Thinking of building a media server - requesting advice.

[wyldwolf]

Hello everyone. Five minutes ago I didn't know this forum was on DU but, after googling for answers and coming up with nothing, I though, 'DU probably has a computer support forum.'

So here's my issue. I want to build a media server using a 2 or 3TB external hard drive. I realize there are several economical options. One to just plug the hard drive into a computer then network it. Of course, when that computer gets shut down, so goes the media server.

I've seen several models of hard drives with built in cloud capabilities but they require a connection a wireless router - which would have been workable for me last year but I know have AT&T U-verse, which I've been pretty happy with (after my nasty divorce from Charter Cable) BUT their wireless net access doesn't require a router. So there is no router to plug the cloud hard drive into.

I can't seem to find a hard drive that is stand-alone, with no need for a router to access the files. I have printers like that - just plug them in, set up the wireless connection, and I'm printing on the network. No router needed. Just can't seem to find a hard drive that is set up the same way.

Thoughts? Advice?

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. The simple suggestion

I realize there are several economical options. One to just plug the hard drive into a computer then network it. Of course, when that computer gets shut down, so goes the media server.

Don't shut down the computer.

[csziggy]

2. Check into Network-attached storage (NAS)

Network-attached storage (NAS) is data storage or a data storage device, such as a hard drive or RAID array, connected to a computer network, providing data access to different network clients. When you have a few computers working in tandem, it's essential that they have access to the same collaborative tools and files necessary to get projects completed. An enterprise-level solution like NAS gives all these machines access to the same documents whenever they need, so long as they can access the network.

Wired or wireless options are possible with network attached storage. Wi-Fi capable, internet-ready and able to house a few disks worth of data (which you'll likely have to buy separately), these can be isolated from the online world if you so choose, or made accessible if you see fit. They allow not only sharing of key information but also devices like scanners, printers and fax machines.
http://www.newegg.com/Network-Attached-Storage-NAS/Category/ID-241?Tid=18253?&cm_sp=HardDrives15-_-VisNav-_-Laptop

(From the notes explaining what NAS is are at the bottom of the page, but they have some good information at the top, too, as well as how-to articles and explanantions.)

I'm not very familiar with NAS, just saw the devices when I was hard drive shopping last month (got a 4 terrbyte Western Digital SATA drive for under $200 from NewEgg.com). One of those devices with your choice of drives installed may do exactly what you want.

[ChromeFoundry]

3. If you have a spare PC/Laptop...

...you could easily load up one of the following products from a bootable USB flash drive:
NAS4Free
FreeNAS
OpenMediaVault

It would connect to your network via WiFi and server the files to your network devices. If you have a DLNA aware TV or other device (PS3, XBox, Roku, BluRay player), you can even stream video to your TV. You can add as many drives as the PC/Laptop can support.

OMV is probably the easiest to use for a beginner. NAS4Free is the most feature filled on low-end hardware.

[PrestonLocke]

4. Not sure if this has been mentioned...

Most media centers have USB jacks to plug in an external HD or flash drive. No networking required.

What media center products were you looking at?

You can take an old HD and buy a case to make it an external. You can also just buy an external drive all ready to go.

http://www.newegg.com/External-Hard-Drives/Category/ID-344?Tpk=external%20hard%20drive

[wyldwolf]

5. First, thanks to everyone for their input

PrestonLocke -

I don't have anything just yet. I ordered a google chromecast to experiment with since earlier this week they opened their platform up to everyone:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/come-apps-google-launches-chromecast-sdk-public/

I expect a lot of ways to stream local content.

(I've even looked into starting my own ROKU channel.)

I've been researching hard drives since last night. Many say there are cloud capable but still require them to be connected to a router. Like I explained above, no router is required with U-verse for everyone to connect to the web on my network - so the router "route" isn't viable.

I don't have a dedicated PC so I can't go with the "connect the hard drive to an always on computer" way.

Just odd there are no stand alone hard drives with build in connectivity (that I can find) like wireless printers have. Just plug them in, set up your net connections, and go.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. Could you explain...

...what you like to do and how much you'd be able to spend?

Products like WD-TV players: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=920

...have a USB connection for flash drives and external HDDs.

How many TVs do you want to play media on and is that local media files, netflix and hulu or both?

[wyldwolf]

7. Spending $200 - $400

One TV.

Interesting product there.

Already have a ROKU for streaming Netflix and such. Just want to stream local files. Planning to dump my DVD collection down to the hard drive.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. I would consider...

...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3JX15Y3400

I have an Iomega ScreenPlay DX HD which I got discounted for around $60. I love it.

Ripping Blurays to HDD takes a while so be prepared. I've heard handbrake: http://handbrake.fr/ ...was a good tool.

[wyldwolf]

9. Can you store files on this? Looks like a Blue Ray player / ROKU-like hybrid.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. Not directly

This is a player. You can copy media files like MKVs and such to a USB HDD using your PC and then connect the HDD to the player.


For more money you could get an NAS as someone mentioned. I have a Synology NAS that is DLNA compatible. I have an older model of this: http://www.synology.com/en-us/products/overview/DS413j
The media files are available to PCs, MACs and various media players.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Possibly use a Synology NAS as a DLNA server

And your Roku as a DLNA client?

I love love love my Synology NAS - makes everything easy. Only downside is that my model (ds212j) has a wimpy processor, so transcoding of any sort is slow.