Time Capsule or Synology?

[Eric8199]

Need some advice. I want to have wireless backup and network storage to keep mostly my iTunes library on. I want to be able to use it with a Mac and a PC.

I can buy an Apple Time Capsule for $300. I can then plug an external 2tb hard drive (which I already have) into the USB to allow me to backup the time capsule so I have a backup of my data.

OR, I can buy a Synology 2-bay NAS from Amazon with two 2tb hard drives for about $430.

What should I do? I realize that in order to, say, stream movies from the storage device to my Apple TV, I will still need to have a computer running iTunes on the network, which is fine. I got a rMBP and am looking for an external solution, and something where I don't have to plug in an external hard drive all the time.

I don't need to be able to access the files remotely. I just need to be able to get to them from my local network.

I'd prefer the lower cost of the Time Capsule, but want to be sure that it will do what I need it to do efficiently.

Note: I also already have an N router at home, which is pretty much brand new, so I don't NEED the router features of the Time Capsule, though I'd use it if I had one.

 

[brentmore]

I'm a big fan of Synology, so that's a vote for them from me. I picked up my 2-bay NAS from amazon along with a couple of 2TB HDs about a year ago. They're still running strong using Synology's RAID scheme. The Synology OS is also excellent. I use the NAS exclusively for media streaming and backup via a USB HD connected to my APExtreme.

 

[Lance-AR]

A couple of options you may be overlooking would be to sell your existing 2TB HDD or existing router depending upon your choice. They may be sunk costs but there are opportunity costs in not selling one or the other.

I went with a TC then a Pegasus. Look at the refurb TC, check eBay and Craigslist. TC sounds perfect for you.

 

[Eric8199]

It's plenty fast enough for streaming video then? Even HD?

 

[Lance-AR]

It's dual channel 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. Use the 5Ghz and will be plenty fast for streaming. Dual channel may be better than your existing router too.

 

[brentmore]

It's plenty fast enough for streaming video then? Even HD?

I'm assuming that this is for me. The streaming is excellent, no stuttering at all. The synology OS has a nice little internal monitoring app in case you want to keep an eye on bandwidth/processes.

 

[Eric8199]

What about the Time Capsule? Will it perform acceptably as well at what I want to do? Feel like the Synology NAS is overkill for my needs.

 

[brentsg]

What about the Time Capsule? Will it perform acceptably as well at what I want to do? Feel like the Synology NAS is overkill for my needs.

Time Capsule is great for storage and backup but I've read a ton of stories about people having relatively slow performance when accessing the hard drive. I haven't tried it personally but I'd be very careful to evaluate that aspect if you plan to stream HD video.

 

[Ifti]

Personally I view the Time Capsule as being primarily for backups only, with a secondary storage function. Its not designed for much more then that.

The Synology on the other hand, is MUCH more flexible. Plenty of services, applications, and uses come with it. Its something that will last you a hell of a lot longer then a TC due to the flexibilty with what can be done with it.

I use mine to stream full HD moves directly into my TV (my TV has a network connection) perfectly fine. It also streams wirelessly to my iPad and iPhone perfectly.
Synology also have iOS apps for any iDevices so that you can play music, or view your data etc directly on your iDevice - its excellent.

Ive created plenty of instructional and review videos on the Synology software side o things, as well as hardware - link in sig - feel free to check them out so you have full details before you make your choice

 

[Macman45]

A couple of options you may be overlooking would be to sell your existing 2TB HDD or existing router depending upon your choice. They may be sunk costs but there are opportunity costs in not selling one or the other.

I went with a TC then a Pegasus. Look at the refurb TC, check eBay and Craigslist. TC sounds perfect for you.

Same setup here. TC takes care of wifi, and backs up 3 Macs. My Pegasus R4 is used for archived storage on one array, and real-time video work on the other. Not sure if the OP's budget would stretch to a T/Bolt Pegasus though...They are still horrendously expensive, but worth it IMO.

 

[Eric8199]

I don't want anything that I have to plug into my computer because my computer is pretty mobile. that's the biggest reason I'm looking at network storage.

Budget isn't a big issue, I just don't want to spend money I don't have to.

If I want to be able to access the Synology over the web from outside my network, can I? Don't foresee this being a major requirement, just want to know if I can.

I'm looking at the disk station d212j I believe was the model.

 

[eric44]

My time capsule has just died.
I bought a DS212 a month ago with a pair of 2TB drives.
I have ordered an Airport Extreme this weekend.
I am using the synology to back up 3 macs on time machine.
The synology is also our iTunes server for the house.
My plan is to use the ds212 to store all my photo libraries for central access.
There is loads more I can use it for but haven't got to grips with it yet.
Finally I bought the ds212 over the ds212j because it had usb3 at the rear plus faster ram etc.
Overall a fantastic piece of kit.

 

[Ifti]

I don't want anything that I have to plug into my computer because my computer is pretty mobile. that's the biggest reason I'm looking at network storage.

Budget isn't a big issue, I just don't want to spend money I don't have to.

If I want to be able to access the Synology over the web from outside my network, can I? Don't foresee this being a major requirement, just want to know if I can.

I'm looking at the disk station d212j I believe was the model.

Yes you can set the Synology up so that you can access it from outside of your local network. You can also set up a FTP server to share files etc with others, or a full on web server!
Coupled with the ability to set up IP security cameras, download torrents without having your computer switched on, and so much more, there really is a lot of added value to a Synology!

 

[Eric8199]

Ok, final question: if my iTunes library is on the Synology, do I still need a computer running with iTunes to watch a movie on my Apple TV? Not a big deal either way, but if I can do this, I'm ordering one today.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[murphychris]

Looks like the Apple TV is kinda dumb and insists on tying to a copy of iTunes somewhere on the network.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3945488?start=0&tstart=0

The geek solution to this would be to run a VM on the Synology box, very basic Windows 7 and iTunes for Windows, and then that would tell the Apple TV what to go do with itself. It's a bit baffling that an Apple TV can't run it's own iTunes process, and grab the data using either AFP or NFS. Far less capable hardware than Apple TV hardware can do this.

 

[Ifti]

Ok, final question: if my iTunes library is on the Synology, do I still need a computer running with iTunes to watch a movie on my Apple TV? Not a big deal either way, but if I can do this, I'm ordering one today.

Thanks for all the info.

Remember an iTunes server just shares media. You do not use it for Home Sharing and you do not sync your iDevices to it. You still sync your devices to an instance of iTunes. An iTunes server simply shares media so that when you open iTunes it is all available via iTunes. It isn't available on other devices directly, only via an instance of iTunes. For example, if you have an AppleTV, you can't stream from the iTunes server directly to the AppleTV, you still need an instance of iTunes running in between.
An iTunes server is good for sharing many songs etc, so that others are able to access that media via their own iTunes on their own computers. So you can place all your music in the iTunes server, and everyone in the house will be able to run their own copy of iTunes on their own machines and have access to the shared files on the iTunes server directly via their own iTunes application.

What I did with my previous AppleTV was to jailbreak it and install XBMC (I created a video on this in my YouTube channel). I was then able to stream directly from the NAS to the AppleTV with no computers in between. It is a bit of faffing around though!

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It's plenty fast enough for streaming video then? Even HD?

Streaming full HD video over any current wifi connection isn't the best solution. Ideally you would want to stream HD video over a wired connection.
I use a PowerLine kit rather then running a cable around the house. Works perfect.

 

[Eric8199]

So I moved all of my iTunes movies and music to the Synology, however, it is giving me an error when I try to play my movies. I was hoping to be able to just share my library and not make the DS212J the location of the iTunes Library. But it's not working for me.

So far, this thing has been nothing but a headache because I think it's too advanced for me. I'm trying to figure it out, but it would be a lot easier if it was just set up and I could start throwing files on there.

 

[murphychris]

So I moved all of my iTunes movies and music to the Synology, however, it is giving me an error when I try to play my movies.

What error?

I was hoping to be able to just share my library and not make the DS212J the location of the iTunes Library.

Share your iTunes library with what or with whom? I don't understand exactly what you're trying to accomplish workflow wise.

But it's not working for me.

OK. But it's not working in precisely what way?

I'm trying to figure it out, but it would be a lot easier if it was just set up and I could start throwing files on there.

What iTunes + NAS articles have you read and exactly at what point in the recommended sequence are you stuck at? Something like this maybe?

OK and then I find there's a Synology specific way of doing this with their iTunes streaming server technology?

They have a tutorial here, have you tried it?

 

[Eric8199]

Alright, I used your MacWorld link and set it up without the iTunes Server the Synology has. I think that was my issue, because I don't think it's designed to do what I want it to do. My files are loading now, and we'll see if it worked, but I think this is what I wanted to do, so all should be well.

Thanks for your help. Problem was I was overcomplicating it.

 

[xp0z3d]

Alright, I used your MacWorld link and set it up without the iTunes Server the Synology has. I think that was my issue, because I don't think it's designed to do what I want it to do. My files are loading now, and we'll see if it worked, but I think this is what I wanted to do, so all should be well.

Thanks for your help. Problem was I was overcomplicating it.

do keep us posted about ur NAS, I am also confused about getting a Time Capsule or go with Diskstation 212j

 

[phr0ze]

I have the QNAP and I'm never going back. It does my time machine for 4 macbooks, my itunes library, and anything else I want.

I do have to keep a mac running itunes if I want to stream video to apple TV. But I can stream video to any DLNA without any other computers running. Most devices have some kind of DLNA support these days.

 

[Fed]

Ive created plenty of instructional and review videos on the Synology software side o things, as well as hardware - link in sig - feel free to check them out so you have full details before you make your choice

Excellent videos, mate.

 

[Ifti]

Excellent videos, mate.

Thanks. Got lots coming to me, hopefully including a New Drobo Mini very soon

 

[Icebeard]

Hi Eric8199 and everyone.

I am in the exact situation as the OP, looking for something like an external hard drive accessible in wifi, which lead to a NAS or the time capsule.

OP, if your still around here, did you find what you were looking for ? Are you satisfied with your synology, with the access via wifi to it, or did you move to something else?

Thanks for your response.

Regards

 

[spb3]

My time capsule has just died.
I bought a DS212 a month ago with a pair of 2TB drives.
I have ordered an Airport Extreme this weekend.
I am using the synology to back up 3 macs on time machine.
The synology is also our iTunes server for the house.
My plan is to use the ds212 to store all my photo libraries for central access.
There is loads more I can use it for but haven't got to grips with it yet.
Finally I bought the ds212 over the ds212j because it had usb3 at the rear plus faster ram etc.
Overall a fantastic piece of kit.

how is your time machine working with Synology? do you do it over wifi? I heard some horror stories like this one: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2UCEE...5YW7OLM&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=#wasThisHelpful