Before NeoTV-550 I used a PC (with remote control) than without media-playback position for the TV. This PC costing 4 times the NeoTV-550, meaning requires more power, louder (processor fan and graphics card-fan), uncomfortable (despite remote control) and "spoiled" the living room. In terms of functionality, however the NeoTV-550 had a tough time in comparison to the PC because the PC really plays everything.
I own the NeoTV-550 now for three weeks and use the player almost every day. I am very satisfied with the device and had until now no major problems.
A bit disappointing is the delivery:
An HDMI cable is not included (only a standard AV cable), and a detailed user manual also does not (even in the form of file on the supplied CD).
The brief installation guide for connection and construction but adequate.
The operation and configuration of the NeoTV-550 are self-explanatory even for laymen; Tech-savvy or experienced computer users should therefore certainly have no trouble.
For questions and assistance positions, the official NeoTV-550 Forum is recommended on the American Netgear Web site - but in English.
In addition to the latest firmware and newer beta firmwares can be downloaded (current beta firmware is 3.0.275, which can however be unstable).
A criticism of another reviewer, I can confirm:
The German translation of Benutzerobfläche has some spelling errors and missing characters that could interfere with one or the other potential buyers, but restrict the operation in any way and may be corrected by a new firmware.
I have my NeoTV-550 provided in English, which I no errors have noticed until now.
After I had my NeoTV-550 for the first time connected (incl. Wired LAN connection) and turned on, a first fright came: The unit is still left on the first screen ("powering up") are and even after five minutes, it could be operate. After removing the LAN cable and restart this problem was indeed fixed, but I wanted so a permanent solution.
In the official forum I found this: By manually uploading the (then) beta firmware 3.0.268, which is currently the latest regular firmware, the problem no longer exists, and my Neo-TV starts now with plugged LAN cable , The firmware update will be played, for example, from a USB stick.
I use firmware 3.0.268 currently still, that all of the following information and statements are valid for this firmware version.
I especially like that the NeoTV-550 is completely silent thanks to its fan-less design.
This may perhaps be the device a little warmer than other products, but it remains at an acceptable level, especially since it will not be so operated as a notebook on the body, but in the cabinet / rack stands.
I then tested some video and music files and web radio, which worked perfectly with a few exceptions (see below).
However, to me one noticed: When playing files on the hard drive of my PC (Windows 7 Professional 64-bit) are located on the network, there was a violent judder and image-dropouts with the NeoTV-550. After some testing, I have found a solution for it.
My network configuration (100 Mbit / s) was a "AVM FRITZ! Box Fon WLAN 7170", where a "3Com OfficeConnect Dual Speed Hub 16" was connected to the turn then was connected NeoTV-550.
In this configuration, I had previously no jerking when instead of NeoTV-550 another PC had played video files over the network. By NeoTV-550, however, it lurched heavily.
Once I had, however, joined the NeoTV-550 directly to the "FRITZ! Box" and no longer on the "3COM Hub" as a stopover, there was also the NeoTV-550 no judder on LAN more.
Apparently the problem was caused by the interplay of NeoTV-550 with the "3COM Hub" without there the stroke no shocks over LAN - also not with high resolution video material.
For the NeoTV-550 is of a compatible Netgear wireless adapter available (Universal Wireless-N Internet Adapter WNCE2001). This I have not purchased and therefore not tested.
However, one can say in general that the playback of high-definition video is not recommended over WLAN and usually always leads to bucking - and not only in NeoTV-550, but in almost all media streamers.
While most MOV files (eg Apple / QuickTime movie trailers) to be played properly, occurs when playing some MOV files that are encoded at a high bit rate, an error that is rare, but very disturbing :
When selecting such a file playback seems to be started first, but then the NeoTV-550 freezes completely one, that there is no error message indicating that there would be an incompatible file, but the device is no longer operable and leaves Also not on the ON / OFF button to turn off the remote control or the player itself.
To the NeoTV-550 use again, the power cord must be removed, plugged in again, and the machine to be restarted.
I have reported the bug on the web page the Netgear support, and within a few hours confirmed to me a technician that Netgear could reproduce the error and it should be fixed in the next official firmware version.
Here I would nevertheless point out positively that the support and development of Netgear make me a very competent impression and can also include your active participation in the forum that Netgear is interested in zufriendstellenden, rapid resolution of customer problems.
UPDATE (31/01/2011):
With firmware version 3.0.282 (Beta), there is no longer a freeze of the appliance when playing certain MOV files; after a waiting period of several seconds to play the movies from - in superior picture quality, but without sound.
The Netgear support staff confirmed the behavior and also want the sound problem still resolve.
On the official Netgear FAQ page to NeoTV-550, there is an extensive list of formats that can be played by the unit.
As mentioned above, the NeoTV-550 for three weeks is now in almost daily use; And I have in addition to the use of web radio so far the following media formats without problems (exceptions see above) played (mostly not on LAN, but on a USB-connected external USB hard drive):
- Blu-ray images (ISO) in 1080p / i-resolution without copy including complete menu structure.
- Blu-ray video files (M2TS) in 1080p / i-resolution without copy protection
-. DVD folder (IFOs and VOBs) in 576p resolution without copy including complete menu structure
- MPEG2 files (DVD-compliant) in 576p resolution without copy protection
- MKV files in 1080p / i-resolution (x264, AC3)
- YouTube MP4 files (H.264) in 720p / 1080p resolution
- AVI files (XviD, MP3)
- MOV files (H.264) in 720p / 1080p resolution
- MP4 files (Tagesschau library)
- MP3 files (CBR and VBR)
. In particular, the playback of unprotected Blu-ray ISO image including complete menu structure is the undisputed highlight of the player - this feature only mastered by very few devices, and the NeoTV-550 to my knowledge is the currently cheapest - and works absolutely perfectly, although this is not officially named on the web site of Netgear as a feature.
To this end, another little tip:
The NeoTV-550 with firmware 3.0.268 even be able to play copy-protected original Blu-rays on an attached external USB optical drive, although this feature was currently removed from the original specification.
For this you have to the Internet an archive file ("bdallow.rar") obtain, copy the two files contained in the root directory of an SD card and insert this SD card in the SD card slot of the NeoTV-550 ,
I have tested this function only briefly, while playing on an attached USB 2.0 LG BE08LU20 (Super Multi Blue BD-RE drive) the first edition of the German "AVATAR" -Blu-ray disc for about 10 minutes. This worked perfectly.
According to Netgear, this function should be implemented in a later firmware when license issues have been resolved. The detour via the two files on the SD card would be dispensed with.
UPDATE (31/01/2011):
The playback of copyright protected original Blu-rays directly from an external Blu-ray drive has firmware version 3.0.282 (Beta) is no longer possible.
Who needs this feature, you must switch back to a lower firmware version (eg 3.0.275), which is no problem.
Note: The playback of copyright protected original DVDs on an attached external USB optical drive is at least at present from licensing reasons not possible.
On a positive note yet:
- Excellent image quality with HD video via HDMI to Full HD TVs.
- Good upscaling of SD video.
- Audio pass-through capabilities when an AV amplifier / receiver is used as a stopover for optimal surround sound.
Additional tips:
- Since the automatic detection of the frame rate of the video source material (eg 24p, 30fps, 50fps, 60fps, etc.) currently does not always work reliably (to be resolved on a new firmware version), it is recommended in jerky playback, the refresh rate of the NeoTV-550 during playback of the video file manually adjust. This requires on the remote control "TV Mode" button (top right) to be pressed.
- If the screen aspect ratio during playback distorted / incorrect, this can be on the "Aspect / 16: 9" button on the remote control correct.
- During playback of Blu-ray / DVD folders / ISOs there seems to be no way to indicate the elapsed playback time. Simply press the "TmSeek" (Time-Seek) button on the remote control: Here elapsed time and total time are displayed. Pressing the button without specifying the window disappears without having jumped back in the movie /.
Another note of our own:
I personally attach a greater importance to ensuring that a media player is functional and the file plays, with whom I "feed" him.
Hardware design or "pretty" user interface are far less important to me.
There are commercially undoubtedly devices that look clever and provide a sleeker menu navigation, but in terms of functionality to me is personally present no better device known - certainly not in this price range!
To me it is enough if I quickly gelange menu to the file that I want to play, and it runs perfectly. And this dominates the NeoTV-550 in my opinion top notch.
The only "appreciation" that I have allowed myself, it was - and this as a last tip - that I have stored a suitable cover for all the media (in all folders a "folder.jpg" and in individual films a ".jpg "file, which is the same as the movie file) to scroll so appealing as in a video store by the film library to (via the" Popup Menu "button on the remote control to switch between lists, single-line and multiline Cover view).
I forgive 4 instead of 5 stars because the NeoTV-550 for me though largely reliable plays video files, but even still has the official firmware 3.0.268 the impression of a few months too early published product: A detailed instruction manual is soon over the NETGEAR Web page be downloaded, and the remaining residual error in the translation of Benutzoberfläche and playing videos are hopefully resolved promptly via firmware update.
Should this be the case, I will gladly customize this review and raise the rating to 5 star; until then it will remain at 4 stars.
Conclusion:
The Netgear NeoTV-550 is a very good and mostly reliable media player, which has a few more negligible, recoverable via a new firmware weaknesses.
Because of this I would recommend, however, currently the player does not lay technology, but rather experienced PC users.
For me personally the NeoTV-550 could replace my existing PC as a multimedia playback position completely, anyway.
