Media Server/Storage

[roguerower]

I currently have about 300 movies (all in Video_TS format) in my collection, plus music, plus pictures, etc. on a 1TB drive and a 640gb drive in my HTPC (OS is on a SSD). I've been interested for a while on possibly setting up a media server to stream the movies both over my home network and over the internet when I travel. I'm not the most network savvy individual and the options available to me are a little unclear.

I could just leave my PC on 24/7, but it's probably sucking down 250W at idle and I'd prefer not to pay that electricity bill.

What would be the best solution for someone like me. I'm looking for an easy and quick setup out of the box (maybe some minor tinkering), throw in either my current HDDs or a new 2TB drive and the 1TB drive, and then set and forget.

I was leaning towards one of the home Synology NAS systems but didn't know if it was overkill or wasn't suited for my needs.

EDIT: This was what I was looking at picking up, in addition to a 2TB drive. Unfortunately the HDD costs are pretty high due to the issues in Asia.

http://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskS...1508309&sr=1-1

 

[wirednuts]

i have always preferred a win7 box to any other nas solution. especially now, because you can build an atom or zacate box that runs on hampster power just like the proprietary nas solutions do.

and if you just need it to serve files, then any hardware will work. just look at power consumptions at idle, that is where you will want the best numbers. i say this because my current nas is a winXP box that runs, believe it or not, a cyrix c3 800mhz processor. yeah, if i have to work on it- slow as shit... but when its in its normal headless mode and im just using it to dish out movie and music files, it works great.

of course, there are MUCH better solutions now then that c3 board im using... like i said, look into atom or e-350 boards. they are perfect for diy nas boxes.

and the reason i like to run a normal windows box is just because ease of use. im so familiar with windows os that i can always fix problems fast, and reconfigure things without thinking or researching about it.

 

[roguerower]

Alright, well with that advice in mind I've looked into purchasing these components and making my own server:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=32582679#post32582679

 

[Binky]

I'd buy or build a WHS system. You'll have a hard time beating the simplicity of the OS when it costs only $50-$60.

 

[roguerower]

I'd buy or build a WHS system. You'll have a hard time beating the simplicity of the OS when it costs only $50-$60.

That's basically what I'm doing.

Fractal Design Array R2 Mini-ITX case
ASRock E350 Mini-ITX board
Crucial RAM - 4gb
MS Home Server 2011
2x3TB WD Green HDD (new), 1x1TB WD Black & 1x640gb WD Black (existing)

New Wireless AP & Gigabit switch rounds it out for $450.

 

[notposting]

Get yourself the Kill-a-Watt first...i bet you idle under 100 watts easily. Past that not sure, I have never gotten things quite right in regards to it but I don't travel enough to care either *shrug*

 

[notposting]

That's basically what I'm doing.

Fractal Design Array R2 Mini-ITX case
ASRock E350 Mini-ITX board
Crucial RAM - 4gb
MS Home Server 2011
2x3TB WD Green HDD (new), 1x1TB WD Black & 1x640gb WD Black (existing)

New Wireless AP & Gigabit switch rounds it out for $450.

except the hard drives are $250/ea now! *ugh*

 

[roguerower]

except the hard drives are $250/ea now! *ugh*

True, however for once I thank Best Buy's shitty ability to match the prices of online retailers. I managed to pick those beauties up for $199/ea (last two on the shelf). With tax they were $215/ea. Not ideal, but better than anywhere else.

Pulled the trigger. Can't wait!!! I'm also planning to set up my parent's HT setup over thanksgiving. I picked them up a WD Live and plan on trying to connect it to this so they can watch whatever movies I have.

 

[wirednuts]

Get yourself the Kill-a-Watt first...i bet you idle under 100 watts easily. Past that not sure, I have never gotten things quite right in regards to it but I don't travel enough to care either *shrug*

he probably wont hit 100w under full load. and 20w or less at idle is expected.

good parts selection, op. overkill on the case! but its a nice one

 

[roguerower]

he probably wont hit 100w under full load. and 20w or less at idle is expected.

good parts selection, op. overkill on the case! but its a nice one

Yea, case was a bit much but I like the clean look of it and there's plenty of room for HDD expansion in the future.

 

[Emulex]

quad cores are gated these days. you don't use alot when idle.