ExFat JBOD RN104 DLNA server for Bravia TV

No you cannot use the ReadyNAS as a USB/eSATA peripheral.

Trying to use a different filesystem (e.g. exFAT) is a very big hack and not supported.

Why do you want to directly connect the NAS to the TV? Concerns over Wi-Fi performance? Using a wired network could be a good solution.

mdgm wrote:
No you cannot use the ReadyNAS as a USB/eSATA peripheral. Trying to use a different filesystem (e.g. exFAT) is a very big hack and not supported. Why do you want to directly connect the NAS to the TV? Concerns over Wi-Fi performance? Using a wired network could be a good solution.

Thanks for the quick response mdgm,
not good news though. :(

Yes I'm concerned about wi-fi performance. The router is distant from the TV, the signal isn't great and for the same reason cables are out. 'Broadcast' HD is fine but I'm not so sure it'll hold up for very high quality files. Plus it would just be more conveinent to connect via USB.

But if. as you say. the RN104 can't be used to serve files via USB directly to the TV, then there's no need to exfat format the drives :( :)

Thanks again.

mdgm wrote:
Trying to use a different filesystem (e.g. exFAT) is a very big hack and not supported.

I'm ok for the not supported, but exfat only require two additional deb packages included in repositories (unless that changed since I tried), not sure it counts as very big hack. I think it's exfat-fuse and exfat-utils, look in user submitted tips, OS6 tips and tricks.
That said, it's still not supported and you should try this with no important data on the NAS. stability won't be guaranteed either (although I don't think this will be a problem). So if you can avoid, avoid, but if you really need it, it is possible.

For wifi, you have 4 options :
1°) try as is and see what you get.
2°) get a very long cable.
3°) get a newer router with better antennas (for example a wifi AC with beam forming router) or a wifi repeater.
4°) use CPL adapters.

Direct connection can be done via cable only since the NAS doesn't have wifi enabled (and you may not want to add a wifi card with a driver not included in the kernel, that would be a very big hack).
DLNA should be able to stream your content but RN104 can't transcode them, your content format should be one that the TV can read.

If you used a WiFi extender with 4 lan ports, and located the RN102 and the extender with the TV you'd have a wired connection between the TV and the RN102.

How long would the cable run be if you went with (2)?

StephenB wrote:
If you used a WiFi extender with 4 lan ports, and located the RN102 and the extender with the TV you'd have a wired connection between the TV and the RN102. How long would the cable run be if you went with (2)?

It's not only the distance it's doors but having a lose cable dragging from room to room simply isn't an option. I'm aware of power socket LAN and don't want to go there.
What you say about a wi-fi extender is news to me, and I will look into it if the router's wi-fi isn't up to the job. So thank you very much for that.

:)

xeltros wrote:

mdgm wrote: Trying to use a different filesystem (e.g. exFAT) is a very big hack and not supported. I'm ok for the not supported, but exfat only require two additional deb packages included in repositories (unless that changed since I tried), not sure it counts as very big hack. I think it's exfat-fuse and exfat-utils, look in user submitted tips, OS6 tips and tricks. That said, it's still not supported and you should try this with no important data on the NAS. stability won't be guaranteed either (although I don't think this will be a problem). So if you can avoid, avoid, but if you really need it, it is possible. For wifi, you have 4 options : 1°) try as is and see what you get. 2°) get a very long cable. 3°) get a newer router with better antennas (for example a wifi AC with beam forming router) or a wifi repeater. 4°) use CPL adapters. Direct connection can be done via cable only since the NAS doesn't have wifi enabled (and you may not want to add a wifi card with a driver not included in the kernel, that would be a very big hack). DLNA should be able to stream your content but RN104 can't transcode them, your content format should be one that the TV can read.

Thank you so much for your imput. I don't THINK I can get a new router as it's cable, but maybe. Plus it's netgear. Long cables are out.
I've no idea what a cpl adaptor is, but I'll look into it.
It works ok so far, but I haven't tried a really hi-res video yet. we shall see.
Thank you again for your advice, it's much appreciated.
:}

CPL --> powerline networking, which runs over your power wires.

You could add a second router behind your existing one (and most will let you run them as a "access point").

PS, Just in case this all seems like I'v had huge problems, I haven't. The rn104 has been a dream to set up, very easy very intuitive, and it was picked up instantly by the bravia TV.

So far, so good.
:)

StephenB wrote:
CPL --> powerline networking, which runs over your power wires. You could add a second router behind your existing one (and most will let you run them as a "access point").

Ah, yes know about it, but would prerfer to avoid the cost. As I say it work ok so far but a second router might be the soluti on if the cable router fails to delivry HQ files to the TV. Once again, new to me!
Thank you so much , once again.

Oh yeah, sorry, CPL is the french word (used it by reflex, since I never seen the english word for it...), but basically I meant ethernet over electric cables. @Stephen, thanks for the translation.

There is nothing preventing you to add another router behind your current one, as long as you make sure you have only one DHCP server. I personally have a Cisco 1812 replacing my ISP router which is now in bridge mode (it just allows to convert ethernet to cable, it does nothing else). I am a little bit paranoid about security, that's why I have Cisco hardware to have a decent firewall and a time capsule to provide wifi and a backup space for my important files. But a basic router will do the trick for you as long as it has good antennas.

@max, glad you haven't had any big problem. Even if you had some, connectivity problems are quite straightforward to diagnose and to patch (when dealing with non-professional networks at least).