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The unofficial Sigmatek XM-400 Pro site - FAQ, Tests, Firmwares, Guides, Forum
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Sigmatek XM-400 Pro Review (2/3)
Pages : 1 | 2 | 3
Integration towards your equipment: connexion
Sigmatek XM-400 Pro! is in the very good average with its audio and video interfacing:
Video
RVB SCART Output
Y Pb Pr Output (for video-projector or recent TV)
S-Video Output
Composite Output
No VGA Output
Audio
Coaxial Digital Output
Optical Digital Output
Audio 5.1 Outputs
Audio Mixed Stereo Outputs
Integrated Decoders
Dolby Digital
DTS
SACD (thru 5.1 outputs)
Moreover it is provided with these Digital / Analogic converters:
Audio: Cirrus Logic 102 dB / 24-Bit / 192 kHz / 6-Channel
Video: Mediatek 108Mhz / 12-bit
Something close to a great quality, which in any case will charm the greatest number.
Almost complete interfacing
What about audio quality?
The answer is without compromise: really good! The tests did not show any failure on this level.
It is really surprising to have a player which reads all and as well in addition.
The XM-400 Pro will be exploited to the maximum of its capacities with an 5.1 amplifier, compatible Dolby Digital or not.
You'll be able to benefit from the following supports:
DVD Video + Dolby Digital / DTS
Multi-Channels DVD Audio 5.1 (48 kHz / 24 bits) / Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Multi-Channels SACD 5.1
DivX + AC3 (5.1) - MP3 / WMA (Stereo)
And all other stereo sources (HDCD, CD Audio, SVCD, VCD, etc.)
  
It is also possible to activate an internal equalizer among the 7 models suggested: Rock, Pop, Live, Dance, Techno, Classic, Soft or none.
Like applying a sound field (DSP) among the 7 proposed: Concert, Living Room, Hall, Bathroom, Cave, Arena, Church or none.
Concerning the SACD and the DVD Audio, the only constraint was until a few months ago, to find some!
The players able to read them were still rather expensive. There is no doubt that the catalogs will be packed gradually, now that the players supporting these formats start to democratize themselves.
It is possible to find some for example with the FNAC: DVD Audio et SACD.
And quality at video output?
The answer is the same one: very good quality!
Quality increases with the wire of the generations of chips. The EE variation of MT1389 (Mediatek) chipset, brings a better stability of image, impeccable colors.
Once again, what to largely satisfy your eyes!
The SCART RVB connexion is the advised mode. It is however possible to use the S-Video output associated to stereo cables.
But also the YUV connectors if you have a recent TV or a video-projector supporting this interfacing and Progressive Scan mode which improves the restitution of the image avoiding black lines effect.
There is no doubt that the Mediatek MT1389EE chip makes its job very well, as well in reading DVD Vidéo or DivX.
   
What about interface?
The global interface is the same one as those we can find traditionally associated with the Mediatek chips.
A file explorer which displays only the first 14 characters of filenames and replaces the special latins characters by '_' (underscore).
This defect should not exists anymore abd it could maybe corrected by firmware if developpers want to.
Navigation is however easy and the keys answer quickly.
The reading of MP3 do not block navigation, it is thus possible to position on another file while listening MP3 tracks in parallel.
Each recognized file has an associated distinct icon (MP3, WMA, AVI, etc). It is possible to display all folders at same level of tree structure (nice to launch reading on a disc containing a lot of sub-folders of MP3).
It should be noted that it is apparently impossible to launch a random reading, the key does not exist, or then it is well hidden.
Displaying JPEG images, a thumbnail is displayed in the right part of the screen. It is besides this zone which should disappear with the profit to long filenames (maybe later... let's dream).
Fast forward, backward and slow motion are availables. All for DVD or AVI files. Step by step function does not work on AVI files.
Mediatek file browser
2 innovations unavailable on other readers equipped with a similar chip: possibility to display a panel of information during the reading of DVD Video which makes it possible to display all options in progress (Subtitles, Audio, Title and Chapter, as well as the current bitrate).
The other innovation is a virtual remote control which is displayed on screen and which makes it possible to call the DVD (only DVD) standards commands using the 4 arrows from remote control and the "SELECT" key. Not easy to use, but maybe with some practise, why not!
Information interface when playing DVD Video
The accessible virtual remote control on the DVD Video
A gift for you: changing zone ;o)
It is traditional to find how to change the region of the player.
To modify the zone and at the same time to see all version numbers of the installed firmware:
Switch on the player
Open the drawer
Press on key "SETUP"
Type the code 1379
Change region with the top or bottom arrows between 0 (multi-zone) and 6...!
Region free and firmware version from an hidden menu
Click here to read more...
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Accueil | Partenariat
Partenaires : Ensembles home-cinéma • TV LCD et Plasma
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