What Do I Need For Backups And Streaming Media?

September 4 2010 01:30:00 PM Add/Read Comments [24]
Currently I have a very 1990-ish set up.  I have a wireless router, but I normally use my laptop at my desk connected via ethernet.  I manually connect a Lacie external drive and use Time Machine to do my backups.  Of course, I don't remember to do this as often as I should.   When I want to watch videos or pictures on my TV I connect my laptop via a cable to the side of the TV.
 Image:What Do I Need For Backups And Streaming Media?

I'm not looking for something incredibly full featured, but I do think it is time I get a little more modern.

For backups and increased storage it seems like a NAS is the way to go.  I assume these connect to my router and then appear as storage for my laptop and other computers.  I'd then keep my photos, videos and other files on the NAS instead of on my laptop, right?  

To access the NAS's content from my TV I'd need something like Apple TV, right?  Can I do that while my laptop is turned off?  What media center software do you use?  

Next, I need to think about music, perhaps using something like Sonos.  

Finally, people have suggested I add a cloud backup to the mix.

Image:What Do I Need For Backups And Streaming Media?
I'm not looking to spend a fortune as this is not really a major hobby of mine.  I'd just like to make it easier to show people photos, watch some videos I download, etc.

Thoughts?  Advice?  Hints?