DIR-825 USB HDD to Xbox360 Compatibility Question

[abedinthehouse]

This is my first post and I have been doing a lot of research and narrowed it down to the DIR-855, DIR-825, Netgear WNDR3700

If I install the latest firmware on the DIR-825 or the DIR-855, can I browse the contents of a USB hard drive connected to the router on my Xbox 360 and play them?

Also is it possible to connect a USB HUB to the router and attach multiple hard drives and a printer to the hub and successfully access them all on a computer or Xbox 360?

And has Netgear provided any firmware upgrade that lets you connect a USB hub or printer to their WNDR3700?

Lastly, which would you guys all recommend? Ive read all the reviews on maybe over 20 routers, I need a dual band dual radio gigbit port router with USB (preferably for HDD and printer sharing over a HUB)

Thank you

 

[overdrive31]

the netgear is best imo, however it doesn't have support for printers. although maybe with DDWRT on it could provide such a feature, if not get a dedicated print server. dlink's shareport is a flop atm and so is their recent(past 12 months) firmwares across the board have been terrible.

 

[thiggins]

To my knowledge, the xBox 360 can't browse SMB/CIFS network shares, but requires a DLNA / UPnP AV server to find files. The WNDR3700 has this. Don't think the D-Links do.

 

[abedinthehouse]

maybe with DDWRT on it could provide such a feature

Can anyone please confirm this feature? I do not know much about the DDWRT, if I installed it...would I still have the same functionality as the Netgear firmwares? Thank you

 

[abedinthehouse]

To my knowledge, the xBox 360 can't browse SMB/CIFS network shares, but requires a DLNA / UPnP AV server to find files. The WNDR3700 has this. Don't think the D-Links do.

Thank you, do know if any of those routers can support a USB HUB for multiple HDD's (or printers in teh case of the D-link)?

And which would you recommend personally?
My uses will be gaming, HD streaming, torrent downloading and normal internet browsing. I would love not having to plug my printer in all the time, and having a networked HDD (can not afford to buy a NAS at the moment) is a plus...I do plan on buying the Boxee Box when it comes out.
I am in no hurry, so would it be smarter to wait for the Xtreme N 600 Duo HD MediaBridge kit ("Rush" / DAP-1560) or their D-Link Touch (DIR-865)???


Thanks again you guys, I really value this input..

 

[thiggins]

D-Link's Shareport allows one user to use one device at a time. See the description here of how it works.

I usually don't check for USB hub support, so can't answer that question.

I would keep an eye out for bargain NASes. You're expecting too much from router USB drive sharing. Print servers are very basic, too, and don't support multifunction / all-in-one printers well.

Depends on what "no hurry" means. D-Link sometimes never ships announced products.

 

[abedinthehouse]

I would keep an eye out for bargain NASes.

Depends on what "no hurry" means. D-Link sometimes never ships announced products.

I actually found a good deal for a WD My World Book 1TB for around $100 on ebay which I am buying. So I no longer need that support on a router..just a basic printer connection would suffice, which all the Dlinks can handel except the Netgear WNDR3700. Would you justify buying the Dlinks for that feature (and others such as upgrading to dual band antennas),advise on the getting WNDR3700 instead, or waiting a few months (hopefully Q2 or Q3 for newer Dlink products (DAP-1560 or DIR-865)?

Thanks, I really appreciate this help

 

[overdrive31]

try again

the netgear is best imo, however it doesn't have support for printers. although maybe with DDWRT on it could provide such a feature, if not get a dedicated print server. dlink's shareport is a flop atm and so is their recent(past 12 months) firmwares across the board have been terrible.

have a look at shareport forums http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?board=252.0
and the 825 rev a and b http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?board=218.0
i strongly advise getting the netgear or you'll be pulling hair out over Dlink's mess, but if you get an 825 from a local shop to allow easy return, be my guest. just remember i told you so. oh and yes both routers will allow usb hubs.

 

[abedinthehouse]

have a look at shareport forums http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?board=252.0
and the 825 rev a and b http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?board=218.0
i strongly advise getting the netgear or you'll be pulling hair out over Dlink's mess, but if you get an 825 from a local shop to allow easy return, be my guest. just remember i told you so. oh and yes both routers will allow usb hubs.

Update, I just bought the WD My Book World Edition 1TB "white bar" (WDH1NC10000N)...so I can just use that as a port for my printer until I do get the right router...now I am just trying to find the right router...
I am leaning toward the Netgear, the only thing holding me back are the internal antennas (I want external so that I could upgrade them to dual bands) and because my fingers are crossed that the Dlink Touch is going to blow the Netgear's (and maybe even the dlink 685) LAN and WLAN speeds away.

this what i really need some advice on now..any ideas?