Why should I choose a DLNA NAS over a PC?

Question

Background:

I have a Dell Inspiron Zino HD that faithfully serves as my HTPC, running Windows 7 Media Center. I have a HD Home Run, connected via its Ethernet port, for watching local TV. The Zino is wirelessly connected to my Linksys WRT54G.

Problem:

I want to take my DVD and BluRay ISOs and stream them to my HTPC. I've been doing research to assess my options, specifically in terms of whether I should purchase a DLNA NAS (such as this) or just use a spare PC.

I've tried the spare PC option with some DVD ISOs and found it sufficient. I use a Windows Homegroup to connect the remote PC to my HTPC. MyMovies can see the ISOs over the network and seems to handle playback decently.

However, I keep reading about DLNA certified NAS devices and they seem to be popular. I understand they offer RAID but so does my PC. I realize they support wireless streaming, but so does my PC and router setup. Are there features that DLNA NAS devices offer that my PC can't replicate? Is using a DLNA NAS better, or does a PC approach have some advantages?

Solution

NAS is about doing one thing. Providing storage on the network. You PC can do this too, but NAS is supposed to be designed SPECIFICALLY for doing this. There are NAS that use stripped versions of Linux. In effect they are a computer with a hard drive. So why would someone want to use NAS on their network?

Whenever you are using your computer, you are using resources. Maybe you are watching a movie and running data through the bus to the video card as an example. When someone else tries to pull a file from your computer, that data also goes through the bus. You slow things down because of this. If I move my files to NAS, I'm not competing for the resources of the computer while it is in use.

With the information I've provided, I'll let you decide what the best solution to your problem is.

Comments

[Craig]

So, you're saying that if I'm using a spare PC just for media streaming, then there's no point in purchasing a NAS since there'd be no other resource contention? And a DLNA NAS has no other advantages over a spare PC?

[slhck]

I don't quite understand the answer. Anyway, the benefits of a NAS lie in power efficiency, its operating volume, out of the box RAID. The disadvantage is that some DLNA solutions might just not work.. You simply have less options for software @craig

[slhck]

Thing is, any PC can be a DLNA streaming device. You don't have to have a NAS for that.

[Everett]

None that I'm aware of Craig. Some may consider user interface and advantage, I'd say that's subjective (though not wrong), some may say physical size, or decreased power use may be an advantage. I can't guarantee that a DLNA NAS is going to use less power than a computer without knowing models to compare, and isn't really the point of your question, as far as I can tell.

[Craig]

@Everett: I see some DLNA NAS devices provide smartphone apps. Generally, if I want to expand my streaming to other devices in the future, can a PC solution still handle that?

[Everett]

Remember, you can always SSH to the PC and execute any command line function on it. If you want to have VNC control over the desktop you could use a product like iTeleport and do it. So I would say yes, you can do that. If that isn't enough, you just found a great way to make some money by investing in and publishing an App.

[HaydnWVN]

You could provide more information about why you chose that device for your solution, you could also provide the model. Try to answer OP's questions directly with your reasoning for such choices as you have made for your own solution.