Is there any way I today can install an external or internal GPU for my qnap ts 1635 ax?

I am looking for a NAS as a small music server. I am using a Buffalo Link station at present. My library is small compared with others. It currently is 250gb of Flac I do not see this going beyond 500 gb
I have seen a set up where someone had set up a music server using the DS218j. Whilst I am sure this does the job well, I prefer the appearance of the Play version. The set up I saw was using Plex to sort his libraries which I liked and would want to include this feature. Most of the time I will play back through a Sonos system. I do not visulalise wanting to connect to the NAS externally (outside my home) so all my equipment will play the Flac media.

So will the DS218 play suit my purpose, and if I set it up on 1 disc can I add a second later and arrange it in a raid situation so that I have a back-up if one disk fails.

I've chosen the QNAP TVS-872XT for a variety of reasons but I have couple of questions I can't find an answer to... Maybe you can help?

1. Video Transcoding: Can I transcode a 1080p ProRes LT .mov file to 1080p (h264) .mp4 with that NAS? And will I be able to automate the process from a portable HDD in the front "USB copy" port?
(the reason I'm unsure is because I read you can only transcode down resolution ie from 4K to 1080 but I'm uncertain about 1080 to 1080)

I have a 216+2 and a 216J (both from you). Both coming upto 3 years old. the +2 runs 24/7 and the 216J runs once a day backing up from the +2. the +2 is in a rack in the house and the j on the wall in the garage in a locked box. All have 3TB WD reds. The J still has its original drives. The +2 is now on its 3rd complete set, all fail with sector errors. WD always replace them but now the guarantee is out, who makes reliable drives these days. I’ve seen you video comparing the different drives, but longevity seems an issue these days.

I retired as the Senior Technical Team Leader for a fortune 10. I’m used to multi-petabyte SANs. I’m looking to set up small NAS system in my home mostly for (automated) backup but some file storage. I occasionally have need to provide large files to outside entities. Looking at the Synology 5 bay but could be talked into other vendors.
Question: You mention in your videos the two 10GBe ports can be aggregated. Can they be split to assign different IPs and ultimately assign specific volumes to IPs? I’d like to have an outward facing FTP but would want that on one IP that would reside in a DMZ on my pfSense box. The other NIC would then be used for in-house volume access.
2nd Question: New to SHR/SHR2. Any pros/cons on using SHR2 vs Raid 5 with a hot spare? (since ZFS doesn’t appear to be an option)

I’ve decided to go with TS-251B (2GB) till today when, checking their website, surprise, there’s a new model out: TS-251D. The latter has better specs, etc but there is something missing: the audio output jack!
Since the QNAP integration with Alexa/Google Assistant for playback is missing or limited (via IFTTT) I was relying on the audio jack to connect my Qnap to a sound system and play control the music playback from the phone.
My questions are:
1. Can i hope Alexa/Google assistant integration playback for music to be improved?
2. Could there be any workaround for music playback if the audio jack is missing
3. Are TS-251D advantages really worth(price-wise are somewhat similar)? Leaving aside the HW specs I take importantly the fact that it’s newer and it will receive updates and support for much longer time…

I work as a freelance composer in the UK, primarily out of my home studio – but the storage needs upgrading.

I’m looking to upgrade from my cluttered array of many external drives to a DAS unit, as I don’t need anything with NAS capabilities – as I’ll only be accessing and using the unit from one location (the studio itself).

Am looking for something I can essentially use as one big single usb capable drive (raid) that I can run everything off (projects, sampler instruments, other multimedia etc). Looking for around 30-40TB worth of storage too and was thinking of going for WD red drives.
Can be a rackmount or standing unit.

Am a little clueless, and it’s very confusing trying to narrow down on good options as I don’t know enough.
Would you be able to fire over some advice?

Subject: Macos (Catalina) backing up to Synology over internet

I’ve been looking online in many places for the best way to get an iMac using Time Machine or another backup app to backup over the internet to my Synology DS412+.
Both ends have a moderate speed of ADSL broadband connection.

I have achieved this using another iMac inside the LAN before and Time Machine and have read that it may be possible to use a VPN (IPSEC) to achieve connection.

Do you have any ideas on the best low cost route please?

TVS-672N RAM upgrade and compatible M.2 SSD cache

I would like to get your opinion before I set it up. I am mainly planning to use this as a Plex media server. I would only have a maximum of 2 users accessing my Plex media via the network at a time, One possibly needing transcoding. I bought the 4 GB model. I was thinking about adding more RAM and/or m.2 SSDs.

Do you think this is necessary or overkill? If you think it’s a good idea, what brand and capacity would you recommend for the memory and the SSDs?

Can add more disks on my Qnap. Migrating from a single disk to RAID1 (mirror) and from RAID1 to RAID5?