mass NAS storage options

[kent1146]

Most compressed video maxes out at 4Mbps (4 megaBITS per sec... the numbers I mentioned for throughput earlier use megaBYTES). Uncompressed 1080i is around 45Mbps (again, 45 megaBITS... this is roughly 6 megaBYTES per second). Whether or not this poses a problem will depend on how the media is going to be streamed and used.

If you are simply playing back this media on a computer, you will not have a problem using USB2.0 / eSATA DAS devices, or ethernet / gigabit NAS devices. A WiFi-based NAS device would be fine for compressed video, but wouldn't be able to keep up with uncompressed 1080i video streaming. If you're streaming 1080i over a NAS, you'll need at least an ethernet connection.

If you're streaming to a media device connected to a TV, that media device will most likely be connected to your network via WiFi. If you go with a DAS device and set up a network share from your computer, then you should connect that to your network through at least an ethernet port (WiFi-to-WiFi uses a shared bandwidth of 54Mbps, not 54Mbps per connection). If you go with a NAS, be sure it's connected through at least an ethernet port.

[raider1v1]

Most compressed video maxes out at 4Mbps (4 megaBITS per sec... the numbers I mentioned for throughput earlier use megaBYTES). Uncompressed 1080i is around 45Mbps (again, 45 megaBITS... this is roughly 6 megaBYTES per second). Whether or not this poses a problem will depend on how the media is going to be streamed and used.

If you are simply playing back this media on a computer, you will not have a problem using USB2.0 / eSATA DAS devices, or ethernet / gigabit NAS devices. A WiFi-based NAS device would be fine for compressed video, but wouldn't be able to keep up with uncompressed 1080i video streaming. If you're streaming 1080i over a NAS, you'll need at least an ethernet connection.

If you're streaming to a media device connected to a TV, that media device will most likely be connected to your network via WiFi. If you go with a DAS device and set up a network share from your computer, then you should connect that to your network through at least an ethernet port (WiFi-to-WiFi uses a shared bandwidth of 54Mbps, not 54Mbps per connection). If you go with a NAS, be sure it's connected through at least an ethernet port.

cool. this is the info that i needed. i have kinda ruled out the pre-boxed NAS system due to the fact they aren't upgradeable as easily as the drobo and are more expensive.

i did find a solution thats in the NAS alley though. its unRAID seen here

http://www.lime-technology.com/

but all in all from what you are telling me, the drobo has the throughput to feed it fast enough for videos. for the wireless router/gigE/usb router id probably get something like this

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...=4351276789B06

thoughts? so the basic setup would be the HTPC w/drobo hooked to usb OR drobo in closet w/router then wireless to htpc.