NAS as a DAS?

[Enquiries]

I am looking to store all my Movies, TV Shows, Music, Photos on a NAS or DAS so I can view them on my Apple TV box or Plex on an Apple TV Box. I bought the 4 bay Ugreen NAS on the kick Starter and still have not loaded it. Can that NAS be used as a DAS for my Mac mini M1? It it silly to do so? I have no desire to watch movies away from my home. Should I sell this and get a DAS? As you can tell I know nothing about NAS or DAS.

Thank you!!!
Jeff

[ed]

Thank you for reaching out! Here's some clarity regarding your situation and the use of NAS and DAS devices:

NAS vs. DAS – What's the Difference?
NAS (Network-Attached Storage): A device connected to your network, accessible by multiple devices over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Great for streaming media to your Apple TV via Plex or other apps and sharing data with multiple users.
DAS (Direct-Attached Storage): A storage device connected directly to your Mac Mini via USB, Thunderbolt, or similar. It's simpler, faster for single-user access, but lacks the network capabilities of a NAS.
Your Ugreen NAS
The Ugreen NAS you purchased might not have the option to act as a DAS. Most NAS devices are designed for network access, not direct attachment. If it supports USB or Thunderbolt in DAS mode, you could use it with your Mac Mini. However, this would depend on the device's specific features.

Should You Use NAS as DAS?
It’s not silly to use a NAS as DAS, but you might not fully utilize its potential. NAS devices are optimized for network use, so using one as a DAS could be an underwhelming experience. Also, even with Thunderbolt-equipped NAS devices like those from QNAP, the connection is still treated as network storage, not true DAS.

Recommendations
If You Need Network Features:

Stick with the NAS and set it up to stream media to your Apple TV via Plex or directly using apps like VLC or Infuse. This is perfect for home media consumption and allows multiple devices to access the storage.
If You Prefer Simplicity:

Consider selling the Ugreen NAS and getting a proper DAS like the Terramaster D8 Thunderbolt or similar. A DAS connects directly to your Mac Mini and offers faster, more straightforward storage access but won't support streaming to multiple devices.
Final Thoughts
If your main goal is to stream content at home and your devices (like the Apple TV) rely on network connectivity, the NAS will serve you well. If, however, you want direct access to storage for your Mac Mini alone, a DAS might be the better fit.