http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/ Engadget Comments for Ask Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 10:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeNAS

It works great transcoding media via uPNP (works to my PS3, 360 and Bravia with uPNP support) and has a great web based BT client Transmission.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I'd second that notion. Some intel Atom based computer system will do the job nicely and use very little power in the process. Just be sure you run dual hard drives in redundancy mode.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
Here's the config and what I paid at the time:

Case: Chenbro ES34069, $199, awesome little case fits on a bookshelf with ease! http://www.xpcgear.com/es34069bk.html
Motherboard: VIA EPIA SN 18000G, $268
Boot drive: A-DATA 8GB SPEEDY CF card, $28.49
Memory: Corsair 2GB 240-pin DDR2 667 SDRAM, PC2 5300, VS2GB667D2, $41.99

Total ~$560 each with shipping, plus drives.

]]>Feb 5th 2010 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
Similar concept, but Ubuntu Server with Webmin seems to produce faster read / write speeds. Webmin just makes it easy

Devices similar to / running boxee and xbmc can view network shares incredibly easily. Modules can be installed to run upnp / DLNA services so your 360 and PS3 can use your media as well.

My suggestion: atom 330 (dual core) and an asus board (AT3GC-I) w/ some ram.
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131396&cm_re=atom_330-_-13-131-396-_-Product )
]]>Feb 5th 2010 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 10:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
10+TB is going to be expensive. I would think minimum would be $1500 for an ok solution. The two options I can think of would be.

You can find 5 bay NAS with no disks for under $1000, throw in 5 2TB disks and you can have 10TB(although with no protection, which I wouldn't recommend). Otherwise you can find 6-8 disk NASes but they run upwards of $1k.

The other option is a DYI one if you have some technical skill. Take a 2U server chassis that has a bunch of hot swap SATA connections, throw in a hardware RAID card, load with disks, and load FreeNAS on it. ]]>Feb 5th 2010 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
Unbeatable functionality and very affordable too.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
The next best thing IMO is the Dell Zino w/ the e6850 and better dedicated ATI video card upgrade. It also uses a standard size harddrive, so you can swap in a 1-2TB drive, has 7.1 DTS out of the HDMI port, has bluray, and can even handle light gaming, with a tiny footprint and small enough idle power draw that your electricity bills are minimal. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
That's why I said + HTPC.

Have the server in the office for downloading and storage, and the HTPC out in the living room for playback.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 1:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
Yes - WHS + Atom based HTPC. I have 2 TB WHS and Zotac Mag HD all for under $600. Storage, backup, and media streaming...

Just make sure you get a Dual-Core Atom with the ION Video set if you plan to stream HD movies. Crystal clear....]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 1:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I have been using this for almost an year now and I am pretty happy with it.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I would rather go with HP NAS / WD Live combo for a 100$ extra than the price of this product when you configure to 2TB.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 10:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I would be remiss, if I didn't at least mention a popcorn hour, which can be had for rather cheap depending on the model selected, and includes ALL the requested features that were mentioned.

But honestly, I wouldn't buy anything right now unless it was a necessity. I'd wait around for the popbox, PCH-A200, Boxee Box and see which one of those ends up being the best. Probably all three of those would be better offerings than almost anything you can purchase currently.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 10:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10424491-269.html

Cannot wait to see a review of it.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I had an IOmega storCenter NAS that gave me no end of grief. Actually, it wasn't the unit that was so problematic (though that was part of it) so much as their incredibly frustrating support.

- Knowledge base articles were simply incorrect (referred to older versions of the product/firmware but without explaining the differences), or full of misleading information (i.e. they would have you click on the text "Assign IP Address" when the actual text was "Set Network Settings" ]]>Feb 5th 2010 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
On top of the incorrect KB articles, they also require that all your comments on their help forums be moderated. So if you post a question, it can take up to 8 hours before it appears, and then another 8-12 hours before any answers show up.

They also will delete threads that paint them in a negative light (after approving them originally) so you may never even know if someone else had the same issues as you did. They deleted my posting after several people had replied with solutions, so I lost all that valuable information.

I finally returned the device and am currently building a freeNAS. I would highly recommend avoiding IOmega until their support system gets better.
]]>Feb 5th 2010 2:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
http://www.slashgear.com/iomega-iconnect-hands-on-1369779/
]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
Pretty close to me, I have a ReadyNAS (4x2TB drives), squeezebox for audio and a PC shelved away with MCE IR remote running XBMC for movies and tv shows. I am very happy with how things perform.
]]>Feb 5th 2010 7:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/I have the NV+, bought back when they were still Infrant in name. The XRaid is an awesome feature (something you wont find on an htpc). As for streaming I was originally looking at a tvix box, but decided to buy a ps3 instead (to put my own linux distro on it) as xbox wasn't exactly supporting h264 at the time. Now I can play my vids directy from the NAS (any where on the network of course) to both my 360 (they heard my bitching and added h264 codec :/ ) and the ps3.

If you own a mac and are thinking of buying one of those time capsules, dont. The ready nas line works just as well, with so many more features. Oh, and these things basically run on debian linux, which you can get root access to? Pretty frikkin sweet on all accounts. I dunno check 'em out: http://www.infrant.com will take you straight to the NAS line homepage.]]>Feb 5th 2010 3:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/If someone else out there has ideas for cheaper product that delivers same stuff as HP media server, please throw at me.

Thanks,
Sri.]]>Feb 4th 2010 10:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/There's a huge support community for it, actually an entire wiki, its cheap and reliable and can be bought at any computer hardware store. It supports UPNP streaming to both the 360 and PS3, has a built in torrent downloader, and has 2 drive bays for loading your choice of HDD in. Best of all it can be configured in RAID0, RAID1(Not sure on this one), and JBOD.
Unfortunatley no wifi connection, but just plug it in to your wifi router, where ever that is, and its good to go. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/I'm with you. I have the DLink DNS-323 also. It's great, I have it plugged into my wireless router so yeah.... you can get to it wirelessly. With a little help. ]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 7:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 6th 2010 10:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
They support DLNA and UPnP....
Have built in iTunes Server
Can stream your music over the web through its own webpage
Have built in photo pages to show your pics online
Have a built in torrent downloader
Built in ftp and http(s)
You can plug camera's into them to use it as a surveillance station
And they have an audio and photo app for the iphone so you can stream your music / show your videos on it (if you have one) so the size of your iphone won't matter (unless you are in a spot without any wifi or cell service)]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
@NYC Coyote love the DLNA. Can't wait for the PS3 to get opened up to boxee!!

Everyone should check them out, great company, always developing their product. Now with the intel systems things should get interesting. Try getting just a 2 bay, It is worth it IMO.]]>Feb 5th 2010 6:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
I'd like $3 bucks for writing the content from the revenue that AOL gets when people view the ads. Ok, maybe more like 3¢, but it all adds up.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/builtin upnp with freenas doesnt transcode as well]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
the fitpc2 uses less than 8watts at full load =)

I wouldn't recommend WLAN as it doesn't run as fast as regular old LAN.]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/
A nettop, shuttlepc, or build-a-beast next to your tv are your best options. The full functionality/ customization opportunities are worth putting another box there. Throw a blue-ray and some sweet load time into that while your at it!]]>Feb 4th 2010 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/If you want bittorrent, HDMI capabilities, and storage, then your only good option is a computer running a standard os.

Or a popcorn hour. Had one for years and love it.]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 4th 2010 11:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/I suggest a Popcorn Hour. If you need the drive redundancy, go with the c-200. These things are great, easy to use, reliable and will playback whatever you throw at them. Plus, you get the bittorrent that you're after as well.]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 12:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/Feb 5th 2010 12:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ask-engadget-best-nas-media-streamer-combo-device/]]>Feb 5th 2010 12:48AM