1. Introduction
Kiss DP-1504
DVD Player - page 1
After
the review of Kiss DP-1000 player we asked from Kiss Technology to provide
us with a sample of the DP-1504.
DP-1504 and DP-1508 are based on the Slim Line DivX® Compatible
DVD Player KiSS DP-1500 with its built-in Ethernet Port and its PC Card Slot.
These features enable these players, if connected to a Broadband Internet Connection
to read Audio/Video/Picture content straight from a PC with the KiSS PC-Link
Software as well as playing Internet Radio Station with WebRadio. WebRadio,
with its friendly interface provides the user with a few thousands radio stations
to choose from. The PC Card Slot placed at the back of the player, also adds
a new feature: Wireless Connection. No more ethernet cables in the way, thanks
to a simple setup on the player. KiSS provides the Access Point and PC Card
(IEEE 802.11b) as extra accessories. The difference between these players resides
in the Hard Disk where the KiSS DP-1504 comes with a 40GB Hard Disk and the
KiSS DP-1508 comes with a 80GB Hard Disk. Having a hard Disk on the player
will enable the user to store Audio/Video/Picture content on the DVD Player,
up to 58 good quality DivX® Films for the KiSS DP-1504 and up to 117 good
quality DivX® Films for the KiSS DP-1508. The KiSS DP-1504/08 players also
comes complete with the standard CD/MP3, Ogg Vorbis, DivX®, XviD, Jpeg,
CD-RW and DVD+-RW playback.
Both DP-1504 and DP-1508 have the official certification from DivX.
Specifications
• Full DVD/MPEG-4/DivX®/XviD/CD/MP3/Ogg Vorbis/CD-RW/DVD+-RW compatibility
•
JPEG Picture CD viewing
•
Progressive Scan Video Out
•
Time Search
•
Playback Control: Play/Pause/Stop/FF/RW/NEXT/PREV
•
Repeat Playback
•
Slow Motion
•
Title/chapter select
•
Parental lock, Multi Language, Multi Subtitle, Multi Angle
•
Remote Control
•
TV Type (PAL and NTSC)
•
Configuration Setup Menu
•
Aspect Ratio (4:3 Pan and Scan, 4:3 Letter Box and 16:9 Wide)
•
S-Video Output
•
Composite Video Output
•
Component Output
•
Dolby Digital, MPEG Audio Decoding
•
Dolby Digital/MPEG 5.1 Digital Output
•
S/PDIF Outputs
•
Analogue stereo
•
Ethernet 10/100
•
PC Card Slot for Wireless Connection
•
PC Card and Access Point are extra accessories
•
WebRadio/KiSS PC-Link
•
KiSS PC-Link Software for PC
•
Track name search on audio CDs
•
Firmware upgradable
•
40GB Hard Disk on DP-1504
•
80GB Hard Disk on DP-1508
2. Unpacking - Control Menu
Kiss DP-1504
DVD Player - page 2
Unpacking - Control Menu
The retail package includes the unit, the remote control,
the stereo and the video cables, the Scart cable, PCMCIA card with the PC-Link
software CD and the power cable. S-Video cable is also included in non European
countries.
As we can see the player has only two buttons on the unit, which are the
play/pause and the stop/eject respectively. On the left side is the loading
tray.
Below we can see the inside of the DP-1504, after removing
the cover, something which is not recommended since you void the
manufacturer's warranty. (Click on the image for an enlarged view).
The internal drive's chipset is coming from Mediatek and its MT1388E series.
Below are the main chipset used in the unit. DP-1000 had the
EM8500 chipset. Now there is EM8550. The basic differencies are summarised
in the table below.
EM8550 Features:
- Supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 over IP.
- Supports DVD-Video, Superbit? DVD, DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW (conditional), SVCD,
VCD, Picture CD, CD/CD-R/CD-RW (audio, WMA, DivX?*, MP3, JPEG and MPEG-4
files)
media formats.
- MPEG-1, MPEG-2 MP@ML, MPEG-4 ASP@L5** video decoding.
- Dolby Digital, MPEG-1 Layers I, II and III (MP3) and Windows Media® Audio
(WMA) audio decoding.
- Embedded RISC to run system software and applications.
- Integrated IDE (ATA/ATAPI-4) and DVD loader interface supports a wide
variety of DVD loaders, DVD drives, HDDs and CompactFlash.
- Local Bus for interfacing to external MPEG encoder and networking chips.
The drive's main chip is the MT1388E from Mediatek.
On the rear panel are all the appropriate audio/video
outputs. Analytically they are:
the coaxial and optical
audio (digital)
analogue stereo audio
output (L & R)
composite video and S-video output
the universal (Scart) line out
the Ethernet port
and the PCMCIA slot for wirless Ethernet connection
Component Video outputs (PbPrY) are missing from this unit.
As with DP-1000 here is still no built in 5.1CH
decoder, but this player has a different direction.
For
excellent sound reproduction, DD5.1 and DTS, we recommend you to use one
of the two digital outputs.
For wirless network connection you 'll need a PC Card ( Transmitter) and
an Access Point ( receiver). Both are extra accesories and not included in
the players package.
The
all in one SCART couldn't be missing.
The
package also includes the remote control for the device. The remote control
is absolutely necessary for operating the device, since other than the two
buttons on the
front panel, play/pause and stop/eject, there no
other
buttons.
Click on the remote's image for an enlarged view.
Below we have included screenshots of the main menus from
the player.
3. DivX - Xvid
Kiss DP-1504 DVD Player - page 3
DivX - Xvid
One important thing that makes a DVD player good is its ability to read
all the discs and all the formats. For this reason we tracked down
all the appropriate material in order to check the manufacturer's specifications
regarding
format support.
DivX support
All the DivX versions we tried, v2,3,3.11,4,5.11, played successfully with
the DP-1504 except this one where the Quarter Pixel was enabled, as it can been
seen in the screenshot below. With this feature disable there were no problems.
Xvid support
Our tests confirmed that the Xvid 1 and 2 are supported by the Kiss player.
Once again the Quarter pixel had to be disable, otherwise you won't be able
to play the files.
In our Xvid test movie, with AC3 sound, we had to files with subtitles, one
was a .sub file with english subtitles and the other a .srt file with greek
subtitles.
The
second
one was not been recognized from the player. We don't know what was the problem,
the greek subtitles or the type of file? This is exactly the same issue we
had in the DP-1000.
4. Reading Tests
Kiss DP-1504 DVD Player - page 3
Reading Tests
DVD support
The
Kiss DP-1500 we have in our hands is a region-2 drive, which means that the
player is able to decode (play) only the pressed DVD-Video discs coming from
the European region. However since you can upgrade the device with new firmware
it is possible, with an unofficial version, to make it region free.
We
connected the DP-1504 through the Scart interface with the corresponding cable,
which is included in the player's package. As was expected, the player supports
the DVD-Video format. We recorded a 4.35GB DVD-Video file on various DVD+R/-R,
DVD-RW/+RW media. The recorders we used are some of the latest dual-format
available on the PC market, as well as some 1st generation recorders. Pressed
single / dual layer DVD-Video discs were also included in the test. All the
test discs were created with the same PC /software in the DVD-Video mode.
We checked the player's disc recognition as well as smooth navigation and
playback. The results were very good, since all the discs were read completely.
The table below lists the drives and media we used in our tests.
Recorder
|
Media
|
Speed
recorded
|
Recognition
|
Playback
|
Sony
DRX-500UL v1.0c
|
TDK
DVD+RW 2.4x
|
2.4x
|
OK
|
Sony
DRU-530A v2.0h
|
Mitsubishi
Chemicals DVD+R 4x
|
4x
|
Taiyo
yuden DVD+R 4x
|
4x
|
N-Tech
DVD+R 4x
|
4x
|
Philips
DVD+R 4x
|
4x
|
Pioneer
DVR-107D v1.05
|
JVC
DVD-R 8x
|
8x
|
MKM
DVD+R 8x
|
8x
|
CMC
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
CMC
DVD+R 4x
|
4x
|
NEC
ND-2500A v1.06
|
JVC
DVD-RW 4x
|
4x
|
Maxell
DVD+RW 4x
|
4x
|
Ritek
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
Mam
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
TDK
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
Plextor
DVD+R 4x
|
8x
|
Mitsubishi
Chemicals DVD-R 4x
|
8x
|
Taiyo
Yuden DVD-R 4x
|
8x
|
Optorite
DD0401 v1.30E
|
MKM
DVD+R 8x
|
8x
|
Hi-Space
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
Verbatim
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
BTC
DRW1008IM v0.55
|
Pioneer
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
LiteOn
LDW-811S vHS0K
|
FujiFilm
DVD-R 4x
|
4x
|
Kiss player supports reading of DVD-ROM discs.
Cannot reproduce this advanced audio format.
CD support
The DP-1504 supports AudioCD, CD-R/-RW, VideoCD and Super-VideoCD playback.
The *.cda files of any audioCD are recognized flawlessly, even when the disc
is factory pressed or is a CD-R/RW. In addition, CD-Text is supported.
In our case, when talking about data CD (CD-R/-RW), we refer to either compressed
audio files (MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis..) or pure *.wav files, or VideoCD and Super
VideoCD.
In the case of pressed AudioCDs, the player recognizes and plays all the tracks,
offering additional features such as CD-Text reading and navigation between
tracks, as already mentioned in the previous page. This also applies to CD-R
and CD-RW discs. The device played audio files from CD-R, 10x HS-RW, 24x US-RW
and 32x US-RW discs we inserted in the disc tray.
In
addition, no problems were noticed when we played 8cm CD-R/-RW (185MB) or 90/99min
CD-R.
CDS200 and Key2Audio protected Audio CDs are playable in all players, and
the Kiss DP 1000 is no exception, since the protection schemes are intended
for PC devices only.
This format, as was expected, it is not supported.
-
Compressed Audio (data CD)
Let's
see now how the player reacts to various compressed audio files stored on data
CD-R/RW. Although the specifications of the DP-1500 indicate MP3 support, it
is not sure whether the drive can handle all MP3 compression modes. CBR or
VBR encoding mode and variations in the sampling rate could be hard for any
reader to decode. Below is available, the behavior of the player with various
MP3 and WMA files.
Compression
type
|
Compression
settings
|
Recognize
/ Play
|
MP3
|
CBR
20kBit 11025Hz Mono
|
Yes
|
CBR
20kBit 11025Hz Stereo
|
CBR
32kBit 11025Hz Stereo
|
CBR
32kBit 22050Hz Mono
|
CBR
40kBit 22050Hz Stereo
|
CBR
48kBit 22050Hz Stereo
|
CBR
48kBit 44100Hz Mono
|
Yes
|
CBR
56kBit 22050Hz Mono
|
Yes
|
CBR
56kBit 44100Hz Mono
|
Yes
|
CBR
64kBit 22050Hz Stereo
|
Yes
|
CBR
96kBit 22050Hz Stereo
|
Yes
|
CBR
96kBit 44100Hz Mono
|
Yes
|
CBR
96kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
Yes
|
CBR
112kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
Yes
|
CBR
128kBit 44100Hz Mono
|
CBR
128kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
CBR
160kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
CBR
192kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
CBR
224kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
CBR
256kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
CBR
320kBit 44100Hz Stereo
|
VBR
- High compression
|
VBR
- Highest compression
|
VBR
- Low compression
|
VBR
- Lowest compression
|
VBR
- Medium compression
|
Windows
Media Audio
(WMA)
|
WMA
48kbps
|
Yes
|
WMA
64kbps
|
Yes
|
WMA
96kbps
|
Audible
problems
|
WMA
128kbps
|
Yes
|
WMA
160kbps
|
Audible
problems
|
WMA
192kbps
|
Audible
problems
|
WAV
|
WAV 16Bit 44kHz 1411kbps |
Yes
|
Ogg
Vorbis
|
|
Audible
problems
|
The player supports decoding of all the popular CBR and VBR MP3 modes. In
the case of WMA files, the player provided average performance. Half of our
test files reproduced audible clicks and pauses.
You can use the DP-1504 to watch your photos. The Jpeg format is supported
and there is the capability for the user to cycle through the images.
As was expected, from the manufacturers specifications, both formats are supported.
5. Built in HD
Kiss DP-1504 DVD Player - page 4
Built in HD
The main difference between the DP-1500 and the DP-1504 is the existnce of
the Hard Disk. In our case the capasity of the HD was 40GB. The Hard Disk is
manufactured from Toshiba and its specifications are:
- 2.5-inch 40 GB Capacity
- 2 ms Track to Track seek
- 1 Platter
- 12 ms Average Seek Time
- 8 MByte Data Buffer Capacity
- ATA-2/3/4/5/6 supported
- UDMA 100 supported
- 9.5 mm Height
- 69.85 mm Width
- 100.0 mm Depth
- 94 g Weight
- 300,000 hours MTBF
You can copy files from a media inserted or use the ethernet connection to
put in files from a PC. Those can be either Audio files as well as Video or
Pictures. The copy procedure is very simple. In addition with the same way
you can delete the files you don't want any more.
There is also the ability for the user to totaly erase the contents of the
HD, format, from the Hard Disk's info menu. Below you can watch the cleanup
procedure.
As soon as the format is finish you see the above screen.
In order to copy files on the HD of the DP-1504, you must install the PC-Link
software,
from the CD, which included in the retail package. In that case you can use
both ethernet and wirless connections. In the last case you also need the card
below and the Access Point( not included in retail package). The connection
can be straight from DP-1504 to a PC with a cross cable or the wirless card
or
by
using a router.
6. Error Correction Tests
Kiss DP-1504 DVD Player - page 5
Error Correction
Tests
Here, we try to simulate one of the most interesting problems faced
by the average user while using a DVD player, the reading accuracy of a DVD
player when accessing a defective or scratched DVD or CD disc.
So, in order to test the abilities of the Kiss player against several types
of defects, we used the ABEX series from Almedio which
offers a good indication of the error correction capabilities of a CD/DVD
reader. In
addition,
we used the SBC444A test disc from Philips and the CD-Check
test disc from Digital recordings.
DVD-Video
This
is a single-sided, dual layer (S-2 type, OTP) disc with 8.5GB capacity. The
disc can be used for checking the layer switching operation from layer1
to layer 0. The disc also includes test pictures and test signals for Dolby
Digital, linear PCM (48kHz/24bit, 96kHz/24bit) and others to check for high
quality picture and sound. The disc contents is an MPEG-2 NTSC DVD-Video file.
Apart from the disc contents, the TCD-545 includes defects on the disc area
(black dots and fingerprints). The size of the black dots varies from 0.4mm
to 1.0mm. Fingerprints are sized from 0.065mm to 0.075mm.
DP-1504 plaback the contents of this disc without problems.
This
disc is exactly the same as the Abex TCD-545 tested previously, except
that the defect is a scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4mm to 3.0mm, increasing
by steps of 0.2mm/step.
This disc was not a problem for the DP-1504 player.
AudioCD
This
is an AudioCD disc used for measurement and adjustment of the error correction
ability and tracking/focusing servo characteristics of a player
against the defects included in some CDs. Three kinds of defects are included
on this disc, interruption in information layer, black dots and fingerprints.
The interruptions are fabricated by intentionally varying the lengths of pits
in the disc fabrication area. Their size varies from 0.5mm to 1.0mm. The diameter
of the black dots are from 0.4mm to 1.0mm. Last, the simulated fingerprints
are small, gathered dots, of diameters sized from 65 micrometers to
75 micrometers. 160 individual black dots in total construct the artificial
fingerprint.
Once again the player ignore the defeactes of this disc.
The
test concept with the Philips SBC 44A is the same as in the previous test disc.
Interruptions on the information layer vary from 400 micrometer to 1000
micrometers, while the black dots have a size of 300 micrometers to 800 micrometers.
DP-1504 read successfully the contents of this test disc.
Same contents as with the Abex TCD-726, but different defect. A scratch with
a size of 0.4mm to 3.0mm is on the disc's surface. Error symptoms expected
when
playing this disc are noise, sound skips, same sector repeatedly played, start
of tune cannot be detected etc.
The DP-1500 played successfully the first 6 tracks out of the 15 in
total. The 5th track corresponds to a scratch size of 1.2mm. First problems
occurred at the end of the 7th track (1.4mm) with audible "clicks" while
playing, which increased and were followed by sound skips and playback interruptions
as the defective area was increasing in size.
We finish this testing cycle with the CD-Check disc from Digital Recordings.
Five audio signals (5 tracks) in combination with disc error patterns to rate
the player's ability to read music and reproduce it completely. The five tracks
contain a sequence of progressively difficult tests.
- Check level 1 (track 1): Standard manufacturing errors
- Check level 2 (track
2): 0.375mm scratch
- Check level 3 (track 3): 0.750mm scratch
- Check level 4 (track 2): 1.125mm
scratch
- Check level 5 (track 2): 1.500mm scratch
Any clicks, interruptions
or looping during audio reproduction indicate failure of a Check level (audio
track). Below you can see the test results:
Check level |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Result |
OK |
OK |
OK |
one
click |
one
click |
The
player had very good performance since it managed to reproduce the first
three levels without problem. During the 4th and the 5th track we heard only
one click
at the beginning of
each track for every time
played, and then
nothing else.
The error correction of this player is good.
7. Conclusion
Kiss DP-1504 DVD Player
- page 6
Conclusion
DP-1504 looks like DP-1000. The menus and the navigation are almost the
same, with the same functionality. The provided connections are not the same.
DP-1504
has
the
PCMCIA and the
Ethernet
connection while there is no Component Video outputs (PbPrY), as
it was in DP-1000. One thing we would like to be existed is a power button
for open and close the device. There were some time that we wanted to power
off the unit for reset, so we had to disconnect the power cable.
The DP-1504 player, as far as it concerns the playback part, performed just
like the DP-1000. Almost in all tests the results were the same. That was
expected since the DVD player is the same in both devices. So according
to our reading tests, DP-1504 managed to confirm all the manufacturer's specifications
for DVD/MPEG-4/DivX®/XviD/CD/MP3/Ogg Vorbis/CD-RW/DVD+-RW compatibility.
Once again SACD and DVD-Audio advanced formats are not supported from
the player, which we estimate it is logical for this DivX player. One thing
we noticed is that there is no Fast Forword or Rewing while MP3 playback.
While Xvid and DivX playback we saw the same incidents. If the files were
made with Qpel enabled then they were unplayable. Extra subtitles were not
also visible.
The error correction for the Kiss player is very good. The drive maneged
to ignore defeacts up to 1.2mm. Larger defects
(1.5mm) caused audible clicks but even in that case were few. Once again
black dots( sized at 0.4-1.0mm) and artificial fingerprints(0.065-0.075mm)
were
not a
problem
for the player.
The greatest advantage for the DP-1504are the built-in Hard Disk and the
wirless or Ethernet connection. The included software for loading files onto
the HD is also good. A few steps are enough to accomplish your work. However
we estimate that the tranfer rate
for writing files on the HD is a kind of slow. We would like to be faster.
The Kiss DP-1504 is already in the market at the price of 430 euro( 449
euro with the PC Card).
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