External HDD for media needed

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RisseN

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Hi all,

I need a new external HDD for my media (music and movies) which will be connected via usb to my media player / tv. Im looking for something around 500gig. Im not too keen on going bigger because I hate having all my eggs in one basket so to say. IMHO, I would rather have 3 x 500gig drives than 1 x 1.5TB drive. One drive kicks the bucket, I dont lose everything in one go. Maybe that's just me :wtf:

Anyway, I am looking for suggestions on good quality external usb powered drives for streaming media. There's so much out there im confused.

Thanks very much!
 
Thanks for the reply. Anyone else? Any specific products (links)?

Will most external's be fine for streaming video?
 
Last edited:
Slightly more expensive for the Seagate FreeAgent but better quality:
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/...5FDD2E1-RK+1000GB+External+USB2.0+Hard+Drive/

Samsung: http://www.makro.co.za/p/36856/samsung-1-5tb-external-hard-drive/

Toshiba: http://www.makro.co.za/p/40483/toshiba-1tb-external-hard-drive/

Verbatim: http://www.makro.co.za/p/40550/verbatim-1-5-tb-external-hard-drive/

It all comes down to personal choice. You'll get rave reviews from users of all the different makes/models but, quite frankly, they all serve the same purpose!

Question: why must it be externally powered?
 
MickeyD said:
Slightly more expensive for the Seagate FreeAgent but better quality
Click to expand...

Very much doubt this, unless you want to elaborate? :)

+1 Samsung because it's generally the cheapest, with the same 3yr warranty, so offers better value for money. Drive quality is identical, all down to luck of the draw.
 
PostmanPot said:
Very much doubt this, unless you want to elaborate? :)

+1 Samsung because it's generally the cheapest, with the same 3yr warranty, so offers better value for money. Drive quality is identical, all down to luck of the draw.
Click to expand...

I have all of the external casings as per my post. As I said, it all comes down to personal preference. One of the only reasons why I do not like the Seagate is that it has unique adaptors.

My personal choice is the Vantec Nexstar Hard Drive Dock. Initially I was a bit apprehensive but I now have two of them (a single and a double dock) and prefer them to dedicated external casings.

For mobility I use the 2,5" USB drives, but the OP specified an external power source.
 
MickeyD said:
I have all of the external casings as per my post. As I said, it all comes down to personal preference. One of the only reasons why I do not like the Seagate is that it has unique adaptors.

My personal choice is the Vantec Nexstar Hard Drive Dock. Initially I was a bit apprehensive but I now have two of them (a single and a double dock) and prefer them to dedicated external casings.

For mobility I use the 2,5" USB drives, but the OP specified an external power source.
Click to expand...

Well yes, if OP wants a separate HDD + enclosure I would also tend to recommend Vantec stuff (again, good value).

What I'm asking though, is why you say Seagate externals are of better quality. Unless that is your personal feeling?
 
MickeyD said:
.....For mobility I use the 2,5" USB drives, but the OP specified an external power source .
Click to expand...

I think he meant usb powered MickeyD,

".......good quality external usb powered drives for streaming media..."

OP, im in the market for an external HD too, what's caught my attention are the Transcends 2.5", apparently they military drop tested, pretty expensive too check www. prophecy.co.za
 
xeslaro said:
I think he meant usb powered MickeyD,

".......good quality external usb powered drives for streaming media..."

OP, im in the market for an external HD too, what's caught my attention are the Transcends 2.5", apparently they military drop tested, pretty expensive too check www. prophecy.co.za
Click to expand...

If so, my humble apologies to all !!

In which case I would recommend the Samsung: http://www.makro.co.za/p/40452/samsung-1tb-portable-hard-drive/


/again through personal usage and choice via own experience with this device... (I have 2).
 
I still use my 6 year old Lacia 250Gb Firewire enclosure, "virtually" bullet proof!
 
Hi All, thanks for the responses. Yes as I posted initially, im looking for USB powered. Just easier and more portable that way.

Unless those are not good for streaming videos but im thinking they are fine?
 
RisseN said:
Hi All, thanks for the responses. Yes as I posted initially, im looking for USB powered. Just easier and more portable that way.

Unless those are not good for streaming videos but im thinking they are fine?
Click to expand...

100%.
 
Guys I am also looking for an external HDD.

I Have never owned one so I have no clue how they work. Is there any link here in this forum to a simple expalanation of the various different types and tips on what to get and to what to avoid?

Like from reading this topic

1. what is the dif between usb powered and external?
2. Can I hook an external HDD to a LCD Monitor and watch Movies etc? I want it mainly for series,movies etc
3. I saw this 2tb Toshiba at Makro for R1K.
http://www.makro.co.za/p/35506/toshiba-2tb-external-hard-drive/

But when I read the reviews
http://www.makro.co.za/live/content.php?Action=view-rating&Cat=3693&ProdId=35506&Sku=

someone mentioned
"This unit can only store info to the max of 4G at a time. It is also not FAT32 compliant which means that any movie loaded cannot be accessed directly via the LCD/LED TV or PS3.
"

what does this mean only 4G at a time? And also re FAT 32 etc.
 
Zak87 said:
someone mentioned
"This unit can only store info to the max of 4G at a time. It is also not FAT32 compliant which means that any movie loaded cannot be accessed directly via the LCD/LED TV or PS3.
"

what does this mean only 4G at a time? And also re FAT 32 etc.
Click to expand...

It means the drive is formatted with the FAT32 filesystem and it does not support files bigger than 4GB. The recommended file system is NTFS which supports files bigger than 4GB but then many devices like media players, tvs etc cannot read NTFS file systems.
 
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