Sony SMP-N200
When compared to last year’s SMP-N100, the Sony SMP-N200’s design has been noticeably slimmed down, but even so, it’s still considerably larger than some of its competitors like the Roku 2 XS and Apple TV. A more significant improvement lies in the styling.
Design
As opposed to the SMP-N100 which looked very utilitarian, the SMP-N200 has a more attractive look, with a faux brushed metal top and curved plastic on the sides. Although the Roku 2 XS and Apple TV are smaller in size and more stylish, the SMP-N200’s increased size allows it to offer more ports of the back.
The Sony SMP-N200’s remote has also been redesigned from last year’s model which was generic and cluttered, to a simpler design that seems more fitting for a streaming media box. Almost all the buttons have a well defined functionality and are well positioned. A less useful button is the SEN, which sends you directly to Sony Entertainment Network Services (Video& Music Unlimited), a better choice would have been a dedicated Netflix button.
The user interface has mainly remained the same as the SMP-N100’s. As opposed to most companies that use a standard interface for streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Instant, Sony adapts them into its own menu design, a choice which might cause more harm than good. For example, the standard Netflix interface has large cover art and a wide choice of menu options, as opposed to Sony’s interface design which has smaller cover art and fewer menu options. For navigation between services, Sony makes use of its XMB interface, that, while appropriate for the PS3 doesn’t work so well on a streaming vide box.
Features
The SMP-N200 has both built in Wi-Fi and an Ethernet port for online access. The supported streaming services include Netflix, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Hulu Plus, YouTube and Pandora. The music side also has some interesting choices such as NPR, Slacker and Moshcam. Unfortunately, some services are missing such as MLB.TV, MOG, Rhapsody or Spotify as well as no social media apps (Facebook, Twitter) or photo sharing services.
Pros
Sony’s SMP-N200 streaming media box offers support for Amazon Instantm Vudu, Hulu Plus, Pandora and Netflix. It also offers the possibility to stream MKV and Xvid files and your home network, meaning the SMP-N200 is DLNA compliant. The new remote’s simpler design feels like a step forward when compared to last year’s, as well as the device’s overall external design.
Cons
The user interface is less than impressive considering this is a streaming media box. For example, we had some issues when browsing movies via cover art since it proved difficult to read due to its small size. Since we mentioned cover art, when browsing for music, it’s not supported on your home network. The included browser was annoying to use. The video search didn’t hit any of the services we’d wanted.
Review Conclusion
The Media Receiver streaming media box is highly functional and offers a wide range of features; unfortunately the downside is a poorly designed user interface.
Specs
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Product Type: Digital multimedia receiver
- Enclosure Color: Black
- Parental Lock: Yes
- Optical Digital Output: Yes
- Supported Digital Audio: Standards MP3, WMA, WAV
- Supported Digital Video: Standards AVCHD, AVI, MPEG-4, XviD, ASF, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV9, MKV
- Features JPEG photo playback
- Functionality WEB browsing
- Internet video playback
- Digital video playback
- Digital photo playback
- Digital audio playback
- Connectivity Protocols: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), IEEE 802.11g
- Connector Type 1 x ( RJ-45 )
- 1 x Composite video/audio output ( RCA phono x 3 )
- 1 x SPDIF output
- 1 x Component video output ( RCA phono x 3 )
- Power Consumption Operational: 11 Watt
- Width: 5.9 in
- Depth: 5.9 in
- Height: 1.6 in
- Weight: 14.5 oz
Richard Evans
A few notes; Slacker radio is included and offers both free and paid services. The included web browser only needs a wireless keyboard plugged into the USB port to be useful. You can adjust the text size to many different levels of magnification to fit your screen. Video playback isn’t possible but it’s till a useful feature which also allows you to add bookmarks to your favorite sites. The Netflix interface is to me the best I’ve seen because the smaller size means more titles are displayed but then I have a 50″ TV so the titles are easy to read. Most important of all is that it will play AVI (xvid), MKV (h.264), mp4 and VOB files (DVD rips) so most of the popular formats are covered. Playback is excellent with a much brighter and sharper image than competing models such as the Roku and the WDTV which I have tested. Using the options button allows you to add services such as Slacker, Pandora and Netflix to the favorites menu. By programming the macro function on a universal remote control you can call up any of these services with one button. The XMB interface is easy to navigate. There isn’t a player that does everything perfectly available today but this player does most hings very well and the price is right.
David Boxley
How do you get it to recognize and play dvd rips? I can’t even get windows media player to find dvd rips.
Joseph Mitchell
I picked this unit up as a replacement for my Logitech Revue. The Revue was suffering from horrible audio/video sync issues that I was unable to resolve. This unit (N200) plays streaming media without an issue – I just wish their was an index/search function like the Revue had (you could just type a few letters of the title, and all matching titles from all folders would be displayed). Granted, without a keyboard that might be a bit difficult… Hey, maybe Sony can come up with an upgrade that would allow a wireless keyboard to be used in lieu of the remote.
question
So does it accept keyboard by usb?
franny glass
which keyboard worked for you? thanks!
Dan Hurwyn
I gave up on the remote and use my android phone. With an app named media remote I am able to use the androids qwerty keyboard and made searches much easier. i believe the company makes a IOS app too.