Sony Media Player SMP-N100 - Review

The Sony Media Player SMP-N100 is Sony's set top box, media-streaming solution for people who didn't buy one of their networked TVs.   

Its picture quality features and HDMI-CEC home theater control, may commonly be found on Blu-ray players, but, so far, these are features not included on any other media streamers.

The Sony Media Player can easily find DLNA media servers, but it can only play a limited number of file formats.

If picture quality is a priority, and you're willing to convert files to play on the Sony Media Player SMP-N100, this is a good media streaming choice.

Pros

• Sony Xross menu is easy to use and integrates with other Sony products.
• Quality upscaler results in better picture quality, regardless of quality of streaming video.
• x.v. color and 12-bit Deep Color result in a wider range of colors with natural color gradations.
• HDMI control (HDMI-CEC) turns on your TV and home theater system when you turn on the player.
• It only displays compatible file formats; you can play any of the media that appear in the file lists.
• Most popular content partners are included and many more are available.
• It is DLNA-compliant, including as a DLNA Renderer; you can send files from phones, camcorders and digital cameras to the Media Player.
• Search feature scans many content providers for videos that match search terms.
• It has a built in wifi connection.

Cons

• It can only play a few file types; file format compatibility is very limited.
• Its unique Netflix apps and other video apps don't display video or scenes when fast forwarding or rewinding.
• Easy Setup is incomplete; users must find their way to set up wireless connection and other necessary settings.
• You must register the unit online before the included apps will appear.
• It will notify you when firmware updates are available if you check the settings menu, but it does not push notification or update automatically.
• Search feature displays many videos that are unrelated to search terms, doesn’t list more relevant videos.
• No online photo sharing apps are included.
• No social media apps are included.

Sony has added features for ease-of-use and video quality that you would typically find on its other home-theater components. Most network media players and streamers are made by companies that specialize in the digital side — that is, the players are manufactured by companies that make hard drives, routers and other networking hardware. 

But Sony is a home-theater manufacturer, and it shows.

Picture and Sound Quality Are Excellent

Many network media players are high definition; some are 1080p full high definition. Sony takes it a step further by adding features that improve the quality of the picture.

First, the Sony Media Player has a Precision CinemaHD Upscaler. The upscaler will make standard definition video look more like high definition.

Also, like the Sony Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3, the Sony Media Player supports 12-bit Deep Color and x.v.color. This means that there are more colors available with smoother gradations from one color to the next.  If your TV is also 10-bit or above and can handle x.v. color, this will result in a clearer, more life-like picture quality.  And if you are a real tech enthusiast, the Sony Media Player has a bit-rate indicator like those found on Sony Blu-ray players, so you know the quality of the video stream.

Another feature the Sony Media Player SMP-N100 has in common with other Sony home-theater components is HDMI control (HDMI-CEC). Using an HDMI cable, connect the Sony Media Player to a TV or home theater system that has HDMI-CEC. HDMI control must be enabled on the TV and the Sony Media Player. Simply powering on the Player will turn on the TV and AV receiver and change the inputs to that which the Sony Media Player is connected. Voila! The Sony Media Player is onscreen and ready to view and all you had to do was turn it on. While this feature has been available on Blu-ray players, this is the first media player or media streamer that I've tested with this convenient feature.

Programmable Remote Control & iPhone Remote App

Typically, the remote controls that come with most media players and media streamers are small — often only 3 or 4 inches long. The Sony Media Player comes with a full-sized remote. What's more, the Media Player's remote can be programmed to control your TV.

If you prefer a remote on which you can type in text for logins and search terms, there is an app for that.  The "BD remote app" can be downloaded for iPhone or Android phones to control your Sony Media Player.  Note that you will have to go activate it in the settings menu to pair the remote app to the media player. Also, both the phone and the player need to be connected to the same wireless network.

Turning on the Sony Media Player SMP-N100 for the first time brings up the "Easy Setup" screens.  You set your language. Next, you choose what kind of connection you are using.  Illustrations help novices know what each cable is called so they can make the right choice.  Finally, the player automatically sets the best TV resolution. When complete, the home Xross menu screen appears. Unfortunately, the media player is not yet ready to use and there is nothing to tell you what you need to do next.

When you first open the box, one of the inner flaps reads: "Please read instruction manual."  One could reply: "Please write an instruction manual that gives detailed directions."  Here is a step-by-step of what you must do after the "easy setup."

After the easy setup, you still must connect the media to your home network and the internet. You must register the Sony Media Player online for the included apps to appear. Once registered, the icons for the Music and Video apps (channels) appear under the appropriate icons.

Proceed to Page 2: App Troubles, Limitations, and Final Recommendation