External Network Storage -- Need Advice

After some research, I am considering the Thecus N5200BR Pro System Network Storage tower and 4 Seagate 1TB SATA drives (STS31000340AS).

Would like some thoughts/suggestions on Thecus hardware as I am unfamiliar with the brand. I know Seagate and like them a lot. Would these drives be compatible with the Thecus tower?

Someone referred me also to Gmaxstorage.com. The towers appear to be filled with Hitachi drives which can go up to 1TB for each drive (5 & 10 bay models). They are apparently new so don't know what the experience level would be. Any comments/thoughts?

Also, originally thought of making this a USB connection. However, after some research, I am considering if I shouldn't connect directly into my network via a Cat5 cable. I have a wireless setup in our home and could then access the data without the cable hookup AND without having to go through another computer (just in case). Is this a better approach than the USB/Firewire connection? I assume the drive mapping process would work just like it does for computers that share drives between them. Is my thinking correct? Any other advice/counsel?

Thanks in advance for any help ...

 

here's a link to some reviews: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16822102005


here are the 2 Seagate 1 TB drives available (SATA) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150014+50001305+1035915133+103530090&name=800GB+and+higher