12. Conclusion

Take the decoder card out of a DVD player and put it in an external USB box, and the result is a portable hard disk that acts like a DVD, with the advantages of each. The Modix HD-3510 puts an end to the cost and time required to burn blank DVDs or CDs every time you want to watch a saved film on your TV set. A DVD's contents, if saved on a hard disk, can be played in the usual way using a HD-3510 player. And to do so you don't have to give up any menus or do without any DVD features such as subtitles or extra material.

In addition to DVDs and S-VCDs you can also play MPEG-4 files on the player. Even DivX 5.2 coded films with AC3 sound are supported by the HD-3510, and HDTV 1080i films are also among the player's possible output formats. Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS sound are played using the SPDIF jacks. The only disadvantage here is that you still need a digital decoder and a special SPDIF cable.

Two cinch connectors provide simple stereo output, but they don't play DD 5.1 or DTS sound. The player is a bit of a slacker, however, when it comes to Xvid files. The price tag is also a disadvantage - the Modix HD-3510 will leave a big hole in your wallet. The list price for the empty box (without drive) is $299, though the current street price is more reasonable, at around $220.

The unit includes case, cable and remote control