Test: KiSS DP-600

Med DP-600 tager KiSS endnu et skridt på vej mod at lave den perfekte ledsager til husalteret. Udvendigt er der ikke meget at udsætte, for designet er af høj, høj klasse, og der er kræset for detaljerne. Eksempelvis fjernbetjeningens lange rækkevidde og gode respons viser dette - det samme gør det trådløse netværks nemme opsætning og høje signalstyrke - selv når afspilleren er placeret i gulvhøjde under et TV-bord - perfekt.

Afspilning af diverse videoformater forløber stort set problemfrit, men det trækker ned, at vi måtte genstarte maskinen et par gange i testforløbet - sådan noget skal altså være helt på plads i moderne forbrugerelektronik.

Både afspilning af lyd og billeder virker godt, og KiSS har fået tilføjet små features, der gør oplevelserne noget bedre. Mulighed for at spole i sine musiknumre og muligheden for at vise billeder som slideshows er velkomne nyheder, der viser, at KiSS i høj grad lytter til kundernes ønsker.

Afspilning af USB-indhold virker også rigtig godt, og vi havde ingen kompatibilitetsproblemer. Flere har nævnt, at DP-600'eren burde være født med indbygget harddisk, men KiSS har valgt at se bort fra denne, der uden tvivl ville være dejlig - men også give prisen et solidt hak i vejret.

PC-Link featuren er rigtig god, og programmet er nemt at bruge. Muligheden for flere understøttede video-formater er dog en mangel, og det samme er, at den udsendte tekststreng fra softwaren ikke er forskellig fra installation til installation. Heldigvis er dette småting, som nemt kan rettes med ny software, og for entusiasten er der mulighed for at bruge flere tredjepartsprogrammer, da afspilleren understøtter uPnP. Programmer som EzLink NG - eller det gratis FreeKiSS kan være alternativer for dem, der finder PC-Link for smalt til deres behov.

KiSS Online er spændende, og især webradio, den elektroniske programguide og vejrudsigten er nemme og brugbare elementer. Til gengæld må brugerne altså vente et stykke tid endnu på Video-On-Demand og IP-tv, der for alvor vil gøre KiSS Online til et velbesøgt sted.

Alt i alt er afspilleren et godt bud på en underholdningscentral i den moderne stue. Designet af afspilleren og det intuitive og veldesignede menusystem gør afspilleren til en nydelse. Men der er også ulemper, og især et (til tider) larmende DVD-drev - og det faktum at afspilleren ind i mellem går i sort og kræver en genstart - trækker ned.

DP-600 havner markedsmæssigt imellem de efterhånden almindelige DVD-afspillere med DivX support, og så deciderede Media Center maskiner. Her skal den uden tvivl tiltale mange for dens design og menusystem, som er helt i top. Hvis bare de sidste børnesygdomme kan rettes, er DP-600 et oplagt valg, når husalteret skal have ny følgesvend.

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With the DP-600, KiSS takes another step towards creating the perfect accessory for the house altar.
Design-wise there is nothing to complain about, it's very, very stylish, and with much attention to detail. Things like the long range of the remote and its quick response shows this - as does the easy setup of the wireless network and its high signal strength - even when the player is placed on the floor below a TV table - perfect.

Playback of various video formats were more or less painless, but having to reboot the machine a couple of times during the tests does has a negative influence on the final impression - things like that should be non-existing in modern consumer electronics.

Playback of both audio and video works well, and KiSS have added a few small features which noticeably improves the experience. The ability to seek forward and backward in music files, and to show images as slideshows are new additions which shows that Kiss does really listen to their customer's wishes.

Playback of USB content also works as expected, and we had no compatibility issues. Some people have mentioned that the DP-600 should have a built-in hard disk, but KiSS have not granted that wish, which would undoubtedly have been nice, but would also have increased the price significantly.

The PC-Link feature is splendid, and the application is easy to use. However, it's lacking support for several video formats, and the text string sent from the software is identical on each installation. Fortunately, these are minor issues which can be easily fixed with new software, and the enthusiast can also try playing around with third party applications, as the device supports uPnP. Software like EzLink NG - or the free FreeKiSS - are viable alternatives for those who find that PC-Link does not offer enough.

KiSS Online is exciting, and especially items like web radio, the electronic program guide and the weather forecast are very useful elements. However, users have to wait a while for Video-On-Demand and IP-TV, additions which would seriously attract visitors to KiSS Online.

All in all, the player is a good choice for an entertainment hub in a modern living room.
The design, as well as the intuitive and well designed menu system makes using the DP-600 a pleasure. But there are also drawbacks, and a (sometimes) noisy DVD drive and the fact that the player crashes in some situations, requiring a reboot, does detract from the final score.

The DP-600 is aimed for the market segment between standard DVD players with DivX support and true Media Center systems. Its splendid design and menu system ought to attract many users here. If the last teething troubles can be ironed out, the DP-600 will be an obvious choice when the house altar needs a new companion.