networking harddrive help

[thebiggoose]

Hey Everybody,
I have a problem and I'd really appreciate it if someone could answer it. I have a Mini, a Blackbook and a PC. I also have a USB 2.0 External HDD. It has most of my media on it. What I would like to do is set up a system somewhat like what a NAS device or an AEBS would allow me to do, but with my Mini. All 3 computers are connected to the internet and the network wirelessly (the mini could be wired, as it is right next to the router).

I want to be able to use my Mini like I would an AEBS with disk sharing. I want to plug the HDD into the mini and be able to stream media wirelessly to my MB around the house. Now here are my questions:

What would be the easiest way to do this?

Is there some software that would help?

Would it be easier to use the PC instead of the Mini?

Will the speed be high enough to stream video files?

I am willing to try almost anything. I just want to save money as much as possible (High School Student w/ no job). Thanks a ton in advance. I know MacRumors will come through for me.

 

[freakonguitar]

I think i might know what you are saying. The only thing i can think of is plugging it into the mac mini when formatted as a mac os extended journalling and then accessing it through network by opening the computer for file sharing and if personal file sharing is turned on you will see different volumes available and wirelessly you ca access the files on the drive. umm...my ibook can't see my fat32 partition on my external wirelessly so i think its gotta be mac os x extended journalling. You can format it in disk utility but back up your data first. Umm or you can have it plugged into the pc and turn sharing on on it and then you can access it when you go to access the pc in the network in finder. But if you are talking about something else...explain.