Streaming HD Video to Xbox 360

I've been experimenting with encoding HD videos using EncodeHD and then streaming them to an Xbox 360 via TwonkyVision from my QNAP TS-101. The QNAP TS-101 is a small NAS device with 64mb RAM so I think its a safe assumption that no transcoding is being done.

I first took a sample video from here and then encoded it using the various presets. The files were then copied to the QNAP, and then accessed from "Video Library" on the 360 (note: not via the Media Center Extender).

Mounting QNAP from Linux

Accessing the QNAP from Ubuntu is fairly easy.

rsync on the QNAP TS-101

rsync is a useful application which synchronizes files and folders between devices. The QNAP TS-101 supports this (with a bit of fiddling).

Twonky Supported Clients

The latest firmware for the QNAP TS-101 (Version 2.3.0-Build 080618) includes an upgrade to TwonkyMedia V4.4.5

Here's a list of compatible clients from their website.

Hard Drive for QNAP TS-101

Unfortunately, the QNAP Compatibility List doesn't have any Samsung drives listed as being tested, so I've had to try another brand in my TS-101.

I've opted for a Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 SATA 500-GB Hard Drive which seems to get good reviews.

Hopefully it will support spin-down - I'll report more when I've tried it.

QNAP TS-101 Telnet Access

The latest firmware (2.3.0 Build 080618) for the QNAP TS-101 has telnet enabled by default.

To access the device, use something like PuTTY to connect via port 13131. The user name is "administrator", and the password is the administrator that you set via the QNAP web interface.

QNAP TS-101 Introduction

I've just received my new I've just acquired a QNAP TS-101 from ebay. It's main features are: -