Remote Control

[almaz]

I have Sony 46HX853 with a SMP-N100 network player and an attached USB HDD. I like the integration of the menu and that I can use remote for my TV to navigate the menu of SMP-N100 connected through HDMI to the TV. What do I get if I replace my Sony network player with Asustor?

1) I understand there is an Android app that can be used on a Smartphone to control Asustor (Boxee). That is fine and I saw on the Youtube how it works, but it is not convenient for me.

2) I understand there is (or will be a native remote) from Asustor that I can use to navigate in Boxee. Is there a user manual / a video / an explanation on how it works???

3) I read somewhere that I can use either remote mouse or keyboard to control Boxee in Asustor. Is there a user manual / a video / an explanation on how it works???

4) And lastly ... will Sony remote through the HDMI cable control in any way Boxee on Asustor??? I am curious whether that nice integration I mentioned at the top will be available???

Also, couple more questions: A) What is the procedure to select different language track? and B) Would it play a copy of Blu-Ray disc (with BDMV folder and multiple files in it)???

[Kerry]

I have the remote control for AS-304T. It works very simply for up/down/right/left and OK. Also, there is Power off/on (for XBMC exit only), Home, Setting, Return, Play/Pause. (10 buttons) I feel this is sufficient already. I like it to be simple instead of like my Amplifier remote. You may check the remote picture here: http://www.asustor.com/product?p_id=17&lan=en

For wireless mouse and Keybaord, then it is even easier... It is just like browsing your computer. Move the cursor, choose your menu etc.. very intuitive...and Right click is Return or pull down menu. In the Boxee or XBMC, you can always change the subtitle language when you are playing the movie. (go to setting or sound setting when playing movie and select the subtitle you like, very easy...)

For Blueray direct copied files, I tried but it did not work but if you go directly to the folder and choose the biggest size video file and play it, it works! Most of the time, I only play Blueray MKV so there is no such hassle.

[almaz]

For Blueray direct copied files, I tried but it did not work but if you go directly to the folder and choose the biggest size video file and play it, it works! Most of the time, I only play Blueray MKV so there is no such hassle.

Is it easy to locate the largest file in the directory? Is there a sort function? I have some copies with like 100 m2ts files in the STREAM directory.

Also, would it play DVD files in a directory? Would it support automatic switch from one VOB to the next? Would it support the DVD menu?

[Allen@AST]

Hi almaz,

2) Currently, there is no physical remote available for use with Boxee. Boxee is currently only available on our 6 series devices and there are no physical remote controls for that series. However, we have a remote control available for our 3 series devices which currently run XBMC and not Boxee. The operation of the remote control is quite simple. After installing XBMC on the NAS you will be able to use the remote to navigate through the XBMC menu. Here is a picture of the remote:

Remotesmall.png

3) Yes you can use a mouse and keyboard to control Boxee. The operation is again very simple. You simply plug your mouse and keyboard into the NAS via USB and they are ready for use with Boxee.

4) I’m sorry to say that we do not support this. You will not be able to use your Sony remote to control playback on an ASUSTOR NAS.

A) Do you mean a different audio track or subtitles? Both of these can be configured from within XBMC or Boxee. You would just have to access the audio settings or subtitles settings in the playback menu.

B) Yes we support Blu-Ray playback.

Also it is quite easy to locate the largest file in a directory as you can view all the files in a directory by size in XBMC. I think Boxee supports this as well but I will have to double check and get back to you on this.

The NAS can play all DVD files but we do not support the DVD menu at this time.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thanks,

Allen

[almaz]

Hi Allen:

All your answers are tremendously helpful! Thank you!

Can 3D Blu-Ray be played with XBMC (either from one ISO file or from unpacked folder structure)? I understand that Boxee is not capable to play ISO even when mounted. Can XBMC do that?

The NAS can play all DVD files but we do not support the DVD menu at this time.

Is that with Boxee or XBMC or both? If it can play all files than can it automatically jump from one to the next file? (Quite often movies are split into a few files) Would language setting persist? (I currently have a problem with Sony network player with which I have to manually jump to the next part and switch language again).

[Allen@AST]

Hi almaz,

No, XBMC on ASUSTOR NAS cannot play Blu-Ray ISO files either.

Both Boxee and XBMC can play the DVD files but both do not support the DVD menu.

If you want to have different files automatically play consecutively you would have to manually queue up the different files, sort of like making a playlist. You would have to do this in both Boxee and XBMC. I think you would have to re-adjust the subtitles/audio track again when playing a different file.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thanks,

Allen

[almaz]

I think you would have to re-adjust the subtitles/audio track again when playing a different file.

Thank you for the answer. This is quite disappointing. I noticed the little Nemo picture and immediately recalled that I had played the Finding Nemo movie to my little one. It has 4 parts and I had to stay close to catch when one volume is over and I needed to switch to the next one... Not a very pleasant experience ...