Thursday, October 20, 2016

Player, NAS or the TV? – IT World

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Player, NAS or the TV?

| 20.10.2016

What is better smart TV or media player? To answer this question, it was not easy before, and now all is problematic. After all, the market has mastered the production of network storage is preloaded with Android OS, HDMI output and control capabilities the remote control, which immediately put the NAS in a special position, and customers – to have to wrestle with the choice. Let’s try to understand together.

what’s the catch?

the fact is that networked storage is essential for storing home media libraries and archives the data, and the smart TV provides access to them, bypassing the computer. In fairness, I note that the same can be done by smartphone and tablet, but not so clearly. And indeed a bunch of Smart TV + NAS always looked very natural and optimal in terms of cost and convenience.

As you probably noticed, I haven’t said a word about the media players (MP), which transform an ordinary monitor or TV to the same Smart TV, as a rule, on the green robot. But this is only because the MP serve as an intermediary, but rather a kind of compromise for those who are not in a hurry to get rid of the usual TV and purchase a NAS. Or already got a NAS and wants to connect it to the receiver.

But it is probably better to consider all scenarios, then the solution will become apparent.

Option 1: smart TV

a Television receiver with a built-in MP allows the owner to do even without a computer: connecting to the Internet, the presence of the drive (or the ability to connect external) turns it into a simple hub media resources. If the house has no network storage, no desktop computers, Smart TV is the best choice. In its favor not only the autonomy and all the necessary equipment for entertainment and information search in a Network – it often happens that the purchaser shall have free right to use cloud services, mediahosting and Internet TV. Besides not everyone need Android on your TV – Smart TV is no less attractive opportunities.

For example, a series of DXR600 Panasonic uses Firefox OS, which has not only the browser, but the feature Info Frame, whereby it is possible to display information from various sources: time, weather, exchange rates, and even the content of the browser window.

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Smart TV LG line 2016 equipped with webOS 3.0, which also provides access to the Internet, music and movies. Thanks to Magic Zoom, you can zoom in on certain elements of images while viewing.

Select smart TV is, if the economy is NAS, which can share content across a network (supports DLNA and SMB). But there are also disadvantages. First, the set of functions in the TV is still limited and expand their often not so simple. And secondly, not every receiver is able dormant to upload content via FTP or to distribute it to other gadgets.

Option 2: media player

a Niche solution, which is perfect for owners of modern TVs and those who wish to turn an old monitor into a media center. MP can also be connected with a network repository, and some of the players can perform the functions of the NAS (requires hard disk). If you already have a Smart TV and NAS and you are going to equip the kitchen or bedroom without another smart device, I advise you to look in the direction of the media player. Among the shortcomings: low reliability of the connected drives (in comparison with NAS) and scuffling with at least two remotes (for TV and a private). But for the money the most economical solution.

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Option 3: NAS with media center

While such devices a bit, but it’s only a matter of time. For example, QNAP has released two NAS – TAS and TAS 168-268, which have two OSes: traditional QNAP QTS and additional Android. Models equipped with HDMI output and remote control through which we could interact with the green robot. The OS from Google only works when connected to a TV or monitor. Through this NAS is easy to turn a simple screen or projector into a full-fledged Smart TV, moreover, it performs the function of storage and redundancy of information. Plus addressing is that in one fell swoop is easy to close two problems: and smart TVs to get hold of, and a home mini-server for media content to. By the way, to manage file storage, TV do not have to include – enough to use any computer and web browser. From minuses we will note the necessity of operating two remotes (as in the situation with the media player).

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Extensible, saving

NAS with media player and two operating systems – a simple and economical way to extend your home Arsenal of gadgets (instead of two devices use one), and at the same time to obtain a convenient tool for storing media content and share without complex manipulations and settings. If you have an online store and TVs without the OS the way to go is to buy a media player to easily keep them all together. Well, if you have a NAS straight to shop smart televisions with Android.

Author: Sergey Grishchuk

Tags: storing data, aggregating devices, televisions, network storage, media players

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