RTD1296DD Specification

[Sledgehamma]

[Nice Monkey]

I don't think Zidoo did anything on this except reporting flaws to Realtek.

Realtek is extremely vague about the updates they made to RTD1295DD version-B and RTD1296DD. The Dune player is known to use the RTD1295DD version-B chip. 

We may assume some internal HW processes to have been improved/debugged/optimized and maybe an Image Processing Engine was added indeed?. Progress never harms and may be visible/perceptible with some content? 
The 30% claim is probably about internal I/O handling improvements which always are good, but not directly visible under most normal conditions.

Maybe Futeko has more insight?

[Sledgehamma]

[futeko.com]

We are just repeating Zidoo's official site. https://www.zidoo.tv/Product/index/model/Z9S/target/2INlOr7QH%2B1KKmVViAFMcQ%3D%3D.html

'ZIDOO Z9S is a 4K UHD media player with the best performance built based on the new upgraded RTD1296DD. The performance is 30% better than the previous generation of chips, with more powerful peripheral expansion capability, and equipped with a new image optimization engine and HDR to SDR conversion engine'.

I don't have the specifics of what has changed, but it makes sense that in the 1.5 years between RTD1295 and RTD1296 Realtek would make improvements.

[futeko.com]

I should add that I see a perceptible improvement in PQ between X9S and X20/X20 Pro. More natural, colours deeper. Whether this difference is attributable to RTD1295 vs RTD1296 and will carry over to Z9S/Z10 I do not yet know. X20/X20 Pro have better quality components and shielding which may be making the difference.

In a couple of weeks there will be many Z9S/Z10 in the hands of customers, and no doubt there will be lots of comparisons and analysis. 

[Nice Monkey]

I should add that I see a perceptible improvement in PQ between X9S and X20/X20 Pro. More natural, colours deeper. Whether this difference is attributable to RTD1295 vs RTD1296 and will carry over to Z9S/Z10 I do not yet know. X20/X20 Pro have better quality components and shielding which may be making the difference.

Discrete component quality, shielding and above all PSU quality have direct effects on analog signals, but the general statement for digital is "it either works or does not". Stability of clocks/timing is a known exception here (The PSU quality helps here too).

PQ improvements will come with the SOC primarily. We will see soon indeed, but I am optimistic it will carry over. Also some other RTD1295 flaws like forced subtitle support and 3D frame-rates may have been tackled?

[Sledgehamma]

[futeko.com]

Sledgehamma, do you want a Z9S for review? I would be happy to see some objective testing.

[Sledgehamma]

[futeko.com]

OK, no worries.

[Nice Monkey]

[Sledgehamma]

[Nice Monkey]

I am a projector fan myself. Also these dropped in price considerably, but a real 4K is beyond my reach too.
Using a pseudo 4K (Epson UB5040) myself which I am happy with for now. It has good HDR which is the most relevant part for RTD1296DD.

[Nice Monkey]

RTD1296DD is now better for up/downscaling UHD (color/brightness handling). But as others say some recent TV's offer the same and might even do a better job. Remains that many don't have such a fancy new TV.

I am pretty convinced more differences will be revealed in the (near) future. Also having substantial faster internal IO handling is never a bad thing for a smoother display! Difficult to qualify though.

[andys]

a question, this player also read the old divx?with x10 it does not read
thank you