NAS for XBMC?

you must just mean free time in the beginning setting it up
who here has a home built server that you always have to tweak

other than moving files which i choose to do manually to my unraid server I don't touch it
well except for adding another hard drive that is when needed lol

Im just asking

I'd argue that If you do your research before purchasing (which it seems the OP is already doing), you won't spend much/any more time configuring unRAID vs a prefab nas (I'm ignoring spencers' case in this as bad parts are equally likely in hand built and pre-fab (although easier to replace in hand built )).

On the question of quality, even Eskro's dirt cheap build is way overkill for a NAS only. If OP only ever uses it for a NAS and doesn't take advantage of all the other options, I'd say he's still in a better position with Eskro's build than a pre-fab.

My opinion is based on an aggregate of all factors, in general you're going to be better off building to suit. IF as Balinus stated you need something you can pull out of the box and plug in, pre-fab is a viable option. With that being said, assuming that your amount of free time to deal with this is stays constant through the life of the device, consider the following in your decision:

1. If you're like me, you'll out grow your storage in 8-12months.
Pre-fab: replace the whole system
unRaid: buy any hard drive you can get your hands on and stick it in the array

2. Harddrive failure
Pre-fab: all data lost, unless you kept a backup (in which case you need another NAS)
unRaid: Parity drive recovers the lost data over night
(The same pro/cons apply here as #1, some pre-fab NAS' need all the drives to be the same, unRAID could care less)

3. Other hardware failure
Pre-fab: Buy a whole new system or send it in for repair (where you've lost your data and have nothing for a couple of weeks until repair is complete)
unRaid: Salvage from another machine, pick up a part at Best Buy, order from NewEgg

I did a lot of research for a small business client on storage solutions. In the end, I couldn't recommend any of the pre-fab solutions over unRAID. That was before this new solution (freeRAID?) came about which looks promising in that it can run overtop of other OS's

(2012-03-26 19:59)Balinus Wrote:  wildzx, it all depends on your budget and available free time.

If you want to spend time, go ahead and build a server. It will be cheaper. On the other hand, if yo prefer to watch movies instead of configuring your server, buy a pe-built NAS like a Synology.

I am 100% satisfied with my DS211j (total cost with 2x1.5TB was 350$). I think I've spent about 10 to 20min on configuration. Now it just works and I have time to spend with my child, drink a beer and relax while watching Planet Earth.

edit- Think about the total space you need also.

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deleted, because information wasn't informative. (26/03/2012)

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wildzx, about your HTPC. If you don't plan to play games, no need to take a powerful CPU like the A8-3870K. An A6-3500 is more than enough to use XBMC. Just a thought.

totally agree, it is time consuming - trying to get everything ready and going crazy trying to get the best at the least value; and than waiting for the parts, putting it to together and so on on on... (even the small parts add up). I never thought i would ever built a pc again and trying to get the perfect htpc drove me crazy.
i picked up 2 x 2tb few weeks ago when they were on sale for 109 each. Cancelled the DS412+ and got the DS712+ for $480 (including shipping).
And the ram on this unit can be upgraded from 1gb to 4gb for like $15 dollars.
Another benefit of synology is that resale value; if i ever need 4 bay or something more powerful; it is very easy and will not cost whole allot.
And i already ordered the CPU and its being delivered...and by the way; am i missing anything from my built list

I think you're in good shape. Possibly a remote if you don't have one.

(2012-03-27 00:43)Bstrdsmkr Wrote:  I think you're in good shape. Possibly a remote if you don't have one.

Yes, i have remote issue in back of my mind; but can't seem to find a nice one. i just want a simple and cool remote ( i wondering if i can use the ones that will be included with new Panasonic tv's - new touchpad remotes):
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/panas...-on-video/

...the htpc will be in a cabinet, as well

(2012-03-27 00:48)wildzx Wrote:  

(2012-03-27 00:43)Bstrdsmkr Wrote:  I think you're in good shape. Possibly a remote if you don't have one.

Yes, i have remote issue in back of my mind; but can't seem to find a nice one. i just want a simple and cool remote ( i wondering if i can use the ones that will be included with new Panasonic tv's - new touchpad remotes):
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/panas...-on-video/

...the htpc will be in a cabinet, as well

If the remote is IR, you could use it on XBMC by using "Flirc". Look here : http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=103350

I prefer the official Android remote. Pick up an IR blaster to operate everything else and you're good to go

The other advantage to building your own NAS is the ability to repurpose or dual purpose it later on.

There are other choices besides unRaid. For less then the cost of the synology, you could build a WHS 2011 box and run FlexRaid, Sab, Sickbeard, and SQL for all your htpc needs.

I'm going through the same decision myself - Synology DS212j or unRAID build or combining HTPC/NAS with Win8 and it's Storage Spaces.

unRAID doesn't seem overly time consuming a project, especially since you are already building an HTPC then you've got the info and community resources right here.

But I'm concerned about the speed across the LAN. Doesn't it deliver data at slightly slower speeds than the drive it is coming from? Isn't this a future proof issue as the both the data size and number of devices in the home using the data increase?

If I were to go Synology I would probably do DS212j (2x2TB) and create some sort of backup plan between it, my workstation, external USB 3 drive, and cloud.

WRT to Win8 and Storage Spaces, if the case is cool enough, does this not provide the best of both worlds?

(2012-03-26 19:23)Tycho91 Wrote:  Why dont you build a homeserver yourself? It'll be a lot cheaper

Build a FreeNAS server. Use an old pc that's laying around doing nothing. CHEAP. FREE. Just buy hard drives.