SilverStone SST-DC01B Network Data Center Review

Conclusion Of The SilverStone SST-DC01B

It is without question that we live in an age where data and information is consumed almost instantaneously, a condition matched only by our insatiable appetite for access to our digital media. Bridging the gap between accessibility and affordability to provide this technology to consumers has been hit or miss. Often, the technology is too difficult to use or the initial buy-in too steep: Buying a NAS and fitting it with hard drives can run in the hundreds of dollars. How, then, are consumers to easily store and access their digital media without breaking the bank?

The answer may lie in the SilverStone SST-DC01B. Its ability to provide on-demand media streaming services to anyone in the world cannot be underestimated. Not only does this NAS act as a central repository for music, movies, photos, documents and more, but when combined with FTP, SAMBA, a built-in media server, BitTorrent and iTunes support, enthusiasts have a device that is much more potent than a majority of competing products on the market. SilverStone has recognized that more can be squeezed out of a NAS, and the SST-DC01B is their crack at it.

And theres a lot to like about the SST-DC01B, too. From its nearly all-aluminum construction to its elegant design, the NAS looks the part when placed alongside home theatre equipment. Coupled with DLNA support, the SST-DC01B becomes one of the thousands of products on the market that enjoys integrated connectivity with other DLNA devices such as A/V equipment and the PlayStation 3. And it doesnt stop there: The SST-DC01B can even be accessed remotely via iOS and Android based mobile devices using a free app from iTunes or the Android Market.

However, the SST-DC01B is only as good as the brains behind it. While a dual-core ARM 11 processor does much of the heavy lifting, the lack of internal storage space is a consideration. Any enthusiast serious about digital media will have more than the paltry 1TB worth of videos and music that the SST-DC01B can store. Yes, the NAS allows external devices to be connected to increase storage capacity, but this seems more like a stop-gap measure than a true fix for the underlying problem. The lack of USB 3.0 support only serves to exacerbate this issue.

While most users will find the interface/GUI of the SST-DC01B to be more than adequate, some may feel stymied that there isnt more tweaking that can be done in the Preferences of the device. I was also concerned that the Social Networking application in the NAS seems more like an afterthought than a true feature offered in the SST-DC01B. This is in marked contrast to the rest of the applications in that they feel highly polished and very refined. The lack of Twitter and Picasa support is very curious, although future firmware updates may address this issue.

Considerations aside, the excellent SST-DC01B is strategically positioned where most enthusiasts can afford this device. Even with the added cost of a 2.5 storage drive, the price of ownership is still well below $200, this for a full-featured NAS that does more than competing products who command twice the cost. Priced at $145.00 with free shipping at Amazon and a 1-year warranty against workmanship and defects, novice users and experienced enthusiasts alike are sure to enjoy what the SilverStone SST-DC01B has to offer.

Legit Bottom Line: With its bevy of features and ease of use, the SilverStone SST-DC01B is a connectivity and media sharing juggernaut. Attractive and affordable, this NAS should be on the short list of any enthusiast entering the NAS market.