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Question

NAS or Time Capsule?

Jan 30, 2015 3:04AM PST

Hi - I am pretty good with computers, only because my computer experience dates back to the original IBMs with floppy disks (and Compaq, Amiga, etc). However - please reply back to me like I'm a 2nd grader...it helps...

Anyway - my situation is this: we have 2 iphones, 2 ipads, and 2 mac laptops. Obviously, we're a very Apple heavy family. We just recently got a Sonos speaker system which is fantastic...and which has given birth to this question. I would like to set up a wireless system whereby - we have one centralized wireless harddrive that can be accessed by any of our devices to either upload or download media (photos, videos, music). I would also like to establish our entire music library (which consists of over 15,000 songs) on this wireless hard drive, and thereby be able to play whatever we would like from that library through the Sonos system (and be able to control it from any of our devices).

I am now stuck in the decision between the Apple Time Capsule or a NAS (I've heard good things about Synology). I have also heard about getting a new router PLUS a harddrive like the Seatac.

Anyway - I would like to see what the opinions out there are like. I know Time Capsule sounds logical since we have all Apple products - but I've heard about compatibility issues with the Time Capsule and the Sonos system (not to mention not being able to stream videos/movies through Apple TV). But at the same time I've heard issues about the NAS (slow, not a static IP, etc).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
What works?
Jul 26, 2016 8:38AM PDT

Hi. I have the identical question (Summer 2016). Would be so keen to hear what's working (or not working) for you currently.

Thanks in advance if you get the chance to see/ reply to this.

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Answer
why wireless?
Jan 30, 2015 3:20AM PST

why not a drive in NAS box instead? It would still be accessible through the wireless router.

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Answer
Wireless would drive the NAS speed way down.
Jan 30, 2015 5:32AM PST

That's the current tech today so if you want the slowest solution, go with WiFi. At least connect it wired to the router and then you save half or more of the WiFi bandwidth. Sorry, why learn this lesson first hand?

As to ATC, it's great stuff and looks cheaper than Syn.
Bob