Dune HD Pro One 8K Plus | The NEW Best In-Home Streaming Media Player?

Summary

Logan reviews the Dune HD Pro18 K Plus, a $400 Android TV box that aims to outperform competitors like the Nvidia Shield. It features an aluminum casing for cooling, an S928X chip for 8K 60Hz output, and a Dolby Vision 10 engine. The device supports local media storage, network streaming, and has a user-friendly interface. Despite a lack of Netflix certification, it offers robust features like direct USB 3.0 connectivity and a versatile remote. Logan explores whether its $200 premium over the Shield justifies its value, particularly for those seeking advanced streaming and media management capabilities.

Takeaways

• 📦 The Dune HD Pro 4K Plus is a premium Android TV box priced at $400, offering a variety of features beyond basic streaming capabilities.
• 🌐 It provides access to popular online streaming services and allows for playback of locally stored media or content served through a network from a media server.
• 🔥 A highlight feature is the S928x chip, which supports 8K 60Hz output and hardware AV1 decoding, with a focus on advanced Dolby Vision capabilities through the Dolby Vision 10 engine.
• 📦 The device comes with a robust aluminum housing, Bluetooth remote, HDMI cable, and international power adapter, including batteries.
• 💾 It includes a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive bay for local media storage and can function as network-attached storage (NAS) via SMB server.
• 🔌 The Dune HD Pro 4K Plus has multiple USB ports, including a USB 3.0 client port that allows direct connection to a computer for media management.
• 📺 The built-in video player is capable of streaming 4K Blu-ray rips smoothly, even over Wi-Fi, and supports advanced Dolby Vision profiles.
• 🚫 However, the device does not have Netflix certification, meaning it cannot play Netflix content in 4K, and other streaming services may not work optimally.
• 🛠️ The user interface is well-designed and easy to navigate, with a vintage yet functional aesthetic, and offers an aggregate list of popular movies and TV shows.
• 🔄 The device allows for scraping of movie collections from a NAS and presents a clear interface for choosing between different file versions of the same movie.
• 🛑 Minor issues were encountered with app updates, but the problem was easily resolved by enabling the Google Play Store on the Dune HD Pro 4K Plus.
• 💡 The Dune HD Pro 4K Plus offers a high level of openness, including root access to the operating system, providing users with flexibility in device usage and maintenance.

Q & A

What is the Dune HD pro18 K plus and what is its primary function?

The Dune HD pro18 K plus is an Android TV box that connects to a TV or projector, allowing users to watch movies and TV shows. Its primary function is to provide an enhanced streaming experience with access to online streaming services and local media storage or content served through a network from a media server.

What is the price of the Dune HD pro18 K plus and how does it compare to the Nvidia Shield?

The Dune HD pro18 K plus is priced at $400, which is $200 more than the Nvidia Shield. The comparison is made to determine if the added features of the Dune HD justify the higher price.

What are some unique features of the Dune HD pro18 K plus that set it apart from other streaming devices?

Unique features of the Dune HD pro18 K plus include the S 928x chip that supports 8K 60 HZ output, hardware AV1 decoding, and a Dolby Vision 10 engine for fine control over Dolby Vision output parameters. It also has a built-in 2.5-inch SATA hard drive bay for local media storage and network-attached storage capabilities.

How does the Dune HD pro18 K plus handle the playback of movies from a NAS?

The Dune HD pro18 K plus can add any network folder as a source for a movie collection, saving login credentials and automatically mounting the share on boot. It can scrape folders to detect movies and allows users to choose between different versions of the same movie with clear file path indications.

What is the issue with streaming services on the Dune HD pro18 K plus in terms of certification?

The Dune HD pro18 K plus does not have Netflix certification, meaning it cannot play back Netflix content in 4K. Additionally, the performance of other streaming services is not guaranteed.

What is the user interface of the Dune HD pro18 K plus like and how does it handle movie selection?

The user interface of the Dune HD pro18 K plus is described as easy to set up with a vintage look. It aggregates a list of popular movies and TV shows and allows for smooth browsing of the movie collection with cached metadata. It also handles movie selection well, especially when there are multiple versions of the same movie.

What is the remote control of the Dune HD pro18 K plus like and are there any concerns about it?

The remote control for the Dune HD pro18 K plus is described as underwhelming for a premium product, feeling a bit cheap. However, it is functional, and for a home theater environment, a universal remote is recommended.

Does the Dune HD pro18 K plus have any issues with app installations or updates?

During testing, there was an issue with installing Disney Plus from a movie recommendation, where the app needed an update but crashed when attempting to do so. However, enabling the Google Play Store on the Dune HD pro18 K plus allowed for the app to be updated successfully.

What is the performance of the built-in video player on the Dune HD pro18 K plus like?

The built-in video player on the Dune HD pro18 K plus performed well, with no noticeable issues while streaming direct 4K Blu-ray rips, even over 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

What additional features does the Dune HD pro18 K plus offer for advanced users?

The Dune HD pro18 K plus offers advanced features such as root access to the underlying operating system, allowing for a high level of customization and control over the device.

How does the Dune HD pro18 K plus compare to the Nvidia Shield for someone without an in-home streaming setup?

For users without an in-home streaming setup who are more interested in online streaming, the Nvidia Shield is a tried and true solution, especially for those using a regular TV, as they won't get the benefits of the Dune HD's better chip.