I'm really attracted by the low price of the Mediagate MG-35, and have tried to sort out the pros and cons of various configurations by reading threads here and the mediagate wiki; kind of surprised there's not a comprehensive FAQ, but that's neither here nor there.

From what I gather, the MG-35 can play video either off a computer on the network, an NAS device (not exactly sure how this works), or an internal HDD. I don't have a NAS and am not interested in investing in one right now, having a computer on while playing a movie on the Mediagate seems kind of redundant, and installing an internal HDD seems to require you to purchase an additional software key in order to be able to transmit files from a computer to the MG-35 over ethernet (not sure about this exactly either, but I see complaints about how slow this method is anyway). Of course I could use the USB connection to just connect the MG-35 with my computer and drag/drop over files but this would require disconnecting the MG-35 from the TV (theoretically downstairs) and bringing it upstairs to hook up with my desktop, which would be painful. A simpler alternative would be to use an external HDD (which I already have), copy files there, and connect the external drive to the MG-35 via USB -- but this method/configuration does not appear to be discussed anywhere, and I'm wondering if it's even possible.

Any info relating to running the MG-35 in this configuration is appreciated. Thanks.

Hopefully I can answer a few questions for you.

1) No, you can't hook up an external HDD directly to the MG-35 for playback. I agree, that would be nice.

2) As you stated, playback of video and audio can be via an internal HDD (ATA100/133), which are relatively cheap. I picked up a WD 320GB drive for under $100 from newegg. Extremely easy to install, then hook up the MG-35 via USB to the computer and format (NTFS, ideally, to allow for files <4gb), then transfer files over. It is easiest to do this one time, so have most of the files ready to transfer after formatting.

3) If you don't want to buy an internal HDD, as you stated, the MG-35 can play files streamed over your network. The computer needs to be ON, but it doesn't play the movie on the computer itself. The computer only needs to be on for networking to occur. All you have to do is designate the media folders on your computer that you want to access with the MG-35 as "shared folders". Once you set up the files to be shared on your computer and connect the MG-35 via ethernet, when you turn on the MG-35 you would only have the "network" option available on the MG-35. When you select the option, the MG-35 will display the shared media folders for you to play (in a folder hierarchy, similar to like what you would see on your computer). Streaming is actually pretty good. I'll get occasional hiccups with video files (more with VOB than AVIs, in my case), but all in all it's smooth playback.

4) When you buy an MG-35 now, you usually get the NDAS key with it. The instructions for setup is pretty easy, but basically what that allows you to do is share files between your computer and the MG-35 (when it has an internal HDD installed) via ethernet. If you set it up as read/write, you can use the MG-35 for remote storage if you want, but more importantly it is to transfer files from the computer to the MG-35, and delete files from the MG-35, without unplugging it and using the USB port. You're right, it is much slower than USB, but just set up the transfer to run at night when you're sleeping, or when you'll be gone for the day. I usually rip full seasons of TV DVDs when I buy them (just ripped Seinfeld, Season 8), as highest quality DivX files (so I can convert to iPod, PSP, 3GP, or Pocket PC as desired), then transfer the entire season (usually about 25-35GB) at once, which will take at least all night.

In my case, I installed TV series on the internal HDD since I access them more often (Seinfeld, Scrubs, Third Rock From The Sun, etc.). The external HDD in my office hold all of my movies and MP3s, which I watch over the network. I only actually transfer files to/from the MG-35 over NDAS maybe once every other month or so.

I like the MG-35 very much, although it's not without its glitches and issues. For the money, though, I think it's a very good value. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll see if I can answer them.

Awesome, thanks, schroedk, for the fast and very detailed reply. Guess I'll need to mull over my choices and decide what the best approach is, but I'm pretty sure I can't beat the price with any other setup. Bummer about not being able to just plug in an external drive, but I guess I can live with adding a cheap internal one and sending files over ethernet at a relatively slow speed.

One last question, if I may, about the best internal drives; I think I read some discussions warning against using drives of too big a capacity due to the MG-35's passive cooling (not sure what the cutoff is, but it's probably more drive-specific rather than size-specific) -- have you had any problems with your 300GB drive getting too hot? Thanks again.

I've never had a problem with heat from my 320GB drive. I can't remember which model of WD drive it is, but it's worked well for me. Not only does it not get hot with the passive cooling, but I have my ethernet switch resting on top of the MG-35 (toward the back however, so more on cables than the MG-35 vents). If you really want to push the limit on heat dissipation, there's a good deal on a Seagate 750GB ATA100 drive at officedepot online, for <$290. That's with a $50 mail-in rebate, though, and I've been screwed by them on the mail-in rebates, but I was still very tempted. But you're right, 750GB might run just a little too hot for passive cooling.

Not to necessarily sell you on the MG-35 (like I said, there are issues), but I am tempted to pick up another one on eBay to use as a stand-alone (not networked) unit on our bedroom TV. It's tough to beat the price, and with a 3 y.o. and 1 y.o. in the house, pretty much all of our CDs and DVDs are in storage, and they're all stored digitally on my external drives now. Anyway, let me know if I can be of further service.

Great, thanks again for the info!