NAS and HTPC together or separate?

[bladez87]

I was thinking if I want invest the time and effort to learn how to build a HTPC and NAS combined, or separately, or just buy them off the shelf...

would appreciate feedbacks, thanks

 

[i1magic]

I was thinking if I want invest the time and effort to learn how to build a HTPC and NAS combined, or separately, or just buy them off the shelf...

would appreciate feedbacks, thanks

Ok .. let me help you out.

For NAS :

1. Cost <$200, Transfer speed < 20MB/s - DNS320 (or equivalent)
2. Cost <$200, Transfer speed ~ 100MB/s - Don't have
3. Cost ~$500, Transfer speed ~ 100MB/s - DIY PC with networking knowledge
4. Cost >$600, Transfer speed > 80MB/s - More expensive NAS solution

You can only go for NAS + HTPC if you going for option 3. That is what I did. But the NAS is put in "sleep mode" and turned on immediately upon single mouse click.

 

[Kiwi8]

If u are already setting up a HTPC, then isn't the function of a NAS easily performed by the HTPC entirely? Just share out the folders on the HTPC.

 

[Swiftbladez]

if got the budget do both seperately. If tight on budget and still want both, DIY is your best route.

 

[bladez87]

Ok .. let me help you out.

For NAS :

1. Cost <$200, Transfer speed < 20MB/s - DNS320 (or equivalent)
2. Cost <$200, Transfer speed ~ 100MB/s - Don't have
3. Cost ~$500, Transfer speed ~ 100MB/s - DIY PC with networking knowledge
4. Cost >$600, Transfer speed > 80MB/s - More expensive NAS solution

You can only go for NAS + HTPC if you going for option 3. That is what I did. But the NAS is put in "sleep mode" and turned on immediately upon single mouse click.

What you mean sleep mode? Where can I learn more how to diy one? My comp knowledge quite limited. Haha. I thanks

 

[chengsun]

1 thing to consider is, if u have the space beside or near ur TV, HTPC need HDMI (or other) connection direct to ur TV, when it act as a NAS, we tend to put in more HDD to make "more worth it", and that is why ppl tend to use bigger case.

 

[bladez87]

1 thing to consider is, if u have the space beside or near ur TV, HTPC need HDMI (or other) connection direct to ur TV, when it act as a NAS, we tend to put in more HDD to make "more worth it", and that is why ppl tend to use bigger case.

i was thinking. no point buying another nas if i intend to build a htpc. might as well save and combine both. i have a lot of external 3.5"" wd hdd that are 2 gb, so i need usb ports to plug them in.

 

[Kiwi8]

i was thinking. no point buying another nas if i intend to build a htpc. might as well save and combine both. i have a lot of external 3.5"" wd hdd that are 2 gb, so i need usb ports to plug them in.

There is no need to even plug into your external HDDs via USB. Since u will be having a HTPC, it's better just extracting the HDDs from your external HDD box and plug into your HTPC via SATA.

Warning though, that it may void your external HDD warranty if it breaks any warranty stickers.

 

[bladez87]

There is no need to even plug into your external HDDs via USB. Since u will be having a HTPC, it's better just extracting the HDDs from your external HDD box and plug into your HTPC via SATA.

Warning though, that it may void your external HDD warranty if it breaks any warranty stickers.

i read that the parts all are superglued to the box. and since will void warranty then i think forget it. i will just use usb haha. safer also since i dont know how to break open.

 

[chengsun]

i read that the parts all are superglued to the box. and since will void warranty then i think forget it. i will just use usb haha. safer also since i dont know how to break open.

2GB external 3.5" HDD? that should be quite many years ago right? still got warranty?

 

[jtjt00]

Should be 2TB, else today a single blu-ray mkv movie is many times 2GB.

2GB external 3.5" HDD? that should be quite many years ago right? still got warranty?

 

[bladez87]

Should be 2TB, else today a single blu-ray mkv movie is many times 2GB.

haha! ya i mixed up. ya 2tb! i have 2 2tb, 3 1tb, a couple of 500g and below

 

[Shutterbox]

I'm building one myself.

Its either I have a HTPC, with a few hdd, but i have to leave this HTPC on 24/7 if I want to torrent.

I was thinking of getting NAS which does torrent 24/7(so that means lower power consumption), and when on HTPC plays media, the app (VLC, JRMC, etc) will access the the media stored in NAS to play thru hifi/TV

like that ok ma?

 

[i1magic]

What you mean sleep mode? Where can I learn more how to diy one? My comp knowledge quite limited. Haha. I thanks

Go the "Start" button .... go to "Shutdown" and move your mouse over the right arrow and you'll see "Sleep".

Click on it and wait to see your PC goes to "sleep". It'll appear like your PC has shutdown.

To wake your PC ... click on your mouse, wait and see your PC "wakes up".

 

[i1magic]

1 thing to consider is, if u have the space beside or near ur TV, HTPC need HDMI (or other) connection direct to ur TV, when it act as a NAS, we tend to put in more HDD to make "more worth it", and that is why ppl tend to use bigger case.

I agree. If want to double up HTPC as NAS ... best to use a bigger casing.

 

[i1magic]

i was thinking. no point buying another nas if i intend to build a htpc. might as well save and combine both. i have a lot of external 3.5"" wd hdd that are 2 gb, so i need usb ports to plug them in.

Do take note that SATA transfer should be faster than USB.

 

[i1magic]

I'm building one myself.

Its either I have a HTPC, with a few hdd, but i have to leave this HTPC on 24/7 if I want to torrent.

I was thinking of getting NAS which does torrent 24/7(so that means lower power consumption), and when on HTPC plays media, the app (VLC, JRMC, etc) will access the the media stored in NAS to play thru hifi/TV

like that ok ma?

Personally, I find that it is no point to keep PC/NAS/HTPC on 24/7 just for torrent downloading. Got so many good stuffs to download meh? Share share leh. LOL!!

I find that putting PC in "Sleep Mode" and turned on as & when necessary would be the best.

If power consumption is the main concern .... then Android TV box would be the best for HTPC option. As for NAS .. personally I would prioritise transfer speed over 24/7 availability.