Trying to sort through whether a Synology or QNAP is the right move - setting up a new NAS specifically for Plex Media Server to host 200+ DVDs and Blu-Rays. Access will be limited to around 6 people in 3 different places, so transcoding is a must. NAS is located in a fairly infrequented spot so the less operation needed, the better. Keeping budget under $2k for the NAS + drives, but have some flexibility to go higher for more peace of mind.

Leaning Synology or QNAP, though open to others if it works for a first-timer. Thank you in advance!

Hi,

Just in case you weren't aware, the Jonsbo N4 is showing as £90.63 (+ tax) and free shipping for me on AliExpress at the moment, I think it's a good deal?

I just found this on AliExpress:
￡117.33 | JONSBO N4 Black NAS Chassis M-ATX Motherboard SFX Power Slot 6 Large 2 Small Hard Drive Slots 120mmx1Fan Walnut Decorative Panel
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGyU1hm

Hi!

I have a WD MyCloud PR2100 that I have been using as a plex NAS and also with separate partition for Mac Time Machine backups.

Now looking to upgrade to a unit (potentially rack mounted) that can stream 4k content to devices outside of home network without transcoding (and buffering) to play at a lower resolution.

I’ve heard recommendations to run Plex OS and movie info from a SSD and then have the actual movie files from a HDD but haven’t yet figured out how to do that. I think my new upgraded unit would need both SSD and HDD drive slots?

I would like to have 3+ computers back up to the NAS as well if possible. Not sure if they should have dedicated drives for this functionality within the NAS or if partitioning alone is adequate?

Ideally the new unit would have two 10 GbE ports and upgradable RAM - would like to make it “future proof” for 10 years or so if possible.

Let me know if you need more info and otherwise which devices you recommend. Thanks for your help!!!

Hi mate,
I’ve been confused to choose the best nas system to use plex media server to connect to internal devices and outside sometime when needed.
Our TV support Imax Enhanced, Dolby Atmost and HDR+ so all movies sources support too.
Also we’ll upload some backup photos and files as well.

Regards!
Many thanks!
Danny.

I need a NAS that has the best/simplest iPhone app for automatically backing up the camera roll for my spouse who must have it be easy and automatic.

I have tried to evaluate the Synology DS-423, DS-423+, and the Terramaster F4-423. It's easy to compare the hardware differences, but I have no way of evaluating the use of the mobile apps that connect to them.

I have watched the NASCompares video between the Synology 423 and Terramaster. It concludes software/Synology, hardware/Terramaster. I'm nervous about the Syn DS-423's locked in specs vs the Syn DS-423+ expandability, but don't know if I need more than the soldered 2GB RAM.
I am new to NAS and barely can keep up with all the "apps" that can be used. I "think" I know what a Docker is? If the primary need is for simple, automated iPhone camera roll backup, will I ever want to use all the other "stuff"? I am an email administrator at work. Maybe set up my own mail server?
Advice?

Hey
I recently deleted some files and folders using windows explorer from my mapped drive....... BUT they still appeared on the NAS through File Station.....

Should I delete through File station or is using Windows Explorer ok

Am I doing something wrong

Thanks

If you had to choose between the Synology 923+ and the Flashstor Gen 2, what would be your choice.

Server is used for Plex, photos and videos (editing), NVR backup.

You guys do a great job! Thanks in advanced for any reply.

Nick

Just received the Asustor Flashstor Gen 2 and installed 64GB of ECC ram. The system only shows 32GB after booting and I also see a person that wrote to Redit and had the same problem in Australia. Did you happen to fully populate the memory? Also I'm not happy with the power connection. I moved the NAS to the side to check ports while initializing and it crashed.

I have a TS 469 Pro II which is pretty old now, I've slightly fallen out of love with it and can't seem to get the WAN access sorted, have upgraded to MAc M4 Pro. Thinking of loading with all SSDs so it is silent and cheaper to run. Might do som virtualisation on it but need to learn. WHat SSDs should I buy, what RAM upgrade should I get and what would you recommend. Can you get thunderbolt PCI expansion card for this NAS now?

Hello,
So I had a heck of a scare about an hour ago when I looked at my Nas during a backup process and I saw 3 out of 4 drives had a solid orange light.

My question right now has to do with a change I made the other day. Is there any reason to believe that hyper Backup would take significantly longer to backup to an HDD formated in exFat than if it were formated in ext4?

I'll try to keep this short but no promises. I watched spacerex a few days ago and he said to use exFat if you want to access your files on a windows PC (if the Nas completely fails I assume). So I moved my hbk file and reformatted the external HDD to exFat. Learned that the backup will fail the task if you try to relink the old file from the previous format(ext4).

So I started a completely new backup task and it seemed to work. My first attempt copied way more than I intended, my fault, I don't know. I deleted that and checked my settings and started again. About 7 hours later, I looked at my Nas hoping it was done and that is when I saw the 3 orange lights on the hard drive LEDs.

I just about died because I thought I had wiped the old ext4 backup so I thought I lost everything. I couldn't get logged in and it said login time out and another time it said check your network connection. I finally was able to login after about 30+ minutes of trying. Everything looked like it was still working and I could see my files. No error notification on any channel. I checked again shortly after and the 3 lights returned to blinking green.

The transfer rate dipped down below 1MB/s so I was shocked at how long it was taking. Previously I did a backup with the ext4 format and took about 4hrs 45min for 280GB, but right now with the exFat format I'm only at 253GB in 9hrs.

My temperatures seem to be ok. 36c on 3 of them and 40c on the other. I went ahead and adjusted my fan settings from cool mode to full mode and it has brought the temps down a few degrees so I'm just going to leave it like that, at least until this process finishes.

I'm definitely running an extended s.m.a.r.t. test on my drives as soon as possible.

Is there any reason the 3 lights turned orange for awhile but everything seems to be operating normally? I'm sure there are some things I forgot to mention that might be helpful but I will be glad to answer any questions you guys have.

Thanks for the help

Btw, I did recopy my original backup file on to the external HDD before I started the new backup task, so…I wouldn't have lost almost anything important anyways.