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Looking at setting up my own media server. Used to use external HDD plugged into TV, which are needing an upgrade and more storage. New to NAS and Media Servers, but quick learner.
Have been looking at the LincStation N2 and running it directly into the network, without any PC.
Can get products easily from USA and AUS.
Appreciate any advice.
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The LincStation N2 is a good beginner-friendly option for a simple media setup. It runs independently on your network, doesn’t require a PC to operate, and works well with Jellyfin or Plex for streaming. For a single user or a small household, it handles 4K playback fine as long as your TV or device does most of the decoding.
A few thoughts based on your budget and needs:
• For pure media storage and playback, the N2 is easy to set up and quiet, and the OS is very simple to use.
• If you want something more powerful or long-term, consider the N2 Pro or a TerraMaster 2-bay model. They offer more horsepower and more apps but still stay close to your budget.
• With 4 to 6TB planned, start with a single larger HDD or two drives in RAID1 if you want redundancy.
• Since you’re in Vietnam, the LincStation units from AU or US sellers are usually reliable and ship well. TerraMaster also has good availability in the region.
If your goal is mainly watching movies from your NAS on your TV, the N2 will do that smoothly and is a nice step up from external drives. If you ever want transcoding, more apps, or heavier workloads, then spending a little more on a slightly stronger NAS might be worth it.
