media streamer: Media Storage: USB or Network?

Run out of space for my videos

The bad thing about ripping DVDs is that sooner or later your PC’s harddisk got so full that you have no space for other stuff. Although you can convert some to Xvid, you still might end up with media files taking 80% of your harddrive.

Luckily harddisk price have falled so much that it cost less than $1 for 1GB.
Quote some online price: 3.5" Harddisk, the normal PC ones.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 16MB 750GB 7200rpm $469 5Yrs : 1GB=SGD$0.62=US$0.40
If this is too big,
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 16MB 500GB 7200rpm $255 5Yrs 1GB=SGD$0.51=US$0.33
And you if you insist on carrying your harddisk around then you need to buy a portable harddisk 2.5" ones. These are more expensive.
Quote:
Hitachi 5K160 - 160 8MB 160GB 5400rpm $199 3Yrs
It’s still 1GB=$1.24=US$0.81
Then just buy a case to put the harddisk in. You have the option to use a USB casing or one with network capability.
I bought portable 2.5" USB one for $6.90 and 3.5" one for $20. You can also choose a more expensive with multiple drive storage (you can put 2-3drive in it), but for me I don’t think I want to go that far.

Network Attached Storage with that also act as Media Server
Interesting enough some of the network storage devices support UPnP and BitTorrent directly without the need of a PC. Take a look at the storage from Synology for example. Their DS-106e/j has this functions:

+Share More Than just Data – Network storage
+Program Your Own Web - WebServer
+Let the Music/Video Play – Stream the video directly to any UPnP media player like the SLM5500.
+Total Backup Solutions
+Share Photos with Right Persons – Account control
+Continuous Download without PC – BitTorrent
If you have deeper pocket, then go for this. Cost: SGD$369 (w/o Harddisk)

Streaming video from Synology using SLM5500