Zappiti, a France-based company known for offering customers high-performance media players and AV servers, along with a content management system, is shutting down operations in a blow to its global customer base. However, that doesn’t mean that users with existing units can’t access their libraries as we will explain below.
About Zappiti
Zappiti started out in 2009 by developing a movie and TV show index and management system for Dune HD, a Russia-based brand.
That success led them to start offering its first line of media players in 2013 in support of its content management system which provided easy access to movie libraries and related content.
Zappiti products were designed to provide customers with convenient and intuitive access to their entire movie library collection in HD or 4K UHD resolution. Zappiti devices and content management were used in both residential and commercial environments.
Zappiti products were also distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.
However, despite its extensive distribution reach and user base, Zappiti has reached the end of the road in 2023, shutting down all product offerings and operations.
What Happens Now
To start, Zappiti Video software going forward will no longer work for the company’s media players or NAS devices.
According to Zappiti, their Explorer interface will still enable users to access movies on their locally stored NAS or an internal device HDD. NAS owners will still be able to rip and access video files. “They will be able to keep their actual collection, but with no further possibilities for identifying the new movies on Zappiti Video.”
A Possible Solution?
For current Zappiti product owners, the company has stated, “We are working on a solution to propose to all the Zappiti users. The plan is to install a new app so they can continue to enjoy their Zappiti products. There will be a small fee for that app.”
However, users will not be able to transfer current collection metadata to the new app. In addition, a user must register a new account and rebuild their library using Zappiti (or whatever it will be called). However, it has also been indicated that Zappiti’s current system will continue to work for local offline collections, but new content will no longer be recognized.
Continued Service and Repair
According to Zappiti, service and repair will be handled by Let’s Get Physical Distribution Inc., the company that distributes the Reavon and Magnetar brands. All players under warranty will receive new parts as needed for free, but the customer will be on the hook for both labor and shipping costs. Out-of-warranty players can be serviced at standard rates.
Zappiti Alternatives
With Zappiti closing up shop, for users looking to move to another system to provide a similar user experience, the most viable solutions might be: Ziddo or Dune HD. However, if you want to take things up a notch, you might check out Kaleidescape.
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ORT
October 6, 2023 at 2:21 pm
This is why I have a full, 400 disc BluRay changer along with a few hundred laser discs (I am trying to fix my last player), a VHS (quasi-SVHS capable and I have movies in that format too!) to DVD burner and a UHD Sony for my 4K films (about 150 or so).
I also have MAX (still a stoopid name change) and Disney+ for the Mandelorian and their catalog of old films (except Old Yeller as I can’t watch that one more than once every 60 or so years). 😉
I am the master of my setup and neither want nor need help watching what I want to watch, when I want to watch it. Just like my music. Other than gradually eliminating duplicate songs, I have not used my laptop in over a year as I much prefer my 2 CD changers (300 and 200 disc, both full!) and my music services all of which I pay for, Pandora, Amazon Music Unlimited and SiriusXM.
And as with the films I watch I choose what I listen to without any help with the exception of recommendations from family and friends.
I am sorry this service from Zappiti (OH…that name! LOL!) has shut down but I don’t need that kind of help as I get all that I need from my family and friends and I do my best to return their kindness when I can.
I wish those with this service and hardware all the best in finding a replacement. Just because I do not need something doesn’t mean others think as I do. They should tho’…;-)
ORT
Ian White
October 6, 2023 at 2:42 pm
ORT,
I love the Kaleidescape experience but with my collection…there is no way I can afford it. It does give you the best version of every film that is currently available and that does matter to people who care about image and sound quality — BUT how do I justify it when I have 3,700 movies on LD, DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD 4K.
Do I just put popular titles on it (at a cost) and watch my favorite movies on my Panasonic and Sony 4K players?
Access to everything would be nice, but I like owning the physical movies and knowing that I can watch them whenever I want on the physical player that I want.
I’m fine with taking the film out of the case and watching it because I have mental issues and every film is organized via genre, director, and title. I’m a tad sick.
I.B. DeMille
ORT
October 6, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Ian, DeMille was a true genius, showman and a genuine devotee of film as are you sir! And may I take this moment to say that all your staff are fine writers and true enthusiasts of this hobby of ours and while it does not look like it, when it comes to writing (within my very limited scope/style/experience!) I know whereof I speak.
Speaking of DeMille, one day I must pay a visit of homage to Guadalupe, CA. I have been saying that for years now. Dammit. That trip would be a cinematic (*insert* Miss Joni Mitchell tribute here!) Hejira of sorts.
DeMille’s first name is the same as my maternal grandfather’s although the pronunciation is not the same. 🙂
ORT