HDR to SDR tone mapping with Synology DS220+

General Discussions Hardware
1

Hi everyone,

I’m considering purchasing a Plex Pass, but I have some doubts about whether my Synology DS220+ can handle the transcoding of HDR 4K files to SDR 1080p. Since I haven’t tried it yet, I’m relying on the community’s experience to help clear up this uncertainty.

Here are the key specs of my NAS:
• CPU: Intel Celeron J4025 (Dual-Core, 2.0 GHz, burst up to 2.9 GHz)
• RAM: 2GB DDR4 (Upgradeable to 6GB)

I know the specifications of the NAS are quite low, but I’m not sure how much computing power is actually required to transcode HDR to SDR. I realize the specs may be limiting, but I’m hoping someone with more experience can provide guidance.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s tried this or has insights based on similar hardware. Thanks in advance for your input!

2

Have you checked the NAS Compatibility List?

1 Like
3

DS920+ is the better choice. Quad Core J4125 cpu

Also, recommend getting 2x 4GB DIMMS (an 8GB ‘kit’) and take it to the max supported by the CPU. (The hardware silently & transparently gives a small boost when matched DIMMs are used)

Dual core is ok for smaller libraries and single-user cases

You’ll want that quad core if you have multiple streams and/or a bigger library

Purchasing extra bays in the beginning is better strategy. You can’t add bays after the fact

4

Thanks to both of you! The list is amazing! From the list it seems that my NAS is not supported, but you tell me that for a single user it could also work (what do you mean with small?)? Thanks!

5

Screenshot from 2025-01-06 13-48-33
Screenshot from 2025-01-06 13-48-331213×412 86.1 KB

All the DS220’s are compatible.

6

I’m sorry, I must have made a mistake! So transcoding from a 4K HDR file to a 1080P SDR file is supported. I guess the tests are valid for a single user. In my case in the worst case I have two users, one in direct play and the other in transcoding as indicated. So do you think I can go for it? Thank you all very much!

7

DirectPLay is when PMS reads the file and sends it to the player without any modifications (no transcoding / changing of anything)

I have a lowly DS1815+ which can DirectPlay about 450 Mbps (in total) worth – some 7-8 concurrent streams. It can’t transcode worth a darn but it can DP all day
:slight_smile:

That’s where your decision point is:

Dual Core or Quad Core

Quad core will index media faster
Quad core will support more concurrent video transcodes (3-4)
Quad core will easily support more concurrent audio transcodes (up to 12)

Dual core will be about 1/3 of the performance depending on the media.
It’s not 1/2 as you might think because of the cpu contention which will occur.

8

Thanks! The ds1815+ seems to have a quad core (c2538), It’s a frequency matter I guess.
Thanks!

9

It’s a core count issue (4 parallel tasks versus 2)

Come back and confirm what you want to get before you actually buy.

Don’t want you to end up with something useless.

10

I didn’t understand why your quad core is not enough, in any case I own a DS220+ and from what we said it supports 4K HDR transcoding to 1080p SDR for a user or a little more (and the user in Direct play is not relevant), which is enough for what I have to do. Thank you!

11

The CPU in my DS1815+, C2538, does not have any HW transcoding capability.

The CPU in the DS220, J4025, has HEVC HDR HW capability. It has 2 cores.

The difference between the J4025 and J4125 is only with the number of cores.
They are otherwise identical in capability.

If you want to handle more simultaneous transcodes then the J4125 is the better choice. If you’re ok with what you have then so be it.

12

Ok, thank you very much! :slight_smile: