Video player for models with Atom processor

[MarcN]

I just bought an AS-302T but actually it's unusable as mediaplayer because of the outdated XBMC version.

Please add a simple but up to date video player, maybe one that works with Plex Media Server.

[sys]

AS-302T is an old model and regarding the XBMC being outdated is also discussed in this forum or in other NAS makers' forum using the Intel Evansport Atom CPU a lot.

I trust that the price of AS-302T should be very low now as you can just discard its video playing function as Intel does not support these NAS makers with new graphic driver for a long time and any more. If you want to just play mkv, avi, mov, mp4 etc., it still works without problem but if you want to use the XBMC service, it does not as XBMC is no longer maintained by XBMC/Kodi any more.

However, using AS-302T as a NAS, it is still superb in terms of processing power and data transfer speed at this price level.

I would suggest you to purchase a cheap media player to play the video through DLNA. There are plenty of choices out there and is indeed cheap.

[MarcN]

Thanks for your answer but my first experience with Asustor is not a good one. I bought this NAS especially for the HDMI output otherwise I also can choose for a Synology or QNAP while they have much better software support.

I can't believe they still sell this types with Atom processor while it's unusable.

When I have to buy an external media player it was also possible to buy a cheaper NAS without HDMI output. I already have a Raspberry Pi with Kodi but my intention was to reduce this to one device and using it also as NVR. Unfortunately everything is outdated.

[orion]

My NAS is AS-304T. XBMC is indeed outdated. However I can still play movies without problems. The problems are actually the internet services for XBMC being transferred to KODI. I cannot find movie covers. Other than that, the functions are pretty fine.

[MarcN]

Yes some files are playable but when you buy an expensive NAS you want to use all functionality. I already use XMBC and Kodi for a long time and Kodi without addons or movie covers is not the way you want to use it. So I don't understand they still sell this series and have them on the website.

The answer from the Asustor support center:

For the issue mentioned, please note in AS-2, 3, and 6 series, it can only be used in XBMC 12.3 since Intel graphic driver limitation.
For AS-2/3/6 series, the graphic engine specification is defined by Intel now to support XBMC 12.x only.
Since KODI was XBMC 14.0,we have feedback to Intel and see whether it is possible to breakthrough the limitation.
And according to Intel, there is no plan to upgrade it either.

When I know before what I do know now... I think I have to switch to QNAP they also have HDMI output and better support

[MikeG.6.5]

When I know before what I do know now... I think I have to switch to QNAP they also have HDMI output and better support

If you spend any time on their boards, you see QNAP and Synology have the same issues Asustor has had with their older models that use the same Intel chips.

This is a problem with Intel no longer supporting the CPU's with updated drivers for more advanced applications. It's a planned phase out on Intel's part, to eliminate these chips from their support structure. Nothing any of the hardware manufacturers can do here, since Intel's drivers are closed source. I suppose someone could try reverse engineering the drivers, but there are limits to how effective this could be as well.

Placing the blame on Asustor is wrong, here. They got sold a bill of goods on these CPU's too... And they are the ones that need to support those chips in the long term, not Intel.... Intel made commitments to the manufacturers and then walked away from those commitments. That's where the blame needs to rest.

That said, I think Asustor is trying to do what they can to keep support for these older devices going. They don't make any of them anymore, and the ones still for sale in the market place are old stock. The ADM versions are still getting updates, as are many of the applications these devices can run.

This issue is MOST DEFINATELY NOT Asustor's fault. You want to be upset with someone, that should be Intel for dropping the ball on their support.

Knowing what you know now, you probably should have spent the money on a 700x series of NAS instead of saving a few hundred bucks and getting what you got. Or the 5x0x or 6x0x series. These models have CPU's and GPU's still supported by their chipset manufacturer. All of these are still supported, and most of the NAS manufacturers have firm contracts on the driver support for these chips.

As far as running Plex Media Server on your NAS and being able to play stuff on your TV? Buy a Roku stick for under $50usd, or one of the Roku 2's or Roku 3's. Still well under $100 for either. This client device is completely bullet proof, is one of the more complete as far as features, and just works. I have several of them in my PMS ecosystem.