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Forum Discussion
recommendation for home + home office, confused by options
Hi All, I confess to being quite confused by all of the various ReadyNAS units, and I'd like to ask for some help making an informed choice. I work at home, and have networked my office machines...
I can only speak as individual Mac owner of 25 years experience...
First, it depends on your budget. If I had the funds I would choose one the ReadyNAS Ultra series. Why? These have Intel chips, with 1Gb of memory, and presently have more 'add-on' software (such as PLEX) than 'ARM' derived ReadyNAS' such as the Duo.v2 and NV+.v2 (with only 256Mb memory). However, the expectation/anticipation is that such 'add-ons' will be available for the ARM powered devices too.
That is why I took the gamble/risk in buying the NV+.v2 - not to mention the huge price reduction here in the UK (it was too tempting to pass on). A four-bay Ultra is approximately twice the price of an NV+.v2.
I have been impressed with the speed and efficiency of my newly-acquired NV+.v2. I use one of my Mac Mini's as a HTPC - and have streamed uncompressed movies from my ReadyNAS via PLEX on the Mac Mini, and then onto my Yamaha AVR and Panasonic plasma. I have recently bought an AppleTV3, and have found it more practical to use compared to my Mac Mini for movie duties. While the ATV2 can be 'jailbroken' to feature PLEX on board, and the ability to access a NAS device, this has not yet emerged on the AppleTV3. When the AppleTV is eventually jailbroken, it will be a spectacular accessory for any ReadyNAS.
For music, I stream my whole music library from my ReadyNAS NV+.v2 to my Logitech Squeezebox Touch. All ReadyNAS devices are able to download the Logitech Media Server 'add-on' software for managing your music collection. I burn all my music in iTunes and then transfer it to my ReadyNAS.
Transfer all your individual iTunes libraries on different Macs to one music folder on your ReadyNAS, and then choose the albums required for playback.
I also own an iPad and iPhone. Adding iPeng software to my iPad/iPhone facilitates control/playback of my music collection via my Squeezebox and ReadyNAS. This is a brilliant combination.
Also, I have a large iPhoto collection on my Mac. Any ReadyNAS features ReadyNAS Photo's, for sharing your picture collection across the net (with safeguards). I back-up all my photos on my ReadyNAS.
Time Machine: is selectable on the ReadyNAS. You decide the proportion of disk space is reserved for Time Machine duties, On your Mac, you determine the types of files to by backed-up via Time Machine.
I don't expect the price reduction to last forever, as USA members here indicate such a price reduction isn't available there. I intend on buying a couple of WD 2Tb drives from Dabs for my NV+.v2. The problem is, as soon as they appear they sell out before you can blink.
http://www.dabs.com/products/netgear-re ... =nv&src=16
http://www.dabs.com/products/western-di ... red&src=16
First, it depends on your budget. If I had the funds I would choose one the ReadyNAS Ultra series. Why? These have Intel chips, with 1Gb of memory, and presently have more 'add-on' software (such as PLEX) than 'ARM' derived ReadyNAS' such as the Duo.v2 and NV+.v2 (with only 256Mb memory). However, the expectation/anticipation is that such 'add-ons' will be available for the ARM powered devices too.
That is why I took the gamble/risk in buying the NV+.v2 - not to mention the huge price reduction here in the UK (it was too tempting to pass on). A four-bay Ultra is approximately twice the price of an NV+.v2.
I have been impressed with the speed and efficiency of my newly-acquired NV+.v2. I use one of my Mac Mini's as a HTPC - and have streamed uncompressed movies from my ReadyNAS via PLEX on the Mac Mini, and then onto my Yamaha AVR and Panasonic plasma. I have recently bought an AppleTV3, and have found it more practical to use compared to my Mac Mini for movie duties. While the ATV2 can be 'jailbroken' to feature PLEX on board, and the ability to access a NAS device, this has not yet emerged on the AppleTV3. When the AppleTV is eventually jailbroken, it will be a spectacular accessory for any ReadyNAS.
For music, I stream my whole music library from my ReadyNAS NV+.v2 to my Logitech Squeezebox Touch. All ReadyNAS devices are able to download the Logitech Media Server 'add-on' software for managing your music collection. I burn all my music in iTunes and then transfer it to my ReadyNAS.
Transfer all your individual iTunes libraries on different Macs to one music folder on your ReadyNAS, and then choose the albums required for playback.
I also own an iPad and iPhone. Adding iPeng software to my iPad/iPhone facilitates control/playback of my music collection via my Squeezebox and ReadyNAS. This is a brilliant combination.
Also, I have a large iPhoto collection on my Mac. Any ReadyNAS features ReadyNAS Photo's, for sharing your picture collection across the net (with safeguards). I back-up all my photos on my ReadyNAS.
Time Machine: is selectable on the ReadyNAS. You decide the proportion of disk space is reserved for Time Machine duties, On your Mac, you determine the types of files to by backed-up via Time Machine.
I don't expect the price reduction to last forever, as USA members here indicate such a price reduction isn't available there. I intend on buying a couple of WD 2Tb drives from Dabs for my NV+.v2. The problem is, as soon as they appear they sell out before you can blink.
http://www.dabs.com/products/netgear-re ... =nv&src=16
http://www.dabs.com/products/western-di ... red&src=16
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