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Freecom Network Media Centre

The acme of one-drive media streamers?

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.

Freecom Network Media Centre

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. ®

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Freecom Network Media Centre

Freecom Network Media Centre

If you don't know what BitTorrent is, don't care for iTunes, and have a passion for copy dialogs and progress bars, then Freecom might just have the Nas box for you.
Price: £160 (1TB), £190 (1.5TB), £230 (2TB) RRP

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