Need new NAS - Icy Box or Qnap need help deciding

wombraider · 18 Feb 2008 at 10:20

Think I need a new NAS ... but which one to get ?

Current Set-up
Nslu2 + 4 Port hub
60G O/s Drive ( ext3)
120G storage (NTFS)
200G storage (NTFS)
300G storage (NTFS)

My current set-up works pretty well ( I can stream dvd vob files across the network without issue)
The problem comes when I try to play mkv file for tv shows from the nslu2 , eg an episode of heroes
in 1080p is 2.2G (for 40 mins) , when I try to play they stutter ( try to FF/RW it has a fit )
Other larger files such as the 1080p version of Starship Troopers mkv ( 8.5G for 2 hours ) have the
exact same effect.
I can only assume the nslu2 is not able to deliver the necessary bandwidth , I know its not my network
because I can play the same files across the network between my 2 PC's and they play fine.

I was considering the Icy Box IB-NAS4220-B NAS Enclosure
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-029-BT&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=707
£97.51 + £23(twonky) = £120.51 ( I want to share files to the PS3 using twonky)

I have also been looking at the QNap Turbo Station TS-209 NAS Enclosure
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-004-QN&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=707
£215

The qnap is more expensive , but for the extra money you do get 3 x usb ports and also the ftp
server it runs supports encryption.

Will either of these devices be fast enough for me to play mkv across the network ?
Do any owners of these devices have any advice or thoughts on their units ?

Thanks in Advance.

TheBrooder · 18 Feb 2008 at 12:41

The Icy Box isn't DLNA so isn't compatible with the PS3

yonderblue · 18 Feb 2008 at 17:03

The latest TwonkyVision SW 4.4.4 supports PS3, Surely if you update the Icy Box to Twonky Media Server 4.4.4 it will support streaming media to PS3 ?

TheBrooder · 18 Feb 2008 at 17:47

Possibly, but all my research points to if it isn't DLNA then it won't work.

wombraider · 18 Feb 2008 at 19:06

Any Qnap owners care to comment on how they feel about their unit ?

Pulseammo · 19 Feb 2008 at 01:57

I don't own one buuuuutt -

Here's a review of the TS209 pro:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30181/75/1/5/

I dunno what the difference is between that and the non-pro though. Essentially if you want to stream high bit-rate media you need something with a beefy CPU in it, for instance, that review says the TS can saturate a 100mbit network (10MB/s), and can do 20 - 30 MB/s on a 1000mbit lan. Your Slug can prolly do between 2 and 4MB with it's CPU.

If you look at the comparison chart between the other NAS' then it pretty much spanks them all. I'd find out how much different the non-pro is to the pro though. Also try to find out what hardware is inside the icybox, and if possible some benchmarks on its throughput.

That said, a 40minute 2.2GB file is approximately 0.94MB/s, and I think your slug should be able to keep up with that. I could be wrong though.

Sareth · 19 Feb 2008 at 09:04

The pro has Active Directory and NFS support, thats the only difference between them.

ChrisLX200 · 21 Feb 2008 at 11:03

I have a TS-210 with 2x750GB drives. I suspect the 209 would have been the better buy with it's 500MHz CPU. To get fast transfers you need a good gigabit network with Jumbo Frames enabled throughout (problematic with the 210). I can transfer a DVD (4.5GB) to the NAS in about 8 minutes, the 209 is about twice as fast in a properly configured system.