Need NAS Solution for Home Network

chronomac

Junior Member
Aug 26, 2010
6
0
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I need a NAS solution for my apartment that works with my 13" Unibody Macbook Pro, my roommate's old Sony laptop running Vista, and my PS3. It would also be nice if it streamed to my iPhone 4 as well.

The main purpose would be to stream music and HD movies (MKV and converted MP4, 720p and 1080p). My PS3 is on a wired connection to my existing old Dlink router and our laptops connect wirelessly. My current process is to enable file sharing on my Macbook, then connect to that IP address through my PS3's web browser and transfer the files before I can watch them. Not only is it slow, but it takes up precious space on the PS3's 60 GB hard drive.

So I want a new, dual-band wireless router, a stable and fast NAS, and at least a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive. And I don't want to spend $500, if I can.

So what components should I choose and where should I look for info on how to set it all up?

Here's what I'm considering so far:

Router: Linksys WRT320N
NAS: D-Link DNS-321
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB ST31000528AS

Any and all suggestions are welcome!
 

wlee

Senior member
Oct 10, 1999
585
0
71
I would suggest getting an HP Windows Home Server. If you need it now, the 1TB HP X310 is about $350. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16859105777
If you can wait a few more months, the next ver, Home Server 2008R2 should be out.
I use an older HP LX195 in my home network with an iMac, UBUNTU,Win 7 and WinXP boxes and Laptops. It works great and only consumes about 23watts power. It also has Mac connector SW that allows you to use it for Time Machine backups an a Media Collection Agent that lets you synch your iTunes, or WMP files to it. I don't use those feature on my Mac, but I've streamed DVD quality video to the PS3 via the built in TWONKEY service. I haven't tried any HD source material though. As for a dual band router, you might consider an Airport Extreme. I have 2 of them, one setup as WiFi router, the other setup as client-bridge/repeater. They're not the longest range , not the most user configurable,or the fastest ( limited to narrow 2.4Ghz channels ), but they have been rock stable. If you need something cheaper, take a look at the EngeniusTech dual band router ESR-7750. (http://www.jr.com/engenius/pe/EGN_ESR7750/) I have no experience with it, but I've had very good results deploying several of their EAP9550 Access Points.
 

billyb0b

Golden Member
Nov 8, 2009
1,270
5
81
QNAP makes very nice quality NAS devices

synology also makes nice stuff but is a step down on speed and price compared to QNAP. i started with a synology device and moved onto a QNAP 4-bay in raid 5 earlier this year.

a beefy and speedy NAS device alone will cost some cash.
 

leeland

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2000
3,659
0
76
QNAP makes very nice quality NAS devices

synology also makes nice stuff but is a step down on speed and price compared to QNAP. i started with a synology device and moved onto a QNAP 4-bay in raid 5 earlier this year.

a beefy and speedy NAS device alone will cost some cash.

I have an older QNAP NAS and I can say it does everything I need it to do. I have a TS-109 and I had a thecus NAS prior to that.

QNAP was leaps and bounds an upgrade
 

chronomac

Junior Member
Aug 26, 2010
6
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0
I've been looking at the Synology DS210j. If I keep it on a wired connection, since it'll be right next to the router and the PS3, would I get any issues with HD streaming? I can imagine with a wireless connection the chances of success drop pretty fast.
 

Aarondeep

Golden Member
Jan 26, 2000
1,115
0
76
I would go with a whs build for sure. Especially if you want some streaming to apple, iTunes and timemachine support (hp whs)
 

bad_monkey

Member
Aug 31, 2010
59
0
0
Here's what I'm considering so far:

Router: Linksys WRT320N
NAS: D-Link DNS-321
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB ST31000528AS

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

The WRT320N does not simultaneously transmit and receive on both bands. From what I understand you can select either the 5GHz band or the 2.4GHz band but not both. I would check out this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=30388600. There I recommended the WRT400N and someone else recommends the Linksys E3000 but they are both simultaneous dual band routers meaning N devices on one frequency (if you want) and G devices on another (again, if you want).
 
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