What do you need to connect storage to router?

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Hi,

On my Asus N66U it has two USB ports on the rear. I was wondering what i could connect to it so can access media to all devices connected on the network.

I’ve heard the term Nas box, but not really sure what they are and if that would be suitable for what i need.

Currently i have

N66U> 2 x HP 1410-8G Edge Switches> 2 x PC's, 2 x PS3, 3 x TV's, digibox with PVR function (basically everything wired)

I’ve got a 3TB drive in my main PC with loads of films/tv shows and want to be able to view them where ever i want.

Also what format files can be played universally on all devices or is that device specific? For example I’ve got loads of MKV, some ISO that i virtual mount and play on my PC, and loads of others. For example will my Samsung TV be able to plays these over DLNA or would i need to convert them into a different format?

Finally also, would it be possible to directly download (whatever i download) onto the storage devices connected to my router, instead of to my PC then transferring them to the router storage? (whatever that storage is decided above)?

Oops actually finally, my digibox has a PVR function, was wondering if i could somehow connect it in a way that i can record direct to something on my network. Its got a USB connection, so instead of connecting a USB drive could i somehow, get it connected to the external storage on my Asus router?
 
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Hi,

On my Asus N66U it has two USB ports on the rear. I was wondering what i could connect to it so can access media to all devices connected on the network.

USB devices :p. Flash drives or hard-drives generally, then you'd set up the media server functionality on the router to choose what to share and to which devices.

I’ve heard the term Nas box, but not really sure what they are and if that would be suitable for what i need.

A NAS is Network Attached Storage, in their simplest form they're basically an external hard-drive with an ethernet port that you'd use to connect it with the rest of the network. More advanced ones can take multiple drives and have more functionality.

I’ve got a 3TB drive in my main PC with loads of films/tv shows and want to be able to view them where ever i want.

You can either remove the HDD and put it into an external enclosure and connect it to your router, or just use media server software on your PC to share the files across the network.

Also what format files can be played universally on all devices or is that device specific? For example I’ve got loads of MKV, some ISO that i virtual mount and play on my PC, and loads of others. For example will my Samsung TV be able to plays these over DLNA or would i need to convert them into a different format?

Depends on the device that you're using to play the files, although some media server software (like PS3 Media Server) can transcode files (like MKVs) so they don't need to be converted. You'd need to just try it and see.


Finally also, would it be possible to directly download (whatever i download) onto the storage devices connected to my router, instead of to my PC then transferring them to the router storage? (whatever that storage is decided above)?

I doubt it, I can't imagine it'd offer that sort of functionality, you'd usually only see that on a NAS.

Oops actually finally, my digibox has a PVR function, was wondering if i could somehow connect it in a way that i can record direct to something on my network. Its got a USB connection, so instead of connecting a USB drive could i somehow, get it connected to the external storage on my Asus router?

No, the USB will be for additional storage only I suspect.
 
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USB devices :p. Flash drives or hard-drives generally, then you'd set up the media server functionality on the router to choose what to share and to which devices.

Hard drives are sata though?

What kind of Nas box would you reccomend, as that seems best because then i could download "files" direct to it?

If i were to use a Nas box, they have USB inputs, then couldnt my PVR digibox use it? as it just a harddrive and the PVR box has a USB connection?

You can either remove the HDD and put it into an external enclosure and connect it to your router, or just use media server software on your PC to share the files across the network.

I try to turn my PC off when not in use or not downloading, im sure just a nax box or external storage will be more energy efficient, than a 6 core 3930k, and a big GTX series gfx running 24/7.
 
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A few years ago you would have stored your data on an external USB hard drive. I still have some of these devices.

If you were buying now, and were looking to share data between multiple machines - e.g. movies to a media PC - you'd be more likely to buy a NAS instead. NAS is a box with a network connection and hard drives inside.

The USB port lets you plug in your old USB external hard drive and be able to access it over the network.
 
A few years ago you would have stored your data on an external USB hard drive. I still have some of these devices.

If you were buying now, and were looking to share data between multiple machines - e.g. movies to a media PC - you'd be more likely to buy a NAS instead. NAS is a box with a network connection and hard drives inside.

The USB port lets you plug in your old USB external hard drive and be able to access it over the network.

Ok, so the USB cant be used as a way to transfer files? For example recording to it via a PVR?
 
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