My current setup
"Main" Laptop + a plethora of USB HDDs (different sizes) which are all connected via a USB hub - Total storage ~ 3TB.
Sony 40W5810
PS3
Work laptop - used to watch stuff streamed off the main laptop.
The main laptop, is almost always plugged into a docking station, and is running PS3 media server. PS3 and laptop are both connected via wired ethernet, so no problems with the streaming, though the laptop is quite old now (D620) and can't really handle 1080p as smoothly as I would like. Also, the laptop is used as the download box running newsleecher, and downloading stuff onto the usb drives.
This setup works, but I would like to replace it with something that has a smaller footprint, and lower energy usage as all those usb drives must be sucking up a lot of power. Also, I'd just like a change as it has been almost 2 years since I upgraded
The 2 solutions I can think of
1. 2 separate devices - Dual Core Acer Revo 3610 (?) + a 4 bay NAS Box, which will be populated with 2TB drives giving a total storage of 8TB. The PC will be connected via HDMI to the TV and controlled via BT keyboard/mouse. This will allow me to retain XP as the platform of choice, and run newsleecher as the usenet client - minimal hassle there. I can also install a variety of DLNA servers, which will serve the streaming needs. As the TV is also DLNA compliant, means I don't need to have the PS3 switched on to watch my downloaded libraries.
2. Build a low power unit - HTPC/Download box - no idea of what the spec will need to be. If I am going down this route, I would most likely go for at least a dual core PC + SSD, as I've wanted to play about with SSDs for a while. Main requirement will be a discreet case with at least 4-5 HDD bays (preferably more - allowing later expansion). As long as the PC is fast enough to cope with the usenet client running on 1 drive, and stuff streaming off another - with maybe a few browser windows open, that's all really. Idea will be to have 1 "fast HDD", which will act as the scratch disk and the downloads can then be moved onto the "greener" storage drives. Will not be used for gaming at all, as the PS3 takes care of that.
Cost-wise, I don't think there's much in them. Any decent 4 bay NAS isn't cheap, and tbh my experience with the Buffalo Terastation in the past hasn't been great. Quite slow transfer speeds over ethernet (not Gigabit, but still expected a lot more). I move around lots of files, and being quite impatient will happily spend a little extra to get a performance boost (only a little though
)
Performance-wise, my experience has been that a dedicated download box will be faster (as it's all internal), though happy to be proved wrong. Also, the main concern is keeping the running costs down, as this will be left running 24x7, so could do without a massive electricity bill
Any ideas, suggestions, specs much appreciated
"Main" Laptop + a plethora of USB HDDs (different sizes) which are all connected via a USB hub - Total storage ~ 3TB.
Sony 40W5810
PS3
Work laptop - used to watch stuff streamed off the main laptop.
The main laptop, is almost always plugged into a docking station, and is running PS3 media server. PS3 and laptop are both connected via wired ethernet, so no problems with the streaming, though the laptop is quite old now (D620) and can't really handle 1080p as smoothly as I would like. Also, the laptop is used as the download box running newsleecher, and downloading stuff onto the usb drives.
This setup works, but I would like to replace it with something that has a smaller footprint, and lower energy usage as all those usb drives must be sucking up a lot of power. Also, I'd just like a change as it has been almost 2 years since I upgraded
The 2 solutions I can think of
1. 2 separate devices - Dual Core Acer Revo 3610 (?) + a 4 bay NAS Box, which will be populated with 2TB drives giving a total storage of 8TB. The PC will be connected via HDMI to the TV and controlled via BT keyboard/mouse. This will allow me to retain XP as the platform of choice, and run newsleecher as the usenet client - minimal hassle there. I can also install a variety of DLNA servers, which will serve the streaming needs. As the TV is also DLNA compliant, means I don't need to have the PS3 switched on to watch my downloaded libraries.
2. Build a low power unit - HTPC/Download box - no idea of what the spec will need to be. If I am going down this route, I would most likely go for at least a dual core PC + SSD, as I've wanted to play about with SSDs for a while. Main requirement will be a discreet case with at least 4-5 HDD bays (preferably more - allowing later expansion). As long as the PC is fast enough to cope with the usenet client running on 1 drive, and stuff streaming off another - with maybe a few browser windows open, that's all really. Idea will be to have 1 "fast HDD", which will act as the scratch disk and the downloads can then be moved onto the "greener" storage drives. Will not be used for gaming at all, as the PS3 takes care of that.
Cost-wise, I don't think there's much in them. Any decent 4 bay NAS isn't cheap, and tbh my experience with the Buffalo Terastation in the past hasn't been great. Quite slow transfer speeds over ethernet (not Gigabit, but still expected a lot more). I move around lots of files, and being quite impatient will happily spend a little extra to get a performance boost (only a little though
) Performance-wise, my experience has been that a dedicated download box will be faster (as it's all internal), though happy to be proved wrong. Also, the main concern is keeping the running costs down, as this will be left running 24x7, so could do without a massive electricity bill
Any ideas, suggestions, specs much appreciated
