Updates on the Netgear NTV 550
by Ganesh T S on May 7, 2011 6:14 AM EST- Posted in
- Home Theater
- Media Streamer
- NetGear
Netgear already has a list of bugs to be fixed from user submissions on their forum. They indicated that they are prioritizing the issues to be fixed in future firmware versions. As for the firmware release schedule, the next firmware version is supposed to come out in late June, followed by another in September. The June release is supposed to take care of bug fixes, while the September release would add more features (though what these feature would be were not indicated to me).
Netgear has also starter a uservoice site for the NeoTV 550. This tool is supposed to help them manage the suggestions, get meaningful feedback in a shorter amount of time, and streamline/ prioritize future bug fixes and improvements.
I was quite interested in finding out how the NTV 550 was faring in the market. Netgear indicated that the response in the EU and Australian markets was very good and surpassed the US sales by a large margin. This is indicative of the fact that the US market (unfortunately, if you ask me) is moving to more OTT based media streamers.
Personally, I feel that Netflix, Vudu and other VOD providers are good for casual users, and physical media backups are the only way to enjoy full HD content in the way it was intended. The NTV 550 was supposed to enable users in this area at a sweet price point (it is much cheaper than the Dune series which is comparable feature wise), but its potential remains unfulfilled. Whether future firmware releases will help in this regard remains to be seen.
It has to be noted that the Dune series (which has been praised in many other review sites) didn't turn into a great media player overnight. It is only logical that Netgear be given a few more months to iron out the issues in the NTV 550. Till then, potential buyers should wait and watch how the June firmware fares in our final review before pulling the trigger.
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ganeshts - Monday, May 9, 2011 - link
I think that is very unlikely.Sigma doesn't have enough resources to continue updating the SDK of the 8642/8643 for the new Netflix UI, so it is highly improbable that they want to work on Cinavia support for this SoC. Considering that Netflix certification should get them more design wins.... Also, they have to make sure the 8646 and 8190 go out to customers with proper SDKs.. I think Cinavia will probably be a real threat only to streamers based on those SoCs...
IKeelU - Monday, May 9, 2011 - link
I want to work for a media player outfit just to see first-hand why it is so hard to bring such a unit to market. If this was actually something new, I wouldn't think twice, but media players are practically commodities these days. It reminds me of the early days of MP3 players, minus a killer device on the market (i.e. iPod).QChronoD - Monday, May 9, 2011 - link
I think thats the first time I've ever seen that acronym. I'm guessing that it means On The TV?Also, are you planning on doing updates to any of the other media players that were released a while ago but had issue? I'd be happy with just a basic round up where you recapped what did and didn't work in the past, then tested to see if they fixed or added anything new. (I would be very surprised if they removed or broke a previous feature since Sony doesn't make any of these.
I'd especially like to see the popbox and/or their A200/C200 models. I know that they were missing a few key features at launch and weren't entirely stable, but I haven't seen any updated reviews newer than a month or two after their respective launches.
ganeshts - Monday, May 9, 2011 - link
OTT refers to Over-the-top, which is basically any method of delivering content other than the standard means (cable TV or satellite or over the air). In this context, it refers to services such as Netflix, Vudu etc.ganeshts - Monday, May 9, 2011 - link
PS: I will present a review of the Boxee Box as soon as 1.1.1 firmware is released to the public. The second part of the AC Ryan POHD2 review is coming soon (next in line in the media streamers section).flyvog6 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
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Dakiya - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
i am looknig forward to buying NTV 550.. Do you have frimware update which was supposed to be release in June.Have you reviewd it..
Cheers, Dakiya
Dakiya - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
oops, i meant to ask Do 'they' have a firumware update and a stable one at that...And also is NTV550 only one around with complete Menu feature for blueway ISO as well as one with good pass thru for Dolby HD and DTS HD.. I check WD TV live hub and they dont have the licensing for pass-thru...
Looking forward to read a complete review on NTV 550...