04-17-2025, 11:01 AM
Hey, congrats on the new NAS! ?
Great choice with the UGreen DXP 2800 — especially for Plex. That hardware really punches above its weight compared to the DS224+. You're right: when it comes to streaming, especially 4K or high-bitrate files, better CPU and RAM matter more than the OS polish if your focus is just media playback.
A few quick tips as you get started:
Drives: If you're using it mostly for video, you could start with one decent-sized HDD (8TB or 12TB) and add another later. CMR drives like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus are a safe bet.
Plex setup: The DXP handles direct play well, and you’ll be golden if your TV or Plex client supports most formats. If transcoding is needed occasionally, the DXP’s CPU should handle 1080p fine — 4K will depend on the file.
macOS & NAS: You can use Finder + SMB to connect to your NAS easily, and Time Machine should work too if UGreen’s OS allows AFP or SMB backup shares (still new territory for UGreen, but evolving fast).
UGreen OS: Keep an eye on firmware updates. They’ve been improving things quickly. Might not be Synology DSM-level yet, but definitely on a promising path.
You're all set to have some fun building out your media library. And yeah — big shoutout to NASCompares for making these decisions less overwhelming!
Great choice with the UGreen DXP 2800 — especially for Plex. That hardware really punches above its weight compared to the DS224+. You're right: when it comes to streaming, especially 4K or high-bitrate files, better CPU and RAM matter more than the OS polish if your focus is just media playback.
A few quick tips as you get started:
Drives: If you're using it mostly for video, you could start with one decent-sized HDD (8TB or 12TB) and add another later. CMR drives like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus are a safe bet.
Plex setup: The DXP handles direct play well, and you’ll be golden if your TV or Plex client supports most formats. If transcoding is needed occasionally, the DXP’s CPU should handle 1080p fine — 4K will depend on the file.
macOS & NAS: You can use Finder + SMB to connect to your NAS easily, and Time Machine should work too if UGreen’s OS allows AFP or SMB backup shares (still new territory for UGreen, but evolving fast).
UGreen OS: Keep an eye on firmware updates. They’ve been improving things quickly. Might not be Synology DSM-level yet, but definitely on a promising path.
You're all set to have some fun building out your media library. And yeah — big shoutout to NASCompares for making these decisions less overwhelming!