QNAP intros NMP1000 network media player, we go hands-on

While swinging by QNAP's CeBIT booth to check out its array of recently launched NAS devices, we happened upon a demonstration that was showcasing a brand new device: the NMP1000. Short for Network Multimedia Player, this set-top-box is pretty much like every other HD media streamer already out there, as it connects to networked storage and pipes out audio and video content to one's TV via a customized user interface. What we saw looked pretty slick, even though it was inexplicably connected to the LG display via S-Video. As for specs, it's boasting a Sigma Designs SMP8635 processor, 256MB of DDR RAM, room for one 3.5-inch SATA drive, a single gigabit Ethernet jack, dual USB 2.0 sockets, one eSATA port, HDMI 1.3 / component / composite / S-Video outs and a bundled remote. It supports just about any format on the map, and the on-hand representative told us it should be out next month for "somewhere under $10,000." Have a look at some in-action shots below.

Gallery: QNAP intros NMP1000 network media player, we go hands-on

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[Kanos @ Mar 4th 2009 10:46AM]

But will it play .mkv's?? Still loving my popcorn hour, especially after the latest firmware release.

[jrmtz @ Mar 4th 2009 12:17PM]

On the fence about a Popcorn Hour.
Is it worth it?

[IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (BarCODE) @ Mar 6th 2009 12:10AM]

To date no company has produced a decent on box does it all device that can out do a PC. Your best bet is to build a HTPC if you care about format compatibilty, system flexibilty and cost ($300+)

[Dee @ Mar 4th 2009 10:47AM]

"somewhere under $10,000." That has to be a typo!

[THJ @ Mar 4th 2009 10:58AM]

No, it's someone who knows whatever they say will be posted to the blogosphere, and is not sure of (or not allowed to reveal) the price. If he had said 399$, it would instantly be written off as a rip compared to the PCH, if he said it was 99$, and company realized that they needed to sell it at 199$ to make a profit, then everyone would be pissed because they doubled the price, etc.

Also, beyond consumers, keeping pricing info close to the chest prevents competitors from announcing a similar product 'at x$ LESS than the competition!'

[ZaxCG2 @ Mar 4th 2009 11:50AM]

Yeah... this thing better pop, salt, and butter my popcorn for $10,000.
Oh, and the popcorn would have to cure cancer.

[Darren @ Mar 4th 2009 12:13PM]

No typo -- that's what the dude said, intentionally.

[Neal @ Mar 4th 2009 10:51AM]

dont think 10,000 is a typo look at the kaleidoscope.

But what does this thing do that my 99 buck wd hd tv player doesnt do? Other than the ethernet port for amazon/netflix and the such...

One word sums it up SHAM

[Dee @ Mar 4th 2009 11:18AM]

guys over at avsforum have been working on adding a USB ethernet solution and have gone really far, some really promising stuff up ahead:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1100062

[Scott @ Mar 4th 2009 10:57AM]

if its not 9700-9600 below 10,000 then i'll go popcorn hour

[Michgar @ Mar 4th 2009 10:57AM]

I gotta get going guys, I've got an early lunch that will cost somewhere under $10,000.

[Carl @ Mar 4th 2009 10:58AM]

and by somewhere under 10,000 you mean subtract two zeros off that number. Unless they just plan on two people buying it in which they've covered their cost and probably made a profit.

[Il_Baffo @ Mar 4th 2009 10:59AM]

Why not include a Wi-Fi g/n interface ??

I'm sorry but my house isn't ready for full LAN wiring ...

[Fernando G. @ Mar 4th 2009 2:47PM]

mine wasn't either, but i got the living room wired up today, specifically from my desk to my tv so this works for me

[yoz @ Mar 4th 2009 10:59AM]

The remote looks really cheap.

[ChrisH @ Mar 4th 2009 11:11AM]

"What we saw looked pretty slick, even though it was inexplicably connected to the LG display via S-Video" Um, it looks like a single HDMI cable from the pictures, and even the settings screen in the gallery says that it's hooked up via HDMI.

[funbus @ Mar 4th 2009 6:25PM]

Agreed.

[upsidedown @ Mar 4th 2009 11:12AM]

All of these boxes are trying to do everything at once. I just want to be able to play music directly from my NAS without a PC and control with an Ipod used as a cheap but very functional remote.

So no iTunes as it means leaving a computer running
No Sonos as it is two expensive

What else is out there that would work with a large (53k) collection. I don't need Video support.

[Dave @ Mar 4th 2009 11:23AM]

I hope this is of some use:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/09/05/roundup_music_streamers/

[Mr. Ford @ Mar 4th 2009 12:02PM]

If Sonos is too expensive ($350 full retail if controlled by iPod touch), then your expectations of price/features is unrealistic.

[TavisJohn @ Mar 4th 2009 11:51AM]

I will not purchase any device like that unless it is running XBMC. I do not want to have to mess with "Streaming" software. I have tried MANY media "Streamers" and they ALL require software to be installed on a computer so it can stream the video...

I want a device that will just connect to a shared folder and let me play videos! No extra software needed!! And the only way I can be sure of that, is if it is running XBMC.
So I guess I will continue to just purchase used XBOX's and mod them.

[scyber @ Mar 4th 2009 12:09PM]

All NMTs (like the popcorn hour) can connnect to network shares to watch videos. Streaming software is not required.

[venezia @ Mar 4th 2009 12:51PM]

You can also XBMC on it.

[TavisJohn @ Mar 4th 2009 1:28PM]

Popcorn Hour devices look nice... However they are quite a bit more expensive than a modded XBOX...

"You can also XBMC on it." - Are you talking about the NMP1000 or Popcorn Hour?

[roccofreshy @ Mar 4th 2009 3:21PM]

Pop corn hour can reproduce HD content (mkv files), has an HDMI output. The original XBOX cant.

[TavisJohn @ Mar 4th 2009 6:42PM]

My XBOX has component output and optical digital audio out. So I get 1080i video and full sourround sound. (And my TV is 1080i)
So what could HDMI do for me that my XBOX can't?

[scyber @ Mar 4th 2009 7:01PM]

It has always been my understanding that the original XBOX wasn't powerful enough to decode HD videos. And the wiki on xbmc.org supports that:

http://xbmc.org/wiki/index.php?title=What_is_XBMC_%26_What_Can_it_Do%3F#Does_XBMC_support_High_Definition_.28HD.29_resolution_media.3F

SO you may be outputting at 1080i, but it isn't a 1080i video.

[TavisJohn @ Mar 4th 2009 7:35PM]

I know I can't play 1080 source material, but I have no problem playing 720 source material.
For me it is not worth spending $200+ on a box when I can mod an XBOX for under $150.

[InfinityPlusOne @ Mar 5th 2009 9:49AM]

1080i and 720p video does NOT play nice on the original XBOX running XBMC. Mine stutters like crazy (once every 2 seconds).

[h_2_o @ Mar 4th 2009 1:21PM]

if this is like the other qnap products i have then it might be something to seriously look out for. they keep their development fairly open and promote further development on all their platforms. so if a codec is not supported for some reason i see no reason that a developer or hacker would not come up with it. If they can push this fairly mainstream it could be really big.

[thoughtLeech @ Mar 4th 2009 2:31PM]

SageTV's HD Media Extender is $200 and can play everything from mp4's to DVD ISO files, by just sharing the media folders on your computer. $10K is a joke.

[michael.labate @ Mar 4th 2009 2:54PM]

Here is the data sheet that tells about this unit.

http://www.digitalera.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/nmp-1000-datasheet-20090224-4page.pdf

I have the TS-509 Pro NAS and I love it, if this NMP1000 is anything like my NAS (in terms of quality) sign me up.

[Harry @ Mar 4th 2009 3:30PM]

I share your sentiments - I'm not in the market for a media player like this, but I've been highly impressed with QNAP and the quality of their products (I personally have a TS-209 II) so I would check this one out if I were (and might recommend others that I advise).

Having said that, as someone hinted at up above, the single most important thing for a device like this, IMO, is format support, and sadly the mkv container format is not listed in their spec sheet.

[Paul @ Mar 5th 2009 3:44AM]

It's just the same as a popcorn hour. It has the same chip and probably runs the same firmware.

[riolig @ Mar 5th 2009 2:26PM]

I only see 2 cables hooked up in the back, the HDMI and the S-video. I think the s-video looking wire is actually the power cable, otherwise where is the unit getting its power from?

[RussyU @ Mar 6th 2009 8:06AM]

digitalera.co.uk/news has the spec sheeet and more news on the box

*edit* i see someone already direct linked to pdf..still more info on it also youtube has a movie up

[michael.labate @ Mar 7th 2009 2:32AM]

According to the YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2wZvueut3Y) it does support MKV.

hmm...

[DB @ Mar 20th 2009 11:53AM]

Qnap nmp1000 will be priced somewhere below $521

[Dilip @ Mar 20th 2009 11:55AM]

According to http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/957021 its about 1899 Malaysian currency, which is about $521.
:-)

[Dilip @ May 5th 2009 7:27AM]

Well well well, see the reply I got today from QNAP.....

NMP-1000 will not be available in North American region.
Sorry for your inconvenience.
Anton
Business Development Manager
www.QNAP.com
168 University Pkwy, Pomona, CA 91768
Tel:

[Dilip @ May 6th 2009 10:56PM]

Check what they said today!
Completely opposite of what they said yesterday!
Hey but I am happy.


Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 10:30:54 +0800
Subject: QNAP NMP-1000 will be available in the US region
From: matt



Dear Dilip,

I am the product manager of QNAP NMP-1000. Glade to have your interest regarding our upcoming product NMP-1000 network multimedia player.

We have confirmed that NMP-1000 will be available in the US region, please wait for further update on the official launch date.


--
Regards,

Matt
QNAP Systems, Inc. Taiwan