HTPC/NAS combo vs. pre-built NAS

[MR_AWESOME55]

For the past couple of months, I've been trying to figure out what to do with the data on my laptop and my dad's computer, backup-wise. I began looking at numerous NASes, and recently I have been seriously considering purchasing the QNAP TS-219P II. I would like to use it to back up either data or disk images, and I would also be using it to stream videos and other media to either my PS3 or Samsung TV (PN51D550). It'd also be nice if it were capable of RAID 0, 1 and relatively lower power consuming.

I was also recently turned to the idea of creating my own HTPC/NAS. I really liked that idea because it seemed a lot more flexible and I felt that it would also be maybe a bit cheaper faster, and a lot more future proof. Someone over on Toms Hardware suggested this build (the second one is what I was more interested in). The main downside I saw to with that build is that it seemed to consume much more power than the QNAP NAS.

The other day, I had decided to get the QNAP, but now I'm having second thoughts. One thing that I didn't necessarily like about the QNAP is that its media streaming abilities were at the mercy of the device playing them, like my PS3 or Samsung plasma. The HTPC/NAS was nice because it would handle all of that rather than rely on other things.

I'm really new to all of this, and I've never really built a computer before, so I don't really know what I should be looking for, or even where to start really. The main thing I want to figure out here is would it be worth it to build my own HTPC/NAS, or should I just go with the pre-built one? Would there be a significant increase in performance, versatility, or lastability building my own? And if it did provide significant benefits in those areas, would it be able to all of that relatively quietly while consuming less than 20 Watts?

Thanks for any help. Sorry for this topic being so broad.

P.S. QNAP's website says that the TS-219P II only supports 3 USB 2.0 ports, but in recent revisions, it has 2 USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port.

 

[stevech]

My experience...

A decent NAS can stream at the required data rates.
My E350 based mini-ITX can stream/read and produce 1080i HDMI well. But if I look closely, there are some few dropped frames.

The Vizio TV I have, with its ethernet interface, streams the same file content without the subtle frame drops.

Most wouldn't notice the difference.

I elected to use a NAS and the DIY mini-ITX - not so much for videos, but for surfing the web and home automation, etc. The NAS is a DS212. The TV area uses MoCA.

 

[MR_AWESOME55]

My experience...

A decent NAS can stream at the required data rates.
My E350 based mini-ITX can stream/read and produce 1080i HDMI well. But if I look closely, there are some few dropped frames.

The Vizio TV I have, with its ethernet interface, streams the same file content without the subtle frame drops.

Most wouldn't notice the difference.

I elected to use a NAS and the DIY mini-ITX - not so much for videos, but for surfing the web and home automation, etc. The NAS is a DS212. The TV area uses MoCA.

Yeah, I was reading somewhere that some higher end Blu-Ray movies will need around 25-35Mbps when streaming, and it sounds like the QNAP NAS gets near 100Mbps in VERY IDEAL conditions (I realize that's a stretch).

With this setup, I'm also buying a new router so that I can have everything wired with gigabit LAN and CAT5e or CAT6 ethernet cables.

With 512MB of RAM and a 2.00GHz processor, does that NAS have enough horsepower to multitask, ie. streaming HD videos to one TV and downloading torrents / backing up my computers at the same time? Also, if I use am using the NAS to stream HD video to my TV, will it affect my internet performance at all?

Thanks

 

[stevech]

there's a vast difference between BluRay 1080p and the commonplace 1080i in terms of data rates.

I chose to keep all gigabit LAN nodes interconnected via a switch (or switches) and not rely on the router or its built-in switch. Theoretically, a WiFi router with gigabit ports is just a switch on those ports, but one never knows. Therefore, I use a switch for all gigabit PCs and other streaming devices.

A not require a gigabit router since my WiFi in practice, needs no more than 100Mbps.

 

[matthelm]

Personally I would build 2 boxes. 1 as a file server, and one for the HTPC. Make the HTPC, as small and low as power as you can, to keep the noise down, and then use a super cheap big case for the NAS, so you can add drives as needed.

 

[GregN]

Personally I would build 2 boxes. 1 as a file server, and one for the HTPC. Make the HTPC, as small and low as power as you can, to keep the noise down, and then use a super cheap big case for the NAS, so you can add drives as needed.

This is the approach I also took, low power, small footprint HTPC. And a large not so quiet server for the entire households storage, using older components and a case that would accommodate 20 drives.

I think Overloading is tempting concept, but often leads to a bunch of compromises that you come to regret.

Notably Thecus has started adding HDMI ports to their NAS's, so I may be wrong, you might want to take a look.... Do they also include a remote control?

 

[MR_AWESOME55]

This is the approach I also took, low power, small footprint HTPC. And a large not so quiet server for the entire households storage, using older components and a case that would accommodate 20 drives.

I think Overloading is tempting concept, but often leads to a bunch of compromises that you come to regret.

Notably Thecus has started adding HDMI ports to their NAS's, so I may be wrong, you might want to take a look.... Do they also include a remote control?

I just took a look on Thecus' website, and it looks like the Thecus N2800 supports an HDMI output. It doesn't look like it comes with a remote, but you can connect a keyboard and mouse to it and use it to control the NAS without the use of a PC (as mentioned on the overview page.)

Would this be a decent route to take? Does Thecus make decent NASes and will this one be cheaper than if I'd bought a separate NAS and HTPC?

 

[stevech]

best to use separate boxes, IMO.
1080i or 1080p takes a LOT of graphics horsepower.

 

[GregN]

I think Overloading is tempting concept, but often leads to a bunch of compromises that you come to regret.

Like I said it is tempting, but I really disagree with Thecus adding a HDMI port - is it Media box, or a NAS? You got your Chocolate in my Peanut Butter.

Which does it do well? Without a remote control....

 

[MR_AWESOME55]

Would it maybe be a better idea to get a cheaper, less capable NAS, and maybe just get a media player with built-in storage so I won't need to stream anything?

 

[GregN]

Would it maybe be a better idea to get a cheaper, less capable NAS, and maybe just get a media player with built-in storage so I won't need to stream anything?

How about Buy one (media players are easy to come by) and build the other?

How much storage were you thinking of supporting?

 

[MR_AWESOME55]

How about Buy one (media players are easy to come by) and build the other?

How much storage were you thinking of supporting?

I think the MAXIMUM I'd be using is 2TB, but I've been looking at 1TB - 1.5TB a bit more. I'd like to have a RAID 1 configuration as well.

The media player I was looking at was the WD Live Hub just because it's nice to have that 1TB HDD built in. Are there any similar media players around that would be better? I guess my main concern with the media player is that it plays a wide assortment of video formats.

If I were to go the media player route, then I'd say that I'd use the NAS SOLELY for backup and not have to worry about the limitations of streaming.