I'm looking for a NAS. I'm running out of space on my 1TB desktop. I'd like something that can handle about 10TB to start for a slowly growing media collection.

I want to be able to run max 4 simultaneous 4K streams with 2 external streams (if I can live without the 2 external and going down to 1080p if it's a big budget difference)

I want to be able to run a home server using Portainer with 10-20 container apps

I have built computers before, so I'm happy to build something.

I've been stuck in analysis paralysis for finding what is the best way to go about buying or building something that isn't overkill.

If the difference in price is <=$200 then I'd rather just buy something if it's going to save me a lot of time

My first time using a NAS. I want to put my movies and TV shows on HDD to watch on our TV's around the house. Possible use remote access when on vacation, etc. Looking at Synology, basically for ease of use. Will use Plex service. Big question I'm confused with is embedded graphics VS software transcoding. I understand how it works, just not sure if it should be a deciding factor. Basically only 1-2 users at most, 50-75 TV shows, mostly older shows, so only @ 20-25 modern shows in Blu ray. Now movies will be @ 150. A majority in regular def- mostly old movies, but I do have a lot of modern movies in Blu ray & UHD 4K.
This is what I spec-ed out, but I am open to suggestions: Synology DS423+, 4GB-6GB RAM, (2)- Ironwolf PRO HDDs.

We have a new Synology DS224+ for the church with 4TB (effective) and an old WD MyCloud DL2100 with 4TB storage (about 1TB is used). I would like to find a way to backup the new Synology to the older WD nas . I've been experimenting with several packages but none seem to work. I can mount the remote drives and view/edit files via the Synology nas but can't get even a synchronization package to work. Is there something i'm missing that is simple without using a more complex setup that I'm not adept at SSH or other approaches?

Maybe small virtual machines or containers with NO huge workload, something for backup and media sync/play.

Can you help pick the right NAS for both PLEX and traditional data storage.

I'm quite tech-savvy (if I should say myself) but when it comes to a NAS I just want something that works and where I don't have to keep myself up to date all the time. Therefore I've excluded building one myself. I've seen a lot of your videos and I like the simplicity of Synology systems. Also, they clearly seem to be the most popular (especially in my country where they are top 5 on all web stores), so a clear advantage is that I can get help online with them.

I've considered the DS423+ and the DS923+. I really like the upgradeability on RAM and ethernet port on the DS923+, but in all your videos you mention that it don't have integrated graphics and therefore don't support encoding.

In your &quot;Best PLEX NAS of 2023/2024&quot; buyers guide you mention the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen 2. But is the Asustor systems as simple as the Synologys, and is it even that much better?

Hi there! Absolutely love the website but there's so much information to take in so thought I'd ask for advice!

I basically have my eye on the DS423+ as it has integrated graphics, but I want the hardware and expansion options that comes with the DS923+. Is there such a NAS in existence?

My requirements are;
*Fully automated cloud backup of my mobile devices + auto compression of my camera videos to save space. Nothing worse than coming home from a concert with 20+ high def videos and having to compress them all manually! So I need a dedicated GPU.
*Surveillance management similar to Synologys built in Surveillance Station WITH ONVIF compatibility
*HTPC functionality and media organisation. I used to use sickbeard and coachpotato to organise my media files along with plex to view them until my DS215J became too old to cope.
*RuTorrent or equivalent.
*4 Bays or more.

Thanks in advance for any advice! ?

I can't find how to connect the PLEX server on DS224+ to my TV and I can't find where to specify the directories for PLEX to use. I have had PLEX for a long time on a Windows PC, but this is my first PLEX on a NAS.

Is a used DS218+ still a viable option to buy in 2024. I got a aging and low poered DS214se with 2 x 3TB in SHR and wanted to upgrade to a Intel powered NAS for container and Plex? I could get a DS218+ with 10GB for about 260 Euros compared to a brand new DS224+ or DS220+ with 2GB that goes for about 360 Euros and more. Are x86 based DS systems get longer DSM support? Is the eSATA port really useful on the DS218+ ? My current DS214se got the last update with 7.1. that is impressive for that old NAS system.

I’m currently using a wd my cloud mirror and it’s time to upgrade. Simple files backup and Time Machine backup.

Also stream movies from it to my Apple TV.

Any suggestions would definitely help.
I was looking at the ds224, or the 923 even though I don’t think I gotta go that big. My 6tb has need fine but I’m not sure

I am researching Synology NAS servers now. I hope to be able to make a purchase within a year. My primary use will be a Plex server. Instead of buying a 4 bay NAS I may save up to buy a DS1821+

Is Plex available as a standard app for the DS1821+ ??? I've run across videos where Plex is not easy to run on some Synology devices. As I'm a total rookie with these devices I'm hoping that running a Plex server on a DS1821+ is easy. I am unable to locate a video with information about running Plex on a DS1821+

Any information would be greatly appreciated.