[TheWander35]

Hi guys,

I currently own the EVA9150 which I've been very happy with but I now want to "up the game" a little and get one that has full blown blu-ray menu support.

I see netgear have just brought out a couple of new ones, the NeoTV 550 and the 350, but can find very little information about them. Anyone here have one (or ideally both) of them? If so, what do you think of them?

From what I've read the NTV550 is better than the NTV350 since it has eSata support and a better remote so for the extra £50 I'd probably go with that one. Although I do wonder how they can justify charging an extra £50 for a remote control and an extra port

The Dune 3 seems to be the only other contender out there but I don’t want a full-sized box plus it's £100-£150 more expensive than the netgears. Plus since I've been happy with my existing streamer I thought I'd stick with a brand I trust

TIA

[cjed]

Originally Posted by TheWander35

Hi guys,I see netgear have just brought out a couple of new ones, the NeoTV 550 and the 350, but can find very little information about them. Anyone here have one (or ideally both) of them? If so, what do you think of them?

Netgear are currently Beta testing the NeoTV 550 (and presumably the 350) at the moment. They must be due to launch shortly as Scan have then as pre-orders on their price list.

The other big difference between the 350 and 550 is that the 550 will take an external USB/eSTATA Blu-ray drive to play Blu-ray disks.

I think they're based on the Sigma chipsets so probably have similar capabilities / quality to the existing media players based on these chips.

They look to provide good value from the price/performance point of view - but as usual it all depends upon how good the UI and firmware are.

[TheWander35]

Thanks cjed. If they're still being tested that explains why I can't find any reviews about them yet

Originally Posted by cjed

The other big difference between the 350 and 550 is that the 550 will take an external USB/eSTATA Blu-ray drive to play Blu-ray disks.

Hmm, does that mean you can ONLY play blu-ray movies with menu support via the use of the esata and therefore not from a nas/computer? If so, I'll stick with my existing streamer and buy another blu-ray player instead.

[cjed]

Originally Posted by TheWander35

Hmm, does that mean you can ONLY play blu-ray movies with menu support via the use of the esata and therefore not from a nas/computer? If so, I'll stick with my existing streamer and buy another blu-ray player instead.

I don't know about the 350, but the 550 can certainly play Blu-ray ISO images from USB drive / network as well as the actual disks via an external Blu-ray drive (which can be either USB or eSTATA).

[next010]

The 550 is using a Sigma 8642 chip and the 350 is using a Realtek chip apparently.

The 550 looks pretty nice, Netgear finally got their act together. There's also cover art and a movie jukebox in the promo art work but no mention of how it handles this.

Hi Guys,

I'm new to forums so if I break any rules, please be gentle with me...

I have a few questions about the NTV550, which I've posted to Netgear Sales Support, which you guys may be able to help with. In terms of network capabilities there doesn't seem to be much difference between the NTV550 and the 9150. I currently use an EVA8000, which was OK for DVDs but less than useless for Blu-Ray. The 8000 also doesn't like Windows 7 shares, and the Netgear Apps don't run particularly well either.
All the boxes have a 10/100 ethernet connection, so how does the 9150 handle uncompressed Blu-Rays? Presumably the NTV550 will be the same? Can the 9150 see Windows 7 CIFS shares or do you use NFS (the NTV550 apparently supports it), and if so which NFS package does anyone recommend?

I seem to have jumped around with my questions here, but I will probably replace my 8000 with the NTV550 as long as someone can assure me that Netgear resolved Blu-Ray and Windows 7 problems with the 9150. I am assuming that netgear won't remove features and capabilities from the NTV550....will they....?

[next010]

There is a big difference between the EVA8000/9150 and the NTV550.

The NTV550 is a much more modern player it will properly play Blu-ray's and supports SMB/Samba network shares (CIFS) along with UPnP/DLNA and NFS. SMB should be fine for playing Blu-ray in most instances.

If going for a Netgear player wait for the NTV550.

I don't know about any of you guys, but personally I'm getting very tired of Netgear. I get an HD TV and decide to rip 300 DVDs to hard drive on my old XP machine and find that I can use an EVA800 to upscale across my network - brilliant.

The PC dies of old age so it gets replaced with a new Windows 7 jobbie with 8 Tb of storage for the additional 150 DVDs and approx 100 Blu-Rays I now have, unfortunately the EVA8000 can't see Windows 7 SMB shares, and the DEW software is a bag o' sh*t on W7 64bit as well - not so brilliant.

Of course the 8000 can't stream the Blu-Rays because it hasn't got the muscles on its network interface or chipset, so I look for a replacement, ideally with a 1Gb connection. Hmmm the EVA9150 doesn't have one, but some people say it's OK with BRs, unfortunately others say it isn't..why not stick in a 1Gb socket, at least that would remove any possible network issues, and it's not that Netgear can't get their hands on them, they make them for chr***sake....And before anyone says "Ah but the Sigma chip doesn't support a 1Gb interface" tell that to HDI Dune, they've done it.

And then along comes the NTV550....Hmm supports BR folder structures in 1080P and plays back every other type of file as well, OK, maybe no Gig ethernet but surely Netgear wouldn't lie about Blu-Ray support would they? Just to check I sent an email to NG Support asking about the NTV550 upscaling DVD to 1080p, after all the old EVA8000 does that! See below:

"Thank you for choosing NETGEAR, my name is Dane and I will be your support engineer.

I understand that you want to know if upscaling to 1080p is supported on the NTV550. I apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced. Since we are doing this online, it may require a few e-mail exchanges before we can resolve the issue. Rest assured that I will do my best effort to help resolve your case in the least amount of time.

With regards to your concern, upscaling to full 1080p is not supported on the new NTV550. Kindly check the link below:

NTV550"

I'm stunned. Have they got different development teams working on their different media streamers? Do they actually talk to each other. Am I the only one who thinks NutGoon are a serial bunch of w*ankers?
I apologise for the above rant, but I've had enough of NotGreat, and it's the HDI Dune for me.

[TheWander35]

It's a pity netgear employs idiots in their technical support department. Of course it upscales to 1080p.

The 9150 does support blu-ray albeit not with menus and with some limitations on the bitrate it can handle. It's not a ideal solution, more a half-way house.

I'm gonna wait until I see some reviews of the ntv550 before I decide what to go for. It the ntv550 is great I can buy two of them for not much more than the cost of a dune

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by TheWander35

I'm gonna wait until I see some reviews of the ntv550 before I decide what to go for. It the ntv550 is great I can buy two of them for not much more than the cost of a dune

My wait for a review is over. Just found this NETGEAR NTV550 review

That's a pretty good review, and the unit seems very comprehensive. Just for reference have a look at the new HDI Dune models (D1, B1 H1); very clever idea. They currently use the same chipset as the NTV550, but they are producing updated models early next year with the new Sigma 8646 (true gigabit support, 800MHz cpu suitable for 3D suppoprt, etc.). They have even stated an upgrade policy for people that have bought existing models.... HDI Dune: future upgrades for the new Taiwanese models » HDI Dune

It seems media streamers are finally coming of age.....

[next010]

That review is based off beta firmware but nevertheless some nice features Netgear have provided.

Apparently Netgear are going to release their own Movie Manager software but can use data generated from apps like My Movies or Ember Media Manager too.

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by next010

Apparently Netgear are going to release their own Movie Manager software but can use data generated from apps like My Movies or Ember Media Manager too.

Oooo, that sounds interesting

[bold]

I hate eva 9150's interface. Is there any major improvement on the interface?

[TheWander35]

Hi supee,

There are some screenshots dotted throughout that review. Looks very similar to the 9150 except it's been spruced up quite a bit.

[next010]

Yeah I wasn't a fan of the UI of the 9150 either, it has same two window style but looks nicer, according to beta testers there are a variety of view modes like list, thumbnail, coverart so hopefully there is more choice in how content is displayed on screen.

[drtyeddy]

HI, i am looking at this NTV550 as well, do you think this uses a movie database like IMDB for your downloaded movies?
I particularly like the way Boxee does this, and give a little synopsis of the film and presumably all other IMDB info?
anyone know?
thanks

Also, do these have a web-browser built in?
can they download torrents, or more specifically newsgroups?

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by drtyeddy

HI, i am looking at this NTV550 as well, do you think this uses a movie database like IMDB for your downloaded movies?
I particularly like the way Boxee does this, and give a little synopsis of the film and presumably all other IMDB info?
anyone know?
thanks

Also, do these have a web-browser built in?
can they download torrents, or more specifically newsgroups?

At the moment although you can tag your movies using data from IMDB you have to do it manually. netgear are releasing a "Movie Manager" soon which will handle things differently. Supposedly

No built in web-browser. No ability to download torrents or newsgroups.

[bluepeter]

I have mine on pre-order, anyone else?

Netgear announces new NeoTV 550 | Expert Reviews

not sure if this link has been posted - the links with 'Zixi'

About Zixi

Peter

[next010]

The Zixi stuff sounds similar to Microsofts smooth streaming tech (used in Zune video store on Xbox 360), I guess Netgear have something in the works.

[planthead]

pre order eta 5/oct..

Review Netgear NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Player - NTV550-100UKS (NTV550-100UKS)

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by planthead

pre order eta 5/oct..

Review Netgear NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Player - NTV550-100UKS (NTV550-100UKS)

Hmm, I'd not put too much faith in that date. netgear were saying 31st October on their site.

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by bluepeter

I have mine on pre-order, anyone else?

Netgear announces new NeoTV 550 | Expert Reviews

not sure if this link has been posted - the links with 'Zixi'

About Zixi

Peter

It's not clear whether Zixi will be integrated into the NTV550 from day one but it IS coming.

[bluepeter]

Reading what a beta tester is saying (from the other place over the pond) I'm reckoning the end of Oct also.

I'm aware that Zixi won't be available from launch, but it's coming

The ability to handle music properly makes this the one to get - tho I still have my eye on the boxee box.

eSata is also important, as I have terabytes of media stored on eSata ext hdd's. If Netgear handle this properly it will outpace the Dune players.

[planthead]

Originally Posted by TheWander35

Hmm, I'd not put too much faith in that date. netgear were saying 31st October on their site.

I need a new box,,or a revo,, and i am really tempted by this,, so its halloween,, then,, spooky...

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by planthead

I need a new box,,or a revo,, and i am really tempted by this,, so its halloween,, then,, spooky...

Seems like a toss up of this or the Boxee at the moment...

[planthead]

I really wanted a boxee,, to welcome back XBMC,,but it is too expensive at £200.00 for me,, and I am not sure how it would fit in on my av rack,,,this looks good,, it still is £50.00 dearer than a wd live,,, umm!!

[bold]

This teasing game is annoying. Any other reviews apart from the one from have the know how?

[TheWander35]

Originally Posted by supee

This teasing game is annoying. Any other reviews apart from the one from have the know how?

It's scheduled to be released in the next few weeks so you'll soon see loads of them

[poe_ope]

Available in pre-order from:

http://www.hdland.fr/boutique/fiche_...lg=lg_fr&num=0
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Netge...Music-Streamer

Ciao!
Marco