ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box: A Game-Changer in the Android TV Box Market
What is the Zidoo Z9X 8K Android media player? Every so often, an Android box emerges reason the bar to a whole new level, adding a new features and changing the way we use Android boxes. One such model is the 2024 Zidoo Z9X 8K. Today, I’m diving deep into this brand-new contender in the Android TV box market. While we’ve all heard of big names like Nvidia Shield, UGOOS, and Beelink, these brands have dominated the high-performance Android TV box scene for years. But today, the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is a game-changer, offering features no other Android box currently delivers.
The New King of 2024
We’ve already seen some great Android TV boxes this year. The UGOOS SK1, for example, has been my top pick so far. It’s a powerful box with impressive features. But just when I thought 2024 couldn’t get any better, Zidoo released the Z9X 8K TV Box. This model came out of nowhere, and it’s quickly making waves in the Android TV box community. So, is the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box the new king of Android boxes for 2024? Let’s find out.
Unboxing the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box
Let’s start with what’s inside the box. The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box package includes all the essentials. But, there are a few surprises too. Here’s what you get:
- The Z9X 8K TV Box itself
- A Zidoo V11 infrared remote, complete with IR learning capabilities
- A high-quality HDMI cable
- A SATA cable for connecting external hard drives and SSDs
- A 12V 2A 24W DC power supply
- A manual for the remote
- A warranty card and a QuickStart guide
It’s a standard package, but the inclusion of the SATA cable is a nice touch. This shows Zidoo’s commitment to providing a comprehensive experience right out of the box.
Design and Build Quality
Zidoo has stuck to its roots with the design of the Z9X 8K TV Box. It features a sturdy aluminum body, which not only looks premium but also helps with heat dissipation. The surface of the box proudly displays all its premium features, including 8K resolution, HDR10+, DTS audio, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Audio.
Connectivity Options
When it comes to connectivity, the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box doesn’t disappoint. It’s packed with ports and options to connect all your peripherals. Here’s what you’ll find:
- At the back:
- One HDMI 2.1 port
- One gigabit LAN port
- A reset button
- One USB 3.0 port
- One 3.5mm audio output socket
- One optical audio port
- An on/off switch
- Two WIFI6 antennas
- On the left side:
- Two USB 3.0 ports
- A SATA connector for external hard drives and SSDs
- On the right side:
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- An RS232 connector
- At the front:
- An LED display
The base of the box features four anti-skid rubber feet and plenty of ventilation holes to keep things cool.
ZIDOO Z9X 8K Cutting Edge ZIUI interface
Zidoo is one of the few manufacturers that design their own user interface. The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box features the ZIUI Cancer interface. This latest version includes a horizontal bar for main icons that can’t be changed, but you can add shortcuts below it. The top section includes a date and time widget, as well as a weather widget. You can also change the wallpaper, although it only applies to certain sections of the interface.
The ZIUI Cancer interface is built on Android TV OS, so it lacks a navigation bar or status bar. However, it’s designed to be user-friendly with a directional pad and an okay button.
Firmware and Updates
Here’s an important note for anyone getting the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box: When you first connect to the internet, you’ll be prompted to update the firmware. The default firmware doesn’t include the Google Play Store or Play Services. But don’t worry! Zidoo offers a G-version firmware that includes the Google Play Store. You can download it from their website and update via USB. Once updated, you’ll have full access to the Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
Unique Firmware Features
Zidoo’s ZIUI interface is packed with unique features. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key settings:
Playback Settings
The playback menu is all about optimizing your viewing experience. You can enable auto framerate switching, set bookmarks, and configure subtitle and audio settings. There’s even a digital signage mode that lets you set a video playlist to start playing automatically when the box is turned on.
Display Settings
The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box supports up to 8K resolution. However, since I don’t have an 8K TV, I could only test up to 4K. The box also offers advanced AI image and video upscaling, which enhances the display quality of connected devices like Blu-ray players. You can adjust the upscaling level and even display an overlay to see the current settings.
Audio Settings
The audio settings are just as impressive. Furthermore, you can choose your audio source, enable downmixing, and configure audio passthrough. In addition, the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box even supports DSD audio format, which is notoriously difficult to play. If your receiver supports DSD, then you’re in for a treat.
Network Settings
The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box has robust network settings. You can configure Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and even set up a SAMBA server. There’s also an option to use the box as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Other Settings
Under the “Other” menu, you can change the language, configure HDMI CEC, set power options, and more. You can also enable developer options and access legacy Android settings. However, screen rotation and a root switch are missing. Zidoo does provide root access through their special app called One Key Root, although it’s not available for the Z9X 8K model.
ZIDOO Z9X 8K Specs
Now, let’s talk about performance. The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is powered by an Amlogic S928X-K penta-core processor. Moreover, it has 6GB of DDR4 RAM and 64GB of internal storage. In addition, the GPU is a Mali G57 MC2, which supports OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan API 1.1. Furthermore, it is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and runs on Android 11.
Movie Streaming and DRM
The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box has Google Widevine Level 1 DRM and HDCP 2.3 protection. While it doesn’t have an official Netflix ESN license, you can still watch Netflix in 1080p with a modified app. The box’s AI upscaling feature can enhance the resolution, making your content look even better.
Gaming and App Compatibility
When it comes to gaming, the Play Store on the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is limited. You can sideload games, but not all of them are compatible. The box handles high graphics settings well without overheating, but Zidoo needs to update the Google Play Store and Play Services for a better gaming experience.
Benchmark Scores
Here are the benchmark results for the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box:
- RAM Speed: 17,149 MB/s
- Internal Storage Speed: 158 MB/s read, 149 MB/s write
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet Performance: Maxed out at 315 Mbps on 5GHz and gigabit Ethernet, and 199 Mbps on 2.4GHz
- Geekbench 5 CPU Score: 409 single-core, 754 multi-core
- 3DMark Wildlife GPU Score: 980, with an average FPS of 5.90
- Antutu Benchmark Score: 286,912
These results put the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box at position 7 on my rankings chart, just below the UGOOS SK1 and AM8.
Final Thoughts
The ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is a serious contender in the Android TV box market. With its impressive features, solid performance, and unique firmware options, it’s definitely a top choice for 2024. While there are a few areas where it could improve—like gaming compatibility and the inclusion of Google Play Services—there’s no denying that the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is a game-changer.
If you’re seeking a high-performance Android TV box capable of handling demanding tasks like 8K video playback and advanced audio formats, the ZIDOO Z9X 8K TV Box is an excellent choice. Its impressive array of features sets it apart from other options on the market, making it a leading candidate for the title of best Android TV box of 2024.
