Replies to post #218746 on NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK)

[krid60]

Click on the comments link below the review.

[samsamsamiam]

I don't recall RoyBoy ever mentioning DF, but even if it was, who cares.

No need to put words in my mouth. I did not say that. this is what I said:

samsamsamiam Member Level Monday, 07/28/14 09:18:54 AM
Re: krid60 post# 218740
Post # of 218750

Now that's what I call an honest review and a believable one.
Interesting it was David f. That replied in the review I guess He is monitoring the reviews there as well as posts here .

Customer Review




1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Step in the Right Direction but Needs Refinement, July 24, 2014



By

ROYBOY


This review is from: NanoTech Nuvola NP-1, NP1- Ultra HD 4K Streaming Android Set top Box (Personal Computers)

Here's my experience so far as I just received my unit direct from the manufacturer from a pre-order I placed many months ago.

The item is packaged nicely and came with a KitKat bar to promote the new installed OS (KitKat 4.4.2). Unfortunately, being a predominately Apple user, I am finding the OS very non-intuitive and don't recognize a number of the ICONs. If you have an Android phone or more experience with Google OS you'll probably recognize things I do not. A welcome bonus was the company supplies a HDMI cable which was appreciated and not usually provided with other set-top boxes I've purchased.

Hooks up easily enough to my Seiki 4K panel set which I reviewed last year when I received it. The set immediately indicated that I'm receiving a 4K image but though the app icons look pristine I wish a better background image was used as it looks terrible. Like watching an old VHS tape image on a HD set, very fuzzy, blurred and stair-steps on any angles or curves.

Hampering my ability to explore is that the NP-1 remote has a built-in gyroscopic mouse that seems to be either malfunctioning or not pairing well with the OS. Though the gyroscopic mouse feature seems to work well enough on the front page and in setting up the Internet connection, when I go down a level into an app the pointer wanders all over the place and I'm unable to turn-it off and use the buttons on the remote to navigate. It would also often hang-up on an Icon and I had to pull the plug to restart the unit.

I've been unable to get through to Tech Support to troubleshoot with them yet. The User Guide is inadequate and practically useless. On the last page, the "Need Support?" link is incorrect and takes you to a 404 page not found. By going to their main page I found that the link listed in the User Guide needed a .php suffix to successfully pull up the page. When I did reach their support page I found very little information there. I then called the company, pressed 2 for tech support and after a brief hold was told to leave a message which I just did. I will update this review when I hear back and will report on how quickly they responded at that time.

UPDATE on the last 2 paragraphs... An hour after I posted this review the company posted a comment to contact them. It's nice to know they care enough to monitor review forums. I received a return phone call 90 minutes after I left them a message on their VMX. The man I spoke to indicated he was one of the developers and their usual support person was out which was why my original call hadn't been answered. I'm upgrading my rating from 2 stars to 4 given the fast reply time and solving of the gyroscopic mouse issue which in turn solved some of the other issues too.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your mouse pointer acts erratically be sure the TV is completely powered up first and only then power on the NP-1. Once I did this per Tech Support, I found my mouse pointer worked correctly almost 100% of the time.

I received a nice letter with my NP-1 that said as an early adopter I would be provided with a month of unlimited access to the UltraFlix 4K Ultra HD library but there was no additional information as to when that month starts and ends or how to take advantage of their offer.

Because of the remote and gyroscopic mouse issues I haven't been able to consistently enter UltraFlix and choose a movie but when I can, I found numerous 4K videos, some of which are free. I haven't clicked on one with a price yet as it hasn't been made clear what "unlimited access" actually entails and what I need to do to have that.

I have played a couple of the free videos and the picture looks great but after about 60 to 90 seconds of perfect wi-fi streaming it starts to hesitate and becomes unwatchable. I have AT&T DSL service that various speed test applications show to be streaming at 12-15Mbps. According to their specs it should be working but it is not. I will pick up a 25' Cat 5 cable today and hard wire it in to see what happens and update the review.

UPDATE on the last 3 paragraphs... During my support call I was informed that at this time it is unlimited only in the month of July meaning I have about a week to enjoy free movies. It was explained that even though prices were shown for various programs I would not be billed and that they didn't have my cc info on file as they are not partnered with Google Play which does have my cc info. I got the sense that they may extend the free movie viewing a little longer, time will tell. I haven't hard-wired in yet but ever since I handled the gyroscopic mouse issue the movies have been working and streaming perfectly. They look magnificent. They strongly recommend not using wi-fi for a trouble-free experience and I will do so first chance I get.

I was advised by the developer that even though my Seiki set indicates a 4K signal, I am not actually viewing native 4K YouTube content or Netflix content. The NP-1 is unable to stream 4K from YouTube or Netflix. Netflix requires the H2.65 codec and the NP-1 only uses the more common and less processor intensive H2.64 codec. The NP-1 however can provide 4K content through their UltraFlix app and by using a hard drive that has 4K content on it through the USB 3.0 input.

One thing I do really like about the remote is the volume control which I find convenient but I find it puzzling that it is the only remote to a set-top box I own that has no clear stop, play etc. buttons. UPDATE: now that I've solved the gyroscopic mouse issue I've been able to find how to access those buttons virtually. My unfamiliarity with Android OS along with the lack of an included or downloadable full User Guide has definitely hampered my ease of use and enjoyment, thus my 4 stars rating and updating of my previous heading of "So Far Underwhelmed & Frustrated" to what it reads currently.

Given the lack of availability of main stream films and inability to stream YouTube or Netflix content I'm not feeling the value is there at $300 given I already own most of the other set top boxes. Nevertheless I will keep mine as the limited 4K content that is provided looks great and I'm hoping for more in the future.

If you're an early adapter of a set with HDMI 1.4 and would like to see just how good it can look with native 4K content, this is your only option for now unless you own an early Sony UHD model which offers the X1 proprietary box for purchase.



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NanoTech Nuvola NP-1, NP1- Ultra HD 4K Streaming Android Set top Box
4.0 out of 5 stars


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Showing 1-2 of 2 posts in this discussion


Initial post: Jul 24, 2014 12:06:55 PM PDT

David F. says:



please provide a way to contact you or email [e-mail]








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Posted on Jul 24, 2014 12:37:02 PM PDT

NanoTech Entertainment says:

Hello we are sorry you are having difficulties. We understand being new to an Android device when you are used to iO/S can be a bit confusing. There is much documentation on how Androids work so you may find info there on their website. All Androids work the same. Please contact us at [e-mail] and we will get back with you ASAP. Thanks again!