Unboxing and Review of DigiBox D3 Plus
Hey everyone I have another exciting TV box review. Today, I’ll be diving into the features and performance of the Digibox D3 Plus, a live TV and video-on-demand Android TV box. Join me as I unpack this device and explore its design, hardware, firmware, and more.
Unveiling the Contents
As I opened the box, I found the expected components inside: the D3 Plus model, a Bluetooth voice remote, an HDMI cable, a 5V 2A DC power adapter, and a user manual. The setup seemed standard, and I was eager to explore what this TV box had to offer.
DigiBox D3 Plus Design Evolution
The design of the DigiBox D3 Plus caught my attention, reminiscent of an early 2016 box called X92. The plastic body features the Digibox branding on top, and the layout has evolved with additional features. Notably, the rear boasts an HDMI 2.1 port, a non-gigabit LAN port, optical audio and AV ports, an IR extender, DC power socket, and external antennas. The side includes USB 2.0 ports and a microSD card reader, while the front features an LED power light. Surprisingly, there are no ventilation holes on the base.
First Bootup and Digibox Launcher
Upon the first bootup, a Digibox animation played, followed by Bluetooth remote pairing and a startup wizard. The Digibox launcher, designed specifically for this model, offers a user-friendly interface. Navigating with a direction pad or mouse pointer, it includes a shortcut bar, date/time widget, and special features like customer service, speed test, help section, and more. Unfortunately, the launcher lacks a navigation bar and status bar with system controls.
D3 Plus’s Unique Selling Point – Live TV and VOD
The standout feature of the D3 Plus is its live TV and video-on-demand service, accessible via external apps. The service boasts 1141 live TV channels in HD 1080p, over 9000 video-on-demand movies, 2000 TV series, and 300 anime in HD and 4K. A full EPG guide supports all services, making it a comprehensive entertainment package.
Global Accessibility and Testing the Service
One notable feature is the ability to use the D3 Plus worldwide, providing entertainment on the go. I found the service to offer a smaller but high-quality lineup of essential channels. Unfortunately, due to YouTube’s guidelines, I couldn’t demonstrate the live TV quality, but it’s noteworthy for its HD resolution.
DigiBox D3 Plus Firmware Features
The D3 Plus runs on Android 12 TV OS but operates like a hybrid firmware with features from the mobile version. Supporting up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz, it offers HDR display with options to toggle it on/off. However, it lacks support for Dolby Vision or HDR10 plus. The firmware provides various settings, including HDMI CEC options, language selection, audio output source, and more.
Under the Hood – D3 Plus Hardware
Let’s delve into the hardware specifications of the D3 Plus. Powered by an Allwinner H616 quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and equipped with a Mali G31 GPU, it features 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Other noteworthy components include Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and Vulkan API support.
Digital Rights Limitations and Display Capabilities
Despite its powerful hardware, the D3 Plus falls short in terms of digital rights. With only Google Widevine level III, it lacks HDCP HDMI output signal protection. This means premium streaming services might be limited to basic 480p resolution. The TV box supports up to 2K resolution for YouTube videos, with limitations on reaching 4K.
DigiBox D3 Plus Multimedia Capabilities
The D3 Plus impresses with its Miracast receiver app for mirroring mobile devices in HD 1080p. It also features a built-in mobile remote control, accessible through the Digiplay app. However, the box’s limitations become apparent in 4K playback, particularly with formats like AV1, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 plus.
DigiBox D3 Plus Benchmarks and Ranking
To gauge the D3 Plus’s performance, I conducted various benchmarks. In terms of RAM and internal storage speeds, it showed lower transfer speeds compared to some competitors. Network speeds, especially on Wi-Fi, also underperformed, despite featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology.
CPU and GPU Performance
The Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark delivered a modest score of 112 single-core and 396 multicore. When it came to GPU performance, the D3 Plus struggled in the 3DMark wildlife test, registering only 126 with an average fps of 0.76. The Antutu benchmark version 8 scored 71,440.
Final Verdict and Rankings
In conclusion, the Digibox D3 Plus presents a mix of impressive features and limitations. Its live TV and video-on-demand service shines in HD quality, but the choice of the Allwinner H616 chipset hampers overall performance. Benchmarks place it at position 97 in the TV box ranking chart, with a 2/5 star rating based on the Antutu benchmark score and firmware features.
DigiBox D3 Plus Pros and Cons
I appreciate the D3 Plus’s launcher features, mobile remote-control app, Google Assistant, and Bluetooth remote. Screen mirroring works well in HD, and the inclusion of root access is a positive. However, the use of the Allwinner H616 chipset impacts CPU performance, limiting its potential as a versatile Android box.
