• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What options do i have? (External HDD w/ Movies...Wireless?)

flexy

flexy

Diamond Member
We have an external USB HDD which is connected to the HTPC, for movies.

The fastest way to transfer gigs and gigs from one computer to "the box" is simply plugging the box to any computer via USB.

But this doesnt work from my computer (because it is far way), even with an active "USB extension"..besides that manual plugging and unplugging is stupid.

My PC and wife's laptop and HTPC are on the LAN, so for the sake of simplicity right now i just transfer files over the network, from me ---> HTPC (where the box is connected).

Problem is this is SLOW...and the other problem is that the HTPC needs to be on all the time just to have the box accessible.

Now, the most intelligent solution would be to plug the box on the router (which basically works), but the router (fritzbox) only has a USB1.0 port.

Is there some way to network an external HDD, wirelessly..or how else can i make "the box" available to all computers?
 
One option would be to get something like a D-Link DIR-655, which has SharePort...I believe it's USB 2.0. I think you can utilize it to turn your external drive into a NAS box, too. You just have to install SharePort on all machines, and you're good to go.

Another option is to get a gigabit router, like the D-Link DIR-655, and swap out all of your network cables with Cat5e. This would blow away USB transfer rates.
 
Uhm...i dont think that the Gigabit LAN would blow away the USB2.0 rates, i already once networked our PCs with Cat5e..but there is still WAY too much overhead, USB2.0 still far ahead.
 
flexy said:
Uhm...i dont think that the Gigabit LAN would blow away the USB2.0 rates, i already once networked our PCs with Cat5e..but there is still WAY too much overhead, USB2.0 still far ahead.
Click to expand...

No, that's just plain wrong. USB 2.0 has a theoretical limit of 480Mb/s (never achieves this in practice) whereas GigE can easily sustain 1Gb/s given that the storage device itself is capable.
 
I think USB2.0 has even more overhead than 1 Gb ethernet. 480 mbps is 60 MBps, but I typically see sustained transfer rates of 20 MB/s from my external USB 2.0 HDDs.
But over my Gigabit network, I usually get double of USB 2.0, with peaks up to the max.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top