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External USB HDD recomendations
James - 20/1/13 at 11:03 PM

Greetings all,

Looking for a large external USB HDD to use with my new Raspberry Pi running XBMC to store music, photos and films.

I'm currently torn between a Samsung and a Western Digital.

In the days when I was doing desktop support, Western Digital was the one to go for in terms of speed/reliability. Is this still the case? The Samsung is a few quid cheaper for the same size. It will not be used to carry around so size/weight is not relevent.

Deciding between:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Elements-External-Drive/dp/B003IPC21Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358721727&sr=8-1

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0084LZI5Y/

Thanks!
James

[Edited on 20/1/13 by James]

loggyboy - 20/1/13 at 11:56 PM

Any reason for going for a usband not a nas?

johnny chimpo - 21/1/13 at 12:24 AM

Now that's a real coincidence.... I've been looking into getting a raspberry pi setup with xbmc.

Have you hooked this up via a wired connection or wireless and as asked below why not get a nas?

locogeoff - 21/1/13 at 01:09 AM

I've recently purchased on those WD hard drives, I'm happy with it, though I've not ad it long. BTW it comes with an external power supply if that's an issue?

I bought it from Currys/PC World for £70 worth a check if you've got a local one.

Regards

Geoff

[Edited on 21/1/13 by locogeoff]

Jasper - 21/1/13 at 10:05 AM

Hey James, if your looking to torrent then you need slow spin HDD as they will run a lot of the time, I went for Seagate Barracuda's in a NAS box.

Xtreme Kermit - 21/1/13 at 08:13 PM

WD now sell 'Red' disks which are specified for NAS devices.

I guess this gives them a higher run time without failure.

I am looking at buying a couple and a Synology 212J for a raid 1 NAS setup.

MikeRJ - 21/1/13 at 08:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by locogeoff
I've recently purchased on those WD hard drives, I'm happy with it, though I've not ad it long. BTW it comes with an external power supply if that's an issue?


Mandatory for the Raspberry Pi I should think, doubt the Pi's USB port will be up to the job of powering an external hard drive (unless you use a powered hub perhaps).

James - 22/1/13 at 10:06 PM

Apologies for the delay in follow-up. Been busy, busy at work.


quote:
Originally posted by johnny chimpo
Now that's a real coincidence.... I've been looking into getting a raspberry pi setup with xbmc.

Have you hooked this up via a wired connection or wireless and as asked below why not get a nas?



Connected with wired. Considering a wireless but Pi is quite close to the router so not sure that I gain anything other than more possible unreliabilty and a bit of hassle setting it up!

To be perfectly honest, I hadn't even thought of NAS. Are they not a fair bit more expensive than just a drive though? Otherwise, why would so many people be using their PI *AS* a nas? I'd quite like the hassle-free option of just plugging it into the USB too!

James

loggyboy - 23/1/13 at 08:20 AM

i got my 1tb buffalo nas for under £90. bonus with it is WIFI/network access for any pc in range, so no more swapping files between machines. also has web access so you can always share or reach a file. mines also linked to my tv as DLNA server. it also comes.with backup software so you can auto save any hdd connected.

James - 24/1/13 at 03:23 PM

Oh blinking heck. Don't go giving me decisions to make!

I can't decide which now....

loggyboy - 24/1/13 at 03:29 PM

Down to £75 now http://www.ebuyer.com/291389-buffalo-linkstation-live-v2-1tb-1x-1tb-nas-drive-ls-x1-0tl-eu

stevebubs - 24/1/13 at 03:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by James
Oh blinking heck. Don't go giving me decisions to make!

I can't decide which now....


Just go for the external HDD. I've exactly this setup but using an Intel chip that flash boots to XBMC (no moving parts on the PC). 2TB Novatech USB HDD hanging off the back.

5400RPM are best for this sort of scenario...quiet; no real need for high write rates on the faster drives...

James - 26/1/13 at 12:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
quote:
Originally posted by James
Oh blinking heck. Don't go giving me decisions to make!

I can't decide which now....


Just go for the external HDD. I've exactly this setup but using an Intel chip that flash boots to XBMC (no moving parts on the PC). 2TB Novatech USB HDD hanging off the back.

5400RPM are best for this sort of scenario...quiet; no real need for high write rates on the faster drives...



There are people using the Pi (with a HDD) as a NAS but this is presumably whilst they are running Raspian. Any idea if it's possible to access the drive remotely if the PI is running XBMC? I imagine you can still do so as the XBMC sits 'on top' of the OS but I'd like to know for sure.

Cheers,
James