Hi,
I’m looking to upgrade my current NAS (ReadyNAS 2 Ultra Plus) to a DS216+II.
Plex Media Server is running fine for my needs on the ReadyNAS (streaming to Apple TV/iPad).
But after reading a bit, I’m getting a tad confused about wether or not I will have at least an equal or better experience on the DS216+II.
If there’s anyone here who could shine a little light on my concerns regarding Plex Media Server and the DS216+II.
*that’d be great, thank you in advance!
Sorry for the two posts, can’t seem to edit my initial post, after I posted it by accident
Thank you for your reply.
The ReadyNAS has a 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor and the DS216+II has a 1.6GHz Dual Core Intel Celeron N3060.
Would you say that the ReadyNAS does transcoding when I use with an AppleTV or iPad? (most of the files are mp4,mkv,aac,avi)? From what I gather I don’t really need the transcoding when looking at what both the Apple devices support.
The ReadyNAS does have some issues playing 1080p or the likes, so often I just make sure the sources are 720p, but was hoping to be able to play 1080p+ with the DS216+II.
But just going from the processors I thought I would be better of by far with the DS216+II.
I’m sorry if I’ve missed your point, or some other basic information.
Once again thank you very much for your reply.
Things are becoming a lot clearer now, I only have question left.
The ReadyNAS is from 2011-ish and has the 1.8 Atom processor vs the DS216+II from 2016 with it’s 1.6GHz Dual Core.
Now here’s what confuses me the most, the ReadyNAS can transcode low bitrate 720p (it will struggle), yet from what you said, the DS216+II won’t even transcode low bitrate 720p, it just won’t transcode at all.
Why is that the DS216+II won’t transcode at all when its CPU is a lot better than the 1.8 Atom? I get that the GPU will not partake in any transcoding by Plex (FFMPEG), but I don’t get why the CPU from the DS216+II will not transcode a single bit?
Thank you once again!
Thank you ever so much trumpy81!
Hi everybody,
Looking to purchase a DS216+II and can’t seem to find confirmation anywhere (or I’ve gone blind!) that this model supports Plex. Can someone confirm or infirm support for Plex on the DS216+II?
It has an Atom processor ergo it should be supported methinks.
This device would be a very affordable solution for many users.
As someone that requires subtitles, but wants to use a NAS, it would be a good solution.
Sorry @trumpy81 - I meant to say, that hardware wise it is a good device for this task considering its hardware transcoding powers - of course that still requires plex to port the hardware transcoding features from the WD Pro.
For software transcoding the issue is trivially not possible.
The N3710 in the Western Digital PR2100 and PR 4100 support QuickSync.
The N3060 in the Synology DS216+II belongs to the same N3000 Braswell lineup and thus also supports QuickSync.
If anything, the limiting factor might be the iGPU, which is a Intel® HD Graphics 400 for the Synology DS216+II, and a Intel® HD Graphics 405 for the Western Digital PR*100s. 12 Execution Units vs 16 Execution Units and a 16% clockrate difference.
It seems PMS 1.6.0 or later version supports GPU in DS216+II. DS216+II now plays 1080p without prompting error message while it transcodes.
However, the lode of CPU stall maintains at 90%.
Dear Trumpy81
So, the reason 216+ii is capable of transcoding 1080p is because PMS 1.6.1 support 64bit intel cpu? not because HW acceleration?
Thanks
I have DS216+II and HW transcoding works like a charm with the BETA build.
I upgraded RAM to 8GB if its helpful
I thought the DS216+ II couldn’t take a memory upgrade? At least that’s what I read in the retailer’s specs
Thank you very much.
I was disappointed when the specs said no, now I can be happy again for a while 
Now I just have to wait for the damn thing to arrive! At least it will be better than my current DS213 piece of sh*t
@trumpy81 said:
I cannot speak to the performance of the ReadyNAS, but the DS216+II will not transcode at all using Plex. Otherwise, it is a fine NAS and will run Plex quite well, but you will need to ensure that your files do not require transcoding for your clients/devices.For now, Plex only uses the CPU for transcoding and does not take advantage of the GPU found in the DS216+II. If however, you install and use the Synology Media Server/Video Station software, then the NAS will easily transcode 4K->1080p.
FYI, using the latest PMS on Synology DS216+II NAS transcodes just fine.
Has this feature been released?
Send it back and get a 4 bay
2 bays are a waste of money.
If u stick with the 2 bay come back here in 6-12 months and tell me I was wrong…
