#Buffalo Network Attachable Storage
As discussed you're free to have this Buffalo HS-DH500GL 500GB NAS to use a media server, etc. I believe it can be used in conjunction with external USB drive, but I've never really tried ... It is now more than 6 years old, so if it doesn't work as a media server, don't try too hard :)
It's on DHCP - If you can't find the IP assigned through your router, or just for kicks, download the NAS Navigator, which will find it on your network and also allow you to set a fixed IP, etc. if needed.
http://www.buffalotech.com/support-and-downloads/download/nasnavi-281.zip
Once you get the IP, the below should suffice.
http://(ip address)
username: admin password: password (or admin, I forget)
This is the standard admin interface, here you can add shares, users, etc.
I added one share, Video (/mnt/disk1/Video) and loaded Big Buck Bunny DRM Free Test Movie.
The device itself has a media server PCAST but I disabled it 'cause it didn't work with my PS3 (years ago)
I "hacked" the NAS using details on this wiki/forum and did the following:
http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Open_Stock_Firmware
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Enabled SSH root access
username: root password: password (or admin, I forget)
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Installed ipkg package installed
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Installed Mediatomb Media Server
You can change the password once logged in by typing passwd
If you reformat the NAS disk it'll remove Mediatomb and ipkg
If you reinstall the NAS firmware, it should remove the root access and also restore the PCast Media server
Mediatomb worked well for me from 2008 when I bought the NAS, until mid-2012 when we switched to AppleTV. We would watch via the PS3 connected to the TV. I haven't used the NAS since - My current TV doesn't work with a media server, and the PS3 no longer sees it, so it maybe it won't work for you, but have fun trying.
You can access mediatomb at http://(ip address):50500
http://mediatomb.cc for more details
April 2015 - Dubai ~ roy@verrips.org