The first Sigmatek DivX player, the Sigmatek X-100 was out for one and a half year. Based on this first success, Sigmatek pursues announcements and releases of its DivX player. Not less than 5 players in 18 months, quite based on different technologies.
Other brands, known or not, did not (all) follow the same progress.

Now Sigmatek is still there and returns to the front of the scene after the release (so waited) of the Sigmatek PVR-800, with the new Sigmatek XM-400 Pro!



Front view of the player, with a mirrored facade (mirror seems to be black on photo)





As in every reception, we always wonder what contains the magic box ;o)
No bad surprise, everything is there! The player is present and impressive compared to its young sister, the Sigmatek X-300. It has the same size as the Sigmatek XM-300 Pro, just its depth is 2 cm larger.
The mirrored facade, well known now, is still great. You have to remove the protection film to take advantage of the newcomer beauty.



The Sigmatek player family, from top to bottom: X-300, XM-300 and XM-400!


The player is delivered with:

a manual in 7 languages (FR/EN/DE/ES/NL/IT/PT)!

a phosphorescent remote control with 50 keys

2 batteries AAA 1,5V

a double RCA audio cable (red and white)

one video RCA cable (yellow)

The manual seems much more complete than usually, 30 pages which allow to understand most of all functionnalities of the player. We also find there clear plans allowing to make connections according to any existing devices (amplier, tv, etc.).
On the other hand, it's not really well translated, but it seems to stay understandable for all novices.

More surprising, the remote control has a standard size, but with phosphorescent keys, as in the good old days ;)
And it's true, it's a good idea, the efficiency of the system allows to find easily every keys without needing to switch on the light.
The scope is impressive, 8m announced, 4m tested without problem with a reception angle of 30° everywhere (height / bottom and on sides), nothing to say, it's perfect. The remote control has a plastic shell, but not on the top where a patch in simili brushed aluminium surround the keys, the prints are in english and keys are pleasant but could wear out quickly, we'll see that in the future after a long use [Update: no problem with that 2 months later].

No SCART cable develivered. Anyway, the quality is often neglected, it's better to invest in a good cable at your favorite retailer.



The remote control with phosphorescent keys!

Pleasant general aspect

The shell of the player is silver-grey and will thus become integrated easily among your other video hi-fi elements.
The drawer is, for the first time at Sigmatek, "ultra - slim", while being sturdier than at certain competitors. It quickly opens and almost completely.



The facade with the little "DivX" surrounded of blue light (this light can be disabled)



You can find on the facade the long list of compatibilities:

DivX Network Certified,

KODAK Picture CD Compatible,

JPEG Photo,

DTS Digital Out,

Dolby Digital,

DivX Pro,

MPEG4,

Super Audio CD (SACD),

DVD Audio

DVD Vidéo

The led panel is standard, with blue color too. It displays the time elapsed when playing CD/DVD and the track number on left part. A turning disk is displayed too when playing disk... And it can display the following information: DVD, SVCD, MP3, HDCD, Doly Digital et DTS.

The keys available on player are: Power, Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward, Fast Backward, Next Track, Previous Track.
The first 4 keys have a red or green LED in their center. This participates largely in the good product aesthetics.



Facade: left part with lighted buttons



The player is rather coherent.
It's a device that seems to be sturdy. The feeling is really good and you could not be disappointed.
But let's continue!