HELIOS X5000 HD Network Media DVD Player - Product Review

The Helios X5000 is more than a typical DVD player. Not only does the X5000 deliver good video via DVD upscaling and HDMI connectivity, but innovative features, such as complete recordable DVD compatibility, DivxHD, WMV9HD, and both Wired and Wireless Networking add great flexibility.

1. Playback Formats: DVD-Video, DVD+R/RW/-R/-RW, DVD-RAM, MPEG4, Divx/DivxHD, and WMV9 HD.

2. VCD/SVCD, CD/CDR/CDRW/CD-MP3 and CD-JPEG playback.

3. DVD Upscaling to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p through HDMI output (adaptable to DVI-HDCP). HDMI connection cable provided.

4. Component video (progressive and interlaced) outputs; S-video and standard Composite video outputs.

5. Digital optical, digital coaxial, and one set of analog stereo outputs.

6. Supports both Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through.

7. Wolfson Audio Digital/Analog converter and BurrBrown 2-channel OpAmp for audiophile quality audio reproduction.

8. PC Networking via Built-in Ethernet or WiFi (802.11g) connectivity. Built-in Web Browser.

9. 2 USB Ports (1 rear, 1 side) provided for flash drive or PC connection.

10. Switchable NTSC/PAL output - automatic PAL/NTSC bi-directional conversion.

11. Backlit Wireless remote control is included. The remote works in conjunction with Easy-to-use onscreen menus.

Setup - Hardware

Additional components used in the review of the Helios DVD/Network player included a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Outlaw Audio Model 950 Preamp/Surround Processor paired with a Butler Audio 5150 5-channel power amplifier.

Video displays used: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV and an Optoma H56 Video Projector using a Component-to-DVI conversion connection.

Comparison LCD TV/Monitors are HD-compatible. The Westinghouse LVM-37w3 (1080p) and Samsung LN-R238W (720p) both have HDMI input; the Syntax Olevia LT-32HV (720p) has a DVI-HDCP input. The Syntax was connected to the Helios X5000 via HDMI-to-DVI Connection adapter. All LCD units have progressive scan HD-Component inputs as well. The Optoma H56 projector has a native resolution of 1024x768.

A variety of loudspeakers, including Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-3, Optimus LX-5IIs, a Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofer, and additional speakers, in both matched and mismatched setups were used.

Comparison DVD players (with 720p/1080i upscaling) included , Samsung DVD-HD931 (DVI-HDCP output) and NeuNeo HVD-2085 (HD-component and HDMI output), as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player using standard DVDs in both 720p and 1080i upscaling modes. In addition, the 1080p mode available on the Samsung BD-P1000 was also used for standard DVD upscaling.

Recordable DVDs used were made by: Sony RDR-HX900, Philips DVDR985, and a Presidian PDR-3222.

Connections between components were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

Setup - DVD/CD/Additional Software

Pre-recorded standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: Serenity, Aeon Flux, The Cave, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Underworld, Moulin Rouge, Zathura, The Corpse Bride, and V For Vendetta, as well as video content on DVD-R and DVD+RW discs recorded on DVD recorders.

Other-than-Region 1 coded DVDs included: Crying Freeman (Region 2 - PAL), Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf - Region 2 PAL), ED Wood (Region 3 Version - NTSC), Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla 2002 (Region 3 - NTSC), Godzilla Vs Megaguirus (Region 3 - NTSC), A Chinese Tall Story (Region 3 - NTSC) and Sem Limite Para Vingar "Ricochet" (Region 4). Note: Code Free feature may not be available in all markets.

Divx files, both in standard and HD resolution formats.

The WMV9-HD version of Terminator 2: Judgment Day was intended to be used, but was not playable due to copy-protection compatibility issues.

The Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD test disc was also used for more precise video performance measurements.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones: Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb: Firecracker, Blue Man Group The Complex, Telarc: 1812 Overture. DTS discs included: Queen: Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles: Hotel California, Sheila Nicholls: Wake, Alan Parsons: On Air. Also included: The Corrs: In Blue (Dolby Digital). In addition, music content on CD-R/RWs were also used.

Internet and Network Setup

Wired and Wireless Internet access functions of the X5000 were tested using an ATT Wireless DSL modem and router, paired with a Sony VGC-RA820G Series VAIO PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation and Final Take