Mvix Ultio Pro MX-880HD

The Mvix MX-880HD Ultio Pro digital video player/recorder is perfect for the individual who wants to play, record, and manage their collection of digital A/V files without the use of a computer.  While the device can be hooked up to a computer for file transfer, the Ultio Pro is a stand-alone device and needs nothing more than installation of an up to 2TB SATA hard drive.  With its extensive playback and recording capabilities, the Ultio-Pro is particularly useful for those who want to create HD movies on their computer but do not have the ability to otherwise record in HD format for playback on their TV or home entertainment system.

Some users might recognize the appearance and operation of the on-screen menu as similar to the Front Row Media Player of the Mac OS X.  The on-screen menus and included remote control are capable of operating virtually all of the Ultio Pro’s features, including file management operations, such as copy and delete.  It includes a slide show mode with background music, thus avoiding the need for friends and family to gather around an inadequately sized computer monitor to view personal photos and movies.

Video output is available in both PAL or NTSC at resolutions up to 1080p.  Video jacks for connection to a TV or home theater system include composite, component, and HDMI 1.3.  Audio output is provided via analog stereo RCA jacks or digital 5.1-surround capable SPDIF and digital coax ports.   While the device has a variety of output formats supporting HD video, it only has composite video and audio input jacks.

The Ultio Pro recognizes a wide variety of digital A/V formats and codecs to ensure that most files from your A/V collection will not be excluded from playback.  And just as the device functions as an A/V player, it is also capable of recording A/V from any external source plugged in to the aforementioned composite input jacks.

Mvix provides a variety of methods for storage and data transfer to and from external sources.  There are two USB ports for connecting external drives or memory devices.  A USB 2.0 port is provided for connecting the device to a computer, thus rendering the Ultio Pro an external hard drive for file transfer to or from the device.   A 10/100 RJ45 LAN port gives the device access to a user’s home network thus enabling A/V content to be shared across several devices.  Wireless capability is no longer included standard as it had been with some earlier products by Mvix, although a WiFi 802.11n dongle is available as an option for those requiring wireless network connectivity.

With an MSRP of $169 (hard drive not included), those seeking to experience their digital A/V files on devices other than their PC now have yet another affordable option.