WD My Cloud

[Hamster]

I'm looking to get a wireless HDD (NAS) going. I want to be able to not only watch content on my TV but also stream it to my tablets - because sometimes switching the TV on is too much work

Do you just plug this device (or similar like the Seagate Central) into your WiFi router via ethernet and then it will be picked up over WiFi (assuming you have the client app installed)?

Will Chromecast pick these up?

PS: I'm not looking to setup a full server with XBMC or anything like that.

 

[AchmatK]

I have 3 attached to my router and pick them up via the Plex app on all my devices. Can also access them without Plex as they have built in media server. The Plex app is just so much easier as everything is categorised.





Pics below of the Plex app on my Lumia 1520.





The third pic is of the Media Smart app accessing them directly on my 1520.

 

[Hamster]

Sweet, so it'll work on my WP too! Any special configuration needed on the router?

 

[AchmatK]

Should work. Nothing special on the router. Only thing I did was to set them on static routes in the router itself so whenever they connect, the router assigns them the same IP addresses. I set then to 10.0.0.1xx and will use 10.0.0.104 if I get another one.

I like the MyCloud as you can attach a USB hub and add more normal drives to it. Can't do that with the MyBook

 

[Hamster]

Why would you give them static IPs and not let the DHCP sort that out form you? Does it cause problems on the app side if the IP changes?

 

[AchmatK]

Why would you give them static IPs and not let the DHCP sort that out form you? Does it cause problems on the app side if the IP changes?

Easier for me to login in to them. Simply type in 10.0.0.101 in IE our Firefox and it takes me straight to the login page. Also easier if I need to reboot it or access them if there are any issues. Can do this from any device on my network without having to figure out what the IP address is.

 

[Hamster]

Ah, that makes sense. Awesome, thanks.

 

[AchmatK]

I also set them up to email me system alerts.

Now when Eskom has load shedding, my alarm sends me an SMS telling me that there is a power failure and the MyCloud send me an email when the power is back on telling me the system was rebooted because of a power failure.

 

[Hamster]

Does it have any capability of switching off safely if it is connected to a UPS and detects a power failure?

I suppose just like the Seagate the HDD is not replaceable.

 

[AchmatK]

No idea. It does have a sleep mode if there is no activity. Have had the MyBooks for nearly two years and the MyCloud for a year and no issues thus far.

I have them connected to an unmanaged 16 port gigabit switch. Streaming 40 gig BD files comes through without any buffering.

Have all three drives and the switch in the ceiling. The last time I was up there was to install the last drive.

I use it for Plex media and backups of my PCs using Cobian backup.

 

[Hamster]

I thought all three were MyClouds? MyBooks work like this as well? *more googling*

 

[AchmatK]

Two are MyBook Live. The other one is the MyCloud Live.

Main difference is that with the MyCloud you can attach another normal USB HD and add more storage space. You could attach a powered 7 port USB hub and attach up to 7 external USB HDs.

 

[Hamster]

./.

 

[cfvh600]

No idea. It does have a sleep mode if there is no activity. Have had the MyBooks for nearly two years and the MyCloud for a year and no issues thus far.

I have them connected to an unmanaged 16 port gigabit switch. Streaming 40 gig BD files comes through without any buffering.

Have all three drives and the switch in the ceiling. The last time I was up there was to install the last drive.

I use it for Plex media and backups of my PCs using Cobian backup.

Sorry for the dumb question, but do you stream directly from the MyCloud connected to just a router using the Plex App on a mobile device? I was under the impression Plex Media Server needed to be installed on something like a PC.

 

[AchmatK]

Sorry for the dumb question, but do you stream directly from the MyCloud connected to just a router using the Plex App on a mobile device? I was under the impression Plex Media Server needed to be installed on something like a PC.

I have the Plex server on a laptop on the network. The data is stored in the WD drives.

You can use the built in DLNA to stream directly without the need for the Plex server.

I use Plex mainly though and for this you will need the Plex server installed on a PC.

 

[cfvh600]

I have the Plex server on a laptop on the network. The data is stored in the WD drives.

You can use the built in DLNA to stream directly without the need for the Plex server.

I use Plex mainly though and for this you will need the Plex server installed on a PC.

Thanks