Block HD-120 black

At a time when physical disc players are becoming rare on the market, this universal player made in Germany takes a distinctive path. Rather than offering a general-purpose video device, the family-run company based in Lower Saxony has chosen to design a player that puts music on an equal footing with picture quality. The “HiFi UHD Blu-ray Disc Player” label printed on the front panel sums up this dual ambition: to deliver Ultra HD without sacrificing audiophile standards.

A chassis built to last

The HD-120 stands apart from the slim plastic enclosures commonly found in the Blu-ray world. Here, aluminum dominates: the front panel is 10 mm thick, while the side panels, adorned with cooling fins, reach up to 12 mm in places. This hefty construction results in a weight of 6.6 kg, which helps to limit unwanted resonances during playback.

The unit rests on four sturdy feet, with the two at the front being height-adjustable to compensate for an uneven surface. On the top, the brand’s crest is engraved into the metal. Two finishes are available: sapphire black and diamond silver, allowing the unit to blend in with the rest of a hi-fi or home cinema system. Its dimensions (430 × 90 × 343 mm) match the standard rack component format, making it easy to integrate into a dedicated cabinet.

The front-panel controls go against the current trend for touch-sensitive keys. The mechanical buttons provide a firm tactile feedback and an audible click, giving a reassuring sense of robustness in everyday use.

Versatile disc format support

The HD-120’s compatibility goes well beyond standard audio CDs. High-resolution enthusiasts can enjoy their stereo SACDs, while DVD-Audio collectors will find a player able to handle this now niche format. On the video side, the unit supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, standard and 3D Blu-rays, as well as regular DVDs. Recordable discs (CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, BD-R/RE) are also recognized.

For file-based playback, the player supports WAVE, FLAC, and MP3 via its USB ports (including one USB 3.0) or over the local network thanks to its UPnP/DLNA media renderer function. This allows music stored on a NAS or shared computer to be streamed without having to burn a disc.

Connectivity focused on audio quality

The rear panel reveals a set of connections designed for demanding setups. The dual HDMI output is a notable asset: the first port carries both picture and sound to a TV or projector, while the second is dedicated to audio only, feeding a home cinema amplifier or AV preamp. This separation avoids certain interference issues and simplifies cabling when the screen and amplifier are far apart.

Stereo analog outputs are available on both RCA and balanced XLR. The XLR connection, usually reserved for high-end hi-fi electronics, allows the HD-120 to be connected directly to an integrated amplifier or preamplifier equipped with this input, improving immunity to electromagnetic interference over long cable runs.

Optical (S/PDIF) and coaxial digital outputs provide an alternative for those who prefer to entrust digital-to-analog conversion to an external DAC. Finally, the Control-Data port enables a link with the brand’s VR-120 receiver, making it possible to control the whole system via the UNDOK app on a smartphone or tablet.

UHD video and HDR formats

On the video side, the HD-120 meets current Ultra HD standards. 4K discs are played back at native 2160p resolution, with HDR10 support for extended dynamic range. Dolby Vision compatibility adds dynamic, frame-by-frame metadata to optimize the image on compatible TVs. The HEVC (H.265) codec, used by virtually all UHD discs, is of course supported.

For soundtracks, the player outputs Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD Master Audio as bitstream to a home cinema amplifier. A stereo downmix mode is also available for use with a two-channel system, delivering results convincing enough to watch a movie without a multichannel setup.

Network and USB playback without built-in apps

The HD-120 does not include streaming applications such as Netflix or Disney+. This deliberate choice reflects its positioning: the unit focuses on playing physical media and local files, leaving online services to smart TVs or dedicated streaming boxes. The lack of an HDMI input, moreover, prevents connecting an external streaming stick.

On the other hand, USB playback is convenient for browsing a thumb drive or external hard drive. The system recognizes the FAT32 format and displays audio and video files in a minimalist interface. Streaming from a DLNA server rounds out this feature for those who centralize their media library on a network device.

Technical specifications

Connectivity

Digital inputs

• 1x USB 2.0
• 1x USB 3.0
• 1x control data

Digital outputs

• 1x optical S/PDIF
• 1x coaxial
• 1x HDMI audio output
• 1x dual HDMI output

Analog outputs

• 1x stereo RCA output
• 1x balanced stereo XLR output

Network

• Ethernet LAN

Supported formats

Discs

• SACD, CD, CD-R/RW
• 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D
• DVD-Audio, DVD, DVD-R/RW
• BD-R/RE

Audio

• WAVE
• FLAC
• MP3, MP4

Video

• Dolby Vision
• Dolby Digital
• HDR10
• HEVC

Power supply

• Power consumption in off mode: 0 W
• Power consumption in network standby: 1 W
• Power consumption in operation: maximum 20 W
• Power supply with mains switch: AC 230 V - 50 Hz

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions W x H x D: 430 x 90 x 343 mm
• Weight: 6.6 kg

Equipment and features

• Display screen
• Metal housing
• System remote control
• Logo engraving on the top panel