Purchasing router with USB for storage.

[cedric249]

I want to upgrade my 6 year old router because I have a smart tv coming in.

I was considering this: TP-LINK TL-WDR3600
This has 2 USB ports.

1. Can I use 1 usb port for external usb harddrive and 1 for printer?
2. If I connect a harddrive with a movie to the router and try to view it, do other users in my network lag?
3. The router will be located in the top my floor. Do I point my antennas down to provide signal to the basement?

 

[Deuce65]

1. You can, but transfer speeds will be ridiculously slow. You're much better off connecting directly to the computer and sharing it out that way.
2. No, because you won't get a high enough transfer rate to stream a movie.
3. No.

 

[cedric249]

1. You can, but transfer speeds will be ridiculously slow. You're much better off connecting directly to the computer and sharing it out that way.
2. No, because you won't get a high enough transfer rate to stream a movie.
3. No.

Would you be so kind to answer this regarding storage transfer rate:

Will other users experience lag or sluggish connection if I transfer a 1.5gb file from router storage to pc?
Can I view documents straight through the router or do I have to copy it to local machine each time?

 

[Deuce65]

1. No.
2. Yes.

 

[Pooneil]

If the smart TV has a USB connection, you can avoid the flaky and frustrating WiFi streaming (in my experience) by putting movies on a USB hard drive that is directly plugged into the TV USB port. Then all you have to deal with is getting the movies into a file format the TV can deal with. There will also be no worry about slowing down your home network for other users. YMMV