Mvix Ultio Pro Review

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Mvix UltioPro

When I first read about the Ultio Pro from Mvix, I was extremely hopeful that it would enable me to stream movies from my network attached storage (NAS), record movies to a hard drive (DVR), and stream NetFlix and Hulu to my TV (plus do a boatload of other things as well) like more and more network enabled devices can. I was looking forward to getting closer to the point where I could cut my ties with Comcast and its costly (overpriced) monthly service.

Mvix UltioPro front

According to Mvix, this set-top box can do it all; from NetFlix streaming, to being able to play nearly every digital file type known to man, to an embedded torrent client, to DVR capabilities, and the list goes on and on.

Product Features/Specifications:

  • HDD Compatibility – Supports 3.5 SATA hard disk (capacity up to 2TB), HDD not included
  • PVR Capabilities – Analog recording from any external analog video source. Supports time-shift and scheduled recording.
  • HDD Format – FAT32, EXT3 or NTFS format
  • External Storage – Via USB Host (for external CD ROM / DVD ROM / Portable HDD / USB storage)
  • Video Resolution – H.264, MKV, WMV9, MOV, RM/RMVB, TS and HD Divx supports up to 1920 x 1080p
  • TV System Compatibility – PAL, NTSC, Auto
  • Networking – LAN RJ45 10/100M or Wi-Fi 802.11N (via USB dongle, sold seperately)
  • Network Protocols – Embedded uPnP Client, Samba Client
  • Video Playback – Codec: H.264, MKV, WMV9, MPEG 1/2/4, HD Divx , Xvid, FLV, RM/RMVB, Container: mkv, ts, m2ts, mts, tp, trp, wmv, Ifo, iso, vob, dat, avi, mpg, mp4, mov, rm, rmvb, divx, xvid, flv
  • Audio Playback – Codec: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC, LPCM, FLAC, AC3, Container: WAV [.wav, .pcm], ADIF, ADTS [.aac], M4A [.m4a], OGG [.ogg], ASF/WMA [.asf, .wma], FLAC [.flac]
  • Image Playback – JPG, JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
  • Subtitle Playback – sub, smi, ssa, srt, idx + sub
  • Audio/Video Out – HDMI1.3 (digital video and audio signals), Component (Y Pb Pr), Composite Video, Optical SPDIF (5.1Ch Dolby Digital), Stereo audio output (Audio R/L),
  • I / O Ports – USB2.0 Host (for connecting external CD ROM / DVD ROM / Portable HDD / USB storage / USB WIFI), USB2.0 Slave to transfer Media from PC. 10/100Mbps Ethernet port (Media Transfer and Sharing across network
  • Torrent Client – Embedded Bit torrent Client
  • File Management – HDD Format, Copy, Delete, Rename, File Transfer via hand-held Remote
  • Power Input – Universal AC 100 ~ 230V 50Hz ~ 60Hz, DC Power DC 12V 2A, 30-W
  • Language – English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Hebrew

Mvix UltioPro contense

Mvix includes all the A/V cables and pieces to be up and running straight away. Although, they do not include an ethernet cable to get you talking to your network and/or the outside world.

Package Contents:

  • Mvix Ultio Pro Media Center
  • HDMI1.3 Cable
  • AC Adapter
  • Remote Control
  • USB 2.0 Cable
  • AV Cable
  • User Manual
  • Batteries
  • Power Plug Cable

Mvix UltioPro back

The Ultio Pro is capable of HDMI1.3, Component (Y Pb Pr), Composite (RCA), and 5.1 digital optical audio output. There is an analog composite input for recording to the DVR (aka installed/attached hard drive). I/O data ports include: 2 x USB-Host, 1 x USB2.0,  and SD slot (up to 16GB). As you can see, the two USB slots are located in the back of the device. I would have preferred one of the slots to be positioned on the front-face for easier access. A minor inconvenience, a simple USB extension cable fixes the hassle of having to reach around the back to insert the portable media you want to attach it.

Mvix UltioPro beforeHD

In my tech geek excitement and desire to truly embrace most, if not all, the Ultio Pro had to offer, I ran down to Fry’s and picked up a 2tb hard drive to install into the heart of this media device. If you do not want to deal with installing an internal hard drive yourself, Mvix produces the Ultio Pro in several different capacities; without ($179), 1tb ($260), 1.5tb ($300), or 2tb ($330). Or if you had a spare external hard lying around, you could just plug that into the device as well.

Mvix UltioPro withHD

The installation was quick and simple. Just connect the two wires to the SATA HD, place it into the metal bracket, screw the cover back into place and you are good to go.

Mvix UltioPro format1

When I first turned the Ultio Pro on, formatting the hard drive was pretty simple. After a few minutes and a reboot, I was ready to use the device.

Connectivity

The Ultio Pro can connect to the internet via ethernet cable or optional WiFi adapter. If you have a hard-wired ethernet port near your device that is the easiest way to get connected. But if that is not an option, you can order either a 802.11G adapter ($20) or 802.11N ($35) adapter to wirelessly connect to your network. The slower, 802.11G adapter allows for non-HD streaming only.

Networking

After plugging in the ethernet cable, the first thing I tried to do was get the device talking to my Time Capsule (NAS). Sadly, I tried to make this happen for HOURS 🙁 Painfully so….. I am pretty good at figuring things like this out and MaGuyver’ing the rest, but I am definitely not a ‘network-guy’. This effort was to say the least, frustrating.

So, since I was not able to get my Ultio Pro communicating with my Time Capsule on my own, I asked several of my tech-buddies over for free food and drinks one Friday night to assist me getting the two talking. We had the instructions in our hands and our laptops out searching for some clue as to why we could not access my NAS and see its contents. We worked on it over an hour and after much frustration and swearing we gave up. Let’s just say my friend’s opinion of the Ultio Pro (at least the network/NAS portion) was less than favorable.

However, I/we did get the media device talking with my unibody MacBook, iMac and the internet. Transferring movie files from my computers was relatively simple. I was also able to stream files from my Macs as well.

Mvix UltioPro usb

The Ultio Pro can also play media files off of external storage devices as well, like SD cards, thumb drives, portable hard drives, and external USB DVD players. This was also easy to accomplish.

Playback/Streaming

I listened to and viewed a multitude of file types, from aac to mp4. They all sounded and looked very nice. Once I got it functional, watching movies from the Ultio Pro was a great viewing experience. The playback was crisp and vivid, with only the occasional hiccup while we watched. I believe when there was hesitation in the playback, it was due to the bit rate (too high) I encoded the video at.

I then looked into watching internet content via the Ultio Pro. I came to discover the Ultio depends on services like PlayOn and TVersity to access streaming video content from Netflix, Hulu, CBS, Youtube, CNN, ESPN, etc. These services require not only a monthly fee but a Windows computer to make this happen. This seems a bit old-school considering how many devices have this ability/feature built into them, from Blu-Ray/DVD players to the TVs themselves.

File Management

The Ultio Pro allows you to manage files via the screen interface and remote control. It allows for formatting the hard-drive, copying, deleting, renaming of files and even physical transfer of files between USB storage, network shares, PC and its internal HDD (relatively) easily via the hand-held remote.

Mvix UltioPro filestructure

The device’s navigation is done in file folder format; the user interface is very Windows 95. Inputting information and navigating through the Ultio Pro’s various screens with the remote (vs keyboard and mouse) while simple, can be tedious. It is not nearly as polished as the AppleTV’s interface, but usable none-the-less.

Built-In Torrent Client

I am definitely not much of a bit-torrent user, but can tell you how the Ultio Pro is supposed to be able to help you do this. The Ultio Pro has a built-in torrent client that allows you to share large media files without the need for an active computer running all the time. This in combination the media devices’ NAS features provides a worthy setup for digital media acquisition, storage and sharing. ‘The Mvix Ultio Pro is capable of connecting to all the popular p2p networks, and users can search, download, archive and play all media files.’

Bottom Line

If you are a tech/computer person, this device is fine and even fun to play with if you have the time. However, the average user will not like this device as an alternative to cable/satellite TV, DVR, AppleTV, etc. Setting up and using this device takes time, skill, and knowledge. It is definitely not for the plug and play kind of crowd. The Ultio Pro costs $180 and if you do not need all of its features/capabilities, there are less costly alternatives. That said, if you want a device that can play just about any file format, store a ton of content (w/attached or installed hard drive), bit-torrent, stream movies and music from any computer in your network, etc, you definitely should consider the Ultio Pro.

MVIX is offering a limited time discount code for Gadgeteer readers:

CODE: KHK3POWS9
Amount: $30 off a Mvix Ultio Pro MX-880HD (bare unit)
Expiry: Nov 30th, 2010

 

Product Information

Price:- $170 (w/o hard drive) - $260 (w/1tb HD), - $300 (w/1.5tb HD) - $330 (w/2tb HD)
Manufacturer:Mvix
Pros:
  • Supports up to 1080p playback
  • Plays a huge variety of file formats
  • Clear, vivid video playback
  • Built in bit-torrent client
  • Internal and external expandability
  • Well built hardware
Cons:
  • Some of the Ultio Pro's features difficult to setup
  • Relatively expensive
  • Definitely not plug & play
  • Need service & dedicated Windows computer to view Hulu and/or NetFlix
  • Loud cooling fan

8 thoughts on “Mvix Ultio Pro Review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. I have one of these devices and I LOVE IT.
    It is buy far the most useful thing I own. All my movies are on my computer and this allows me to stream from my laptop to the TV.

    Sometimes I plug in a external HD also. The fact that I don’t have to convert all my files to an “official format” is great! It played everything I threw at it.

  3. MVIX is offering a limited time discount code for Gadgeteer readers:

    CODE: KHK3POWS9
    Amount: $30 off on Mvix Ultio Pro MX-880HD (bare unit)
    Expiry: Nov 30th, 2010

  4. What about:
    1. Any kind of on-screen guide to set-up recordings (either Tivo-style or web-based grids)?
    2. Starting & stopping a recorded show? Does it remember where to pick up from (accurately) when you resume?
    3. Any way to control a cable box? Especially important when shows are scrambled and you’re dependent on the box. Or are you stuck programming both the cable box and the Ultio separately to get the show recorded unscrambled?
    4. Remote viewing over the Internet? Via a browser? How about using an iPad? Or would a Slingbox work with this? (If a Slingbox could control it then we have our answer to the now defunct Sling Catcher.)

  5. @rowan, all good points.
    1. No on-screen content guide. You just tell it when to start, how long to record, whether or not to repeat, where to record to (HDD/SD/ExtHD/etc), and the quality of the recording. So, you have to leave your cable/satellite box on the channel of the show you want to record.
    2. I was initially frustrated that each time I went back to finish a movie/show it started @ the beginning. But in my playing with the device, there is a setting in the control panel that enables it to resume from where you left off watching.
    3. No, you’re stuck setting up both.
    4. No, I do not believe it can act as a SlingBox type of device either.

  6. I have owned prior MVIX models, the 760HD among them. My experience with the company and quality of firmware updates and support is such that I would never purchase a product from them again. I say this after my 760HD just died (constantly on loading), which is apparently a very common occurance. Just my 10c but spend your money elsewhere.

  7. you have to be a computer geek to be able to setup MVIX products especially the 880hd. definitely not user-friendly & their tech support people are the worst!!! you will need a month to spare communicating with them back & forth via email or phone trying to set up this device (especially if you need to format this thing for a Mac!!!)…and hopefully you wont have to send the device back for ‘testing’ like i have 3 times already…i will admit, after all the initial troubleshooting & headaches, the device is wonderful.good luck folks!

  8. My Mvix Pro (880) which I’ve had for a year and a half now apparently like to crash when you are watching movies, like 6 out of 10 movies at a time. As soon as you’re into a movie the first 5 to 20 minutes the screen goes blank and a loud static noise is given from the TV and will sometime continues to the end of the movie (sometimes). It always has the latest firmware installed, I check every week for a new one to see if it would fix the problems but it only delays the crashes for a minute or two. I build and program computers and I had modded my (880) Pro by installing dual fans and a temperature reader to make sure the harddrive is monitored and kept cool at all times if overheating was the problem which apparently it was not the problem. Has anyone ever encountered anything similar problem as I have?

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