R_Volution takes over the hardware from Zappiti and adds their own software. This software will be available to Zidoo and Dune HD later for a fee (TBD).

R_Volution PlayerOne is a Zappiti Neo clone but borrows the power supply section from Zappiti Reference. It retails for $899 (free shipping for US). It doesn't include any HDD but you can use any 3.5" SATA HDD with capacity up to 16TB. Please note that R_Volution NAS will not be available in the US due to legal reasons.

R_Volution

This is the one I like out of all the media players in the market. From what I heard their NAS product got Zappiti in trouble in the US and that's why the company went kaput. I don't know if Zappiti became R_Volution (and continuing under new name) or R_Volution acquired Zappiti hardware (and became successor) but they are both French companies. Zidoo is based in Shenzhen China. Dune HD is Russian.

They are all based around the Realtek RTD1619DR chipset with very similar hardware components except the newer Zidoo players use RTD1619BPD which offers higher processing power. They all are built on Android 9 or Android 11 (newer models) but highly customized for media player role. So it really comes down to whichever one has the best software. From all the reviews I have read, Zappiti was leading in this and now R_Volution software is even better.


Did anyone of you try StreamFab or anything similar to capture content from any of the major streaming services?

StreamFab by DVDFab for downloading streaming videos from YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ and so on

Interestingly, the topic of physical media disappearing for streaming services... then dropping/editing titles as well from users -- is gaining attention:

Christopher Nolan Says Streaming-Only Content Is a ‘Danger’ and Can ‘Get Taken Down,’ Guillermo del Toro Calls Owning Physical Media a ‘Responsibility’ (variety.com)
Oppenheimer and the resurgence of Blu-ray and DVDs: How to stop your films and music from disappearing (BBC.com)
Our Long, Arduous Attempt To Watch ‘Cocoon,’ And Why Some Classic Movies Seemingly Just Vanish (uproxx.com)
12 Movies Removed From Disney Plus After Pledge To Purge Streaming Content (screenrant.com)
Why are movies and TV shows disappearing from streaming services? (theguardian.com)
Max’s Tech Issues Take Out a Lord of the Rings Movie (vulture.com, probably a technical glitch)

But at the same time, the running time is not an issue on streaming (it is in theaters: audience fatigue + loss of revenue) and could get the extended cuts more easily published:

Directors are turning to streaming to fulfil their epic visions – and avoid ‘bum ache’ (theguardian.com)

My issue with normal streaming platforms -- not talking about 4K HD 100G+ download services -- is that the soundtrack is kept to the bare DD+ minimum and is even below what a standard DVD could deliver. Most people have big screens, but inferior soundbars. I'm not most people.

Julien