Western Digital My Book World Edition 2 TB Network Attached Storage Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I saw this, I got pretty excited because I'd been looking for these features and they all came together in one drive.
Setup: The setup was easy and quick. Not a lengthy user manual but enough to get you going and more info on the disc. It asks for a driver update when introduced to new machines but I haven't seen a need for it after connecting through Windows Network (although it works with Macs as well, not just Windows). I haven't done much with the remote access but it looks easy to use so far.
Capabilities: It does everything I needed (i.e. let me get to my music, movies and pictures in one place). I watch a lot of downloaded movies on my Xbox 360 so it's nice to be able to put them on the big screen in the living room or open one from a laptop in bed without having to move the file or drive or have it take up space on both machines.
One of the big pluses beyond having your music/ movies available from any computer in the house is that you also improve your computers by freeing up that space - especially with desktops. I used to have gigabytes full of music on my desktop and laptop but now I have a lot more free space on my desktop so I don't need a new internal drive for that to keep it fresh.
Performance: It runs on ethernet and wifi so be careful with reviews on speed. USB connections run about the same on every machine but networking depends on your computer, your wifi standard and your router. If you have a fast machine, a good router and preferably N-WiFi, you'll get good speed. Of course, ethernet connection is really fast but I use wireless N and it's not quite the same but it gets the job done. Speed is only an issue for large file transfer but not actual usage. I haven't seen any hiccups streaming and watching movies (~700MB each) or listening to music.
Price: Some of my friends have NAS systems that house up to 8TB and run about $1,000+ but I'm not there yet. This one is great for the money - especially considering the price of a 1TB alone and the additional features.
Improvements: I wish file transfers were a little faster - I know that that depends on my router and computer as much as the drive, but you can't blame a guy for wanting a little more!
The write up covers a lot of the specs and details on what it can/can't do. This is just my view of the product. Hope it helps!

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Simplified set up and best-in-class performance make My Book World Edition Home Network Storage the easy choice for centralizing data and backing up your home computers. Connect the drive to your network router and you¿re up and running in minutes. Use the included back up software to protect your family¿s PCs with automatic and continuous backup plans. Store all your digital media in one central location so everyone in the family can have access to it. Compatible with both Mac and Windows files.

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D-Link DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router and Photo Frame, 2.5" Drive Bay, 3.2" LCD, Draft 11n Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a database administrator and programmer, I tend to enjoy tech toys. I have a D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router sitting on my desk, and was excited to be offered the D-Link DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router as a more visually appealing and versatile router.
The D-Link DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router offers high speed wired and wireless n connections. Wireless connections can be managed by zones including guest connections. Unlike most routers, the DIR-685 includes network-attached storage (NAS) capabilities and a digital picture frame.
The initial set-up was simple to complete, however testing revealed the network didn't set up correctly. My PC can connect directly to the network, but cannot access any wireless networked devices even though I can ping them. I called customer support, only to be given the run around by people who didn't understand my problem. I asked my other half who is more familiar with networking to speak with customer service. This is when they admitted they didn't understand the problem and escalated to a specialist who would call back later. When the specialist called, the result was basically since I can ping the devices it's not a router problem. So I'm stuck with a network which doesn't work properly and have no clue how to fix.
The router frequently freezes up and drops connections. Freezing is obvious thanks to the digital picture frame as the images just stop rotating. It is not uncommon for me to unplug the router three times a week or more to unfreeze. Meanwhile there is no telling when this unstable router will drop a connection. Since the router sits on my desk, it's easy enough to disconnect and reconnect the network cable, but I'm tired of listening to my other half's constant valid complaints.
The digital frame is a nice touch; however it is way too small. For proper viewing the router would need to be pretty close to the viewer. This may cause a conflict between viewing and placing the router in an appropriate spot for wireless connectivity. Anyplace with too much distance makes the photos too small to distinguish.
I really enjoy using the frame channel with the digital photo frame. Setting up an account at the frame channel website was simple. I was able to sign up for news, weather, sports, stocks, and magazine sites as well as images from my facebook friends.
With the digital picture frame, the router includes an intuitive menu selection for showing stats and settings. The NAS drive (hard drive not included) was also simple to install and put to use.
As a techno-geek I was excited to try out this router. However my network isn't working properly, while D-Link customer service was unwilling to help resolve the problem. The router freezes and drops connections regularly. If I weren't having connectivity and freezing issues, I'd be willing to invest more time determining the networking issue. This problem is huge for a router and overshadows the digital picture frame and NAS system. This router has potential to be a fun versatile device, but I cannot recommend purchasing an expensive product which fails at its primary purpose.
PROS:
Frame channel
Intuitive on-board menu display
NAS (network-attached storage) system
CONS:
Never got it to work properly
Customer service not helpful
Digital frame too small
Regularly freezes and drops connections

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At first glance, D-Link's Xtreme N Storage Router might be mistaken for a basic digital photo frame. Take a closer look, and you will find that this 2009 winner of the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award is more than a photo frame. It's also a high-performance router that lets you create a wireless network in your home, so you can share high-speed Internet access with multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. You can also use the Xtreme as a network-attached storage (NAS) device that stores your files and prints and shares photos, iTunes libraries, and more.
High-Speed Connection and Full Wireless Coverage for Ease of Use With an integrated 802.11n high-speed band and a 2.4GHz signal, the D-Link Xtreme lets you experience full wireless coverage throughout your network. The powerful MIMO antennae are internal, which means that you can enjoy faster speed and longer range without sacrificing the router's stylish appearance.
The Xtreme also includes Ethernet Gigabit ports for file transfer rates up to 10 times faster than the standard 10/100 Ethernet ports. And thanks to the router's touch-sensitive buttons that let you easily add devices to your network, multiple computers, printers, and even game consoles will be available at your fingertips.
Network-Attached Storage for Easy File Access High-speed connectivity is only the beginning. The DIR-685 can also double as a network-attached storage device (NAS). It has the ability to hold a compact 2.5-inch hard drive. Simply pop open the cover and slide in the drive (sold separately), and the router's built-in NAS functionality will do the rest.
With the Xtreme N Storage Router, you can safely store files on your home network and access them wherever you go. Take your laptop with you, connect to the Internet, and then retrieve your files from the Xtreme using the router's built-in FTP server.
BitTorrent Support and Video Streaming for Versatility The Xtreme includes the latest BitTorrent software support, so you can access and store digital media directly from the Internet without the need for your computer to be turned on or connected. For extra large files, you can get the download process started and then walk away with the confidence that your video clips or songs will be on the system's hard drive when you return.
The built-in Universal Plug-and-Play server allows you to easily stream video files through a compatible media player onto your television. You can even stream files from your Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 gaming systems.
Digital Frame Lets You Share Photos, Print Photos, and More The Xtreme also includes FrameChannel software. Once you set up a free account, you can begin sharing your latest photos with family and friends using Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, and other popular photo sharing sites. With two USB 2.0 ports, you can even connect to a printer to print your photos.
Better still, you can use the Xtreme to subscribe to your favorite RSS feeds. Get the latest news, stock updates, sports scores, time, date, weather conditions, and more--all directly from your frame.
What's in the Box Xtreme N Storage Router, CAT5 Ethernet cable, stand, power adapter, and CD-ROM with Installation Wizard and product documentation.

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