External HDD: USB 2.0 or NAS is faster???

[shaftnjc]

I'm looking to get an external HDD to store movies (read: DVDs) and music. The drive I'm looking at, the LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini 250GB NAS, has both 10/100 ethernet connection and a USB 2.0 connection. I can use either hookup, as this drive is primarily for just one computer, my HTPC.

Will USB 2.0 be faster for playing movies off this drive or should I plug it into my dsl router(switch) to work as a NAS?

By the way, this 250gig HD is only $119 today, thats so cheap!!!

I may also use the external HD to PVR (DVR) my HD-shows I record from BeyondTV. 1 hour of the OC last night was 10 gigs of space!!

someone with experience, HELP!

thanks

[shaftnjc]

actually, i think i'll get the same LaCie, but 300gig. it's only $15 more on Buy.com for 50 extra gigs!

either way, my question still stands. i still need to know if USB 2.0 is better than NAS (10/100, this doesn't do gigabit) in terms of speed. keep in mind, network convenience (i.e. sharing between more than one computer) is MOOT and unimportant for my purposes.

SORRY it's not $15 more, I'm on crack. it's $95 more, so i won't be springing for 300gigs

[IanG]

For just watching movies, it won't really matter. usb2 is theoretically faster, but even full dvd images max out at about 10mbit/sec. xvid/avi files are typically 1mbit/sec and would almost be playable over usb1.

Copying stuff to the drive would be faster over usb2 though.
http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/474.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=474&tm=33)

[magnetik]

I personally would use a NAS. I use my xbox to read movies from my 500gb nas w/out having to turn on my computer. Unless you transfer a ton of stuff to and from your NAS and not necessarily use it for just media playback.. it doesn't really matter. If it does matter.. there are a few gigabit NAS's on the market.