Nas for home media and server

[Enquiries]

What is the best nas for Plex use for home use but also for approx 12 guest access use where transcoding is required occassionally. Most users on at the same time will never be more than 3 users

[ed]

For home use with occasional guest access and the need for transcoding, I would recommend the Synology DS418play as a good option. It is a 4-bay NAS that supports up to 24 TB of storage, has a low power consumption and it supports Btrfs file system, which is known for its data and storage efficiency. It also has a hardware transcoding engine, which makes it a great option for streaming, even when multiple users are accessing the server simultaneously.

Additionally, the DS418play has a user-friendly interface and good performance, which makes it easy to set up and use.

Another option would be the Synology DS420+ this is also a 4-bay NAS with good performance and a user-friendly interface, it also supports up to 24 TB of storage and has a low power consumption.

It's worth noting that both the DS418play and DS420+ have a built-in Plex Media Server and support multiple user access, which makes them perfect for home use and occasional guest access.

QNAP also offers some great options for a Plex server. The TS-873A is a great choice for those who need to perform 4K transcoding, as it has the ability to install a GPU card for additional transcoding power. This NAS has 8 bays and supports up to 40TB of storage and has a user-friendly interface.

Another option would be the TS-h874. This is a powerful 8 bay NAS that has a fast enough CPU to handle 4K transcoding, it also supports up to 40TB of storage, has a low power consumption and it supports multiple user access. It also has a user-friendly interface and good performance.

Both the TS-873A and TS-h874 have a built-in Plex Media Server and support multiple user access, which makes them perfect for home use and occasional guest access.

It's worth noting that both the TS-873A and TS-h874 are more powerful and versatile than the previous options and they offer additional features such as the ability to install a GPU card and a more powerful CPU, making them suitable for users that require additional transcoding power and performance.


Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Both NAS systems that I've recommended are solid choices that should meet your requirements, so it's worth comparing their features and prices to see which one is the best fit for you.