QNAP NMP-1000: Network Multimedia Player tested

With the rising popularity of network attached storage units – the so-called external NAS devices – media centres are also experiencing an increase in sales. Especially smaller solutions based on embedded Sigma Designs, Realtek and Broadcom decoding processorers are rapidly increasing their market shares.

Due to the the increasingly popular use of digital content, more and more consumers are looking for solutions to store and enjoy digital entertainment. Now it’s easier than ever to share and enjoy your family videos, vacation photos and favorite music on a media center system.

Recently many other brands have emerged: Tvix, Synology – and also QNAP have recently released a combined network attached storage unit with built-in media player much like AC Ryan offers with their upcoming PlayOn!HD – yet the concept is not as new as one should expect.

During the years immediately after Microsoft launched its updated game console – the Xbox 360 – it was the console’s missing media playback possiblities, which amongst other things led Syabas Technology to introduce us to Popcorn Hour that quickly took the market with a combined storage and media player.

The name of QNAP’s new compact media player is NMP-1000 and consists of an embedded Sigma SMP 8635 processor and has the option of installing a single SATA hard drive up to two Terabyte capacity. As there are no practical benchmarks for this category, we have extensively used the device for a few months, checking all the aspects NMP-1000 can offer and the time has come to pass on our verdict.

Packaging
The box of the QNAP network mediaplayer is sturdy with its insides held in place and protected by storyfoam and card board box, and should be able to withstand any beating you’d accidentally give it.

QNAP resorted to keep it simple, but did depart from standard DVD/BD player sizes and opted for a more “IT-based” one – tall box instead of a flat one.

Rear is filled with typical explanations what can you expect from NMP-1000

Upon opening the package all accessories are sealed inside a card board box and next to it is the shell of the NMP-1000 firmly secured by two un-recyuclable styrofoam blocks – points awarded for protection, points subtracted for recyclability.

Original Author: Thomas Jørgen Jacobsen

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