The products from the French brand R_volution have emerged as top choices for individuals seeking a multimedia player that exceeds the functionality of a standard Android TV Box. The company commenced its venture with the launch of the R_volution PlayerOne, and has since continued to unveil new models that captivate enthusiasts of high-definition video and home theater experiences. Following the initial release, the R_volution PlayerOne 8K and R_volution PlayerOne 8K Signature Edition were introduced, aiming to provide an even more luxurious device.
The company has launched a new, more streamlined, and cost-effective model – the R_volution PlayerMini. This compact multimedia player retains many features from its predecessors while offering a more portable design. It is powered by the Amlogic S905X4-K chipset and supports advanced video formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The device is optimized for streaming movies, TV shows, and concerts from a NAS over the network or from an external USB-connected hard drive, and it can be managed through the R_video Media Center application.
While the R_volution PlayerOne 8K is an excellent media player, its extensive features may be excessive for the average user. The new R_volution PlayerMini serves as a suitable alternative, bridging the gap between devices like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro and the PlayerOne 8K. A key aspect of any media player is not only the user-friendly interface but also its compatibility with a wide range of audio and video formats. The R_volution PlayerMini excels in this area, supporting most digital formats, including the latest HDR technologies such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
The R_volution PlayerMini multimedia player is compatible with nearly all contemporary video file formats, including ISO MKV, BD, and UHD-BD files, offering both full and lite BD/UHD-BD menus. It supports AV1 and HEVC video codecs, as well as 4K/60p HDR video playback. Additionally, it accommodates high-resolution audio formats such as DSD, AIFF, FLAC, and ALAC, along with multi-channel audio formats like AC-4, Auro3D, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, making it an integral component of a comprehensive home theater system.
In terms of Dolby Vision, the manufacturer assures that the R_volution PlayerMini can play Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray discs (BDMV and ISO) with Dolby Vision menus (MEL and FEL), in addition to various file formats such as MKV, MP4, TS, and M2TS. It supports all major Dolby Vision profiles, including P4, P5, P7 MEL and FEL, and P8.
Equipped with a sophisticated Dolby Vision VS10 video processing engine, the R_volution PlayerMini guarantees optimal image quality across all content types (SDR, HDR, Dolby Vision) and output video signals (SDR, HDR, Dolby Vision). This technology enhances the conversion quality of SDR/HDR/Dolby Vision and significantly reduces posterization (banding) through advanced 12-bit video processing.
The new product features a versatile switching arsenal that includes two USB ports (versions 2.0 and 3.0) for connecting external hard drives. The rear panel of the player is equipped with an Ethernet RJ45 port, an HDMI port, an optical output port, and connectors for antenna installation. The R_volution PlayerMini is designed to stream multimedia files over the network from a NAS or a computer. While it utilizes a less powerful chipset than the PlayerOne 8K, it is also equipped with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which is half of what the older model offers, along with 32GB of eMMC storage compared to the 64GB found in the PlayerOne 8K. The R_volution PlayerMini is bundled with a backlit remote control and R_video software, which significantly enhances its appeal.
The R_volution PlayerMini multimedia player is now on the market, with a suggested retail price of $349.