Basic Media Server

Sony SMP-N100 Summary:

This affordable streaming media player delivers full HD 1080p but falls short on some other aspects, like interface and playing certain files.

Pros: Top quality sound and video, built in Wi-Fi, and a wide range of video sources make this media server a contender.

Cons: Does not beat the king of the interface (Apple TV) nor the sultan of flexibility (The Western Digital Live TV Plus).

Rating:

What we like about the Sony SMP-N100:

• Picture Quality: The SMP-N1000 really shines here.
• Free Remote App: Free remote control app for Android and Apple iOS devices. Can’t find the remote, but have your phone handy?
• Stream all of your favorite online media: With a solid internet connection, one can easily stream online media from sources like Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and Hulu Plus.
• DNLA Certified: This allows you to stream content (like pictures, audio, and video) DLNA server.

What we dislike about the Sony SMP-N100:

• Good but not Great Interface: Apple TV continues to set the standard here. The interface is not bad, but Apple TV is hard to beat.
• Doesn’t always like your files: While some streaming media players are compatible with almost any video file, Sony chose a more narrow range of files. This is frustrating if you have a large collection of digital media you would like to view. The Western Digital Live TV Plus has the edge here.
• Trouble connecting the Wi-Fi: The Sony SMP-N100 initial setup steps do not include setting up Wi-Fi. Since you need an internet connection to use this media player, that’s a bit of a drawback.
• Doesn’t play all USB devices: Some external hard drives were apparently incompatible with this device. Keep this in mind if you’re looking to buy an external hard drive with this unit.

In a Nutshell:

If you want the simplest interface go with Apple TV, if you want to geek out and play almost any video and audio codec go with the Western Digital Live TV Plus, if you want something in between with super high quality video and audio this is your box.

Video Review:

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Product Details at a Glance – Sony SMP-N100

Networking Capabilities
Ethernet	10/100 Mbs
Wi-Fi	Built in 802.11b/g/n, DLNA Client
Hardware Capabilities
Internal Disk Storage	None
Video Outputs	HDMI 1080p, Composite, Component
Audio Outputs	HDMI, optical digital, analog 2 channel
USB 2.0	External Hard Disc Drive : Yes (FAT32, NTFS) USB Flash Memory : Yes (FAT32, NTFS) USB Keyboard : Yes
Card Reader Inputs	No
Multimedia Formats Supported
Audio, Video, and Image Codecs	AAC : Yes (USB)- m4a AVC-HD : Yes (USB) DivX : Yes (USB )- jpg, jpeg DivX HD : Yes (USB and DLNA)- XviD JPEG : Yes (USB and DLNA)- jpg, jpeg LPCM : Yes (USB and DLNA)- wav MP3 : Yes (USB and DLNA)- mp3 MPEG-1 : Yes (USB)- vob, vro, mpg, mpeg, m2ts, mts MPEG : Yes (USB and DLNA)- vob, vro, mpg, mpeg, m2ts, mts Simple MPEG : Yes – MPEG 4 AVC (USB)- mkv, mp4, m4v, m2ts, mts WMA : Yes (USB and DLNA)- wma (DLNA:Basic profile only no 32kpbs or lower) WMV : Yes – WMV9 (USB)- wmv, asf
TV Systems	NTSC/PAL
Online Services Provided
Video on Demand Services	BRAVIA Internet Video – Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, plus more
Environmental Requirements
Dimensions	7 3/8″ x 1 5/8″ x 7 3/8″ (185x40x185mm)
Weight	1lb 8oz (680g)
Power Requirements	110-240V 50Hz/60Hz
Financial Information
Warranty	1 year