I wish I could replace my PS3 with my NAS and just not stream at all. I don't have any problems with my setup, but the streaming part seems so unnecessary (unless I decide to stream to two TVs at the same time some day).

Does this thing exist?

In other words, I wish my QNAP NAS

had a IR remote
could connect directly to my HT
could play all my media

Those having problems with a wireless network would find this very useful since there would not be any need to stream over wifi (only to move the files to the NAS, which does not require real-time bandwidth).

I wish I could replace my PS3 with my NAS and just not stream at all. I don't have any problems with my setup, but the streaming part seems so unnecessary (unless I decide to stream to two TVs at the same time some day).

Does this thing exist?

In other words, I wish my QNAP NAS

had a IR remote
could connect directly to my HT
could play all my media

Those having problems with a wireless network would find this very useful since there would not be any need to stream over wifi (only to move the files to the NAS, which does not require real-time bandwidth).

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your post, but options like this are all over the place. I mean, again, if I understand you correctly...for whatever reason (because you say you don't have any problem with your set-up, so why the big desire to change?), you don't want to stream; you want the storage and the player to be in the same place?

I must be misunderstanding, because you've already mentioned devices that do it: WDTV, PCH...and even your own PS3. So what am I missing?

CD

If you don't want to stream, but require the storage of a NAS, how about a WDTV with four 1TB drives plugged into a USB hub?

Also, the Popcorn Hour B-110 motherboard could be the option for you. 4xUSB2.0 host ports, 2xSATA, 1xIDE, 10/100 Ethernet and mini-PCI WiFi support (WiFi card not included). It's mini-ITX form-factor allowing it to be placed in any compliant casing.

If you don't want to stream, but require the storage of a NAS, how about a WDTV with four 1TB drives plugged into a USB hub?

Also, the Popcorn Hour B-110 motherboard could be the option for you. 4xUSB2.0 host ports, 2xSATA, 1xIDE, 10/100 Ethernet and mini-PCI WiFi support (WiFi card not included). It's mini-ITX form-factor allowing it to be placed in any compliant casing.

Well that's what I was saying; he could to that with a WDTV with multiple external drives...or PCH...or even his existing PS3. That's why I figure we must be misunderstanding him. Maybe he doesn't want the drives external; he wants a box, with lots of internal storage, that also streams as well as a PCH. I suppose he'll answer.

CD

I suppose he'll answer. ...

CD

I guess you all are correct, that I could tie a bunch of external USB drives to the WDTV or my PS3. But:

How do I put stuff on those drives? Almost nightly, I am ripping a movie, uploading my HD camcorder video, moving digital pics, moving digital music, etc. Walking the drives back and forth from my tv room to my den is not really practical. I must have an ethernet connection to the storage.
I really want a lot of storage. I will use it. But I want that storage in a RAID5 arrangement. It isn't bulletproof protection from disaster, but it's not bad. I already had my ass saved when half of a RAID1 mirror croaked about a year ago.


Given the incredible amount of features my NAS has, it would seem obvious to just add the ability to play content.

I did check out the PCH oem board a while back.... forgot all about that. Thanks for that pointer.

Slide a drive out of your NAS, and put the PCH motherboard on drive rails. Drill a few holes for power and video cables etc...Presto. QNap NASP (network attached storage player)

here's a mod someone did with an HP media server and a Popcorn Hour.

full link
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2355

http://lh6.ggpht.com/jeremywjones/SNU0fJ1YTTI/AAAAAAAACwE/-S81pf3_Cyc/s400/popcornandmediasmart.JPG

here's a mod someone did with an HP media server and a Popcorn Hour...


Yea, that is essentially what I want! Wonder how he controls the thing - does the PCH have a remote?

I didn't mean that I literally wanted to put a PCH into my NAS... I was just suggesting that QNAP (et al.) might add audio/video decoding to their box.

If you already have the NAS, why not just but a PCH network them together via wired connections. If you don't mind the NAS sitting in your entertainment center, then what is the big deal?

If you already have the NAS, why not just but a PCH network them together via wired connections. If you don't mind the NAS sitting in your entertainment center, then what is the big deal?

Well, yes, that would work fine. In fact, that is what I have right now (substitute PS3 for PCH). The point I was making was that streaming would become obsolete if NAS's could play the media.

I was merely daydreaming (at work) when I made the original post. As long as I am dreaming, put WiFi in the NAS too.

How many people find out the hard way that wifi just won't stream HD? However, it will move files to a NAS just fine.

Well, yes, that would work fine. In fact, that is what I have right now (substitute PS3 for PCH). The point I was making was that streaming would become obsolete if NAS's could play the media.

I was merely daydreaming (at work) when I made the original post. As long as I am dreaming, put WiFi in the NAS too.

How many people find out the hard way that wifi just won't stream HD? However, it will move files to a NAS just fine.

The answer as to why it doesn't exist PP, is you are in the minority. Most people don't want a PC/NAS, with its fans and spinning hard drives, where they are listening to music or watching a movie. You can't please everyone, but I think conventional wisdom says make a big box, that can store lots of files...with spinning hard drives and fans...and stuff that somewhere out of the way...and then use a small box, in the listening/viewing area, to play the files.

CD

Sounds like you're talking about the QNAP NMP-1000, which was announced last month at CeBIT.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/qnap-intros-nmp1000-network-media-player-we-go-hands-on/

Sean P. Logue

Sounds like you're talking about the QNAP NMP-1000, which was announced last month at CeBIT.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/qnap-intros-nmp1000-network-media-player-we-go-hands-on/

Sean P. Logue

LOL...NO, that's not what he is looking for. For god's sake, even the article says it is "pretty much like every other HD media streamer already out there". Why would he be searching high and low for that? Did you even read the post?

CD

The answer as to why it doesn't exist PP, is you are in the minority. Most people don't want a PC/NAS, with its fans and spinning hard drives, where they are listening to music or watching a movie. You can't please everyone, but I think conventional wisdom says make a big box, that can store lots of files...with spinning hard drives and fans...and stuff that somewhere out of the way...and then use a small box, in the listening/viewing area, to play the files.

CD

I agree with everything you said. I don't want any more ambient noise near my TV.

But what do you tell people who want to stream HD if they only have a WiFi network? 100% of the time I tell them they will need a wired network; this isn't an option for many.

I think the best idea for WiFi networks is to tie a few large drives to a PCH (someone here mentioned doing that through a USB hub). Then, push the media to the drives over a network to the drives. Hopefully, moving 30+ GB over wifi works well.

Well the problem with an NAS & NMT combo unit is that many people have more than 1 TV. Which means they would be streaming from one to the other anyway. So there is no real way to get rid of streaming. I'd rather lock away the NAS in another room and stream to my silent NMTs.

As for wifi bandwidth, 802.11g should be sufficient for 720p rips. I know it used to work for me. Another option is to use nim-100s as a Moca bridge between network segments. Faster and more reliable than wifi, and it uses existing coax. An added benefit is that if you have FIOS already you only need one nim-100 (since the fios router is moca capable).

LOL...NO, that's not what he is looking for. For god's sake, even the article says it is "pretty much like every other HD media streamer already out there". Why would he be searching high and low for that? Did you even read the post?

CD

Yeah, I read the post.

QNAP makes NAS units. This model is their standard NAS, with the addition of a multimedia streamer. It is a NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside. Did you even read the thread title?

Sean

Yeah, I read the post.

QNAP makes NAS units. This model is their standard NAS, with the addition of a multimedia streamer. It is a NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside. Did you even read the thread title?

Sean

The link you posted was for the NMP1000 media player; how is that an NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside??

CD

Well the problem with an NAS & NMT combo unit is that many people have more than 1 TV. Which means they would be streaming from one to the other anyway. So there is no real way to get rid of streaming. I'd rather lock away the NAS in another room and stream to my silent NMTs.

Me too.

As for wifi bandwidth, 802.11g should be sufficient for 720p rips. I know it used to work for me. Another option is to use nim-100s as a Moca bridge between network segments. Faster and more reliable than wifi, and it uses existing coax. An added benefit is that if you have FIOS already you only need one nim-100 (since the fios router is moca capable).

I have never streamed video over wifi. But it sure seems like there a a lot of problems doing it. Bluray rips (non-transcoded) are mostly 1080, I believe. Throw in an uncompressed audio track and I'll bet wifi streaming is impossible.

Sounds like you're talking about the QNAP NMP-1000, which was announced last month at CeBIT.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/qnap-intros-nmp1000-network-media-player-we-go-hands-on/

Sean P. Logue

Thanks Sean. That is very close to what I was looking for, except the single drive is very limiting. Largest drive available now is 2TB. I have about 2TB of content right now. BTW, those 2TB drives are still about $250. Hope they come down soon!

The link you posted was for the NMP1000 media player; how is that an NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside??

CD

It attaches to a wired network, contains a drive, and uses the same decoding chip that the Popcorn Hour uses to play media (it probably decodes the exact same set of audio/video codecs and containers).

I really love the GUI on these kinds of devices. I am so sick of the PS3 XMB interface. Ugh. I just spent $1000 on grass, I can't believe I don't have a PCH yet.

Uh, not that kind of grass.

It attaches to a wired network, contains a drive, and uses the same decoding chip that the Popcorn Hour uses to play media (it probably decodes the exact same set of audio/video codecs and containers).

OK...you guys, meaning PP and Splogue, you do realize the Popcorn Hour takes an internal hard drive, right?? So I must be confused...if the Popcorn Hour takes a hard drive and streams...and the NMP-1000 takes a hard drive and streams...how is the NMP-1000 like an NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside?? Where did the NAS go??? :rolleyes:

CD

OK...you guys, meaning PP and Splogue, you do realize the Popcorn Hour takes an internal hard drive, right?? So I must be confused...if the Popcorn Hour takes a hard drive and streams...and the NMP-1000 takes a hard drive and streams...how is the NMP-1000 like an NAS with a Popcorn Hour inside?? Where did the NAS go??? :rolleyes:

CD
Duh, you're right. They are the same thing. I'm trying to install some new backup software on one screen while responding on the other... guess I wasn't giving the forum enough bandwidth.

Anywho, for my purposes neither one of them is an adequate storage device (at least their internal storage). BTW, I don't believe a usb wifi adapter can be connected to the qnap player; the datasheet specifically says the usb host connectors are for storage devices (i.e., drives). For me, though, the screen on the front of the unit is a really nice feature if it allows one to get music without turning on the TV (like my Roku Soundbridge).

You might check out the Thecus M3800.

- 3HDDs
- RAID 0,1,5, JBOD
- Remote
- 1080p
- HDMI, Composite, Component, S/PDIF
- Option to use wi-fi adapter

Sorry for no link, still just a lurker, but it can be found on their site.

You might check out the Thecus M3800.

- 3HDDs
- RAID 0,1,5, JBOD
- Remote
- 1080p
- HDMI, Composite, Component, S/PDIF
- Option to use wi-fi adapter

Sorry for no link, still just a lurker, but it can be found on their site.


http://www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=23&pid=55; there ya go...someone who understands what an NAS with a player inside of it is.

CD

You might check out the Thecus M3800.

- 3HDDs
- RAID 0,1,5, JBOD
- Remote
- 1080p
- HDMI, Composite, Component, S/PDIF
- Option to use wi-fi adapter

Sorry for no link, still just a lurker, but it can be found on their site.

Now that is a sweet box. Here is the link: Thecus M3800 (http://www.thecus.com/products_over.php?cid=23&pid=55&set_language=english). Wonder how loud it is.

I still wouldn't use it myself (for all the reasons CDL stated above), plus I like to keep my drives in my den, away from kids, dogs, flying soccer balls, etc. But this fills a gap for many wifi friends that I have.