Folders can be enabled for any combination of Windows, Mac and FTP file sharing. A recycle bin for the folder is optional and access can either be open, or limited to any combination of users and groups at a read / write or read only level.
There are a number of backup options built into the system, accessed via the File Backup Service menu. Here it was not possible to fully grasp the options without documentation. However, there were clearly facilities to copy folders to the DVD, including an Erase Disk option where appropriate media was available. Once set, this could be triggered by a ‘Backup’ button on the front of the unit. 
If a USB hard disk is connected, the menus to set up backup and sync to an external drive become available. It is also possible to set up a folder location for Mac Time Machine backups.
Under the File Sharing settings, there are options to enable FTP and Mac AFP (presumably to over-ride any settings made on the folders). The unit’s Torrent downloading system can also be enabled. This is then managed through a separate web interface on port 9091. Also, the Network Print Server function can be set up on the over-worked single USB port.
Finally, under Multimedia, the DLNA and iTunes services are enabled. Here the embedded help seemed to be more applicable than elsewhere. The problem now was the very poor translation into English which meant it was difficult to make any sense of the guidance.
The only other area of the web interface to be explored was an ‘Ajax-based’ file viewer. This gave a high level of control to the content of the shared folders within a web browser. Interestingly, the ‘About’ section gave a lot of clues on the capabilities of the ‘viewer’. This includes the ability to stream mp3 music files and flash video. Any CD or DVD inserted in the drive was accessible as a shared folder over the network, as was a connected USB Hard Drive.
To test media streaming, I opened up Windows Media Player on a Windows 7 PC which automatically detected the LG NAS, and played a few video files I had dropped on it. Selecting and playing a file seemed to work easily. Trying to jump forward on a video on one PC, while viewing a picture slideshow on another (with all media being dished up by the LG NAS) was far more challenging causing the video to stop. This seemed to upset Media Player and it refused to get going again. So, for simple media streaming, the N1T1 works well, however, the onboard processor will struggle with more advanced streaming requirements.
Summary and Conclusions
The LG N1T1 is a very well constructed unit, far more solid than other NAS units we’ve tested recently. The only criticism here is that it does not sit securely on the base-plate provided. The unit is indeed near silent in operation. The fan is temperature controlled and did not seem to come on during testing over a couple of hours. Disk activity also was well muffled. Only reading a CD presented any audible sound above the noise of the laptop on my desk.
The server creates its own folders for DLNA, iTunes, Torrent, Time Machine and Backup under a Services share. However, the destination for these services can be redirected in the settings. There are few limits on how the storage can be organised. The only constraint is the 100GB NTFS area that is accessible when used as a USB hard drive. However, this space also pops up as another shared folder when in ‘NAS’ mode.
The embedded help was of little assistance and in many areas totally irrelevant. I couldn’t comment on the written documentation as there was none supplied with the sample unit. However, other reviews on the internet have indicated it is poorly translated and difficult to follow. This is a shame as the functionality and the build of the unit put it at the higher end of the home NAS market.
Support on the web site currently seems mainly oriented towards the larger LG NAS units. These have downloadable manuals, software and firmware but there is nothing currently for the N1T1. Also the FAQ’s and Knowledgebase are lacking any content for the single disk unit.
Once more, it is a case of seeing if the functions within the NAS justify the price the market is charging. The N1T1 is currently on offer from some resellers in the UK at a touch under £130, which equates quite closely to the US RRP of $199.99. If you just want a networked 1TB drive with media sharing etc. there are lots of big name branded options around for under £100. But the N1T1’s shared DVD Writer may be just the feature some prospective users need.
