Router USB Viability for network streaming?

Posted by: Redboxfile on 19 March 2018

I currently use an ageing Netgear Readynas Duo with 150gb of Flac files on 2 x 500gb HD's in Raid. Rather than go to the expense of replacing the NAS plus Hard Drives I'm pondering an external Hard drive connected into one of the USB sockets on my new router, A TP Link VR2800. Has anyone any experience of doing this, will there be loss of sound quality? It seems a cost effective solution given that I do not use the NAS sharing features. The other option would be 256gb USB stick either into the front of my Uniti (First Generation) or again into the Router.

I would welcome any comments from anyone who has had experience of these NAS alternatives.

Cheers redboxfile

Posted on: 19 March 2018 by ChrisSU

For your Uniti to see the music files over the network, you have to run a UPnP server, which I presume is what you are now doing on the ReadyNas. As far as I'm aware, you can't run such a server on a router. So I would continue running the ReadyNas if you can, just make sure you have a backup.

Putting a memory stick in the Uniti will work, but metadata is often unreadable, and navigating your music library can be difficult. 

Posted on: 19 March 2018 by alan33

Some routers, esp those with USB ports, offer UPnP and DNLA services. I have tried it with an Asus and with my ISP provided Sagemcom. It functions, but it’s no MinimServer experience. You should try it with a partial library on your memory key to see if it’s okay - sound, speed, and service wise - with your router before you commit to a final decision. Really old models don’t have good processor speed for snappy interaction...

Regards alan

Posted on: 19 March 2018 by alan33

ps - lots of folks have good performance from a USB drive attached to a Raspberry Pi, if you’re willing to do a bit of learning and stick with the favoured OS images... faster than most routers, choice of music servers, easy to add new tips to your library by mounting the drive on your laptop or whatever, can live in the cupboard beside your router and old NAS... 

Posted on: 20 March 2018 by Redboxfile

I have tried a USB stick via the router direct and it gives me the all navigational controls that I need. I can search by artist and album with album covers displayed as well. I will have to do some more listening and compare the sound with the NAS but I expect it to be the same quality as all the number crunching is being done by the Uniti.

Thanks for your help , A work in progress as they say.