NMP1000_01

Hands On: QNAP NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

By on November 30, 2009 in Digital Media Receiver Reviews, Digital Media Receivers, Network Attached Storage, News, Reviews

Using the NMP-1000

Finally!  We have set up our remote folders and we can try out the various multimedia features.  Back at the Main menu, I begin by first trying out the Video section.

IMG 5184 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5185 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5186 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5187 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5188 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player

Finally!  I have in my possession a device that will allow me to play movies stored on my WHS machine on my widescreen TV.  The one disappointment is that movies are based upon a folder structure which precludes the use of graphics and synopsis’s to narrow down your search for a movie to view.

Which leads me to the next disappointment.  The NMP-1000 does not recognize Window Media Center WTV files.  I totally expected this, however.  I just hope that QNAP can add support for these files in a software update at a future date.

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Moving on to the music stored on my WHS, navigation is quite similar to the what is required when looking for a movie to watch.

IMG 5191 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5192 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5193 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5194 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5195 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5196 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player IMG 5197 thumb Hands On: QNAP NMP 1000 Network Multimedia Player Notice the FLAC format!

It is nice to see some album art while listening to a song.  Once again, it would be nice to able to search using that artwork.

iTunes m4a music:

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no problem.

mp3 music:

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no problem.

Moving back to the Main menu, it is time to try out the photo section.

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Once again, we have a folder structure.  However, if configured to do so

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you can bring up an icon view of the pictures contained in a folder.  Clicking on one will start

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a slideshow of all the photos contained in that particular folder.

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And there you have the NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player set up to play *most* of the media that is on my Windows Home Server.  If desired, you can make use of the local NMP-1000 drive.  As a WHS owner, I would have a tendency to set the QNAP device as described above and make use of the local drive for downloads from the Internet that I would wish to play on this setup.

Moving back to the hardware for just a moment, you may have noticed the button on the right of the NMP-1000 faceplate.

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This is for those times when you misplace your

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and you need to browse the menu selections.  The bar surrounding the OK/play button acts like the up/down/left/right buttons on the remote.  The one very nice feature if you own a Logitech Harmony remote is that it can be programmed to emulate the NMP-1000 remote.  I will tell you right now that is quite nice as I was using 3 (just 3!) remotes during the course of this review.  Whether it is Logitech or another universal remote, they make life bearable for us guys with “male remotemania”.

Finally, for the record, over the several days I used, reset, and abused the NMP-1000, I never had a problem playing anything I threw at it.  It never missed a beat or skipped a scene over my 200Mbps powerline adapter.

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About Jim Clark

Hello. I’m from the heartland of the U.S. Lots of corn and beans, although Iowa is a lot more than just farmland. It also has a few computer enthusiasts (no, not me!). I’ve been around PCs since I got my 1st PC XT aloooong time ago. WGS is one of the first sites I found centered around WHS. And the best. Every once in awhile, I do get away from the KB and enjoy time with and my wife and our 4 kids. And I do have a day job.
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  • don

    For $100. you can get the PCH C-200 which is a way better machine, plus you can add blue ray to it

  • jin

    Interestng subject. I have been wondering if I should consider adding a multimedia player like this, or just hook-up an PC next to my home AV receiver. As you mentioned, most of the disapointments came from functionality and file compatabilities, where no single hardware manufacture will be empowered to save the whole world. On hte other hand, as the ‘Media center’ is getting much better in Windows 7 than in Vista, No one would doubt that eventually whis home entertainment market will be Microsoft’s, just like the OS for pcs.

  • http://dbone1026.blogspot.com DamianP

    Honestly it looks like QNAP is trying to charge a premium price for outdated hardware (they are just now bringing the Sigma 8635 to the market when this chip has been out for over a year and manufacturers are starting to move on to the newer Sigma chip). I agree with don, I would rather recommend someone buy a C-200 for $100 less and at least get the latest sigma chip plus chance to expand with a BR Rom drive (I won a C-200 and although buggy at first the latest beta firmwares have resolved many issued I had). Honestly, for the price QNAP is trying to charge I would instead recommend the Dell Zino HD and get a full fledged HTPC for the same price.