Digital Trends

FIA On3 November 15th, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

Excellent Advanced Features

Response time and media playback options aside, there are some great features incorporated into the FIA On3. For one, the built-in SAMBA file sharing protocol allows you to create new shares, users and groups, just like a regular file server. It also supports AppleTalk, ensuring that most Mac, PC, and Linux computers can access the drive. The On3 also features an integrated FTP server and we were able to log into it through the internet to upload and download files. You can store more than just media files on the On3, making it both a file server and a media playback device. Transfer speed to and from the unit was relatively fast and easy.

Another great feature is the ability to have the hard drive turn off after a preset amount of inactivity. Using the web-based management tool, you can select to have the hard drive hibernate after 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 hours of idle time.

The onboard USB 2.0 port allows you to add an external hard drive or USB flash drive, greatly increasing the available storage. The USB port can also be used as a print server, however, as we noted in our Apple AirPort Express review, it just doesn't make sense for most people to have their printer in the same room as their audio equipment. The point of such devices is to get your music and media files away from your computer.

FIA's POPdirector interface also allows you to view the available storage for the drive and for specific users, and it logs system, user, and connection events. The system can also be set to email up to two different email addresses when certain events or errors occur. Besides having a few English translation issues, the POPdirector is an excellent management tool.

Conclusion

ID3 tags, playlists, and instant access to music are some of the things that make digital music systems so appealing compared to traditional CD players. With the FIA On3 not offering any of those digital enhancements, most music lovers might not find much of a reason to purchase the On3.

However, the On3 can be quite a useful device for a number of people. With so many people owning digital cameras and so few of them backing up their pictures, it is only a matter of time before their hard drive fails and they loose all of their important images. The On3 can help digital picture enthusiasts effectively “kill two birds with one stone”; they can have a safe, and easy to use backup drive as well as a way to view their images on their standard or high-def display.

After using the On3 for a while, we really liked the thought of it having onboard storage as opposed to the other devices that rely on data stored somewhere else on a network. The On3 does not require a computer network, and if implemented correctly, can act as both a backup drive and a media player. Hard drive and fan noise were minimal, allowing us to enjoy the music, movies, and pictures without annoying background noise.

As for the ability to use the FIA On3 in your automobile, we didn't try it but there are a few downsides. You'll need to buy an LCD display for your vehicle. FIA suggests powering the unit with a DC to AC power converter, but this doesn't take into account the problem of shutting down your car while the On3 is running. That kind of action has been known to wreak havoc on car-based computers.

If FIA can ditch the software that runs the On3 and/or upgrade the hardware to allow for faster access of your files, they may have a hit on their hands. We'd like to see them add an automatic backup utility to the package as well. Until then, we suggest that those interested in the On3 purchase it for its handling of images and its backup potential, rather than its movie watching or music listening capabilities.