Question / recommendation on NAS

[Gymrat76]

Hi all

Being a total newbie in the world of NAS, I'm looking for some suggestions as to what is needed for a proper setup for my home. I will primarily use the NAS for:

1. Storing music and streaming it to my wireless speakers (KEF LS50W)
2. Backup my data (photos, music, videos)
3. Storing movies and streaming it to my TV (non-4K)

..in that order of importance.

Today my colleague loaned me his old NAS, which is a QNAP TS-469 Pro. It seems to work perfectly and fits what I want to do. He has offered to sell me the set for $300 (around 4.5 years old), comes with 3x4TB HDDs.

I have the following questions:

1. Taking into consideration the age of his NAS, is $300 a good deal? I tend to favour it currently as it's a solution already in place, and it works. I know a new setup would cost me a few times as much

2. What would be a comparable, new NAS that I could get, which is similar to this, and is able to do what the 469 Pro is able to? How much would that set me back?

Value your expert advice so that I can make a good decision to buy the NAS from my colleague, or better for me to go with a newer NAS. Thanks!

 

[wwenze]

The 3x4TB HDDs already worth $300

But if you're streaming it to TV, now that makes things a bit different. Is your TV "smart" and is it going to play files stored on the NAS? Will it require a DLNA server? Or is your NAS connected to the TV via HDMI?

Either way, the Atom dual-core isn't going to make it for local video playback or as a DLNA server.

Because NAS are big and loud, I'd rather have it in the room, and have a separate computer for video playback on the TV. Then you can go nuts with whatever you want or maybe even stuff another 2TB HDD in it because reasons. I currently have a system in which my main com is a bigger chassis, and after it gets upgraded, the motherboard goes into the smaller chassis in the living room which then uses SMB for file sharing.

 

[Gymrat76]

The 3x4TB HDDs already worth $300

But if you're streaming it to TV, now that makes things a bit different. Is your TV "smart" and is it going to play files stored on the NAS? Will it require a DLNA server? Or is your NAS connected to the TV via HDMI?

Either way, the Atom dual-core isn't going to make it for local video playback or as a DLNA server.

Because NAS are big and loud, I'd rather have it in the room, and have a separate computer for video playback on the TV. Then you can go nuts with whatever you want or maybe even stuff another 2TB HDD in it because reasons. I currently have a system in which my main com is a bigger chassis, and after it gets upgraded, the motherboard goes into the smaller chassis in the living room which then uses SMB for file sharing.

OK, so even though the 3x4TB HDD's (and the NAS itself) are almost 5 years old, it's still a good buy for $300? Was thinking I would just go with a 2-bay like the TS-251+ (but with HDD it's already well over $1k).

Haven't hooked the NAS to the TV yes (an older LG Smart TV), but it would be via HDMI. Another option is through Chromecast (which I already have).. but movies are low on the priority list. Main purpose is as music storage and streaming to my LS50Ws.

 

[wwenze]

4TB internal 3.5" are still around $200 each new, so, yeah. And HDD technology hasn't moved, there is no guarantee that newer drives will be better than older drives. Apart from lack of warranty and wear-and-tear they're identical to me new or old.

One can always go for external 2.5" HDDs which are cheaper. Also USB 3.1 interface is faster than SATA3.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10245/sandisk-extreme-900-usb-31-gen-2-portable-ssd-review/3
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/80...-usb-3-1-gen-2-portable-ssd-review/index.html

The TS-251+ is certainly better if you're going to do anything besides a file server. With the specs of TS-469 Pro it may already be lagging with web browser.

Or put the TS-469 Pro in a room and use a tablet in the living room. Slightly less video decoding power than a present-day NAS using Atom quad-core due to passive cooling but they're both going to choke with H.265 or 4k using software decode anyway and if you're using hardware decoding then both can achieve the same.

Doubles as a calendar or photo album and provides a touchscreen display for when software screws up or etc. Better than going headless. Below is an 11.6" tablet but you can probably use an 8".

 

[jtjt00]

If both NAS and HDDs around 4.5 years, they are reaching the end of life soon. Better to get new NAS and new HDDs.

 

[ra[g]e]

Some n00b questions here, is it possible to smoothly stream videos from my NAS if I am in another location, say the NAS is at home and I am in my office?

Also not sure how the NAS will be connected - as an external drive or as a network drive?

 

[jtjt00]

Some n00b questions here, is it possible to smoothly stream videos from my NAS if I am in another location, say the NAS is at home and I am in my office?

Also not sure how the NAS will be connected - as an external drive or as a network drive?

Doubt so, do a speed test at www.speedtest.net at home vs at office to same server in Singapore.

 

[yusoffb01]

Some n00b questions here, is it possible to smoothly stream videos from my NAS if I am in another location, say the NAS is at home and I am in my office?

Also not sure how the NAS will be connected - as an external drive or as a network drive?

i stream my ps4 and mmorpg from home to office. video should be doable.

 

[Gymrat76]

Thanks everyone for the response.

After playing around with it for 1-2'days I had decided to buy the NAS from my colleague, however, I also have some concerns about where to put the unit. The only place now I have is under the TB console, but it's a cramped space and the unit heats up to around 50C while idle.

That got me thinking. I have an old D-Link DNS320 (http://sharecenter.dlink.com/products/DNS-320) with 2x2TB drives in.

If I only use it primarily for streaming music to my speakers (no video), can I just install Plex Media Server on it and have the same functionality as the QNAP from my colleague?

 

[Gymrat76]

Upsss for any opinions

 

[yusoffb01]

upload to google music instead and stream

 

[Gymrat76]

NAS/Music server for ~$500-600 range

Hi all

I've decided to purchase a new 2-Bay NAS and have a budget of around $500-600 for the NAS (excluding the drives).

Main purpose for the NAS (in order of priority):
1. Stream FLAC (lossless audio) to my speakers (KEF LS50W)
2. Backup and storage of data (likely run it in RAID 1/5)
3. Stream movies (either direct to TV via HDMI or to Chrome)

I'm looking at the QNAP TS-251+. Plan to get this weekend. Are there any other models I should be considering or would this fit my purpose the best in the price-range? Thanks!

 

[jtjt00]

.....
2. Backup and storage of data (likely run it in RAID 1/5).......

You need min 3 disk to run RAID 5, so a 2-bay NAS is out of question.

 

[Gymrat76]

You need min 3 disk to run RAID 5, so a 2-bay NAS is out of question.

Ah my bad. Thanks for pointing that out.. likely will be only RAID 1. Will need to get a pair of 4TB HGSTs..

However, in terms of recommendations, the TS-251+ would be a good choice?