Recommend a DLNA NAS? Should I bother?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Recommend a DLNA NAS? Should I bother?

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LookingUp

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428111 17-Jan-2011 17:25

This may or may not be a consideration, but I've found that I can stream standard defintion TV over WiFi, but there just isn't the bandwidth for HD TV over WiFi.

On that basis, and other WiFi connection challenges, I'd agree that running cables is worth the effort if there's any way to do it.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

1080p

1332 posts

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#428118 17-Jan-2011 17:56

My next project is going to be an unRAID box for my media serving needs. If you already have a computer with drives in it then unRAID could be a wise investment.

Check them out: http://lime-technology.com/

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428120 17-Jan-2011 18:05

JimmyH: Yeah, I know that wired is superior, which is why I have been dithering so long. The configuration of the house and where I need to put things just makes it a major efford to do - and I don't really want to take the gib off the walls etc.

Do you have a series of telephone jacks around the house connected in series?
If you were to connect a cordless phone to the master jack (the first jack from the street) and then used slave cordless handsets, you could free up the jacks for network use.

Of course you'd need to have RJ45 wiring in the walls and would need to change the keystones on the jackpoints.

Things get a bit messy if you have a dedicated ADSL jack (splitter) installed, or if the jacks are wired in parallel. Just something to consider at least.

timmmay

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#428132 17-Jan-2011 18:32

It might work better if you just have a client talking to a WAP. I had bridged routers, so half the bandwidth is reserved for router to router communications. That didn't work well. I did it that way because I wanted the PS3 and TV to have a network connection, and PS3 wireless is hopeless.

I had the netgear 200Mbps powerline networking, and I only got about 10Mbps as well. Also not enough. My wiring is probably pretty old though.

Giving wireless a go is probably a good idea for you.

allan

2043 posts

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#428319 18-Jan-2011 09:21

+1 for the Windows Home Server option. What about one of these?
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=393069
Certainly economical on the power, with options for scheduled "off" time etc.

timmmay

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#428334 18-Jan-2011 09:45

I'm still not convinced i'll get anything, as my main motivation was saving power (and having toys), but for what they cost I can run my PC for years. I don't think I could bring myself to run a windows server either.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#429646 21-Jan-2011 20:16

I have a WD My Book World which is great. It's DLNA server (Twonky) is rock solid serving to both iPhones on wifi and a WDTV Live under the TV via ethernet. Power consumption is minimal, it has automatic standby, and it's easy to hide. Price is pretty reasonable, and it's surprisingly capable feature-wise if you like to tinker.

Equinox IT

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Shock

534 posts

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#431227 25-Jan-2011 23:14

I have one of these: http://ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=373956

Love it. Cannot believe i have lived without it ! I purchased it when i had the house networked it and it streams to consoles & runs itunes server etc. Rock solid.

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