Have your say & ask the experts

I am now at the stage where I would like to purchase an external network hard drive and get my music files away from my PC.  I still want SB Server running on my pc so don't need a NAS so to speak!

Q1 - Can I rip a CD from my pc and it automatically and wirelessly saves the file to the external hard drive. Or do I need to connect the pc to the external hard drive via USB for the transfer? Does FTP have something to do with this?

Q2 - Can someone recommend a good brand of network drives please.

Q3 - Anything else I need to consider?

Thanks, Matt

1) Yes, provided the NAS is set up as a network share on your PC and your media player is set up to save to that share. FTP should have nothing to do with it, no.

2) I use Freecom, very cheap from ebuyer, but depending on your needs you may be better off going to ripcaster who can assess your exact requirements and advise.

3) Despite what you say above, personally I'd get one with SB Server pre-installed. Just gives you future options without having to install it after the fact (not for the faint-hearted).

Hi John

Thanks for your advise.

Money is the issue which I why I want just the storage. I do get slightly confused with the difference between a NAS with all its trimmings and a simple external network storage hard drive!
Probably because there are so many out there. Couldn't shed any light on this could you please?

So.... because I think a full fat NAS with Squeezebox Server pre-installed is quite expensive I just want a storage device. Is your Freecom just for storage? Which model do you have?

Q1 - Do you want the files on both PC and NAS?
If so some software backup solutions can be had with one button backup or start-up/shut-down automatic backup options. In this instance you would rip to the PC as normal and ensure the backup program includes your PC music store in it's default backup path. The hit the button or log-off to trigger the data transfer.
Western Digitals MyBook drives come with said software (I forget the name*) as a trial and it's very effective.

Q2 - Just based on the drives and from an IT perspective I currently recommend Western Digital or Samsung based solutions. For portable/network devices that means just Western Digital's own solutions as I don't know which externals use Samsungs current drives.

Q3 - Do you need DNLA compatibility?
I have a dedicated PC for media so I can't comment directly on Squeezebox compatibility. I'd suggest a quick visit to the forums and hunt for threads on your chosen drive incase that throws up some anomalies.

 BTW I assume you'll still have to run your PC for the software. If so why the sudden need for an external drive for anything other than backup? Please correct me if I'm wrong because if I am I'll be asking for a portable from Christmas! :)

 

 * Just noticed it's called Memeo

Vimeous:

Q1 - Do you want the files on both PC and NAS?
If so some software backup solutions can be had with one button backup or start-up/shut-down automatic backup options. In this instance you would rip to the PC as normal and ensure the backup program includes your PC music store in it's default backup path. The hit the button or log-off to trigger the data transfer.
Western Digitals MyBook drives come with said software (I forget the name*) as a trial and it's very effective.

Q2 - Just based on the drives and from an IT perspective I currently recommend Western Digital or Samsung based solutions. For portable/network devices that means just Western Digital's own solutions as I don't know which externals use Samsungs current drives.

Q3 - Do you need DNLA compatibility?
I have a dedicated PC for media so I can't comment directly on Squeezebox compatibility. I'd suggest a quick visit to the forums and hunt for threads on your chosen drive incase that throws up some anomalies.

 BTW I assume you'll still have to run your PC for the software. If so why the sudden need for an external drive for anything other than backup? Please correct me if I'm wrong because if I am I'll be asking for a portable from Christmas! :)

 

 * Just noticed it's called Memeo

I want my music files just on NAS. My laptop's hard drive is near full and want a bigger external one so will transfer all music to NAS. Laptop is on all the time so to save lots of money I won't want Squeezebox Server installed on the NAS. DLNA? Don't think the SB is compatible with DLNA? Don't think I need it for my purpose. So I could buy a NAS for around £80 but a SB NAS is what £300plus?

JohnDuncan:

3) Despite what you say above, personally I'd get one with SB Server pre-installed. Just gives you future options without having to install it after the fact (not for the faint-hearted).

John, been doing a bit of reasearch and came accross this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-ReadyNAS-RND2000-Storage-Solution/dp/B001O35S7M

From one of the reviews it has squeezebox server pre-installed, is this true? Also you get a free 500gb HD. Anything of note with this product?

mattjax05:

JohnDuncan:

3) Despite what you say above, personally I'd get one with SB Server pre-installed. Just gives you future options without having to install it after the fact (not for the faint-hearted).

John, been doing a bit of reasearch and came accross this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-ReadyNAS-RND2000-Storage-Solution/dp/B001O35S7M

From one of the reviews it has squeezebox server pre-installed, is this true? Also you get a free 500gb HD. Anything of note with this product?

Don't have Squeezebox but  do have the Netgear NAS Duo and can recommend it as an easy to setup/use device .

JohnDuncan:

1) Yes, provided the NAS is set up as a network share on your PC and your media player is set up to save to that share. FTP should have nothing to do with it, no. 2) I use Freecom, very cheap from ebuyer, but depending on your needs you may be better off going to ripcaster who can assess your exact requirements and advise. 3) Despite what you say above, personally I'd get one with SB Server pre-installed. Just gives you future options without having to install it after the fact (not for the faint-hearted).

Sorry for butting in here but i need some help understanding NAS and external drives. I have a media player connected to my home network via CAT 5 cable and with HDMI cable to my amp. The media player has a 2 TB built in hard drive. The media player has NAS and NFS functions. My question is how can or do i use NAS and NFS because i can access any shared files or folders on my computer via the media player. It is also possible to copy from computer to media player hard drive using USB cable. The main reason i got the media player was to play my music DVD's which i copied to the hard drive. So how do i use NAS  and NFS in this set up?

If you look at your network places your media player should appear if the NAS functions are active and it's on the same IP-range.
I expect both to be true if your router is handing our the IP-addresses for all the devices on your network (default functionality of most routers).

If you can see the device in your network places you should be accesses its file shares directly without needing to use your USB cable.

Vimeous:

If you look at your network places your media player should appear if the NAS functions are active and it's on the same IP-range.
I expect both to be true if your router is handing our the IP-addresses for all the devices on your network (default functionality of most routers).

If you can see the device in your network places you should be accesses its file shares directly without needing to use your USB cable.

So if i understand correctly, NAS will let me copy straight to media player drive when loading a CD or DVD on my PC?