3 Inch Player Roundup Part 3: Audio & Video Playback
The make or break of any media player, the video and audio playback quality are put to the test in part three of the battle of the 3 inchers.
To recap, the players we’re looking at are:
The 2GB touchscreen Nationite One Series OS-81
The 8GB touchscreen Onda VX series VX777LE
The 4GB Onda VX series VX555HD
and the mystery player…
See their skills after the jump.
-Video Playback-
The same video test files were used on each player and comprised of an RMVB file and two AVIs.
Only the VX555HD got special treatment but more information on that when we come to it.
Nationite One Series OS-81
After losing out to the VX777LE on the interface wars its seems the OS-81 has found its area of expertise when it comes to video playback.
Powered by the Rockchip RK2706 the playback was smooth, bold and bright.
The picture is really defined and has a genuinely impressive look that higher resolution than it actually is.
The AVI files performed just as well looking smooth, high resolution and defining the smalled distinctions in colour, light and detail down to individual hairs and grass.
There’s a really nice depth to the image too which creates a clear definition between the foreground focus and the background.
On top of all that the excellent viewing angles were the best of the bunch earning this two thumbs up for its efforts.
Onda VX series VX777LE
The VX777LE, also powered by the Rockchip RK2706 had a slightly darker screen with an image that wasn’t quite as bright, smooth and bold as the OS-81.
That said, it still offers really good playback and there’s little fault to find with it, it’s just a fraction below the excellent quality of the OS-81 but still really good in its own right.
Onda VX Series VX555HD
The advantageous upper hand belongs to the VX555HD and the clue why is in the name.
The CC1600-powered player is capable of decoding 720p HD files and playback of these high resolution images produces the kind of bright, bold and crisp video you’d expect.
The standard test files differed only slightly from the OS-81 quality but the higher resolution HD AVI file really impressed with fantastically smooth, bright and defined video playback.
The Mystery Player!
Trailing behind the pack is the mystery player.
The playback is nice and smooth but appears slightly washed out due to the lower quality screen.
Verdict
While the quality is excellent through-out, in terms of video playback the OS-81 just takes it for standard files and the VX555HD excels thanks to its fancy HD handling hardware.
-Audio Playback-
Nationite One Series OS-81
If this test has proved one thing it’s that video’s not the only this the OS-81′s good for.
The RK2706 chip’s split core with one half dedicated to audio comes into its own. The sound’s full, the stereo’s well defined and it has a real high quality overall sound with warm bass tones and unobtrusive highs.
Onda VX series VX777LE
Audio playback on the VX777LE is another treat with great stereo and some really nice deep bass.
There’s also the added option of having the lyrics displayed during playback.
Overall it’s another quality show from the RK2706.
Onda VX Series VX555HD
Given its dedicated Cirrus Logic audio chip you can only expect good things from this player and good things you get.
Interestingly though, playback’s not that much of a huge cut above the Rockchip powered models which is not a bad reflection on this player but rather testament to their quality.
That said playback is excellent and exactly as you’d expect.
The Mystery Player!
Another nice surprise from this one. It’s got a good sound but is a cut below the rest thanks to its tinny high-end and more digital tint to the audio.
Verdict
Between the top three there’s not a lot in it, they all deliver top quality audio.
That said, the dedicated audio chip on the VX555HD is excellent but the dual core Rockchip based players certainly can give it a run for its money.
The Nationite OS-81 is available from the store here and the Onda VX777LE and VX555HD are available here.
Discuss on the forum.
Categories: Nationite, Onda, PMP Review
