O!Play is not an unknown brand for those interested in media players. The newest model of O!Play new series from Asus is HD2. This is the first media player with USB 3.0. Many people have doubts about this product, running on the idea that a direct connection to PC – TV is sufficient. Well, media players come to take the segment of users who don’t have this option – or don’t have HDMI connection to their computer, or it cannot play HD movies. There are other justifications for the existence of media players. Some cannot or don’t want to connect their computer to TV. Or, instead of an HDMI connection when you control the player from the computer, you prefer the convenience of remote control.
I admit I’ve never used before any player in the O! Play series. But O!Play will surprise you by its simplicity at all levels: construction, connection, menus, manuals. It’s the kind of product that you connect it and is working. You should not bother you with advanced settings and various amendments. In the package, you’ll find the HDMI cable, most likely means of communication on television. In addition to power and connect via HDMI to the TV, you will connect it to the router. Unless you have a router and if you want to play with O!Play HD2 Media Player (using DLNA technology) movies on other computers connected to the network. O!Play HD2 has a very simple design. Basically it’s a black box, of metal. The only fantasy element is the light orange (when is off) and the blue light (when is on). The remote control is media player-type, so the important buttons meet the classic scheme of arrangement. It is needless to say that all functions can be found on the remote.
Asus O!Play HD2 with WI-FI and USB 3.0
Regarding O!Play HD2, you have four options when it comes to media that will play media content, whether it movies, music or photos: hard disk – internal or external (eSATA), USB Stick, Network with DLNA and Memory Card – Compact Flash, SD, MMC, MS / MS Pro. These ports are placed in front of the player, so it is easy to connect. O!Play HD2 Media Player doesn’t have hard disk. On the one hand, for those who prefer the full package is a bad thing. On the other hand, for those who prefer other modes of play instead of a hard drive is a good thing, considering the lowest price. If they would include a hard drive, it costs more. So, if you connect to the router and play content on a computer, you don’t need the hard drive.
Asus O!Play HD2 conectivity
O!Play HD2′s menu doesn’t excel in graphics. Instead, it is extremely simple. In addition to the special modules for movies, music and pictures, there is a file manager that can access all folders which are available, including network shares. Probably most users will primarily use media player for playing movies. And O!Play HD2 plays pretty much everything you need, including the MKV’s. In fact, not it vain it wears HD inscription even in its name. O!Play HD2 is very fast when it comes to uploading video. A movie in 1080p format can be opened in 2-3 seconds. Obviously, during a movie you have access to various options related to image, sound and subtitles.
O!Play HD2 allows accessing online content. Unfortunately, it hasn’t a browser that allows you accessing the sites you want. We have to limit the choices offered by default. And they are: online radio, weather, stock, Picasa and Flickr. Asus O!Play HD2 is a media player that we have little to criticize. In fact, the only complaint is related to the limited online content. Otherwise, it is a product that simply works and does its job. Plays almost everything you need, is fast and offers a multitude of possibilities for playing multimedia content.
