Memup MediaDisk ZX HD

A multifunction, the Memup MediaDisk ZX HD allows you both to watch Freeview TV and to play multimedia files. What's more, it also has an SDHC card reader. Will it manage to mark itself out from the competition? Answers in our review.

Design and build: a definite aesthetic design

From the point of view of design, we reckon the gamble has paid off. Elegant with a glossy black casing (watch out for fingerprints and dust) and silver lining, the MediaDisk ZX is also singularly shaped.

As a result, the remote looks quite out of place in the package. With its average quality plastic and buttons not always well positioned, it reminds you of a budget priced digital tuner remote bought at your local discount store.

When it comes to turning the MediaDisk ZX HD on, you wonder if it isn't going to fly away! The noise of the fan rapidly picks up and reaches frankly disturbing noise levels. If you're going to keep it in your bedroom, you'll have to give up on recording at night while you're trying to sleep.


The graphics interfaces of all digital recorders are usually pretty much of a muchness in this price range. Memup did nevertheless decide to invest in some work here, making the interface more dynamic. Overall, it's the same as everywhere else, but with a bit more attention to detail. For example, more lines are displayed.


It's a shame that more attention wasn't given to the advanced functions. You can't display album covers, view photos in a folder in the form of a mosaic or create a video jukebox. The minimum then, but at least it's easy to get to grips with.

Compatibility: no surprises, it's pretty good

Once again, the compatibility of this type of device doesn't vary much from one model to the next. This means the MediaDisk ZX HD can play pretty much all standard files: HD videos in H.264, MKV, AVCHD videos, and plenty of others...

DTS and Dolby Digital support (except DD TrueHD) can be converted into stereo and played on your TV speakers. You can also send a PCM 5.1 signal via the HDMI or optical outs. Of course, you can always decode the audio signal using an external amp (bitstream). For HD audio formats however, only the core part will be supported (downmix 5.1).
It will accept DVD and Blu-ray backups but with some reservations. Firstly DVD menus are poorly displayed making it difficult to select the section you're looking for. Next, with Blu-rays, menus aren't supported. In both cases, you do get subtitling and audio tracks.

 

Connectivity Wi-Fi on option, SDHC reader standard

Connectivity is standard and includes the essential: HDMI, component, composite and optical. Two USB ports allow you to link up your USB keys and external hard drives. It's just a shame that they're at the back of the casing and therefore not always easily accessible.
At no less than 17.6 MB/s, USB speed is quite high for file copying. Playback of videos from an external peripheral is therefore not too much of a problem as you can play H.264/MKV files up to a throughput of 42 Mbps. Apart from a few rare exceptions, everything should be playable.

This however isn't the case for the network set-up. First of all file copying is pretty slow (5.5 MB/s) and videos over 34 Mbps will be jumpy. This means the heaviest 1080p films won't be playable.