Entry level NAS

[xiaofan]

Deciding between DS218 and DS220+, 80 bucks difference.
Specs say the 218 also support Hardware Transcoding but not according to the plex reference sheet you mentioned, so that means I need to be make sure the formats are correct when I download?

Plex NAS Compatibility List:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MfYoJkiwSqCXg8cm5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc

DS218+ is listed as YES in the Plex NAS Compatibility List because of the x64 (Celeron J3355) 2.0-2.5 Ghz CPU used.

DS220+ is even better with a faster CPU because of the x64 (Celeron J4025) 2.0 Ghz CPU used in the table.

DS218 is using an ARM64 aarch64 (Realtek 1296) 1.4Ghz CPU.

I think you mix up DS218 with DS218+.

Ref: DS218 vs DS218+
https://nascompares.com/synology-ds218-or-ds218-or-the-ds218play/

BTW, quick scan shows DS218+ is not popular in Lazada and price can be even higher than DS220+. If you need the transcoding thingys, probably DS220+ is better.

DS218 is roughly S$368 (MediaPro)
DS220+ is roughly S$445 (MediaPro)

 

[congster2]

client side decoding makes more sense right?

 

[xiaofan]

I am considering 1 NAS too. able to be a storage point between multiple users and able to stream to the TV in the hall. The media files can be stored on the NAS and streamed when required right?

How are the users going to save the files to the NAS if they are using a mobile. Hopefully there is an option to. Just need to be connected to the same network?

For example, you can refer to the introduction of DS220+ (or other product), they will show Synlogy has different apps catered for mobile users.
https://www.synology.com/en-global/products/DS220+

I am not an NAS expert and I just start to explore NAS myself. But you can always ask Synology related question in the main Synlogy thread. There seems to be quite some experts there.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/hardware-clinic-2/[nas]-synology-nas-owner-club-4133906.html

 

[xiaofan]

client side decoding makes more sense right?

That is what I prefer as well.

Lower end NAS CPUs are in general a bit weak with ARM or low end Intel CPUs. They are really not meant for fast media transcoding tasks. Nowadays, mobile phone, laptop, all have pretty beefy CPUs. Relatively weaker ones may be Smart TV and Android TV boxes but they may still be okay, worst case is to by Nvidia Shield TV which can play all kinds of format.

 

[congster2]

That is what I prefer as well.

Lower end NAS CPUs are in general a bit weak with ARM or low end Intel CPUs. They are really not meant for fast media transcoding tasks. Nowadays, mobile phone, laptop, all have pretty beefy CPUs. Relatively weaker ones may be Smart TV and Android TV boxes but they may still be okay, worst case is to by Nvidia Shield TV which can play all kinds of format.

Yep. I'm also using Nvidia shield... but recently i noticed audio stutter for a 4K HDR Atmos clip. At first i thought it was the HDMI cable and switched to a good one. Problem didn't go away. The clip played ok on computer. Made me wonder if it was due to bandwidth (already on gigabit ethernet).

 

[xiaofan]

Yep. I'm also using Nvidia shield... but recently i noticed audio stutter for a 4K HDR Atmos clip. At first i thought it was the HDMI cable and switched to a good one. Problem didn't go away. The clip played ok on computer. Made me wonder if it was due to bandwidth (already on gigabit ethernet).

I see. Bandwidth should not be the problem with gigabit connection. Probably you can try different players to see if that helps.

Google search found this one.
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/shield-tv/9/272559/4khdr-lossless-audio-drops/

 

[congster2]

I see. Bandwidth should not be the problem with gigabit connection. Probably you can try different players to see if that helps.

Google search found this one.
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/shield-tv/9/272559/4khdr-lossless-audio-drops/

Are you using any better apps (other than Kodi)?

 

[xiaofan]

Are you using any better apps (other than Kodi)?

Haha, I do not even play any high bit rate local media or use Kodi.

I only use streaming services like Youtube, SingTel Cast, Youku and Tencent Video. I also have SingTel TV. And I do not even have a 4K TV so I use the apps up to 1080p only. My Mi Box S handles 1080p streaming well but it will not be a good choice for Kodi.

 

[congster2]

Haha, I do not even play any high bit rate local media or use Kodi.

I only use streaming services like Youtube, SingTel Cast, Youku and Tencent Video. I also have SingTel TV. And I do not even have a 4K TV so I use the apps up to 1080p only. My Mi Box S handles 1080p streaming well but it will not be a good choice for Kodi.

okay... thanks for your reply!

 

[xiaofan]

For DIY type, TrueNAS Core may be the most popular but may be for more pro users with higher requirements and higher functioalities. OpenMediaVault is probably easier and with support for ARM based boards like Raspberry Pi.

https://www.freenas.org/freenas-vs-openmediavault/

Then there are other solutions, free or paid.
1) Windows or Windows server, paid
2) Unraid, paid, Slackware Linux based
3) XigmaNAS, FreeBSD based, free
4) Rockstor, free, based on Cent OS Linux.
5) Snapraid on Linux and it can be combined with OMV and mergerfs; or on Windows
6) ...

 

[xiaofan]

But for simple PC/Mac file backup, probably WD is good enough. You may not need to use WD's software. I use FreeFileSync for file backup for Mac and Windows. Adding one more copy to a USB HDD or to the Cloud, it may be a viable solution as well.

WD also has the mobile apps but it may not be so good as per reports.
https://shop.westerndigital.com/en-sg/products/cloud-storage/wd-my-cloud-home

 

[dumboi2]

How about Odroid HC4 for the diy route. USD65. Good enough for SMB + Docker. Has HDMI output as well.

https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-hc4/

 

[xiaofan]

How about Odroid HC4 for the diy route. USD65. Good enough for SMB + Docker. Has HDMI output as well.

https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-hc4/

Nice. Coupled with the following Debian image, OMV can be an option.
https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=38729

 

[JellyPudding]

just a some wild thoughts and suggestion that if you happen to have a computer lying around in your house, you can always try to make your own NAS with XPENOLOGY

https://xpenology.org

Check the above link out!

 

[freescoring]

Plex NAS Compatibility List:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MfYoJkiwSqCXg8cm5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc

DS218+ is listed as YES in the Plex NAS Compatibility List because of the x64 (Celeron J3355) 2.0-2.5 Ghz CPU used.

DS220+ is even better with a faster CPU because of the x64 (Celeron J4025) 2.0 Ghz CPU used in the table.

DS218 is using an ARM64 aarch64 (Realtek 1296) 1.4Ghz CPU.

I think you mix up DS218 with DS218+.

Ref: DS218 vs DS218+
https://nascompares.com/synology-ds218-or-ds218-or-the-ds218play/

BTW, quick scan shows DS218+ is not popular in Lazada and price can be even higher than DS220+. If you need the transcoding thingys, probably DS220+ is better.

DS218 is roughly S$368 (MediaPro)
DS220+ is roughly S$445 (MediaPro)

yeah I those are the 2 I am looking at.
For bundle deals on Lazada with HDD, the price difference is only $30.
$650 is a bit more than I budgeted for so still thinking about it. lol

 

[xiaofan]

yeah I those are the 2 I am looking at.
For bundle deals on Lazada with HDD, the price difference is only $30.
$650 is a bit more than I budgeted for so still thinking about it. lol

Just wondering which bundle is around S$650? Quick check Lazada listings that DS220+ with 2*4TB HDD bundle is about S$754 before any coupons.

BTW, do not worry too much about the HW accelerated transcoding, I believe it is not so important. And it is not there if you use free Plex. You need to pay for the Plex Pass subscription.

Ref:
https://nascompares.com/2020/03/02/plex-synology-nas-performance-list-2020-edition/
Plex Pass Subscription is not cheap.
https://www.plex.tv/plex-pass/

 

[xiaofan]

How about asustor5202.? Looks good from reviews...

Sent from HUAWEI NOH-NX9 using GAGT

Indeed the reviews are pretty good. The most interesting thing compared to DS220+ is the dual 2.5Gbe ports.

At S$449 from Lazada Asustor Flagship Store, Asustor 5202T looks interesting as well. The only concern is on the software side, Synology seems to be much more famous with its DSM.

 

[freescoring]

Just wondering which bundle is around S$650? Quick check Lazada listings that DS220+ with 2*4TB HDD bundle is about S$754 before any coupons.

BTW, do not worry too much about the HW accelerated transcoding, I believe it is not so important. And it is not there if you use free Plex. You need to pay for the Plex Pass subscription.

Ref:
https://nascompares.com/2020/03/02/plex-synology-nas-performance-list-2020-edition/
Plex Pass Subscription is not cheap.
https://www.plex.tv/plex-pass/

I pm-ed the guy to ask about smaller HDD but probably makes more sense to get a bigger 4TB one from the start.

I am not thinking too much about transcoding, most of modern devices probably don't much need help with that, perhaps except the TV in my room.

Have also looked at Asustor & Qnap models but as a beginner, I'll probably go with Synology for its software and ease of finding info.

 

[xiaofan]

I pm-ed the guy to ask about smaller HDD but probably makes more sense to get a bigger 4TB one from the start.

Have also looked at Asustor & Qnap models but as a beginner, I'll probably go with Synology for its software and ease of finding info.

I agree, for beginners it is probably better to go with Synology for peace of mind.

As for me, I am still looking around and I am more inclined to go with the DIY route, or even forget about NAS and just go for USB DAS (eg: WD Mybook Duo).

I may be wrong but it seems to me none of the NAS vendors can have mobile photo backup solution as good as the Cloud vendors like Apple iCloud or Google Photos.

If just for document backup, my existing solutions are already sufficient (USD HDDs plus WD MyCloud 3TB). We do not generate much documents at home.

My main problem is with mobile phone Photo backup I am a heavy user of Google Photos which will become not free in June 2021. Looks like I may have to pay for Google One 2TB tier. Then from Google Drive I can periodically download one copy to local USB HDD, then replicate to another USB HDD.

 

[xiaofan]

On the other hand, it is probably possible to use NAS to replace Google Photos or work with Google Photos.
https://nascompares.com/2020/12/23/switching-from-google-photos-to-a-synology-or-qnap-nas/

Use Synology and Google Photos together, that seems to need a Docker capable NAS in order to do the things automatically.
https://www.reddit.com/r/synology/comments/k4s93f/sync_photos_from_google_photos_to_synology/