Kiss DP-558

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.kiss-technology.com/?p=558&v=users' target='_blank'>http://www.kiss-technology.com/?p=558&v=users</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Digital Video Recorder from the next generation, the DP-558 proves to be more than what is first expected from such a product. What if you could watch live television, then pause it for a while and start it again when you are ready to watch more. What if you could browse through an electronic program guide, find the desired program, press Record and the schedule for the next recording would be set. What now if you could have online services directly available from your television screen, be able to see the weather forcast or just play games."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/functions_long.jpg" /><br /><br />This looks like a very capable player, although the lack of support for WMV is a negative for me. If you're a DivX user, this might be exactly what you're looking for. I've heard about KISS players for a long time, but I've never known anyone who has actually purchased one. Any KISS owners? Speak up and let us know what you think of their products.

[freiberghk]

I own a couple of DP-508's. Which is the same as what you show here without the TV Tuner.

I have the players connected to my home network, and my home server has over 400 Divx/Xvid files that can be streamed back down to the players. The menu system is text based but is very easy. I have the movies sorted into folders by Genre. I can also stream mp3's from my home server, including playlists. I can also view pictures from my server whilst playing music, and it can stream internet radio stations. :D

There is a very robust community of 3rd party developers who have written firmware hacks. These allow for all region dvd playing, pulling weather forecasts off the internet, removing macrovision and upscaling the video output to high def :D , using the front panel display on the dvd player for whatever they want, etc...

I also have a HTPC using MCE 2004, but I view the Kiss players as being more reliable. (I'm still having WAF issues with the MCE :( )

The DP-508's required me to use a SCART to Component video cable for progressive scan output. I have a friend who just picked up the new DP-558 and he advises me that they have Component Video plugs on the back of the player. He also tells me that it is able to record cable programming that is 'flagged' by the cable company as being protected.

[Jason Dunn]

Freiberghk, welcome to Digital Media Thoughts and thanks for the great first post! :D

[freiberghk]

One additional comment. The Kiss players are multi-system, which means that they can play both PAL and NTSC material. This is a 'must have' feature for me, as in Hong Kong we use both systems.

The multi-system covers three different aspects. 1) for DivX files, 2) for DVDs, and 3) for programming received thru the Tuner. :D