NAS HD Streaming, Boxee, Xbox 360

[Tony Jenkins]

Unfortunately, I am new to NAS' and am looking for some clarifications, suggestions, and validation of my understanding of what I need. What I am looking for is a NAS that will be used to stream HD files (N wirelessly) to a Boxee Box (will purchase at the same time as NAS) and Xbox 360 (already have it), and also to Android phone if possible). To do this I was looking at the WD My Book 3TB, D-Link DNS-320, or Synology DS211J. If I go with the diskless options, I will most likely get 2 x Samsung F4 Spinpoint 2TB drives for them. Of course, I am open to other suggestions if it will fit my needs better.

From reading the general guide, I believe that I don't need a "high performance" NAS to do this so I believe the three above should work. However, I see a lot of discussions regarding slow/fast NAS' so I am not sure. Or, if I get a better performing NAS, will I get any other benefit other than having faster read/write speeds?

I also read in the general guide that the NAS has to have Upnp for the Xbox 360. Is this true even if I stream the files from Windows Media Center which is reading the files from the NAS to the Xbox? I take it the need for Upnp is only if the Xbox is reading directly from the NAS?

In looking for info on the Xbox issue, I saw on the Synology site that the DLNA/UPnP Media Server specs did not list Dolby Digital or DTS. Does this mean I can't stream DD or DTS at all from that unit, or only when streaming directly from it as a DLNA/UPnP server (ie having the Xbox read files directly from it). Is this a concern for the Boxee Box as well since I plan to have it stream directly from the NAS?

Last, I am confused on the ability to access files from an Android phone. I see some NAS' have an app/program that comes with it, but is there something you can install if it doesn't (like the Dlink DNS 320 apparently doesn't come with any software to allow this)? The Synology says it has an app to allow music, what about video- does that require a 3rd party program?

I hope I was able to describe everything clearly for any help that can be offered. Thank you!

 

[stevech]

You'll not be satisfied streaming HD video on WiFi. Too many glitches.

Streaming standard def. on a solid 11g link can work.

Depends on the phase of the moon, how often how many neighbor's hog air time, etc.

Use MoCA or HPNA.

One HD stream is a modest read rate on a decent NAS like the Synology DS211. You don't even NEED gigabit LAN but it's good to have (all devices/switches. A 100BT Router LAN port can connect to gigE switch).

 

[Jesse B]

You'll not be satisfied streaming HD video on WiFi. Too many glitches.

Wireless provides plenty of bandwidth to stream even multiple HD videos assuming your WAP/Router isn't a piece of garbage.

A wired connection is always preferably obviously, but wireless will get the job done in a pinch.

 

[Tony Jenkins]

I will be surprised if the wireless doesn't work with the NAS as I am already able to stream HD video to my Xbox 360 from my PC wirelessly.

I guess to simplify what I am asking is: if a "slow" NAS like the Dlink DNS-320 (800mhz, 128mb) will work for what I need, then really any NAS should work for me. So the question is, will it?

If the Dlink will work for what I need, the next question is: if the NAS does not come with any built in software to access it remotely, does that mean it can't be done, or is there a 3rd party program I can use? I know I can access it via the PC with 3rd party programs, but is there something I can install directly on the NAS so the PC can be off. I am not clear if that is possible.

 

[stevech]

Wireless provides plenty of bandwidth to stream even multiple HD videos assuming your WAP/Router isn't a piece of garbage.

A wired connection is always preferably obviously, but wireless will get the job done in a pinch.

And assuming your neighbors aren't bandwidth hogs (WiFi is a shared medium), and assuming a lot of other things that laws of physics bring. It just barely works for streaming HD if the path is short and few obstacles are in the path.