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Upgrade from Synology DS218+ to DS920+ worth it?
Good day. I have a Synology DS218+ purchased in September 2020 which I am very happy with. I mainly use it as a Media Server to play video and audio content on Plex and my home receiver, but also use it for file and photo storage. Hardware: I added a 4 GB memory expansion card from Synology (which was not cheap) and two 6TB drives in a RAID 1 configuration which has quickly filled to about 75% capacity now. I'm torn between how to move forward. I am considering swapping out my 6 TB drives for two 10 or 12 TB drives. But I'm also considering upgrading completely to the DS920+, perhaps adding two new 6 TB drives (doubling my capacity in RAID 1 to 12 TB but that might be short sighted, storage-wise). Are fewer larger drives more efficient than more smaller drives? Lastly, I'm also thinking of getting a NUC to act as my Plex server as I occassionaly get buffering and failures watching larger high-res 1080p video. I’m not sure how to begin. I have not yet dipped my toe in 4K TV yet, and I know video files for 4K are much, much larger. If I get a NUC I need not worry so much about the less powerful CPU in the DS218+. I could use some advice!
0 answers / 0 votes / 159 views
Upgrading from DS220j to DS720+?
Hi Folks. Currently I have a Synology DS220j for my Plex Media Server, however, recently, I noticed that its lagging while playing videos. I've concluded based on research that it's having trouble transcoding. Is this correct and if so, should I upgrade to the DS220+ or as a future proof solution, upgrade to the DS720+. What are your thoughts on this since video is going in the direction of 4K?
FI Finkelstein2004 asked on 01 March 2021, 23:36
0 answers / 0 votes / 111 views
Viewing and linking subfolders to media libraries using PLEX?
I have purchased a Synology NAS and am trying to set it up as a PLEX media server. I have followed the instructions in the video you created (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNyTasDcVVc) and got to the point of linking the media type subfolders to each media library I am creating in PLEX. However, when I use the PLEX application on the NAS and try to point at the subfolder, I can only see the top level shared folder and not the media type subfolders I have created (movies, music, TV shows, and photos). Any idea why I cannot see these subfolders? I have tried refreshing, restarting the application, deleting/recreating the folders without success. Thanks for your help.
ME Mendelspeas asked on 23 February 2021, 17:09
0 answers / 0 votes / 128 views
Itunes and iPhoto migration for new NAS user - very confused?
Hello, First thanks for the great videos on the site and for any help you all can provide. The videos helped convince my brother and I to jump into the NAS World. But I am about to blow my brains out! I have spent hours scouring you tube and the internet looking for simple clear step by step advice on how to (1) move my music library from iTunes to the NAS. Should I mirror the library on my old iMac? Give up on iTunes and go all in on either Audio Station or maybe Plex? If I move exactly which files must be part of the migration? Why use the iTunes server app on the NAS - does it offer advantages over audio station? Or should I skip the Synology apps and go straight to Plex? (2) Same questions essentially for photos and home videos. They are a mess now and in different file formats some that the iMac will not read (think old camera phone videos from 18 years ago). Mirror iPhoto or move it all to the NAS? I assume it will be best to go to Moments to have that program clean up and organize things. At that point do I move the cleaned and organized files to photo station? I am surprised there is not more hand holding in Synology's setup to help newbies like myself. Any help or guidance or resources would be appreciated. Thanks again for the videos
1 answers / 0 votes / 152 views
Synology DS1019+ high SSD Cache usage?
Following your excellent video's I installed a 256gb nvme in my plex server. Although I have 15tb of storage 80% used. The DSM has never used more than 6% of read only cache. Something has changed since using I've stated using the DVR function with a HDhomerun. Interstingly my cache use has now increased to 145gb used. Anyone know why this has suddenly risen. I thought DSM would only cache files used more than twice.
1 answers / 0 votes / 157 views
First NAS for plex, 1 camera surveillance, and alternative to one drive. ?
Hi, Looking for some advice on my first NAS for the items mentioned in the title, I was thinking of the DS220+, all plex use will be local and probably be in 1080 as opposed to 4K, but I do have an nvidia shield tv pro so could this take the pressure off the NAS if I want 4K streaming in the future?
1 answers / 0 votes / 154 views
Looking for the least expensive 2-Bay Synology NAS capable to transcode HD video on Plex?
I´m looking for a Synology NAD with two bays capable to transcode HD video as a Plex server. I saw mixed reviews on the DS220j and DS220+ series. Any advice is appreciated.
SO Sodadigital asked on 09 December 2020, 16:53
1 answers / 0 votes / 156 views
Need Help Selecting Synology Rackmount NAS - Q1 2021?
I will be looking for a new Synology rack mount NAS in the first quarter of 2021. I have a a DS3615xs offering ~87TB available storage (10 x 12TB drives RAID 6). About 50TB is in use. That machine runs a Plex server offering movies, TV, music and audiobooks. It also runs Cloud Sync to copy data to Google Drive, Hyper Backup to backup to a DS1010+ every six hours via Rsync, Cloud Station, and Synology Chat. The DS3615xs has a number of CIFS shares on it as well as an NFS datastore for vSphere. It's connected via 10G Ethernet. I want to replace that unit with something higher-performing, newer, and rack mountable, since all my servers and most other devices are now in a rack. The DS3615xs would sit on top of the rack and serve as a backup target or node in a two-node Synology cluster, if possible. I am looking for 10G connectivity, M.2 NVMe caching and good performance with NFS and iSCSI as shared storage for a vSphere cluster. Can you assist with a recommendation? Thank you.
1 answers / 0 votes / 136 views
Compatable Synology NAS for 4K Transcoding?
Synology Web site does not show DS920+ as capable of 4K transcoding yet it's showing the DS918+ is shown cabable 4K transcoding. Thought the DS920+ is more up to date than the DS918+ so am a little confussed. Is this true ? If it is true what should what I go for instead ?
0 answers / 0 votes / 130 views
Need help buying a NAS?
I am Having a little difficulty choosing a NAS. My use cases are for For backups, Business file services, surveillance, downloading hard copy movies to NAS for plex, and scanning personal pictures and photographs. I live in Canada Ontario if that helps you with your search. The file services portion is the most important however we still want a NAS that can consistently do the other things. our budget like listed above is $800 CAD to $1400 CAD $1500 CAD being ABSOLOUTE max. this price is not including the price of the drives as we will slowly build up the # of drives. I really hope you can help just like your videos helped me choose out our first NAS. BTW we need anywhere from 6-8 drive bays Thanks, Konrad
2 answers / 1 votes / 289 views
DS1621+ vs DS1520+ for media playback?
I have watched lots of your videos on the DS920+ (as you don't have some of the Plex and video station review reviews for the DS1520+) and the DS1621+trying to figure out which one is the best for watching movies and dealing with bigger, denser files, including 4K HEVC. I can't seem to figure out which NAS will be best. While the Celeron chip on the DS1520+ seems like it would be better as it has a little GPU capabilities on the CPU, the AMD Ryzen is a beefier chip and seems to come off better on your videos even though it is doing software transcoding on HEVC. The price difference between the 2 NAS's isn't an issue (happy to pay more for the DS1621+). But which one is the better NAS for video playback (Plex and Video Station), especially at 4K HEVC? Also, if I go for the DS1621+, would a RAM upgrade or NVMEe SSD for cacheing help with video playback?
0 answers / 0 votes / 539 views
Backup Plex Media Data on QNAP?
Hi need help backing up plex media data on my qnap nas. can't find it in file explorer. Windows user unfamiliar with qnap os.
0 answers / 0 votes / 211 views
NAS Buying Beginner?
Hi, I am trying to buy a NAS. I'm beginner to this. After watching a few of your YouTube videos, I have a few questions. Usage: 1. 2 Desktop/Laptop + 4 Mobiles + TV [1080p-not planning to upgrade to 4k any time soon] 2. Mostly for Picture, videos backups + Movie Storage 3. Watching movies/Videos on above devices Questions: 1. Do I need transcoding? [My files are mostly in 720p or 1080p] 2. Is it better to have 2+5 Bay [DS720+ with DX517] or 4 Bay [DS920+] performance wise? I am planning to use 8TB HDDs with BTFS & SHR. 3. If I add DX517 later, do I have to increase the RAM of DS720+? Thanks in advance
1 answers / 0 votes / 444 views
Advice on new QNAP NAS purchase?
Upgrading home network and looking for advice/comments on my ideas. Need to replace 2 TS-453Bminis (4 bay) with ones that with faster network connectivity. One mini is Plex server, one mini is backup and mapped drives for home network. Both 4 bay with HGST 6 TBs drives in all bays. Must be able to migrate by using old drives. (see https://www.qnap.com/en/nas-migration/) Think a 4 bay TS-453D can replace the Plex mini and has faster LAN, but am wondering if a 4 bay TS-473 might be better for backup and mapped drives because it has faster CPU, handles more memory and can take add in cards to get the higher LAN speed. Budget for both is $1500 US so some room for more bays or different models. I'm OK with getting base memory and adding in later. The final setup would use the 5 port QSW-1105-5T 2.5GBe switch with the 2 new NAS and my 2 home PCs using high speed LAN cards connected to it. Advice? Comments? Flaws I've not considered or such? All feedback appreciated.
0 answers / 0 votes / 172 views
PLEX on qnapTVS-672N-i3 or do I need it?
Hi First thx for a intressing website and Youtube channel. I have today since a couple of years a WD pr2100 wich has served me well. I use it mostly for Plex and some minor backups. I also have some friends who uses my Plex server. I think of upgrading to get more bays and a more powerful NAS. I have consider synology 918+ or 920+ or maybe a terramaster. But recently I also have been looking at the qnap 672N-i3. Regarding on more Plex users is the qnap a better choice? Mainly the material is 1080 p. Is it more futureproof regarding some 4K with the qnqp ? Is there another better NAS option ? I have ofcourse Plexpass with transcoding today on my wd pr2100. I dont mind spending some money on a new NAS.
1 answers / 0 votes / 239 views
Can extra RAM or eSATA SSD improve Plex transcoding on Synology ds218+?
I recently got a synology ds218+ which will mainly be used as a plex server with some minor backup functionalities. I want to use plex to share it with family members who live far away. From what i have read i need to get the premium version of plex to enable hardware transcoding. This is where the advice I find online gets confusing. I've read about people getting an extra SSD to enable transcoding there (using the USB or the eSATA port?) and some others about using RAM to transcode? Is a ram upgrade even necessary? Hopefuly you can give me some clarity between all this contradictory advise. Thanks in advance for your time,
NA Nascompares_blog_push asked on 10 May 2020, 17:05
1 answers / 0 votes / 346 views
MKV and QNAP?
Transcoding MKV files using QNAP TVS-1282-i7-32G. Most of my library are MKV files. I understand that QNAP has an issue with MKV and requires work around to support them. Is this still true? My main reason to move from my Existing 21 TB Windows Home Server 2011 Supermicro Server with 8 3TB Enterprise drives connected to a Maga Raid Storage card is the amount of power required to run the Server 24 X 7. I am hoping a QNAP with 8 SSD drives would cost about 1/2 to run and add performance and reliability. Although the Supermicro Server has been very reliable for the last 5 years. I am thinking about getting the QNAP TVS-1281-i7-32G 450W Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks.
1 answers / 0 votes / 651 views
Synology NAS / Plex / Live TV / UK?
Is there a workable solution in the UK? I have a Synology DS216+II (hardware transcoder) running Plex. I would like to connect a TV tuner so as I can watch / record live TV (using Plex). I have tried (and returned) a Silicondust HDHomeRun CONNECT DUO (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BFNRGN9). This would not work without major buffering issues. My thinking is that I need hardware transcoding built into the tuner, but this does not seem to be available in the UK. Does anybody have any ideas?
PC Pcollins@syxth.com asked on 18 April 2020, 15:42
2 answers / 0 votes / 437 views
RAID 1 to RAID 0?
I have QNAP NAS TS-251+ (2) WD Red 4TB 3.5" NAS HD Raid 1 (I would like to unmirror ? to RAID 0) HBS 3 backed up to: QNAP TR-002 2 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID USB 3.0 Type-C RAID 0 (2) WD Red Pro 4TB NAS Internal Hard Drive - 7200 RPM Class, SATA 6 Gb/s, - 256 MB Cache, 3.5" I currently keep all my Media on TR-002 and Run Multimedia from Host. I want to Restore Everything - Backup and Media to Host then use TR-002 to backup changes to host. Before I reconfigure the Host - Is this logical? Is there a better way?
1 answers / 0 votes / 502 views
NAS as a small music server to work with SONOS?
I am looking for a NAS as a small music server. I am using a Buffalo Link station at present. My library is small compared with others. It currently is 250gb of Flac I do not see this going beyond 500 gb I have seen a set up where someone had set up a music server using the DS218j. Whilst I am sure this does the job well, I prefer the appearance of the Play version. The set up I saw was using Plex to sort his libraries which I liked and would want to include this feature. Most of the time I will play back through a Sonos system. I do not visulalise wanting to connect to the NAS externally (outside my home) so all my equipment will play the Flac media. So will the DS218 play suit my purpose, and if I set it up on 1 disc can I add a second later and arrange it in a raid situation so that I have a back-up if one disk fails.
NC Nc enquiries asked on 11 March 2020, 20:04
1 answers / 0 votes / 294 views