itunes and NAS

rmh1

In order for Apple TV to use your NAS it would have to be running iTunes. I just converted an old Window's computer into an iTunes Media Server. It's running Window's 7 and sits with no keyboard, mouse or monitor. I use remote desktop to do any work on it, but it just runs 24/7 and my library is always available. I've only had it a week or two and I really like it. I can watch movies on my iPad and use Remote on all I devices to control my library.

I use a QNAP NAS which supports AFP. iTunes is normally installed locally; after that was done I remove the folder "iTunes Media" and replaced that with a linked folder stored on the NAS.

This why I have the iTunes Library file still on my iMac but can store all files on the RAID connected via GB-Ethernet cable. No speed problems at all.

Works this way since 12 month ...

just make sure that the link is mounted each time you start our Mac.

Sometimes that didn't happend to me and I had locally new purchased stored I needed to remove manually to NAS

Your best option would have been to buy a cheap little netback or Windows PC that runs iTunes rather than a NAS. You can attach external hard drives or something like a Drobo or a NAS to it for storage. Then you could just leave it on all the time as your iTunes server and not need to have your Macbook on plus you could run other apps a NAS cannot do. Old Windows PCs are really cheap and you probably already have one lying around. All you have to do is be able to run iTunes which has very low requirements.

Or if you don't mind paying a bit more go with the Mac Mini and use it as your iTunes server. The NAS option limits you in comparison to a real computer for the ATV2 because none of them run real iTunes. iTunes with Home Sharing makes for a great media server when used with the Apple TV.

Ever since I bought the iPad I have no use for a laptop anymore so the Mac Mini or iMac I use for my real work does double duty as my "always on" iTunes media server. They go to sleep when not being used and the Apple TV2 automatically wakes them when they are needed.

This:

http://www.synology.com/

The features on these devices are sick, allows for remote access across the internet to your entire iTunes library as well as many other awesome capabilities.

If you use Windows 7 Software RAID then you can only do RAID 0 or 1, RAID 5 is limited to server OS's (or separate hardware RAID cards).