Helios intros H2000 DVD player for movie downloaders
updated 08:25 am EDT, Mon July 23, 2007
Helios H2000
Helios began its week with the announcement of the H2000. Catering to an audience that frequently downloads movies rather than buying them at the store, the player not only upscales regular DVDs to 1080i but also common digital formats such as DivX, MPEG-4, and XviD. It also adds a rare level of VobSub support for raw DVD files that need subtitles, Helios says. HD scaling also occurs regardless of the output method, as it works both through protected HDMI as well as component for older HDTVs and VGA for PC displays. Users that already have upscaling receivers can force scaling off to prevent duplicating efforts.
RCA and S-video also join the DVD player's video outputs, which can supply either NTSC or PAL. Audio is provided through RCA out as well as 5.1 through conventional, coaxial, or optical jacks. Helios intends to deliver the final-generation DVD player to the US by August 10th for $99.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Avoid this company!
Helios has had the H4000 model out for some time now, and after several months of owning one, I assure you that is truly a POS. Yes, they have assembled cheap-a** components into a unit that upconverts a signal, but the basic functionality of the unit is seriously flawed. The ff and rew are ridiculously slow. There are sync issues. There are problems with subtitles, load times, and ejecting discs, and the power supply is so inefficient and crappy that it keeps the entire unit VERY HOT all the time unless you physically unplug or switch off the unit. They continuously say that firmware updates will correct all the problems, but they have been saying this for more than SIX MONTHS! Instead, they have produced the H2000, and there is certainly no reason to expect that it will be any less crappy than the H4000. Stay away!!