The TwonkyMedia configuration panel is also accessible, allowing advanced users to customise it to their heart’s content.
Other streaming services are also built into the Network Media Centre, such as the iTunes DAAP protocol. Unfortunately, this shares a feature with the torrent client: it doesn't work. Sure, iTunes will see the server on the network, but it is unable to recognise any content you may have stored on the server, thus the media list remains unpopulated.
Too much of a handful?
Perhaps not coincidentally, this feature is absent from the user manual and the settings are hidden by default on the configuration page under a stealthy “more Options” link.
After contacting Freecom, the company said it will be releasing a firmware update to address the issue shortly. Our box was running Firmware Rev933-13a.
Freecom also boasts one last, unusual, feature: the Network Media Centre is recyclable. This, of course, is great news for the eco-friendly enthusiast who rejoiced over such things as the introduction of mandatory RoHS compliance back in 2006. However, it’s more likely to benefit those who actually want some performance from our Nas boxes as you’ll soon find yourself “recycling” it in favour of something faster.
Verdict
It would be wonderful to be able to say that we recommend this drive as it has a great premise. However, Freecom has taken what could have been a solid all-round drive and produced a device which fails to deliver on most of the promised features. ®
More Nas Box Reviews...
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Netgear ReadyNas NVX |
Iocell NetDisk |
Buffalo Linkstation Duo |
Freecom Network Media Centre
COMMENTS
bassey , You dont have 1gig, crazy boy. :)
are you crazy bassey "how many homes do you know have gigabit ethernet " EVERY SINGLE ONE of the many people any respecting tech users build PC for people, thast who, you mean YOU dont, thats just silly when you can get a single 1gig PCi ethernet card for £4 and a 5 port 1 gig hub for £25, and 30 foot/10 meter generic old cat5a cableable of 1gig for many years for a few quid.
id like to see the HD blue ray file details you played on the xbox360, i dont beleave it or it a non standard H.264 encode as the xbox 360 cant play even an mp4 container with avc encoded cotent about 10Mbit/s bitrate....
provide the Full mediainfo data for this 8 gig HD file you claim plays over this devices ethernet without transcoding to a far lower spec AND actually plays smoothly on the xbox360.
Performance
I got a 10 meg hub, will this affect the performance?
I guess if it transfers at 14 megs a second I'll only lose a little performance.
Arp Arp Arp
Performance!
I got a 10 meg hub, will this affect the performance?
I guess if it transfers at 14 megs a second I'll only lose a little performance.
Arp Arp Arp
It's not that hard
Cabled gigabit network? That's me.
Ever since someone decided that ethernet could go over twisted pair instead of co-ax, you've been able to install the stuff and use for anything. I have TV aerial down one length, lots carrying ethernet and a few carrying phone or audio.
Upgrade from 10-baseT to 100-baseT to 1000-baseT just ment buying a new switch. Been able to watch streaming video since long before WiFi n, and still do. No glitches, even though the neighbours can barely download a webpage from the saturated airwaves around here!
Re: gigabit networks
<puts hand up> I have a home gigabit network. And that's a proper network with a 12-port switch, an ADSL router, a Wi-fi router, laptops, netbooks, Windows PC and Ubuntu mail and web servers. Why? Because I could and I had the option to go in and lay cables before they closed up the walls when the house was built. Allows me to stream large video files between the file server and the WDTV in the lounge.
