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Mvix Ultio 1080p UPnP Home Theater Media Player

By Alexander Grundner | June 25th, 2009 Interest Level: SMOKING HOT


Mvix Ultio with Remote

Mvix today is introducing the Mvix Ultio HDD media player. The device is unique in that the company has decided to open source the firmware code so developers can add new features and applications. Mvix states that any new application that gets rolled into the official firmware will net $500 for the developer (not a bad deal). As for Ultimo’s features and specs, the MX-800HD has just about everything any decerning Digital Home enthusiast is looking for: 1080p HDMI video out, support for all the popular media formats, built-in Torrent / Samba servers, UPnP AV client (compatible with PlayOn and TVersity for Netflix, Hulu, YouTube content), Ethernet (optional 802.11n USB dongle available), and file management via remote control. Pricing: $169 or $259 with a bundled 1TB hard drive.

Mvix Ultio Back

UPDATE 7/7/09: MvixUSA has published a Mvix Ultio : FAQ and Facts in order to respond to some of the questions / concerns circulating around the Net.

MvixUSA Launches Ultio: the Ultimate 1080p UPnP Home Theater Media Player

Chantilly, VA, June 25, 2009: Mvix(USA), Inc., a market leader in high-definition entertainment, business signage solutions and networked accessible storage devices, announces the worldwide launch of the Mvix® Ultio, a Hard-Disk Based media center capable of HD digital media playback with video output as high as 1080p and supporting the largest array of AV formats and codecs ever supported by any media player.

Ultio’s high-end video processing not only plays Blu-Ray quality video, it allows to store entire Hi-Definition media on its internal hard drive, plug it into a TV via a HDMI and enjoy movies, digital music and family photos on large LCD or Plasma. The flexibility and scalability of Ultio makes it the easy to play HD movies or home videos. Ultio supports most 1080p HD video codecs, and formats such as H.264, MKV, Dixv HD, MOV, VC-1, FLV, etc. It is also capable of playing unique formats such as AVC-HD (normally used in camcorder footage) or FLAC (the popular, uncompressed audio, craved by audiophiles).

Mvix Ultio is being launched in 2 flavors: the regular version (without a HDD) is priced at $169, whereas the premium version (bundled with 1TB Hard Drive) will be available at $259. Speaking on the occasion, Mike Mallon, the business development manager of Mvix (USA), Inc., commented “Mvix Ultio is the ultimate solution for high definition home entertainment which is likely to redefine the HD Media player market. The aggressive market price bundled with a comprehensive set of features is likely to attract a much larger customers-base than ever before.” Ultio is internet-ready and pre-equipped with a network port and an optional Wireless-N capability. It sports a samba server and a UPnP implementation, allowing seamless integration with services like Play On® or Tversity® (for streaming video content from Netflix®, Hulu®, CBS®, Youtube®, CNN®, ESPN® and much more).

Ultio is completely scalable – one can choose upto 1.5TB of media storage in its internal hard disk. Its built-in Torrent Client, combined with basic NAS features makes it an ideal setup for digital media acquisition, storage and sharing. Combined with spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio, Mvix Ultio provides a complete HTPC experience. Ultio brings a ‘networking reality’ to Media players by enabling network media streaming from shared, password-protected PC folders, NAS or servers. Encompassing distinctive features of a traditional home-theater PC, it offers capabilities like formatting hard-drive, copy, delete, renaming of files and even physical transfer of files between USB storage, network shares, other PC or Mac and simply via the hand-held remote.

Mike further added, “This is our most comprehensive product to-date and we feel very confident about its market traction. In reality this new model is built by our valued customers – each feature on this device is an outcome of customer feedback on our older models. We are excited about this new product and I am sure our customers will be pleasantly surprised as well”

As part of the General Public License (GPL) agreement, MvixUSA will also make the firmware source-code available to its customers via its Support Center.

Pre-Orders of Mvix Ultio start immediately and it is scheduled to ship in July 1st week. Mvix Ultio will be available at popular retail locations such as Amazon.com, Buy.com, Thinkgeek.com, B&H Photo Video.com and directly from MvixUSA’s store.

For more information, please visit www.mvixusa.com/ultio/1080p-high-definition-home-theater-pc.html

About MVIX(USA), Inc.
MvixUSA is the market leader in technology and products for hard-disk based HTPCs, portable media-centers and hi-definition digital signage players. In addition, MvixUSA has leading expertise and products for digital playback of high-definition (1080p) video content, network streaming, NAS media storage, and IP service integration. Since inception, MvixUSA’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions has put the company at the forefront of digital entertainment industry. With a versatile line of audio and video products for use at home, on the road and in business environments, MvixUSA caters to customers who value quality, style and a technology-enabled lifestyle. In the recent past, Mvix Media Centers has received accolades from many well-known and respected reviewers across the world. Recently it own the “Editor’s Choice – Must Have” award from reputed technology review site TweakTown.com and was declared one of the “10 Hottest Linux Powered Gadgets” by TheHottestGadgets.com . For more information, visit www.mvixusa.com or call 1-866-310-4923

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____________
Alexander Grundner is the Editor & Publisher of eHomeUpgrade. He has been following "Digital Home" developments since 2003. He's also a fan of cross-platform, open development software and industry standards related to media, networking, and the web. You can catch his daily tech musings on Twitter: @agrundner.
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  • kangaroodo
    Received my Mvix Ultio about 10 days back and having played with it literally everyday for over 2-3hrs a days, I have to contend that it is the most comprehensive player yet.

    No - this is not a replacement of a $800-1000 Home theater PC system. Neither will it wash your laundry. For the price-feature-quality bundle, you just cannot get anything better. The bottomline with these devices is that if you are realistic about your requirements, you can really leverage and enjoy all features. If you a AppleTV fan - you will not like Ultio. If you are a high bitrate audio junkie... buy a sonos or squeezebox instead. Ultio is a video media center. Has some really nice features (NAS, Bittorrent, Samba, Remote-based File editing, UPnP, wireless etc..) and it does it really well. The small window preview feature rocks. Highlight any file and it displays a small preview in a side window along with file specs/info. etc. Its a very useful feature.

    In the past year, I have been fortunate to try WDTV, NMT, PCH, and some a lot of random brand media players in the market. Each one of these had its ups and downs. Some sucked outright. Some sucked after a week of usage. So far Ultio seems to be capable of most of features of a media center.

    The Bittorrent works really well... the interface is blah! - but the speed is phenomenal. (You decide which is important for you).
    Their implementation of Samba client and server system allows you a near-PC experience. Drag and drop files from your PC. Stream content from your PC or other Mvix Ultio on your network etc. All works fine and reliably.

    Format support is by far the best I have seen in these devices. It literally plays everything that i have thrown at it. I have a 6TB server in my basement - and I have been able to stream MKV and M2TS files over CAt5 - and it doesnt even flinch. 1080p is crisp. Looks fabulous on my Samsung LN52A860 ... but sucks on my Toshiba Regza 42HL167. Not sure what is going on!? (Guess - its time to convince the wife to replace the regza). I play FLAC and MP3s on Ultio via my Onkyo - and the family has not complained so far. I am not a audioholic.

    The UPnP implementation on Ultio is a step in the right direction - but there's a lot of potential in improving it. I have been successful in playing Hulu, Netflix etc. via PlayON. I just wish the GUI was better. Since I dont use Netflix (or old TV episodes) as much - I dont think thats a deal breaker for me. If you do BT - who wants Netflix anyways. Wife likes Hulu - so far it has been working well for her.

    Overall, I like the device. Honestly, with the price point, there is not much not to like about it. Have placed another pre-order for the next lot - this one will be for the kids room. Not sure who does forecasting at this company - but these guys suck in demand estimation - as they keep running out of inventory every few weeks. For the basement theater, I will continue to use my HTPC running Win-7 media center (its a no brainer!!).
  • I just received my Mvix Ultio package, while playing with it, I was wondered if Mvix would stream the DTS to my Yamaha because DTS is not on the supported audio list. It DID work!

    But what I like most with it is that Ultio has both a SAMBA client and a SAMBA server. I can sit comfortably in front of my TV and access files from my PC or NAS device. Not only does it stream from the PC, it also allows me to copy files from my PC or NAS to Mvix Ultio (or vice versa).
  • yazzy
    Except it does not work. I've had it for 2 days and it shouldn't be sold with so buggy and crappy software. Here's a list i made http://www.yazzy.org/docs/ultio/bugs.txt
  • mjbc
    I indeed agree that it is reasonably priced because of the fascinating features I myself discovered with Ultio. It is easy to set up, just a few minutes to configure and install then you can enjoy music, movies, pictures, etc. I just got mine, amazing it can be connected to the network and you can start sharing files form your PC. Enjoying clips and movies from you tube, Hulu, etc. I still have more to discover and be satisfied with this all in one box.
  • karjoy
    I agree with you mjbc. The Mvix Ultio is easy to set up, because I myself did this for just a few minutes. This product amaze me because of its features and functionality. It's really great that I found this product because I am really tired of watching videos on the internet in front of my computer or downloading and burning the movie on a cd. And with This Ultio's internet capabilities and ability to read different file formats, I can now sit back and relax on my sofa without the any hassle. :)
  • Looks like a great product launch and very reasonably priced too for a home theater media player.
  • Someone should make sure the "built-in bitTorrent" feature is really built-in. I think the MVix PVR claimed to have built-in BitTorrent support, but it's only built into a piece of software you have to run on your PC.

    Yes, everyone should wait on MVix stuff. They make good stuff, but version 1.0 always seems rather untested.
  • Chip
    "Mike" is a shill for Unicorn who has been posting the same crap on every blog that mentions the Ultio. Mvix USA owns the trademark for the Mvix name (not Unicorn) and can legally release any device it wants. Go to the USPTO and search for yourself: http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=login&...

    There is no legal issue here. Unicorn is just grumpy because Mvix USA found a better manufacturer and now they're trying to spread FUD.
  • Mike
    I'd wait on this one. Who know how this legal quarrel will turn out.
    And I don't believe that MvixUsa are victims here. Even though they are complaining about the quality of Unicorn products they keep selling them. If this is not hypocrisy then what is?
  • paulps
    Sounds like another Roku HD1000. Um, er, I mean PhotoBridge 1000 (or was it PB HD?). Likely to be dead within a year.
  • MIKES
    MVIX.NET: * Mvix Ultio is UNAUTHORIZED, Not a Genuine Mvix Product *

    I wouldn't give my money to MvixUSA for the Ultio just yet.

    This was posted this morning on the MVIX.net OFFICIAL Forums:

    Unicorn Admin Group:

    "Unfortunately MvixUSA - Unicorn partner in USA for the last few years has recently announced their new device - the so called "Mvix Ultio (MX-800HD)" This announcement is to clarify to all that device is not a Unicorn product, nor it will be supported by Unicorn now or in the future in anyway. According to initial Unicorn Investigations to the subject matter, the device is an independent unauthorized OEM initiative made by MVIXUSA and originated from other vendor. The use of the mvix name brand on any product or publication without the advance explicit authorization or permission of Unicorn Korea was reported to the legal department of the company with a clear instructions to take all necessary steps to protect Unicorn rights without delay. Please note : Any dealer or an e-tailer worldwide offering the sale or distribution of any Mvix devices without explicit authorization in advance from Unicorn Korea will be held liable for infringing Unicorn rights and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent allowed by the law. Mvix Korea Official site is www.mvix.net "

    Posted 06/26/2009

    http://www.mvix.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1...
  • It seems Unicorn Korea has a beef with MivxUSA for using a different vendor to produce the MX-800HD. However, it looks like they did this because of false specification claims made by Unicorn on previous products, according to a forum poster on that thread.

    All I can tell you is: 1) Mvix is a registered trademark of MvixUSA; 2) This site has received regular press releases / product announcements from MvixUSA's marketing team for sometime. I've never had a reason to doubt their credibility. I'd say at this point this is a legal matter best left for attorneys to argue over.
  • this isnt real mx800hd, just a local intiative by USA distributor, i thnink they make brand infringement, real mx800 is published at mvix.net
  • MivxUSA is the legitimate arm of Mvix.NET Worldwide. See: http://www.mvix.net/Worldwide.html
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