Need help to pick right NAS for my need

[Enquiries]

I have an old Synology DS213+. Today I use it only for backup and sort family photos/videos + view them on AppleTV/iPhones. Playback is… slooow.

It would be fun to try docker on my becoming NAS but it is secondary. I would also like to stick with Synology due to good quality and helpful support.

I have been looking on DS224+ and DS723+. I have seen all your videos covering these two so I know about built in graphic on 224+ and better expansion possibilities on 723+. But I do not fully understand the loss of codec in dsm7.2.2. Does it mean that the graphics support in 224+ does not do anything any more?

To get a NAS that I can keep longer I am leaning towards 723+ due to better expansion possibilities but am afraid that I will get slow playback viewing family videos on AppleTV/phone. My plan is also to extend RAM on the one I buy for better performance. Does it have to by Synology RAM?

[ed]

Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like you're ready to upgrade from your DS213+ to a more powerful NAS, and both the DS224+ and DS723+ could be great options based on your needs.

About the Codec Loss in DSM 7.2.2:
With DSM 7.2.2, Synology has removed hardware transcoding support in Video Station, which affects the DS224+ (which relies on built-in graphics for video decoding). This means you might experience slower performance when trying to play or stream videos, especially if transcoding is required. However, for Plex, transcoding will work just fine on a Celeron CPU, like the one in the DS723+. Plex uses software transcoding, and while it’s not as fast as hardware transcoding, it should still handle video playback smoothly without major issues.

For Your Use Case:
Video Playback: If you want smooth playback of family videos on AppleTV and iPhones, I would recommend the DS723+. The extra processing power, better expandability, and ability to upgrade RAM will provide a better long-term experience, especially as your storage and streaming needs grow.

Docker & Future-Proofing: The DS723+ is the better choice if you plan to use Docker and need more flexibility in expanding storage and RAM. The DS224+ is simpler and more budget-friendly but may limit you down the road, especially if you plan to use more intensive applications like Docker.

RAM Upgrade:
You can upgrade the RAM in the DS723+ with third-party RAM (e.g., Crucial, Kingston), so it doesn't have to be Synology’s official RAM, which can save you some money. Just be sure the RAM meets the specifications Synology recommends.

Budget:
Your budget of 1000-1200 USD is plenty for the DS723+, and it’s a solid investment for its expandability and performance. You can start with 4TB of storage, and as your needs grow, the DS723+ offers plenty of room for expansion.

Conclusion:
In summary, I would suggest going with the DS723+ for better overall performance, video playback (via Plex), and future expandability. The DS224+ could be a great budget choice if you don’t need as much power or expansion, but the DS723+ offers more flexibility and longevity.