Can i use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a backe up?? im thinking for music and photos

Can I use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a back up? I'm thinking for music and photos

Nickles96 wrote:
Hello friends.. I have a similar question, in that I would like to purchase the 2TB TC for use as a NAS device, in addition to taking advantage of the Air Port extreme.. Then I could dump my Linksys router.
I was originally looking at a Synology NAS solution, but the TC seems like it can meet my needs.
I have a Synology NAS as well as the Time Capsule. If you look at the 3.2 beta program, the Synology actually attempts to replicate TC functionality in that you can use it with Time Machine on your Mac.
I must say, Airport on the TC is definitely a nice feature!
Nickles96 wrote:
In addition to the obvious feature of the backup, can I indeed also use the TC as a NAS drive to access from remote locations (example from the office)?
I'm surprised more people aren't using the TC as a dedicated NAS deviced.. I've searched high and low on forums around the web, and don't seem to see many people trying to use it as I've outlined.
I can't see why this wouldn't fufill my needs, and take the place of a separate NAS solution (like the Synology, or iOmega, Seagate, etc....)
Has anyone used this TC as such?
Yes, you can do this and it's something I've been trying to do, but I'm currently having issues. I have another thread stating I consistently get "connection failed" messages. I'm basically storing my music/photo/video files on the TC and keeping my Mac hard drive fairly lean. In terms of NAS functionality, the TC is very basic. Synology/QNAP and others have a lot more features so don't rule them out.

Similar Messages

Can I regard a time capsule as a wireless external hard drive?, Can I regard a time capsule as a wireless external hard drive?

Can I just regard a time capsule as a wireless external drive? I don't think I need time machine to back up, I just want more space to store my files (music, moves, photos). To save the space on my Mac, can I move those things to TC, and open them(watch movies, photos and listen to music) directly?
And, if I bootcamp windows 8 os, can I still share/use the stuff on the TC, like a regular(wireless) external hard drive?

Apple says specifically not to move iphoto to network drive.
iphoto network no no.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
It's recommended that you store your iPhoto library on a locally mounted hard drive. Storing your iPhoto library on a network share can lead to poor performance, data corruption, or data loss.

Can I use my 2TB Time Capsule ONLY as an external hard drive for Time Machine backups?

Hi...wondering if somebody could help me out there.
I currently have an older Apple 2TB Time Capsule (previous generation) which I'm using as both my WiFi access point, as well as my Time Machine backup location for both my iMac and my MacBook Pro.
We've been having slow WiFi issues in our home, and seeing as how this Time Capsule is a number of years old, were thinking of upgrading to the faster WiFi routers with 802.11ac capability. I'll be honest when I say we were considering other options, beyond the newest Time Capsule.
My question is, can we somehow use the 2TB of storage on our current Time Capsule for the purpose of backing up our computers with Time Machine, but NOT use the WiFi functionality of the Time Capsule itself?
I'm assuming if I manually plugged either my iMac or MacBook Pro (wired ethernet) into the Time Capsule, I could likely get that computer to recognize and use it for Time Machine purposes, but I'd like to use it to backup both computers, ideally wirelessly on the MacBook Pro.
Any help would be great.
Right now I'm running a DSL line into a DSL modem, which then runs ethernet into my Time Capsule. From there, I have a 4 port switch connected for wired devices (we wired our home with ethernet jacks in almost every room). We also have an Airport Express to extend the range of the network.
Thanks,
Jason

You can bridge the TC and plug it into whatever wireless router you buy.
There is no need to turn off the wireless in the TC.. but you can set it up as a secondary wireless network. That is totally up to you. I find the Gen4 TC very fast on 5ghz.. but you need it to be close to the computers.. in your case that should be dead easy.. simply plug it in by ethernet in the same room as the iMac say.. and set it up with bridge and the imac plugged into it by ethernet.. one computer then can access the internet and backup via ethernet with huge speed improvements.. the laptop can then use whatever your new router wireless network.. or the TC one if it is close enough..
So there are plenty of variations and your setup is easy to handle with the large amount of ethernet you have.
Just post again if you need specifics.. but I need specifics to give them!!

Does the time capsule work as an external hard drive that you can access from multiple lapttops

I have a mac desktop, a macbook and a pc laptop. I also purchased the time capsule. Will that functional as an external hard drive that I can use to save a share documents between. Trying to figure out the best way to work on documents between devices. new to max and trying to make the full switch but still working with toshiba laptop for a while too.
Any help is appreciated.

Hello jhettenhausen,
Yes, it can function as an external drive for all the devices. As for Windows, you just need to make sure that
it is Windows Professional or XP, as they support mapped network drives. Windows 7 Home Premium doesn't is not capable of mapping network drives. At home, I have a ubuntu laptop, Windows 7 Profesional laptop, and Macbook Pro and they all backup to the Time Capsule 1 TB. Hope this helps!!
Best Regards,
freesparks

Can the time capsule function like an external hard drive?

Can I place files there I want to archive but don't need access to everyday? I want to consolodate two older external drives that I have to the time capsule.

You can place files on the Time Capsule drive if you want, but there will be a conflict at some point in time if you are also using the Time Capsule for Time Machine backups.
Drives do have a way of filling up much faster than you expected.
If you plan to place "original" or "master" copies of data on the Time Capsule drive, you'll also have to figure out how to back up those files to yet another drive. Time Machine cannot do this.

HT5096 How can I move my Time Capsule Backup to an External Hard Drive?

Hi
I have run out of space on my Time Capsule so have decided to change my backup drive to an external hard drive of 4TB. I moved the Sparse Disk Image Bundle from the Time Capsule to the new drive and then changed Time Machine preferences to use the new drive as my Time Machine location. Backups work fine but I am still getting Disk Full messages as it seems that the backups are limited to the original 494Gb disk image size.
When I double click on the sparsebundle it mounts the Time Machine Backups Disk Image revealing the Backups.backudb folder but if try to drag that to the External Hard Drive I get the error message "The volume has the wrong case sensitivity for a backup."
Any clues how I get this sorted
Cheers
Steve

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for starters.

Does the time capsule act as an external hard drive too?

I haven't got the time capsule but I'm thinking about getting it but I want to know does it Work as an external hard drive too, so can you store things like music files and things on there and access them anytime?

It cannot be plugged in via usb.. only by ethernet.. so it is not really external hard disk.. it is network storage but not a NAS.. it is designed purely as a target for Time Machine backups.. primarily for laptops with wireless only connections.. eg MBA as they do not have ethernet.
As a place to store files the TC can be pressed into service but is really poor in having no automated method to back itself up.. and they do die which leaves them a sealed unit which Apple refuse to fix or open even to recover your data.
Buy a NAS from any of the major companies.. if you want Network storage..
Buy a USB drive from any of the major companies if you want something to plug into your computer for storage.
TC is neither.. arthur or martha.

Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme + External Hard Drive for iTunes Library

Hi, I currently have an Airport Extreme (Gigabit) and am planning on getting a MacBook Pro. What I want to do is keep my iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive and attach it to my AirPort so I can access it anywhere in the house (and world). Now I have been reading various reviews that perhaps a Time Capsule would be better for my needs. I don't plan on using it for Time Machine backups right now, just as a NAS Drive. If anyone has any experience with this I would appreciate the advice.
Thanks!
Message was edited by: Mr. Macintosh693

Hi,
I have something like that working at the moment. My setup is based on a Mac Mini Core Duo [ OS 10.5.6 ] connected to a Time Capsule. I have configured iTunes to store all archived music on the Time Capsule. I use the Apple Lossless format for my CDs and approx 420 titles have taken approx 130Gb from my 1Tb Capsule. In general this setup works well [ especially the optical out of the Mac ] but be aware of the following potential pitfalls:-
1. The Time Capsule is a little on the noisy side and depending on the quality of your playback equipment, your choice of music, ambient noise and your values of "satisfactory" you may want to put your Capsule or HDD in another room. This seems OK for generic playback, but in my experience wireless is not a good way to go for streaming content.
2. iTunes v8.0.2 has a preferences capability to allow you to redirect it's archive to the Time Capsule. However, even if you leave the Capsule switched on it goes into a "sleep" mode. Rip a new CD and iTunes won't tell you this; instead it will silently reconfigure itself to store on your local hard drive and then you're left with the challenge of moving your collection piecemeal if you want it in one location, followed by manually updating iTunes to "point" it to the new location of the music.
One nice thing about the Capsule is that it does allow other connection types. I have mine networked to a PC running Ubuntu Linux and a music player called Amarok and I am able to stream the Mac-Ripped lossless files and play them over Linux perfectly... Works very well. Apparently you can do this with a Windows client and iTunes for Windows, but I don't run Windows as a matter of principle and can't validate that.
My 1Tb Time Capsule runs hot, too. Not dangerously so, but hot to the touch. There are no cooling fans, but you might want to think about placement; it needs plenty of fresh air circulating around it.
For what it's worth [ and I appreciate this is going beyond your question ] I also wanted my setup to be able to store and retrieve recorded TV. I have Elgato EyeTV and a USB Freeview decoder. I quickly learned that despite claims to the contrary the performance of the wireless connection just isn't up to streaming video content. So I went out and purchased a pair of Ethernet-over-mains adapters from Zyxel that are absolutely perfect for the job.
Yes, the Capsule is a little pricey for what is little more than a Hard Drive in a box, but it does work very well.
Beware the timeout disconnections and the silently re-configuring iTunes thought...

Can you use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using it as a router

Can i use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using a router

You can, but this type of configuration is not recommended or supported by Apple.
Two cautions if you want to try this:
1) The Time Capsule has to be configured to "Join" your existing wireless network in this type of setup...and to do that, you must know the exact type of wireless security that your network is using.
2) Backups are going to take twice as long. The wireless signal must travel from your computer to the wireless router and then from the wireless router back to the Time Capsule. Two "hops"......even if the computer is located close to the Time Capsule.
If you want to try this, we can tell you how....but with no guarantees on your results....since this is not officially supported.

Can I simply just use my Time Capsule as a normal External Hard drive? A wireless external hard drive?

Can I simply just use my Time Capsule as a normal External Hard drive? A wireless external hard drive?

I am not sure what you mean by normal external but yes, it is a network hard disk drive.. and you can use wireless.. the only trouble then is, if there is no ethernet connection and internet is by wireless to a different router, then you cannot do both at once.

Can I use Time Capsule 1TB as an external hard drive tos tore my music library(but with cable connection,not WI-FI)

Can I use my Time Capsule 1TB as an external hard drive to store my music library but with a cable connection(Ethernet or USB) and not Wi-Fi.

Yes, with the following warnings.
1. A 1TB TC is a Gen3 or earlier and can die at a moments notice.. So backup is essential.
2. A Gen1 or 2 is slow.. even over ethernet they were processor bound and so transfer speeds are not great.. a USB2 plugged into the computer will be faster. Gen3 is about 50% better as the processor was upgraded by 50% speed.
3. TC has no built in backup.. TM cannot backup network drives.
4. TC is designed to spin up slowly and spin down quickly.. you will have issues with itunes constantly losing the library.
5. You cannot use USB to the TC.. it is a network drive. If you want to use USB directly on the computer buy a USB drive.. but buy as fast a drive as your Mac supports.. Thunderbolt>USB3>FW800>USB2
USB3 is cheap and very good.. but the port is only from 2012 so check your Mac specs.
Thunderbolt whilst being super fantastic and around since 2011, has a bank account clearing price although there are Thunderbolt to esata converters.. for around $160. esata falls between usb3 and fw800.
FW800 from WD is no better than USB2 but other brands it can be twice the speed of usb2.
USB2 is the worst. But still faster than a TC.

Can Time Capsule support an additional external hard drive?

A friend of mine is using Airport Extreme and has both his printer and external hard drive hooked through it accessing both wirelessly. The Apple site says this works great with Extreme but does not say you can do the same thing with Time Capsule. I called our local store and she wasn't sure. Both Extreme and Time Capsule have one USB port so no matter what, you have to split the USB(I know this works with Extreme). All my music is on an additional hard drive and it would be great if I could access it wirelessly. If anyone has done this with time capsule please let me know. I want to purchase it but if not I will go with Extreme.

Can Time Capsule support an additional external hard drive?
Yes.
(41832)

Does Time Capsule works as a External Hard Drive?

Does Time Capsule works as a External Hard Drive?

The Time Capsule works as a network drive.
An external drive connects to your Mac using either the USB or FireWire ports.
If your real question is to ask whether you can store other data on the Time Capsule drive....you can.

I have a macbook air and need additional storage should i consider a time capsule or a simple external hard drive?

I have a macbook air and need additional storage should i consider a time capsule or a simple external hard drive?

If you move live files (files you don't want to lose) to an external drive, you need to back them up. Any files not backed up are at risk of loss. Hard drives and SSDs can fail at any time. It is hard to backup a Time Capsule so a TC should be used only as a backup device.
Do you have a Time Machine backup now? If so, and if it is large enough, you can backup your internal and external disk to it using Time Machine. If not, you all need to purchase an external drive or TC as your backup device. (I recommend an external hard drive for backup instead of a TC.) Ideally the backup drive should be twice the size of what you are backing up but 50% larger will work so if you have an external 1 TB disk and an internal 250 GB SSD then a 2 TB backup disk will work well.
By default, Time Machine will not backup the external disk. You need to remove it from the exclusions list:
To have Time Machine backup your system disk and your external offload disk up onto your Time Machine disk:
 > System Preferences > Time Machine > Options… > Remove the offload HD name from the exclusions list.

How do i set my time capsule as a wireless external hard drive?

it is currently doing regular automatic back-ups of our system, but we want to set it as our hard drive as well.

If Time Machine backups are occurring correctly, then you already have the Time Capsule set up as a hard drive on your network.
Although not necessarily recommended, that means that you can manually drag/drop or copy/paste data directly to the Time Capsule disk.
Are you asking how to do this, or how to locate the drive? Please clarify.

Can i use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a backe up?? im thinking for music and photos

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