Is a NAS the Best Solution for Storing Media Files?

NAS stands for Network Attached Storage. Most manufacturers of network devices—routers, hard drives, as well as some home theater manufacturers, offer a NAS unit. NAS devices are also sometimes referred to as Personal, or Local, Cloud Storage devices.

As is generic name implies, if a NAS unit is incorporated into your home network you can save files to it, just like you can on a typical hard drive, but a NAS device serves a larger role.

Typically, a NAS device will have at least a 1 or 2 TB hard drive to store the files.

The Need For NAS Devices

The popularity of NAS units has increased as the need to store and access large digital media file libraries has grown. We want to stream media over our home networks to network media players/Media Streamers, Smart TVs, network-enabled Blu-ray Disc players, and to other computers in our home.

The NAS acts as a media “server,” making it easy for your home network connected computers and compatible playback devices to access your media files. Because it is a “server,” it is easier for network media players to access the files directly. Many NAS units can also be accessed by a web browser when you are away from home; you can view photos and movies and listen to the music that is saved on the NAS by going to a personal web page.

NAS Device Basics

Many NAS units require that you load software onto your computer.

The software may be needed for your computer to connect to the NAS, and often makes it easier to upload files from your computer to the NAS device. Most software includes a feature that automatically backs up your computer or specific files to the NAS device.

The Benefits of Saving Your Media Libraries on a NAS Device

You don’t have to leave your computer turned on for your network media player to access your movies, photos or music.

You can add to your media library without using up all the memory on your computer’s hard drive—1 TB drive can store up to 120 movies, 250,000 songs or 200,000 photos or any combination of files.

Save photos, video, and still image files from all the computers to one central storage place. Access the files from everyone in your household that saves to the NAS (if they give you permission) even if they have left home with their laptop.

Many NAS devices allow remote access of your media files. When you are away from home you can play your stored media on any device that has an internet browser -- laptop, tablet or smartphone.

A NAS device that is DLNA certified “media server” connects easily to DLNA certified playback devices.

Back up your computer to the NAS, or back up your important files in case your computer fails—manually or automatically back up.

Reasons for Not Choosing a NAS Device

NAS devices cost more than an external hard drive with the same amount of storage.
Older NAS devices have problems connecting to computers and may not be DLNA certified. They may not be visible to some Network media players/streamers, SmartTV's, or Networked Blu-ray Disc players.

However, taking all into consideration, the benefits of having a NAS device outweighs its disadvantages.

If it's in your budget, a NAS device is a good solution for storing your media libraries.

What To Look For In A NAS Device

Ease-of-Use: Perhaps you think that home networks and computers are too hard to figure out so you shy away from products like a NAS. While a few NAS programs may still make you stumble through directories and to search for drives, most include computer software that simplifies uploading and saving your files to the NAS.

The software should also make it easier to access your files, organize them into folders, and share them with other users, with friends and family, and publish them to online websites.

When doing research, notice if the review mentions easy setup and use. Don’t forget that each person in the house will need to use this menu. If you are an advanced user, be sure it’s easy for everyone in the home to upload, access, and backup files.

Remote Access to Files: It’s great to access your centralized library from anywhere in your home, but it’s even better to be able to see your full library of photos, watch your movies, and listen to all of your music when you are on the road.

Some manufacturers offer the option of accessing your files from computers, smartphones and other portable devices using a web browser. Remote access may be free, or you may have to pay an annual subscription for the premium service. Typically they offer a 30-day trial membership then charge $19.99 for a year of the premium services. If you'd like to access your files away from home, or share your photos, music, and movies with friends/family or publish your photos to online services, upgrade to the premium service.

Sharing Files: If you want to buy a NAS it is probably your intention to share your media library and files.

At the very least you want to share:

With the other people (users) in your home
To view on your network media players, networked TVs, and components, or on other computers in your home.

You may also want to share:

With family or friends who don’t live with you.
Via online photo sharing websites.
On Facebook or Twitter.

Some NAS devices can be upgraded, allowing you to upload photos straight to Flickr or Facebook, or create RSS feeds. RSS feed subscribers are notified when new photos or files are added to the shared folder. Some digital picture frames can display RSS feeds where it will automatically display new pictures as they are added.

Is The NAS DLNA Certified? Most, but not all, NAS devices are DLNA certified as media servers. DLNA products automatically detect each other. A DLNA certified media player lists DLNA media servers and lets you access files without requiring any special setup.

Look for the DLNA logo on the box or listed in the product features.

Easy Computer Backups: It is recommended that you backup your important files to an external device so you don’t lose the files should your computer fail. A NAS device can be used to automatically (or manually) backup any or all of the computers in your home network.

Many NAS devices are compatible with your current backup programs. If you don’t have a backup program, research the backup software that comes with the NAS device you are considering. A good backup program should offer automatic backups. It may even backup a "mirror" of your entire computer. Some manufacturers limit the number of computers you can backup and charge a premium for unlimited backups.

Storage Capacity: One Terabyte of storage may sound like a lot—one terabyte is 1,000 gigabytes—but growing collections of high definition movies and 16-megapixel digital photos mean bigger and bigger files that require bigger hard drives. One Terabyte of storage will hold approximately 120 HD movies or 250,000 songs, or 200,000 photos or a combination of the three. Backing up your computers to the NAS will require more and more memory over time.

Before you buy a NAS, think about your current memory needs by looking at the size of your media libraries, and then consider that your libraries will probably grow. Consider a NAS with 2 TB or 3 TB of storage.

Ability to Add Storage Capacity: Over time, memory needs will increase along with the need for more storage.

NAS devices that use an internal SATA-enabled hard drive, will often have an empty bay for an additional hard drive. Choose this kind of NAS device if you are comfortable adding an internal drive. Otherwise, you can extend the memory of your NAS device by connecting an external hard drive to the USB connection on a NAS.

Reliability: A NAS must be reliable. If a NAS has connectivity issues, your files may not be available when you want them. A NAS hard drive should not fail or you could lose your precious files. If you read about any NAS device that is unreliable or has failed, you should look for another model.

File Transfer Speed: Some NAS devices can transfer files faster than others. Uploading a 7 GB high-definition movie or your whole music library can take hours if you have a slow device. Look for a NAS that is described as a fast drive so that it doesn't take hours to upload your files. If you read reports of a NAS having problems streaming a high definition movie to another device, steer clear.

Unique Added Features: Many NAS devices have a USB connection to which you can connect a USB printer or scanner, or combo. Connecting a printer to a NAS turns it into a network printer that can be shared by all of the computers on your network.

NAS Device Examples

Four examples of NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices to consider include:

Buffalo LinkStation 220 - Available with 2, 3, 4, and 8 TB storage capacity options - Buy From Amazon

NETGEAR ReadyNAS 212, 2x2TB Desktop (RN212D22-100NES) - Expandable to 12 TB - Buy From Amazon

Seagate Personal Cloud Home Media Storage Device - Available with 4, 6, and 8 TB storage options - Buy From Amazon

WD My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage (WDBCTL0020HWT-NESN) - Available with 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 TB storage capacity options - Buy From Amazon

Disclaimer: The core content contained in the above article was originally written as two separate articles by Barb Gonzalez, a former About.com Home Theater contributor. The two articles were combined, reformatted, edited, and updated by Robert Silva.

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