How to store my Movies external? (1 Viewer)

[sylvio2000]

I am looking for a case with at least space for 2 HDDs (better 4). I dont want to backup something, so I dont need Raid. I just want to store my movies outside of my HTPC without using another PC for the HDDs.
I looked around and found this one:
What do you think?
http://www.raidsonic.de/en/pages/products/external_cases.php?we_objectID=3775

But this one is only with eSATA. Do I have to need a board with 4x eSata to use this case? Isnt it possible to merge all 4 Hdds so that I can use only 1xeSATA, but with the full space of 4 HDDs ?

Are there any cases where I can use the space of all HDDs with one cable? (network, USB, Firewire or eSATA)?



Any other suggestions are welcome

PS: Another HDD with windows is of course inside of the HTPC :wink:

 

[gxtracker]

Do I have to need a board with 4x eSata to use this case?

Yes. SATA is a point-to-point connection so you cannot split 1 SATA connection to accommodate 4 SATA drives.

For a media server, you might want to look at just building a small, low power server that only acts as storage for media - and connect it with something like a 1000mbps network connection. Im building a small media server that will house 6 HDD all connected to a VIA EPIA board connected to a raid 5 PCI controller. with the drives in power saving mode (IE, not spinning) the whole system will consume < 20W of power.

The connection is then made to my network through a 1000mbps switch.

The other option you could to for is Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), but that will be a more expensive option.

 

[sylvio2000]

Thanks for your answer. But I have another few questions :wink:

1. To build an extra Server for this I wanted to avoid. Wouldnt it be easier to buy something like a network-HDD (like mentioned above) or a small/cheap NAS?
2. What would it cost to build such a media-server?
3. Would it be possible that this server automatically powers up if I access it, and powers down if I dont access it like a NAS?
4. Are there any external Harddrives which can connect through one network-cable all drives of this case?

 

[onkl]

Thanks for your answer. But I have another few questions :wink:

1. To build an extra Server for this I wanted to avoid. Wouldnt it be easier to buy something like a network-HDD (like mentioned above) or a small/cheap NAS?
2. What would it cost to build such a media-server?
3. Would it be possible that this server automatically powers up if I access it, and powers down if I dont access it like a NAS?
4. Are there any external Harddrives which can connect through one network-cable all drives of this case?

You may want to consider a product like this: WD NetCenter, a ethernet disk with some USB ports. To that ports you can attach additional (USB)HDD's (so you'll need some additional USB HDD cases).
I have once seen an equivalent product without the "own" HDD, so it was really a "NAS without drives".
(edit)
this might be what you'r looking for:

The MU-5000FS file server allow your USB storage device such as Flash Drive, MP3 player, DSC, USB HD and USB CD-ROM* to be shared on your local network or over the Internet. Unlike some competitor's solution that use the EXT.3 format that can't be read on Windows machine, the MU-5000FS use standard FAT32 format to allow cross platform compatibility. You can even support up to 8 USB devices when using USB HUBs (power adapter required).

http://www.ovislink.com.tw/MU-5000FS.htm
Found them for prices from EUR 65. Add a simple USB hub, some HDD enclosures and off you go.

 

[sylvio2000]

Your first link is something I am looking for, but for at least 2 HDDs, better 4 (in one case of course).
Because a 500GB HDD is very expensive. For nearly the same price I get 4x250GB.
The other link is a bit unpractical, because You need extra drives to connect to this server.

What I am looking for is something like this:
http://www.raidsonic.de/en/pages/products/external_cases.php?we_objectID=3775
But with an GB-Ethernet to share the data over a router.