08-23-2024, 09:13 AM
Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like you're about to have a lot of fun with your first NAS setup, and I'd be happy to help clarify things for you.
Based on what you mentioned, it seems like you have a solid idea of what you need, especially since you're considering Jellyfin over Plex. Jellyfin is a great choice if you're looking for an open-source option that gives you a lot of control. For your storage, starting with 2x 20TB drives is a good move, especially if you're planning to store a lot of media. But I totally agree, having a 4-bay NAS would give you more flexibility down the road if your library grows.
Given your budget and needs, I’d recommend looking at either the Synology DS224+ or the DS423+. The DS224+ is a great starting point; it’s a 2-bay NAS that's powerful enough for most home media setups. But since you’re already thinking about future-proofing with more storage and maybe more users, the DS423+ might be the better option. It has four bays, so you could start with two drives and add more later, which is perfect for expanding your storage without having to replace the whole unit.
With your 3Gbps internet connection, streaming both locally and over the internet should be a breeze. Both the DS224+ and DS423+ can handle multiple streams and even some transcoding if you need it. Since you mentioned some family members don’t have 4K TVs, having a NAS that can transcode video on the fly would make sure they can still enjoy your media without any issues.
And don’t worry about storage for personal files, photos, and videos – both models have excellent apps for managing and sharing files securely. You can set up user accounts for family and friends, so they have their own spaces and access.
Based on what you mentioned, it seems like you have a solid idea of what you need, especially since you're considering Jellyfin over Plex. Jellyfin is a great choice if you're looking for an open-source option that gives you a lot of control. For your storage, starting with 2x 20TB drives is a good move, especially if you're planning to store a lot of media. But I totally agree, having a 4-bay NAS would give you more flexibility down the road if your library grows.
Given your budget and needs, I’d recommend looking at either the Synology DS224+ or the DS423+. The DS224+ is a great starting point; it’s a 2-bay NAS that's powerful enough for most home media setups. But since you’re already thinking about future-proofing with more storage and maybe more users, the DS423+ might be the better option. It has four bays, so you could start with two drives and add more later, which is perfect for expanding your storage without having to replace the whole unit.
With your 3Gbps internet connection, streaming both locally and over the internet should be a breeze. Both the DS224+ and DS423+ can handle multiple streams and even some transcoding if you need it. Since you mentioned some family members don’t have 4K TVs, having a NAS that can transcode video on the fly would make sure they can still enjoy your media without any issues.
And don’t worry about storage for personal files, photos, and videos – both models have excellent apps for managing and sharing files securely. You can set up user accounts for family and friends, so they have their own spaces and access.