New NAS or upgrade desktop PC?

Posted by: pixies on 29 April 2012

I currently have all my music, pictures and videos stored on a HP desktop (about 6/7 years old running XP with 1Tb storage). We all have laptops for daily use and the pc is really used as a source for streaming my music (FLAC via db poweramp, using squeezebox server). It’s left on 24/7,is a bit noisy and runs like a dog. However music is streamed to my Naim ND5XS very effectively.

I would like to get more out of streaming solutions and am investigating copying my DVD collection so I can do the same as I do with my music.

Have been checking out synology NAS solutions (DS 112j or DS212j). But before taking the plunge wonder whether I should just replace my desktop unit for a better more effective version (i.e. running windows 7, better RAM, bigger HD etc). Will both option offer same solutions?

Any advice is welcome.

Cheers

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by rjstaines

There may be clues in the names:

Personal Computer

Network Attached Storage

Just a thought.

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by pixies

OK, but not so simple. I currently store lots of files and information on my computer, which I can also share/stream to devices around the house (I have a separate back up hard drive), so computer = computer and storage.

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by Foot tapper

If you are happy to keep your computer on all the time, then you can continue to do so.

I now have our PCs & MACs connected to a NAS drive either via CAT6a cable or wifi at home and every computer has full access to the music, photos, videos etc that are on the NAS drive.

There is then always the option of using a computer to backup the information on the NAS drive, though I have a 2nd NAS drive located remotely, which runs nightly backups (in case the first drive dies or is lost/stolen).

The NAS drive is really quiet and MUCH more energy efficient than running our PCs 24/7.

So, I've chosen the NAS route, though this does cost more, which can also be an important factor in the real world.

Hope this helps, FT

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by rjstaines

Originally Posted by pixies:

I'd move everything you want to share onto a NAS, then everything FT says is right... simple (really)

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I agree with a FT, a little NAS is/should be more energy efficient than a PC/Mac server and be smaller and more quiet. My PCs and Mac sleep when not in use, but my NAS stays on always.

Simon

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by pixies

OK thanks for the comments. I had pretty much decided the NAS route for all the reasons you have outlined above, but hesitated a little a the last step hence my original question.

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by mutterback

Sorry to insert something new, but someone will speak up for Vortexbox so might's well be me. Stores, serves and rips all in one nice package, including DVDs. You can convert your old computer into one (though not power efficient) or buy a very efficient one new for not much more than a decent NAS. I've been very frustrated with the operating systems and "dashboards" on various NASs. But, the vortexbox works great all the time.

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by CariocaJeff

Vortexbox looks a useful bit of kit, but could I justify it when I can rip from my hdx? I would use mainly for storing hi-res downloads

Posted on: 29 April 2012 by Peter W

I am using a QNAP NAS (Raid 1 config) mainly because I do not want to leave my computer on 24/7. The QNAP works great, but if you have an extensive classical music library, you may find QNAP's Twonky server music tree rather limited. From time to time I will have to turn on the PC (connected to NAS) and use Asset to find a particular piece of classical music. For other kinds of music Twonky is fine.

I have no knowledge on Synology NAS though.

Posted on: 30 April 2012 by McGhie

Have you considered a small headless server running Windows Home Server 2011. I've got WHS2011 installed on a HP ProLiant MicroServer. This automatically backs up all PCs and laptops on the network, monitors their health, backs itself up, and acts as a file server and media streamer. I've installed Asset UPnP, which is the best UPnP server software I've used (beats the supplied Netgear ReadyNAS software, Twonky and VortexBox in versatility and configurability - I've used each and systematically replaced each in that order), and being a Windows OS there's plenty of other apps out there. Of course, it won't be to the taste of the Microsoft haters out there, but there's no pleasing everyone... In the UK there has been a long running cashback promotion on this HP box, making it comparable in price to a NAS but so much better (it'll do everything a NAS can and more - better than buying a NAS or a new PC IMHO). Worth looking into whether there are any promos in your region. Cheers Ian

Posted on: 30 April 2012 by Nagoya

How quiet is the HP ProLiant?. Thanks!

Posted on: 30 April 2012 by McGhie

It's not silent but it's pretty quiet (subject of course to the noise of the hard drives - some of these are noisier than others!) Put it this way, I had to move my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo out of my study because the noise drove me mad but I am perfectly happy with the MicroServer sitting next to my desk (alongside my PC). Not sure I'd want it in my lounge though.

Posted on: 01 May 2012 by pixies

Hi McGie. Your suggestions are very interesting and there are still cashback deals on this. However I am no expert on these things. could you just explain your set up and how it works. Do I still keep my existing desktop? What is a headless server?

Posted on: 01 May 2012 by McGhie

Hi A headless server is one without a monitor (or keyboard or mouse). The easiest way to install an operating system on it is with a monitor, keyboard and mouse attached, but you can then unplug them, leaving a small box with a network cable and power lead attached. You can still connect to the server as if it had these interfaces, remotely, by using another PC or laptop, but once it's up-and-running you rarely need to do this. I've installed Windows Home Server 2011 on my MicroServer and use it to store my data (docs, music, pictures... - I rip music using dBpoweramp on my PC but it saves the ripped audio files on the MicroServer) It then takes care of music streaming (I've installed Asset UPnP for WHS2011 for this) and backups (WHS handles these itself). There's more that WHS does out of the box but you can research this online. It's particularly strong when it comes to integration with and support of a home network of Windows machines. I also have a PC and a laptop. So, I bought the MicroServer and then: Installed more memory (it comes with 2GB RAM, which is adequate, but RAM is cheap so I stuck 8GB in) - this is fiddly but there are instructions [optional] Installed an optical drive (I had one spare but you can buy a decent one for <£20) - you need some cables (SATA and power) but the install is easy [I know people who have worked around this by network mounts or USB sticks] Added the hard drives (there are four bays, so you can add up to four drives; my MicroServer came with a 250GB drive and I've added 2 1TB drives taken from my old NAS and a new 2GB drive; not sure whether you'd reuse existing drives you have or buy new one/s) - this is a simple job Bought Windows Home Server 2011 for <£40 and installed it on the MicroServer on the supplied 250GB drive (using the optical drive) - this is the same as any other install of a Windows OS. Configured WHS (users, computers, drives, shares...) - this is made very simple by the Dashboard app that ends up on any PC/laptop you connect to the server - and copied data over and installed Asset - all very simple. Been streaming music from it for 2 months now without a glitch, and got all my backups sorted out (automated) including using Crashplan to back the server's data to the cloud. So, there's a bit of set up (though some of this is unavoidable with NAS too) but you end up with something better and more versatile than a NAS, and that fits in very well with a network of Windows PCs (it gets on fine with non-Windows machines but there's additional backup, system health monitoring, remote access and sharing functionality for any connected Windows machines). Cheers Ian

Posted on: 02 May 2012 by pixies

Thanks Ian for taking the time to explain. I will do a bit more research on this, armed with the advise you have given.

Posted on: 02 May 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Originally Posted by CariocaJeff:

Vortexbox looks a useful bit of kit, but could I justify it when I can rip from my hdx? I would use mainly for storing hi-res downloads

Vortexbox is great in my set-up, but it is a full fledged music server. I have no Windows computers on my network, but I don't see why it wouldn't work with them if you did, however, I can't vouch for that personally. For me it does everything I could want from a UPnP server and it works seamlessly with my Apple kit and being Linux it is fairly bullet proof. I know Asset has more features, but it is a non-starter for me unless there is a Linux or OS X port, but even then I'll probably stay with the VB - not sure if Asset supports DAAP, which I use on occasions. And as my Vortexbox music server just works might as well keep it going.

I'm not sure you would use all its facilities with the HDX, but as VB free - you could try it and see.

[The Mac Mini as a player in to the Naim DAC is pretty faultless, at least it has been for me. However, it would replace rather than work with the HDX, which is not what you'd want - no advantage in doing that as far as I can see - except for the MM's ability to store downloads, which is probably of no consequence].

Posted on: 25 May 2012 by pixies

Just an update following my original post and the many useful suggestions.

I have gone the NAS route and have just installed a Synology DS212J with 2TB HDD. Initial set up has been a bit challenging but I now have Logitech Media Server installed to serve my ND5xs and squeezebox players and responsiveness is much improved. All family laptops are connected to use the central printer, and I can stream my videos to the TV via its media server. I know it can do much more but early days. Main noisy PC can now be turned off and used for back up and ad hoc purposes. The NAS is very efficient and quiet and also cost a lot less than buying a new PC. So happy days

Cheers!