The 160 mm x 36 mm x 116 mm device (or rather, small device) appears pleasantly understated and unspectacular. The front side features only two elements: a dual-color LED that lights up red (stand-by) and blue (on) depending on the operating status. To its right is the infrared eye. The numerous ventilation slots on the top, left, and right sides are striking. They ensure that the fanless multi-talent only gets lukewarm during operation. It operates wonderfully silently. On the right side of the casing, we see a USB 2.0 port and an SD card slot.
Dune HD TV-303D, Rear View / Diagonal Right
From this perspective, various connection options are revealed (see below, next image). The insertion flap, which provides access for inserting and removing a 2.5″ SATA hard drive during operation (hot-swappable), is clearly visible. We also see the air vents here.
Dune HD TV-303D, Rear View
This view allows a look at the various connection sockets, which are, from left to right: USB 3.0 (slave-host), USB 2.0, TosLink, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) antenna, below that analog 3.5mm AV out, HDMI 1.4, port for the IR extension cable, below that 3.5mm video composite/component, LAN (10/100/1000 Mbit), on/off switch and below that finally the port for the 12V power supply connector.
Before the TV-303D could show what it can do, we installed the current firmware version 130515_2104_b6 as of August 13, 2013. It then demonstrated its capabilities very convincingly. Whether it was playing high-resolution audio (unfortunately no .AIF) or playing MKVs, DVDs, DVD-ISOs, AVIs, MOVs, WMVs, or browsing the internet via Opera/WebKit, accessing optical drives via USB, flash drives, network drives, internet radio, or using online services via LAN and Wi-Fi: Smooth is the word that best describes the impression. [We occasionally noticed the sporadic jerks and stutters reported in forums (especially with DTS-HD MA).] The video upscaling impressed us greatly. Regarding playing BD-ISOs: no menus. We will not go into that topic/problem here. The main film itself is played. In our case, it was, among others, Julian Pölsler's "The Wall."
The user interface is admittedly simple, but that's not a drawback, it's a bonus: intuitive, easy to navigate, and (within limits) scalable: for example, you can set it up to display your favorites immediately after booting the device. Very neat.
Are there any negative aspects? Yes. And they are mainly subjective: We found the remote control to be—how do people say today?—sub-optimal. The pressure point is… wait, hold on; there isn't one. Operating the remote in the dark, e.g., while watching a movie, requires night vision. Adding or playing custom internet radio stations via .M3U playlist completely failed. Some might dislike the plastic casing. On the other hand, that's precisely why the device is pleasantly lightweight and portable. The pre-installed Facebook application refused to work. The IR receiver's angle seems unusually limited. If you use the IR extension eye with an extension cable, this impression can be leveled.
Be that as it may, let's not forget the phenomenally low price compared to devices from other manufacturers like Oppo. For €198, the TV-303D is a device that—without exaggeration—sets standards.
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