NAS/Home Network Setup

NewApproach

I'm looking for some advice regarding the setup of a home network.

At the moment I have a laptop, desktop and media player, all independent of each other and none networking at the moment (bar wifi on the laptop obv).

What I would ideally like is something like this:

1. A NAS wired to the router, on which I will store all movies/music/photos on, so these can be streamed/accessed from laptop/pc/ipad etc. Possible solution: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Synology-DS212J-Bay-NAS-Enclosure/dp/B005TOXMAW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=201NGND3PJM29&coliid=I1CE2O83T1E2E5

2. Faster router. At the minute I have a bog standard eircom issued router and I doubt this will be fast enough for what I need. Would something like this suffice? http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR1043ND-Ultimate-Wireless-Gigabit/dp/B002YETVTQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=201NGND3PJM29&coliid=I2U8X6F1FAT9LH

3. Wireless media receivers for the teles. Neither of the teles are media enabled so they will need an adapter. Would something like a jailbroken apple tv suffice?

I assume that I will be able to manage my media library from either the pc or laptop and also stream directly to these if required.

Will the pc need Windows 7 for it to work properly? At the minute it has Vista only, I suppose it isn't much of a bother to put 7 on it.

Any suggestions? I know this probably isn't the cheapest option but I'd like to do the job properly rather than in bits and pieces which is a waste of money in the long run (for example, I have a stand alone media player for the tv which has no wireless capabilities.)

wibbleman

Just some thoughts for you.

1. That NAS looks fine. I setup an HP micro server with MS home server 2011 but I only got this because they had a huge rebate deal a while ago so got it cheap. If you want a cheap whole house audio solution then just make sure the NAS supports Logitech squeeze box server (it is free). The NAS you listed does support this.

2. Why do you need a new router. The router would need to be changed if it limits your broadband speed, or has slow (old) wifi. If the wifi on the router provided 802.11N then you are fine. If you can use wire then a gigabit switch would be the way to go.

3. Wireless players. I have a jailbroken atv2 with XBMC running on it. Works great. Check out XBMC if you don't know it (very very good). Alternative would be WD TV LIVE. They work great and play everything, you can even get BBC iplayer working on them.

If you have any other questions please let me know.. I have had every kind of gadget.. My current setup (well most of it anyway) can be seen at: http://wibbleman.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/current-media-playback-setup/

Access

Wibbleman is right,

You dont need to change your router... i have the same bog standard eircom router and have a Zyxel NSA310 (1 bay 3TB) NAS wired to the eircom router and it plays high def movies no problem via wireless to my HTPC in the sitting room.

The Synology that you have picked out is an amazing bit of kit... i didnt have the funds at the time to spare for the Synology but the Zyxel is great too for slightly cheaper money.

I am at the same point in my setup as you now, as i am also looking for which
wireless player to get for the other room and bedroom

NewApproach

wibbleman wrote: »

Just some thoughts for you.

1. That NAS looks fine. I setup an HP micro server with MS home server 2011 but I only got this because they had a huge rebate deal a while ago so got it cheap. If you want a cheap whole house audio solution then just make sure the NAS supports Logitech squeeze box server (it is free). The NAS you listed does support this.

2. Why do you need a new router. The router would need to be changed if it limits your broadband speed, or has slow (old) wifi. If the wifi on the router provided 802.11N then you are fine. If you can use wire then a gigabit switch would be the way to go.

3. Wireless players. I have a jailbroken atv2 with XBMC running on it. Works great. Check out XBMC if you don't know it (very very good). Alternative would be WD TV LIVE. They work great and play everything, you can even get BBC iplayer working on them.

If you have any other questions please let me know.. I have had every kind of gadget.. My current setup (well most of it anyway) can be seen at: http://wibbleman.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/current-media-playback-setup/

Thanks, no need for a new router is obviously a bonus, although having a USB port on it would be handy so i could hook up the printer but that's no big deal.

XBMC is something I would like alright, I have it downloaded on my laptop and it looks a slick piece of kit. Once I get faster internet I'd love to be able to get one of the online streaming services and run it through XBMC as I understand you can get plugins for it.

NewApproach

Access wrote: »

Wibbleman is right,

You dont need to change your router... i have the same bog standard eircom router and have a Zyxel NSA310 (1 bay 3TB) NAS wired to the eircom router and it plays high def movies no problem via wireless to my HTPC in the sitting room.

The Synology that you have picked out is an amazing bit of kit... i didnt have the funds at the time to spare for the Synology but the Zyxel is great too for slightly cheaper money.

I am at the same point in my setup as you now, as i am also looking for which
wireless player to get for the other room and bedroom

to be fair the Atv2 seems to tick pretty much all the boxes once it has been jailbroken as far as I can see.

rizzodun

Currently setting up something similar myself, I decided it'd be interesting to try with a spare RaspberryPi running Raspbmc (XBMC tweaked to run better on the Pi's ARM processor) handles videos fine, but the lack of readily compatible WIFI cards limit it a bit, I do have it hooked up via LAN cable and everything hidden behind the TV though, so not too bad, best thing about XBMC is the remote app for android letting you control everything from the phone.

Access

NewApproach wrote: »

XBMC is something I would like alright, I have it downloaded on my laptop and it looks a slick piece of kit. Once I get faster internet I'd love to be able to get one of the online streaming services and run it through XBMC as I understand you can get plugins for it.

Are you mad? no need for faster internet... currently have 2mb BB and runs fine with netflix. To top that, my parents in law have 1mb BB... no prob with netflix either! - No buffering at all.

P.s. - XBMC is the only way to go IMHO.

NewApproach

Access wrote: »

Are you mad? no need for faster internet... currently have 2mb BB and runs fine with netflix. To top that, my parents in law have 1mb BB... no prob with netflix either! - No buffering at all.

P.s. - XBMC is the only way to go IMHO.

I have 1mb at the minute. What i meant was having a fast enough internet to be able to ditch sky and be able to stream HD pics instantly, which I can't do at the minute.

Ste05

NewApproach wrote: »

I have 1mb at the minute. What i meant was having a fast enough internet to be able to ditch sky and be able to stream HD pics instantly, which I can't do at the minute.

I have about 1-1.5mb BB and have just cancelled Sky, Netflix (US) works perfectly running on my PS3 and Wii simultaneously, and having XBMC on my desktop, when I have all 3 running (all on wireless network ATM) there is a bit of buffering but about manageable, it may not be HD, but it's perfectly acceptable for me.

I have also just subscribed to a premium streaming service and it works as well as Netflix does, either through the browser or XBMC.

I was worried about using streaming as my main source of TV with such a poor line, but I've been amazed how well it works.

Access

Ah, fair enough newapproach, HD would be a bit of a problem!

I had netflix (us) running on our wii too Ste05, but i gave up after a month as i had to login onto the unblock site to reset the IP address each time we ran the wii netflix application. Drove me mad.

Ste05

Access wrote: »

I had netflix (us) running on our wii too Ste05, but i gave up after a month as i had to login onto the unblock site to reset the IP address each time we ran the wii netflix application. Drove me mad.

That's weird, I've had no problem at all...