Conclusions and Costs
The QNAP NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player has
- the right looks
- the right output connectors
- the ability to view/play files on a Windows Home Server
- full 1080p video output capability
- full DTS and Dolby audio output capability
- most of the audio and video format that users would want
The QNAP NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player does *not*
- have the ability to play Windows Media Center WTV files
- an Internet TV portal
- as well as additional online content
The QNAP NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player *could* use
- an enhanced GUI interface showing cover art and associated data
- full DLNA certification
The basic hardware is there, just provide your own HD. QNAP provides a nice assortment of cables, including a HDMI cable. The software could use some enhancements as noted above in the last several bullets. Which is OK in that hardware cannot be changed once you bring it home. Software is updateable and if QNAP can provide a few more graphical bells and whistles and add WTV support, they will have a winner in my book.
Oh, one more software item I neglected to mention previously. QNAP, please provide the ability to *not* display subtitles by default, in lieu of having to turn them off at the beginning of each movie. If the option is there to do so, I sure missed it!
Now, if they can just bring the cost down a bit to better compete with devices such as the Popcorn Hour, QNAP could find this device in quite a few homes. Or even better, if QNAP could provide TV tuner support, the cost associated with this device would be worth the price of admission.
Speaking of the cost…
$399 – (Amazon.com)
