If not in a rush, should wait for the 6500 model which should be out late January 08. Same form factor as 4100. No cylindrical model like 5100. Price comparable to 4100, perhaps slight revision up.

New Sigma chipset EM8635 (vs. EM8623 in the 4100/5100), HDMI 1.3, Dolby True HD and DTS HD sound support, aluminium casing, Initially will run the same firmware as the 4100/5100, but eventual firmware update will bring in a host of new features, new GUI interface in HD (1280X720), true type font support (to re-size subtitles), etc. Wi-Fi not native.

This post has been edited by terranova: Jan 4 2008, 02:43 PM

Out of curiousity, why would u want the PH A100 when u already have the 4100?

ok. cool. understood. the A100 is good value for $.

i think at the moment, supply is short. when they first launched, they had to stop selling online as they were flying off the shelf .... too fast that production couldn't cope, all back-ordered. not sure current status now. could still be back-ordered, that's why maybe not selling online for the moment. no idea where to get in Malaysia. sorry.

best bet is to register at their website and sign-up for the wait list. to buy from their online store, u need to register yourself first.

This post has been edited by terranova: Jan 5 2008, 01:13 PM

If u r interested in the A100 and would like to know more about user experience, expandability, problems, etc., go to

http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=Fo...viewforum&f=179

NAS for home usage typically comes in 1/2/4 HDD bays. Those 2 or 4 bay NAS allows u to run RAID configuration (i.e. u can do a mirror image of another HDD in case the other HDD crashes). This is useful if you store your home videos, baby photos, critical files, etc. any file that is invaluable/critical/for keepsake. If HDD crash and no backup, u can cry all u want .... that's what happened to mine recently btw. I learnt the hard way. I keep videos of my kid since she was born till now on the hard disk.

If you don't want to run RAID, then a 2 bay NAS means you can combine the capacity of 2 HDDs in one enclosure, i.e. 500GB + 500GB = 1TB. You can add HDD step by step (i.e. no need to fill up all the bays for it to work).

Suggest you get the 2 or 4 bay NAS to future-proof your investment. Popular brands include Synology & QNAP. Don't get Netgear. I've used all 3. Note that QNAP is DLNA compliant, so it can be used to stream to your PS3 and xbox360 (format/codec dependant). Synology is not yet DLNA compliant, though it's suppose to be through a firmware upgrade in the near future.

Malaysian pricing I don't know, sorry. A quick call to IT Hypermarket or Low Yatt should get u an answer. OR check those price list on this forum.

Roughly though .... a single bay NAS should be in the region of RM750 and 2 bay NAS around RM1,200 (prices does NOT include any hard disks, just the enclosure). Don't hold me to that though, ok?

NAS must be connected to your home network through router (usually wired since the NAS box itself usually doesn't have wifi built-in). Once it is hooked up to your home network, any device that can connect to your router will be able to access the NAS.

Many brands of NAS out there. Popular (reputable) ones include QNAP, Synology, D-Link. Avoid the Netgear ones. Many china-brand NAS out there which should be cheaper.

IMHO, what's important besides the form factor (which I know is important to you) is:
(1) the noise level (esp. when idle since the NAS is usually left on 24x7 and the fan starts to kick in).
(2) continued firmware upgrades. The features of the NAS is found in the firmwares, so if the manufacturers only sell the nas box but don't bother upgrading their firmware as your model gets older, then you are left out of the latest features. This is important because you are not really buying hardware (ie the nas case) but the features that the nas offers. So buy one that has good after-sales support.
(3) no. of bays for future expansion. Single-bay NAS may seem enough right now, but I tell you once you've experienced a HDD crash on a NAS, the idea of having at least 2-bays will be mighty attractive. Having a 2-bay NAS will allow you to run it on RAID mode (mirror) especially if you have invaluable data on the hard disk (e.g. priceless baby videos, photos, etc.).

I find the QNAP is quieter than the Synology. I base that on my TS-209 vs my Synology 106e. Perhaps the newer Synology models are quieter, I don't know. I also have a Buffalo NAS, my first one long time ago. I'm getting a TS-409 soon.

Bear in mind u can use the Synology and QNAP to stream to your PS3 as well, so there's some overlap in function between the PS3 and tvix. U can use the PS3 to play mpg/divx, mp3, jpg files off the NAS. Of course, the tvix does more than that.

Hope that helps.

Edit - oh yea, most NAS are Mac compatible as well, since they are not OS-dependant.

This post has been edited by terranova: Jun 19 2008, 02:15 PM

Adinda rx,

I can't vouch for the other brands as I've never used them, but I can say that QNAP and Synology features and after-sales support are good. Go to their website and look under the Home/SOHO section.

Basically, they're all almost the same, main difference is whether it's 1-bay (1 HDD), 2-bay (2 HDD) or 4-bay. Those with > 1 bay can do RAID configuration e.g. RAID 1, RAID 5, etc.

QNAP models - TS109 (1 bay), TS209 (2 bays), TS409 (4 bays)
Synology models - 107 (1 bay), 207 (2 bays), 407 (4 bays)

As long as the NAS are DNLA-compliant, your PS3 will recognise them on your home network when you search for it and the NAS will appear as an icon under the Music/Photo/Video sections in XMB.

Synology and QNAP are not the cheapest in the market. If you want cheaper ones, I'm certain there are many brands in the market. I'm just not familiar with them.

Another thing to take note, rx, is that you probably need to reformat your hdd before u can use it with your nas.

This post has been edited by terranova: Jun 21 2008, 09:18 PM

I think it's better u go shopping for this in SG. Probably better choices there. Just a thought.

I bought my Synology 106e (the predecessor to the 107e) for HK$1,600 (about RM650) and QNAP TS-209 for HK$2,550 (~RM1k).

Yep, 2 bays max 2TB, but if u run on mirror mode (RAID 1), then only 1TB as the other hdd is used to mirror the first hdd. This is what I use to store invaluable data like kid's videos & photos, hundreds of ripped CDs with scanned cover art, etc). But don't forget that you can hook up any external hdd to the NAS via usb/e-sata/firewire (depending on model) if u need to.

Just curious, is it easy to navigate the TVIX without using the TV/monitor? I mean e.g. when u want to listen to music, u just need to switch on the amp/av receiver and the TVIX. But u still need to go search for the song or playlist etc so u need to navigate via the built-in VFD screen on the TVIX. Is it cumbersome? Also what does the screen display while the song is played? A scrolling text of the title & artist (like Squeezebox)?

About RAID :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_arr...dependent_disks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels

This post has been edited by terranova: Jun 24 2008, 11:09 AM


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Yes u can redirect the download to the NAS. THe NAS will show up on your Windows Explorer as another hard disk just like your local hard disk C:. But actually, most NAS now comes with built-in BT downloading software so u can download using this even when your PC/notebook is not switched on. So technically, your NAS is a 24x7 BT downloading station. HOwever, the BT speed may not be as great as what u may experience on the notebook/pc, but heck leave it on for a day and it'll still get the job done if speed is not your major concern.

Yes PS3 will recognise any DLNA-compliant NAS.

I don't see any problem with your proposed set-up. My only advise would be to check if your router can do gigabit speeds to help speed up transfer rates. Otherwise, big files may take some time, esp on those wireless connections.

I think u can get Synology and QNAP products in KL (not sure about JB). Call up the distributor and find out their JB retailer. Refer to this thread : http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/653445
How to connect QNAP to PS3 : http://www.qnap.com/pro_features_PS3.asp

http://www.ideatools.com.my/idt_DealerTViX.htm

For audio quality, squeezebox is better. however, squeezebox is an audio streamer, not a standalone hard disk media player. that means u still need to connect it to a NAS or pc/notebook for the source file.

for average setups, the dvico should do just fine. plays lossless files. hook it up to a decent avr + speakers should do nicely.

unless u r running a high-end hi-fi setup, then u can target Transporter instead of Squeezebox. US$2k for the Transporter. sounds amazing.

@ bro rx - about US$220 iirc. long time liao. but don't buy la .... no point since u got the dvico already. also the display cannot use one la .... single line text. makes navigation very hard, especially if your music files are organised into deep layers of folders on the hard disk.

now i prefer to play music on my htpc, can use vista media center. looks nicer. hahaha i'm a sucker for cosmetics.

but the new product from logitech looks very promising - squeezebox duet. looks like a sonos wannabe, only much cheaper (maybe cos no speakers hahaha). havent tried it out yet.

The Duet will set u back US$400 online pre-shipping. But remember it's music only hor. and streaming means your wifi connection should be ok (no drops, blindspots, slow speeds, etc) unless u use wired of course.

might as well get another dvico.

Brief first impressions of WD TV here:

http://www.popphoto.com/testsreviews/5648/...uct-review.html

u may want to consider qnap ts-209 if u're looking at getting a NAS. the firmware supports many features i dont see on the WE II website. comes with DNLA and TwonkyVision built-in. And QPKG app installation. pricing-wise, not sure if comparable though. but investing in a near future-proof nas is always a good thing.

This post has been edited by terranova: Dec 5 2008, 11:12 AM

you're right i guess. no point paying for things you don't need. anyway, just for future reference, u don't need to get the Pro version of any QNAPs. The Pro versions usually has features that caters to corporate/enterprise users (e.g. ADS). for home users like us, Pro or no Pro same same la. i started with the TS-209 and now a TS-409 (not Pro).

Twonkyvision is a streamer software, so can stream the media stored on the nas to various devices around the network (e.g. xbox360). Since the nas is DLNA compliant, it will also stream to the ps3.

qkpg - makes 3rd party apps easier to install on the nas to run various 3rd party/open source softwares e.g. slim server (to stream to Logitech Squeezebox Duet), emule (download stuff), wordpress, joomla!, php, etc. which adds functionalities to the nas.

rx, long time no hear. i've always loved your snappy comebacks, so here's one for you. elite your head la!! sounds familiar? hahaha .....

WD doing well in the hdd market, so diversifying downstream seems natural.

htleg, the rationale is always $$$$.

still using both the 2-bays and 4-bays, all running 1TB hdd on raid 1 and raid 5 config respectively. now enough legroom for the next few years i hope.

must tell u, the new Western Digital Caviar Green series hdd are very quiet. the ts-409 is purring along nicely and silently in the background. the ts-209 are running seagate hdd and are noisier, but still ok la.