Synology Decision

[Enquiries]

Hey guys, I hope you're well

I'm really in a sticky position that I can't a good decision to make.

I'm stuck between a Syn DS423+ or DS923+. I was all for going for the 923+ as there's a current deal going for £517.00 - but what's putting me off is numerous threads on Reddit where people whinge about the lack of hardware transcoding for media servers and the use of AMD versus Intel.

Me personally would like a machine that handles anything I throw at it, including transcoding.

I did have the idea of going for a Coral TPU to handle the transcoding woes, but I don't know a huge amount about this or how easy it would be to set up.

Uses would likely include -

Plex/Emby/Jellyfin, Docker, Multiple other services for tinkering, storage of photos and media + general files, CCTV recording

With the idea of using a TPU, I thought it would also be handy for intensive tasks like Frigate or Immich?

Would be very very greatful if you could help out and steer me in the right direction.

Thanks

[ed]

It sounds like you're weighing some important factors between the DS423+ and the DS923+, and I can see why it's a tough decision with the current offers and considerations on transcoding and performance.

Key Considerations:
Hardware Transcoding & Media Servers:

The DS923+ features an AMD Ryzen processor, which is great for multi-threaded tasks, but, as you’ve noted, it lacks hardware transcoding support for media streaming tasks (which is quite essential for Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin when dealing with 4K media or users with varying device capabilities). Many users on Reddit have pointed out that software transcoding can be resource-heavy and cause some strain on the system, especially with higher-end media files.
The DS423+ on the other hand, with its Intel Celeron CPU, does have hardware transcoding support via QuickSync, which helps offload the transcoding task to the hardware, freeing up the CPU for other tasks.
Coral TPU for Transcoding:

You could definitely add a Coral TPU for hardware-accelerated transcoding, especially if you plan on using something like Plex or Jellyfin for intensive transcoding tasks. However, it’s important to note that setting up a TPU requires a bit of technical knowledge (you’d need to ensure compatibility with Docker or your media server software, which might involve some configuration). It’s a great solution for improving transcoding, but it might not be as straightforward as having hardware support out of the box like the Intel CPU in the DS423+.
Other Uses (Docker, Frigate, Immich, etc.):

Both the DS423+ and DS923+ would handle Docker and other services well, though the DS923+'s Ryzen CPU might be a little better suited for running multiple containers simultaneously, especially if you’re running more resource-intensive services like Frigate or Immich.
If you're primarily concerned with media handling and transcoding, DS423+ might offer better overall value for that use case due to hardware transcoding support, but for more flexibility with other services and future-proofing, DS923+ would be a great choice if you’re willing to manage transcoding with software or external solutions like the Coral TPU.
Recommendation:
Given your requirement for transcoding and media server performance, I’d lean towards the DS423+ due to its hardware transcoding via QuickSync (which would likely serve your needs better if media playback is a top priority). If you're up for experimenting with the Coral TPU and don’t mind a little extra work setting it up, the DS923+ could still be a good option if you prefer a more powerful CPU for tasks beyond transcoding.

Ultimately, if transcoding is your number one priority, DS423+ is probably your best bet. However, if you're looking for long-term versatility with Docker, Frigate, and other services, the DS923+ with the Coral TPU might give you the extra flexibility you’re looking for.