I hope that this is the right forum as it seems to cross multiple sub forums.
Sorry for the long post its a tricky problem.
Background and needs
Currently have a Laptop, 46" tv with DNLA and VGA input and a Android smart phone, but no backup solution. Old PC case with decent sound card and power supply (500w)
Needs in order of priority
1) Backup Raid 1 - currently have no backup of my laptop
2) Watch files from Storage to TV via USB or over the network
3) Skyplayer viewing (so my laptop is not tied up)
4) NBA viewing (so my laptop is not tied up)
Option 1
NAS drive with Raid 1 capabilities (meets needs 1,2 cost £200)
Option 2
Micro Server
HP Microserver with added drives (meets needs 1,2 cost £200 not sure it has the specs to meet 3 definitely not 4) 1.3 dual core atom and 2gb of Ram
Option 3
Bundle example (meets all needs cost £250) with XBMC and android XBMC remote. Maybe windows or XBMC in a virtual machine?
Sky player requirements
My head is saying NAS as it is simple and meets the top two needs, but my logic is saying for a few pounds more it could meet all your needs. I am worried that it will be too complex and will be form over function and will be a pain in the bum to use.
OCUK what are your thoughts?
Sorry for the long post its a tricky problem.
Background and needs
Currently have a Laptop, 46" tv with DNLA and VGA input and a Android smart phone, but no backup solution. Old PC case with decent sound card and power supply (500w)
Needs in order of priority
1) Backup Raid 1 - currently have no backup of my laptop
2) Watch files from Storage to TV via USB or over the network
3) Skyplayer viewing (so my laptop is not tied up)
4) NBA viewing (so my laptop is not tied up)
Option 1
NAS drive with Raid 1 capabilities (meets needs 1,2 cost £200)
Option 2
Micro Server
HP Microserver with added drives (meets needs 1,2 cost £200 not sure it has the specs to meet 3 definitely not 4) 1.3 dual core atom and 2gb of Ram
Option 3
Bundle example (meets all needs cost £250) with XBMC and android XBMC remote. Maybe windows or XBMC in a virtual machine?
NBA Requirements
What are the minimum hardware requirements for the viewer?
Windows/PC Version:
Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz or Intel Core 1.6GHz (SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems)
512MB of RAM
50MB of available hard-disk space for installation
Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
Microsoft DirectX compatible sound card and display adapter
Sky player requirements
Hardware specifications
• Windows X86 or x64 1.6-gigahertz (GHz) or higher processor with 512-MB of RAM
My head is saying NAS as it is simple and meets the top two needs, but my logic is saying for a few pounds more it could meet all your needs. I am worried that it will be too complex and will be form over function and will be a pain in the bum to use.
OCUK what are your thoughts?

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