[Hi-Jack]

Notice this is all based on ALPHA version of HW and SW!

Bootup of the player takes almost 1 minute because of the services need to start in the background. The interface is mainly HTML which offers some options but is considerably slow in Setup menus. For general use of the player (menus of files etc...) the player is faster. The remote is the same as Snazio, Trans-Gear and then some and could be improved in the final version of the NMT.

The NMT so far is impressive concerning file handling. For the first time we actually see very great features as Step, Slow playback and more on DIVX and XVID files! All runs smoothly when using these options beside a few minor glitches we found like the sound dissapearing for 5 seconds after using them.

According to Syabas information prior to us receiving the Alpha version of the NMT, it had planned supporting DVD ISO and VIDEO_TS. So far, these are not available in the current Alpha firmware version. Notice that this is a very early design of the FW and not necessarily should be considered final. The player will however not rip DVD's internally (off course).

The SMB server is a great addition but at the same time is a limitation too. As before, the Syabas players support uPnP servers and upnPav protocol which integrate with NAS servers quite often. The internal drive (IDE) serves as SAMBA server on your network, however is slower in transfer speed than a TViX based on older chip (average 3mb / s). We have reported this should be improved and also allowing the use of external SAMBA servers is a recommendation as so far, the only SAMBA functionality is because of the internal drive. Combine that with IDE HDD, slow transfer speed and you'll know it will be a pain, regardless of how cool it is.The player in standby is fully operational because of the samba server.

The Torrent functions are missing a timer to schedule torrent downloads at night for example, so we recommended adding a clock and implement a timer so people can schedule torrent downloads. In the current Alpha version, a lot of options are yet to be added and Syabas is working on the FW sending updates weekly to us to increase the player's capacities. It is expected that the first models shall become available in Augus which from my humble opinion is rather fast based on the current Alpha state but we'll see...

We'll blog some more in the near future... (Maybe next week or after my holidays)
During my holidays, we'll send the NMT of to BuGGeR who will play with it and keep you informed. Just notice,
ALL is based on EARLY ALPHA FW where the player only does 50% what it will eventually be able to do upon
release...

Enjoy
Hi-Jack

[BuGGeR]

Hello,

Here is my first report after testing the Syabas Networked Media Tank (NMT) for a week.
First off,let me point out that the player is a work in progress and the firmware is in early alpha status.So there are a lot of things that don't work yet, but I will keep you informed on the things that DO work.

Based on FW 00-36 from 7 june 2007:

Don't work yet:
streaming from network/adio section/picture section/DD5.1 output/Front panel display/DVD-Drive (delivered to MPC without drive)/DVD ISo/Raw support

DO WORK:
*SMB server: you can reach the internal HDD from you PC without any further software.Downside: the transfer rate is 2-3Mb/sec at the moment.
*I am able to play the files located on the internal HDD with my other syabas player (Transgear DVX-700)
*Divx video file playback from internal HDD.
*Subs (*.srt) on Divx/Xvid and even *.MKV files work!
Downside: They are not outlined.
*Now, What everybody eagerly wants to know: Does the Tank play the standard *x264.mkv files, like you can find them on bittorrent sites like mininova, eztv...:the answer is YES
The tank plays them great, even with subtitles added (*.srt)!!!!!
So you can get an idea what it plays: Here are some titles I downloaded off those sites and play perfectly:
- Lost.S03E22-E23.720p.HDTV.x264-CTU.mkv
- Batman.Begins.2005.HD.DVDRip.1080p.x264.DD.5.1-AsdaBags.Sample.mkv
- Crank.2006.DVDRiP.x264-GRAViTATiON.avi
- 24.S06E18.720p.HDTV.x264-CTU.mkv
- Lost.S03E06.720p.HDTV.x264-CTU.avi
- Paprika_(2006)_[720p,BluRay,x264]_-_THORA.mkv

That's it for now, but will report back soon because 2 days ago we received another FW update...

Grtz,

BuGGeR

[Sedano]

Thank BuGGeR
It is very interesting
We wait anxiously for more information

[CaffeineJunkie]

Originally Posted by BuGGeR Don't work yet: streaming from network/adio section/picture section/DD5.1 output/Front panel display/DVD-Drive (delivered to MPC without drive)/DVD ISo/Raw support

Do you believe that there will be a final version with a DVD drive?

I'm still trying to decide which player to buy later this year and this unit looks great on paper, but I would be buying a unit to replace a DVD player. My wife doesnt want an increase in the number of boxes under the TV.

[Hi-Jack]

Yes, the NMT is designed to support both HDD and BD/DVD.
It's very promising so far and the plans to enhance so far are simply great...

(To soon to confirm it all will work well though so couple months from now is
final versions in stores... We'll be one of the first making a review on them)

[BuGGeR]

Here some info on the second round of testing I did.
Based on the FW 01-03 from june 15th

*Dolby digital 5.1 output now works
*Audio (MP3) works, with ID3v1 info , no FLAC support at the moment
*Pictures work from USB, not from internal HDD, no rotation at the moment
*It should eventually support DVD or BD drive on the IDE.
*Tried torrent section:
It seems to work great!
At the moment you have to upload the torrent file to the player through PC.Once that is done, you can do everything on the player.You can start/stop/delete/get info directly from the torrent screen on the player.
You can even watch a movie while at the same time, the player is downloading a torrent.
The second the donwloading has finished, you can view the file directly from HDD.(No more moving files with the PC)
A clock, so that you can time when the player should start downloading torrents isn't implemented yet but we requested it.
I got speed of more than 300Kb/s
This is a great feature!!!


Grtz,

BuGGeR

[robinrobs]

can you post a pic of the unit. i can't find any on their website. thanks

[CaffeineJunkie]

Remember that it's an alpha unit that they are testing. Even if they are allowed to show you any pictures it may not look like the finished unit.

Though I must say I would like to see it as well.

[BuGGeR]

Syabas is a company that provides reference hardware design and firmware to their manufacturing customers. Like Snazio, Transgear,....
So these other companys choose the design in which the hardware will be built in.

So the final outlook of the player isn't known yet. The MPC test unit came in a off-the-shelf casing.

some info on the 3rd round of testing based on FW 01-04 from june 22:
*Picture section works
*Streaming via Windows Mediaplayer 11 works.No subs though.In photomode you get a thumbnail view.
Streaming via Twonky or WindowsMediaConnect should work too (not tested).
*Downloaded a 4.37 GB mkv-file that is a named "The.Italian.Job.OAR.HD.DVDRip.720p.x264.AC3-5.1-iLL.mkv" and plays perfect!

Grtz,

BuGGeR

[madmike]

Is there any information on which companies will base new players on this reference platform? Is there anything known on schedule?

I could imagine that Syabas releases this to their customers, which then need to develop their own products based on this. Christmas'07 ?

Mike