Blu-ray player Electrocompaniet EMP 3
Taken as a basis for machine platform of OPPO Digital (namely, model BDP-103), is very popular among manufacturers Blu-ray-player of high class. To create a platform on their own makes no sense - it is a long, costly and requires a plurality of licenses. At OPPO she perfected and is constantly updated, and with regard to image quality, it is extremely difficult to beat. However, one thing - home theater, where the capacity of the original OPPO player is more than enough, and the other - to play music in stereo, where they correspond to the price category, but no more. What inspires serious audio manufacturers to refine or even processing these players.
Electrocompaniet engineers took on the original platform motherboard with video channels and drive. Probably been redesigned power supply, but accurate information on this subject we have. But the other signal path: added stereo balanced outputs with separate DAC, redesigned module multichannel outputs - it is seen by other connectors RCA (judging by the color, they are covered with rhodium). Finally, your body completely: in addition to the traditional firm front panel of acrylic, it differs a multilayer structure and enhanced rigidity. The total mass of EMP 3 increased more than twice compared to the "donor" BDP-103, which in itself has a positive effect on the protection of the device from vibrations.
Unfortunately, the company does not disclose details about the design of the player, assuming, apparently, that the technique should be judged not by the press releases and the quality of work. Well, follow this principle and begin acquaintance with the apparatus.
Anfas player is virtually indistinguishable from the EMP 2, but the patch panel there are significant changes. As before, there are two HDMI outputs that can display digital video directly to a TV or projector and sound - on the receiver. Another connector HDMI - input designed for devices with this interface, which can not find a free slot in the TV or receiver. Over a block of digital outputs audio (coaxial and optical) is a composite video output marked with the inscription "DIAG" - is the service connector, intended for diagnostic purposes. I note at the same time the management interfaces of IR and RS-232C. Two USB connectors, one of them can be used to connect Wi-Fi-adapter (now he does not stand with extension, as it was at the EMP 2), and the second - for the storage of the content or, say, a new firmware. However, the simultaneous operation of WI-Fi-adapter and USB-HDD was impossible. The reason is clear - both devices requires a considerable current.
Connector eSATA, which was at EMP 2, no more. In my opinion, a great loss, because its speed advantage to USB does not matter when you play multimedia content. In addition, this computer interface looks "beautiful" only on paper, but in reality to him there are many problems. In particular, the fixing of the cable into the connector is not enough reliable. Not surprisingly, the household appliances that interface is used less and less.
Stereo analog outputs - balanced only on connectors XLR, but if you need to connect to an amplifier with an asymmetric input, you can use an adapter XLR - RCA - the sound is better than when connected to the front pair of multi-channel outputs. When playing a purely musical content provided complete shutdown of all subsystems of the player that are not used (video channels, fluorescent display) - it is a separate button on the PURE AUDIO.
The graphical interface is very smooth and without any delay - affects the computing power new dual chip, on which a player. I note in passing that the video processing engaged processor Marwell Kyoto-G2H technology Qdeo, through which can be scaled to any input resolution 4K. 3D video is supported in full, including the conversion of 2D to 3D.
Settings highly developed, especially in regard to the video, with the picture settings can be adjusted individually for each output HDMI. However, I doubt that the need arise, except for the display of amateur videos. But the fact that the possibility is there, warms the soul.
Blu-ray discs are loaded rapidly (an average of 14 seconds), and it also merit strong SOC-chip. Regional protection is disabled and for Blu-ray, and DVD - in my opinion, is a big plus. And, as we now see, is not the only one.
Any modern media player simply has to have a built-in network client, but simply put, the network must have the functionality of the tape (the player). EMP 3 to satisfy this requirement in full. Absolutely all of the supported file types can be played not only with USB-drives or rewritable disc, but also an Ethernet or Wi-Fi. In addition, as befits a machine of this kind, provided access to popular internet services (Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow, Pandora, Rhapsody, Film Fresh, YouTube, Picasa). However, the most interesting ones in Russia is not yet available.
Needless to say, the client can work with the network server. And supported by the most popular protocols UPnP/DLNA, and SMB/CIFS, which is found in drives are not so often. Organizing servers is not a problem: embedded DLNA-equipped with many services routers, NAS, and it is possible that to play online content do not need the network to "lift". However, to navigate through the content will have to use the TV to be switched off mode PURE AUDIO. The problem is solved at the expense of the organization to control the player from your smartphone/tablet, but necessary for this program yet from Electrocompaniet is in development. Theoretically should fit the application for OPPO BDP-103, that's just me, it did not work - obviously differences EMP 3 from the base platform is not just limited to the audio path. Exit - to use third-party programs. In particular, it is efficient application Kinsky by Linn. Honestly, I did not have time to try the popular server. Twonky, which can be installed not only on the work computer, but also on the NAS. Whatever it was, but have some work to do. Those who do not like to strain your intellect to things that do not make money, you should wait corporate software from Electrocompaniet. Or seek the assistance of specially trained personnel.
The picture is great, otherwise you could not tell. I always thought that the film "SWAT" written on Blu-ray is not very good - in most other players noises too conspicuous. But here - everything is clean, dark scenes full of details, light - rich tones. Poignant clarity. Whether the drive turned out not bad, if the system noise reduction and video processing as a whole works better than the other phones that I have ever tested before.
"Casino Royale" discovering anew - so the image here relief, deep, full of details. Shocking realism. Yes, the last movie of the series of James Bond is not so natural, too much in their computer animation.
Quite old "Spider-Man" looks surprisingly fresh and the grain of the film is not conspicuous.
Now check the player on "omnivorous". Test selection with "difficult" files in containers M2TS, TS, MKV and AVI passed entirely. Complete Blu-ray-rips are reproduced as a menu on the USB, and network. However, the bandwidth Wi-Fi for this content clearly too small, at least in my conditions ether extremely overloaded, so that for "heavy" video is better to use Ethernet.
Move to the music. Files at resolutions up to 192 kHz/24 bit with no problems played over the network and even Wi-Fi, although I like the sound of the wire still more.
In the Pure Audio sound becomes a little softer and more comfortable, but the difference is not as great as I expected - probably topology apparatus is so competent that the video path does not give significant interference in the audio chain.
Even ordinary CDs and files 16 bit/44.1 kHz play fine, accurately and at the same time very dynamic, expressive, expressive. Although discs SACD, DVD-Audio and Hi-Res files sound certainly spectacular - mainly due to a better focus of the scene. Balanced connection enhances this effect - sound patterns become even more widespread and clearly. Extremely precise stage, respectively, and the effect of presence is impressive. Reference sound.
