Block HD-120 silver

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

A chassis built to last

The HD-120 stands out from the thin plastic cases usually seen in the Blu-ray world. Here, aluminum is king: the front panel is 10 millimeters thick, while the side panels, adorned with cooling fins, reach up to 12 millimeters in places. This hefty construction results in a weight of 6.6 kg, which helps limit unwanted resonances during playback.

The unit rests on four solid feet, with the two at the front being height-adjustable to compensate for uneven surfaces. On the top, the brand’s crest is engraved into the metal. Two finishes are available: sapphire black and diamond silver, allowing the device to blend in with the rest of a hi-fi or home theater system. The 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 of touch-sensitive keys. The mechanical buttons offer clear tactile feedback and an audible click, giving a sense of robustness in everyday use.

Versatile disc format support

The HD-120’s compatibility goes far beyond simple audio CDs. High-resolution enthusiasts can enjoy their stereo SACDs, while DVD-Audio collectors will appreciate a player capable of handling this now niche format. On the video side, the device 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 playback of dematerialized files, the player supports WAVE, FLAC, and MP3 formats via its USB ports (including one USB 3.0) or over the local network thanks to its UPnP/DLNA media renderer function. This allows you to stream music stored on a NAS or shared computer, without having to burn a disc.

Connectivity focused on audio quality

The rear panel reveals a layout designed for demanding setups. The dual HDMI output is a major asset: the first port carries both picture and sound to a TV or projector, while the second is dedicated to audio only, to feed a home theater amplifier or AV preamp. This separation avoids certain types of interference and simplifies cabling in configurations where the screen and amplifier are far apart.

The stereo analog outputs are available on RCA and balanced XLR. The XLR connection, usually reserved for high-end hi-fi electronics, lets you connect the HD-120 directly to an integrated amplifier or preamplifier equipped with such an input, with improved immunity to electromagnetic interference over long cable runs.

The optical (S/PDIF) and coaxial digital outputs provide an alternative for those who prefer to entrust digital-to-analog conversion to an external DAC. Lastly, the Control-Data port enables connection to 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 support for HDR10 for an extended dynamic range. Dolby Vision compatibility adds dynamic, frame-by-frame metadata, optimizing the image on compatible TVs. The HEVC (H.265) codec, used by virtually all UHD discs, is of course supported.

For soundtracks, the player sends Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD Master Audio streams in bitstream mode to a home theater amplifier. A stereo downmix mode is also available for use with a two-channel system, with 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 apps 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 you from connecting an external streaming stick.

On the other hand, USB playback is convenient for browsing a flash drive or external hard drive. The system recognizes the FAT32 format and displays audio and video files in a simple interface. Streaming from a DLNA server complements 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: 20 W maximum
• Mains power supply with 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