanced formats, including multichannel FLAC, WavPack, APE, ALAC and even multichannel Super Audio CD (SACD). SACD music files, encoded using the advanced DSD audio codec, are supported in all popular formats (ISO, DFF, DSF), including both stereo and multichannel files, including files which use the DST compression. Multichannel DSD files can be output to HDMI as multichannel PCM. Stereo DSD files can be output to HDMI and S/PDIF as stereo PCM.
- Dune HD Android Playback Accelerator technology:This unique technology intellectually manages the resources of Android OS to minimize the influence of Android OS on the media playback engine and ensure smooth and high-quality video and audio playback.
- Dune HD ecosystem: Based on open Dune HD SDK and APIs, various TV-optimized applications, plugins, extensions, GUI skins, collection management solutions, integrations with home automation systems are available via official Dune Store, 3-party vendors, and from the user's community.
- Dune HD mobile app: The unique Dune HD mobile app (Dune Control) for iOS and Android mobiles devices provides full access to all functions of Dune HD media center in a very convenient and powerful way. It fully replaces the standard remote, allows browsing and choosing the media content directly on your mobile device (the menu shown on the mobile device mirrors the menu shown on the TV screen), and includes Now Playing section for convenient media playback control. More details: https://dune-hd.com/support/dunecontrol
- Proven history of software updates during a very long period: Dune HD is known for its reputation to listen to user's feedback and provide software updates for many years. For example, for some old models, software updates with additional functions are provided for more than 10 years already. This is possible due to the unique "single code base" approach, which means that software for all Dune HD models is based on the same code base (continuously developed and improved according to user's feedback).
- Many other features: Dune HD media center software has been developed for more than 14 years and includes a lot of various features. For more information see "Specifications" and "DUNE HD Interface" sections.
Player Specifications
- Media processor : Amlogic S905X4-K with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS licenses
- Operating memory : 4 GB
- Flash memory : 32 GB
- Ethernet : 10/100/1000 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi : : 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6), Dual Band 2.4+5 GHz
- Bluetooth: : 5.0
- USB ports : 1x USB 3.0 + 1x USB 2.0
- HDMI output: HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 HDR / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision, HDCP 2.2
- S/PDIF output: Optical S/PDIF
- Netflix certification: Yes
- Google Android TV certification: Yes
- Widevine DRM: Widevine L1
- Streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, YouTube and many others (includes all services available via Android TV apps in Google Play Store) (depends on region and policies of particular services)
- File Systems: FAT16/FAT32 (read-write), exFAT (read-write), NTFS (read-only)
- Reserved port :For potential extensions (DVB-T/T2/C tuner)
- Power input: 12V DC IN (2.0 A)
- Power supply :External, DC 12V (1.5A), AC 100-240V
- Case : Plastic
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 114mm x 28mm x 114mm
- Remote :Bluetooth remote with microphone (voice search) and programmable app button. The remote also has IR emitter and can control TVs and A/V receivers via IR channel, and also control the media player via IR channel (when there is no Bluetooth connection to the media player) (using Google IR codes)
- IR control: Built-in IR receiver, supports Google IR codes only (Note: because of certified Android TV solution, Dune HD IR codes are not supported)
- OS: Android TV 11.0 + Linux-based Dune HD OS (available via app *)
- Video decoding: AV1, VP9 profile 2, H.265 (HEVC), H.264 (AVC), VC1, MPEG4, MPEG2, MPEG1
- Video upscaling: Upscaling of SD and other resolutions up to 4K
- 3D video:Side-by-Side, Top-and-Bottom
- Audio in streaming services:Up to Dolby Atmos (depends on a particular streaming service)
- Audio in Dune HD media center:: Most popular formats can be played, up to Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and DTS X, multichannel FLAC and multichannel SACD (DSD); see Dune HD media center specifications for more details
Dune HD Media Center specifications
- Video file formats: MKV, MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS, M2TS, VOB, AVI, MOV, MP4, QT, ASF, WMV, ISO, movie folder structures
- Dolby Vision playback : Profiles 5, 7 (MEL and FEL), 8; various containers (ISO, movie folder structure, MKV, MP4, M2TS); DTDL (double-track double-layer), STDL (single-track double-layer), STSL (single-track single-layer). Double-track/double-layer video (profile 7 MEL, profile 7 FEL) is played with the use of data from both tracks/layers: video data from the first track/layer (with 10-bit color depth - the maximum color depth supported by OLED-panels in OLED TVs), extended Dolby Vision information (RPU metadata) from the second track/layer
- Automatic framerate and resolution switching : yes
- Audio decoding: MPEG-1/2 layer I/II/III, AAC, LPCM, FLAC, multichannel FLAC, Vorbis, WavPack, APE (Monkey's Audio), ALAC (Apple lossless), SACD DSD (stereo and multichannel), multichannel PCM (up to 7.1), Dolby and DTS formats
- Dolby and DTS formats : Audio tracks in the following Dolby and DTS
- Subtitle formats : SRT (external), SUB (MicroDVD) (external), text (MKV), SSA/ASS (MKV, external), VobSub (MP4, MKV, external SUB/IDX), PGS (ISO, TS, MKV)
- HDMI output: HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 HDR / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision, HDCP 2.2
- Online subtitles : Automatically download subtitles from Internet
- Picture file formats : JPEG, PNG, BMP
- Photo viewer functions: Slideshow, transition effects, picture rotation, zoom, view playlist, repeat, shuffle
- Playlist file formats : M3U, PLS, CUE
- NFS client: Browse NFS servers/shares, manually connect to NFS share, directly access and play files
- Browse NFS servers/shares, manually connect to NFS share, directly access and play files: : Browse SMB servers/shares, manually connect to SMB share, directly access and play files
- Playlist functions : : Build playlist from selected folders and files, build playlist from selected playlist files, view playlist file, view current playlist, quickly jump to next/previous or selected playlist item, repeat, shuffle, playlist of photo files, playlist of audio files, playlist of video files, mixed playlist of audio and video files
- formats can be played: : Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, DTS, DTS HD HRA, DTS HD MA, DTS X. All formats can be decoded by the media player and output to HDMI as multichannel uncompressed PCM (up to 7.1 channels, 48KHz). The following formats can be output as a bitstream: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, DTS. Dolby formats can also be output as multichannel-audio using Dolby MAT technology (multichannel PCM with Atmos) when the receiver supports it Audio file formats: MP3, MPA, M4A, AAC, WAV, FLAC, Ogg/Vorbis, WavPack, APE (Monkey's Audio), ALAC (Apple lossless), SACD ISO (stereo and multichannel), SACD DSF (stereo and multichannel), SACD DFF (stereo and multichannel), AC3, DTS, DTS-WAV
- SMB server:Share local storage devices and internal memory
- iOS and Android mobile apps: Control Dune HD media center via the powerful Dune Control mobile application
- IP control : Integrate Dune HD media center into Home Automation systems via IP Control interface
- Control4 and Crestron: Integrate Dune HD media center into Smart Home installations based on Control4 and Crestron technologies
- Android TV specifics: Because of certified Android TV solution, some functions work with some specifics and limitations. In particular, due to security requirements, all network functions (such as: SMB server, IP control, NFS client) use so-called "non-privileged" ports. This imposes some restrictions on the use of these functions. For more details please see https://dune-hd.com/app
- * To use Dune HD media center functions, an app should be installed. The app is under development. Some of the listed features will become available in future app versions. See here for more details about the current app status and updates: https://dune-hd.com/app
Rajesh Lulla –
Have not yet purchased…but seeing the specs…it will compete with the best…. can’t wait to buy…
Ravi S. –
Received securely through Blue Dart the very next day after purchase.
This Streaming box is 1 up against all sundry and flagship streaming device available in market including Apple TV 4 K, Shield, Amazon Cube, Roku Ultra etc., as I have used all of them in one point of time or other.
So, if you have fairly New TV with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos , and preferably have 7.1 Audio system with Dolby atmos, it may be must buy for you.
Here is why –
Picture quality is superb. Ordinary SD Video also get upscaled to Dolby Vision with Great details. If you use Premium Youtube Subscription, it supports Inhanced Bitrate, HDR in Youtube, and you have to see it to belive it. Similarly, you need to subscribe to premium subscription (and not Basic,) to enjoy it at its fullest – as Dolby Vision, 4K Video is only available in Premium subscription.
Sound Quality is also superb. You can feel the real sound of instruments individually and Vocals are natural and clear.
Mahesh –
It is a very good media player when it is comes to streaming online content . It can play lot of formats BUT! It could not pass through DTS-HD and DTSX. That is the biggest downside and it can only process and send it through PCM 7.1. Dolby there is no issues so it will pass through over bit stream. So select the product by reading the instructions carefully š
Mahesh –
Hello all, Thanks for the great support from melody media on my previous review comments. Now all formats are working fine.. KUDOS Teamšš
Sanket –
Hello. Purchased this in June and upgraded it to Android TV 12 v5221 build.
Pros:
1. Does all HDR formats and works just as you expect it to.
2. DTS-HD and DTS-X passthrough now works on Android TV 12
3. The UI is very responsive even if rendering at 1080p. This is ATV12 limitation. Actual movies and videos reach their max 4K resolution.
4. It allows us to set Auto HDR so it detects the video type and switches TV to Dolby Vision or HDR10 or HDR10+ based on the source. Just make sure you make the correct setting.
5. melodymedia.in was very prompt in dispatching the order. Full marks to them.
Cons:
1. Video stutters after few hrs on Local LAN media playback. Eg. Playing own videos on Kodi/Plex etc. This is ATV 12 v5221 build bug. Next beta build promises a fix.
2. HDMI CEC does not work correctly and again it is a software issue. If turning up and down volume doesn’t work, reboot your Audio Receiver or Homatics Box. Fix is in next build.
3. Very slow software updates and to fix the above issues, the software team is taking forever.
So cons are a minor annoyance, they shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the box.