Offline multimedia storage

[PaulBScott93]

Background: I have a macbook which links by wifi to a pc network. That network has several hard drives with a fairly sophisticated backup system. My multimedia for Reunion is stored on one of those drives, as I also use the same multimedia on the pc. The multimedia files take up too much room to store on the macbook.

Probably because the pc network is not always started before I launch reunion on the mac, I have frequent problems with pictures in reunion. I keep on rebuilding the links but that does not always work too well.

I need a solution, but all I can think of is to duplicate the multimedia folder onto another hard drive which will be attached to the mac. However, ideally this should be the same drive top avoid duplication. Am I missing something or another possibility? Is it possible top have one hard drive that can be linked by wife to both pc and to mac, please?

[Bob White]

Re: Offline multimedia storage

First, it is not a PC network. Routers, base stations, etc... are not PC or Mac based. They only understand instructions in the headers of data packets coming through. The packets and instructions are the same across all platforms and device types.

Second, you should be letting the network stay on 24/7/365. Routers, base stations, etc. use very little power, last much longer and have nearly zero problems as long as they are constantly running.

There is not enough specific information about your actual physical setup. But, on the basis that I am assuming that you are powering off your network, leaving it running as advised may solve the problem. If my assumption is bad, we'll get back to the drawing board.

[rclrocco]

Re: Offline multimedia storage

Love the last line you wrote:

"Is it possible to have one hard drive that can be linked by wife to both pc and to mac, please?"

Must ask my wifi about this......

[Steve B]

Re: Offline multimedia storage

As Bob says, a network is not pc or mac. I think we need a bit more information - such as how are these hard drives attached. Do you mean that you have hard drives that are attached to your PC, and that you can access these drives from your mac when the pc is switched on? If that is the case then these are not network drives. A proper network drive (called a NAS) would be attached to the router directly - Is that the case?

[Bob White]

Re: Offline multimedia storage

Also, if said drives are set to shared mode or not on the Mac or PC they are attached to.

[PaulBScott93]

Re: Offline multimedia storage

Sorry for the incomplete info. The pc is connected to the router by ethernet. Several hard drives are connected to the pc by USB. All pc drives are shared with the macbook, which connects by wifi. No drive is connected directly to the router.

Since setting this post I have seen adverts for external hard drives having both USB and wifi connection. Provided I maintain a format that is ok for both pc and mac, then I guess this would suffice? I note the remark about keeping the pc on 24/7, but I'm not really happy about this for a number of reason. e.g. (1) the hard drives are in a wooden cabinet and can get quite hot if let on for a long time; (2) the router emits a very bright light which is disconcerting at night.

Another choice, not ideal but cheap and immediately available, is to put the media onto a USB flash drive, usable in both pc and macbook? I think the hard drive is the better solution when I can afford it, but is there another way?

Thanks.