BlackArmor NAS Network Storage Server

[JVEG]

HI, I have a BlackArmor NAS 220 (Firmware Version: 2000.0551) and am trying to use it as a media server, which is proving to be a bit of a nightmare!

However as a NAS device seems to work extremely well especially with the drive encryption options, I don't really want to send the product back (as suggested by the Seagate support operative)- just get a resolution to the media sharing problems. 

Samsung TV with built in Media Player; the following issues occur:

1. Image thumbs are displayed but when I select the picture to display full screen, I get the message 'unsupported file format'

2. .MKV files are not shown under videos.

Media player running on Windows 7; the following issues occur:

1. Thumbnail Images are displayed, but when selected to play/show full screen only a very low resolution lossy image is shown. This image takes a long time to load and often hangs Media Player.

2. .MKV Files are not shown under videos.

If I use media player to directly access the NAS as a shared drive, all files show and are playable in correct resolution etc.

If I share the files from my pc using the Samsung PC Share Manager application or read them directly from a USB drive, the TV's media player functions correctly.

Surely this points to a problem with the Seagate DLNA server firmware, or am I missing something here? 

I have spent an hour + on the phone with support which to be honest was a Nightmare as they didn't seem to understand my issues let alone resolve them!

Hope someone can help me with this, as it would be a shame to send the product back.

Thanks in advance.

[JVEG]

Hoped someone could have helped me out on this....

Additional info, when files are added to the server additional hidden .jpg files are created for images and movies.

e.g. test.jpg creates an additional file of .test.jpg.jpg which I assume is the thumbnail.

Adding a .WMV file creates an image also ie film.wmv creates .film.wmv.jpg, but adding a .mkv file does not - is this my problem on why the movies are not displayed?

I've tried to create a file for the movie, but cannot as it is actually an invalid filename.

[Heathan]

Hi there, I have been having the same problem. When using my 220 NAS as a media server, all of my AVI's are shown on my PS3, but all of my MTS (HD Video) files are not listed.

I put an MTS file onto a portable HD and it appears and plays fine on the PS3.

I then renamed a MTS file on the NAS to an .AVI extention an it then appeared on the PS3 and played fine.......a few short stutters once or twice but it is alot of data to stream and the PS3 is only wireless G.

So it appears that the NAS firmware needs some work to allow more video file extentions to be listed.

[JVEG]

Totally Agree there does seem to be a problem with the firmware.

However after spending an hour or so with their support department they assured me that the NAS 220 works perfectly with their Freeagent Theatre+ HD media player.

I can't comment on this at the moment, but I will be getting my hands on one of these in the next couple of weeks - will let you know what the outcome is.

I'll also try renaming a MTS file and see what happens.

[furt250]

Similar to JVEG's problem

Samsung DLNA TV with built in Media Player; Seagate Blackarmor 220 over LAN:

1. Video does not play at all - "Not supported File Format" , ( Note that TV plays every format from USB connection )

Any Solutions yet?

Thanks, 

m.

[JVEG]

What a load of *bleep*!

Got a FreeAgent Theatre HD+, does that show my .MKV files, does it heck as like!

Please get back to me Seagate!

Message Edited by pamelaz on 12-26-2009 12:46 PM

[JVEG]

Someone has time to review (censor) the messages, but no one can answer the questions?

[squalline]

I have the exact same problem with my NAS 110 and my Samsung TV.  Although I am only trying to view pictures (jpg) at the moment.  Here is what I did find out.  My Samsung has no issue viewing pictures off my PC.  When I copy those same pictures to the NAS 110, the Samsung displays the thumbnails but when you select the picture to view it, it says not supported file format.  So I did some playing around.....  I found out that if I resize the picture to 640x480 on the NAS the Samsung TV will display the picture without issue.  Although I dont want to do this at least I was able to get one picture to work.  Why would that be?>???????

[Snipe2]

Well well, based on this information and all the other troubles I've been having, this POS NAS 220 is going back.  I have a DNLA enabled Samsung TV being delivered on Monday.  If I can't access my files then what is the use of this think.  I have enough bricks already.  Wow, I wish I had to come here first before purchasing this black brick.

[Reaction]

I agree, there is something seriously wrong with the NAS110's operation as a media server. I am accessing it from a Sony KDL-32EX503 TV, which reads all my test files perfectly well from a USB stick. However when copying the same files to my NAS110 Media folder (correctly setup as a media service folder) I get the following issues:

1) Music MP3 files, no problems.

2) Images. It is almost unusable for pictures (JPGs) and video. This is what happens....

a) I copy some pictures to my Media folder on the NAS110.

b) The NAS110 generates its own .JPG.jpg thumbnails, OK.

c)  My Sony TV shows the new thumbnails in its on-screen folder icon, proving that the NAS110 has correctly served the THUMBNAILS for the images!.

d) On the TV, I open the folder to view one of the pictures, but the TV reports there is nothing to view!

In summary, the NAS110 provides the thumbnails, but fails to serve the images themselves.  Sometimes it will serve one, or some, of the JPGs, but not others. If I delete all the pictures then put back just the ones it *wasn't* serving previously, it sometimes serves them correctly!  The same applies to video files. Sometimes it serves a video, sometimes it doesn't serve the same video. 

The fact that the NAS110 *can* (occasionally) serve a picture is proof that there is nothing wrong with the files. What is not explained is why it fails to do so a lot of the time. There is clearly something very buggy in the NAS110 firmware. I can't see the point of emailing Seagate support, as previous experience shows they universally provide a feeble "go away" type answer - and probably don't even know what firmware is.

[Edited per the community rules and regulations.]  They have advertised a product as a DLNA compliant media server, but it is virtually useless for the purpose.