PLEASE ! support a DS218play Release of Media Server

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

Dear Synology Support & Development,
Bought a Synology DS218play in full trust that you would support a PLEX Media Server on any Synology Platform.
How wrong could I be? Read all about the fact that this ARM processor is not supported yets etc etc.
PLEASE - compile a Media Server release on this processor.

2

The RealTek 1296/1293 are what’s not supported.

Had Synology used a full-capability ARMv8 CPU, which has ARMv7 compatibility mode, I would have been able to do the packaging for it and provide some level of support.

When the processor first came out, I hand crafted a SPK file with exactly that goal in mind only to learn the CPU has no ARMv7 compatibility whatsoever.

Engineering is well aware and working on it.

All I can suggest you do is follow the announcement i have posted at the top of the Synology forum.

When there is anything to report, I will post it there.

3

Hope you will finish it soon. :#
Investing in another NAS is not an option for us… Currently running Plex via an old Desktop in the network which is a poor option… :’(

4

When I decided to buy Synology DS 218 Play, I got the Plex Pass subscription first.

But when I learned that Plex did not have support for the Synology DS 218 Play, I was very disappointed.

We have an estimated wait, when it will end.

I look forward to hearing from you. I wish you conveniences in your work.

5

What does this mean in plain English?
That Plex no longer offers support for the RealTec ARM mentioned above
OR
There will be no further compatible Plex releases for the RealTec ARM mentioned above

6

There were never any releases for those RealkTek ARMv8 processors.

PMS is supported for ARMv7 processors at this time.

The RTD1293 and RTD1296 which Synology uses are ARMv8 based processors without the normal ARMv7 backward compatibility mode found in mainstream ARMv8 cpus.

7

Hi ChuckPA,
how long would it take support the Realtek 1296? Are there any Betas? and if not can you please tell tow far are you with the process? 10, 20…99% ?

9

Why Emby has support for this CPU on synology NAS?

11

Still nothing new in the DS218Play front??

13

I know the thread but nothing new in almost 3 months

14

I will be the person doing the work.

When I have all the pieces I need to make it happen, it will be done.

I will create a BETA thread in the Synology forum so we can iron out any wrinkles / packaging problems.

When it’s complete, it will be turned over to the production team.

This is the best I can do for anyone and what I will be doing

15

I’m new to the forum, but have a vested interest in support for the 218Play since I’ve just bought on on the strength of it being ‘media optimised’.

@ChuckPa, your last post indicates that there will eventually be a version for this processor, but no indication of timescale. I just want to be sure that Plex will support this some time in the future, because if they may not then I may decide to return the 218Play while I have the chance!

Incidentally the link posted by trumpy81 is broken, but I did eventually find the thread it refers to which now appears to be closed…

Thanks in advance!

16

I would like to invite all Plex Pass holders to visit the Plex Pass Betas area for an announcement about ARMv8 support

:popcorn:

17

I’m on the fence about purchasing a Synology DS 218 play, or DS 218+. Would prefer the former due to cost, though am hesitant to purchase, before hearing about the update from Plex. I’d consider a Plex Pass, though doesn’t make sense until I buy the NAS! Has anyone seen the announcement above, to advise of what to purchase?

18

Some important information for you:

  1. The RealTek processors (ARMv8) do not have hardware transcoding capability which we are able to access. Inquires have been made but no information has been forthcoming. At this point in time, we are unable to verify such a capability even exists.

  2. The Intel X86_64 machines (Intel J3355 and J3455) are fully capable of hardware transcoding 4K HEVC HDR now. Empirical data strongly supports using 2x 4GB (same speed) SODIMM modules for maximum performance.

  3. ARMv8 support is now in Plex Pass Alpha testing. It opened the day of my above post. Subsequent to this alpha testing, which will continue to be updated as I get updates, QA testing will begin.

  4. All profiling data “Just how much can it actually transcode” collected will help me to determine if I continue to allow transcoding or if I will be forced to turn off video transcoding. At present, I am hopeful to allow “Some” (NAS compatibility guide terminology) codecs and resolutions.

I hope this helps?

20

Are you 100% certain of that? Can you make a screen shot for me of what it says? Please look for the version it wants to install. That’s important to me. It will tell me everything I need to know

I ask because I have not given Synology any software for their Package Center for any of the ARMv8 devices nor is any of it authorized to be released to public.

22

To all:

It’s been two weeks so it’s time to make this more public. :slight_smile:

I am pleased to announce:

Platform Alpha Testing for ARMv8 (RealTek) processors on Synology and QNAP is now open to the general public.

It will not be available in the QNAP or Synology package/app stores until it has been formally released.
All updated binaries will be in the two threads which have been created.

The main: Test results and new binary updates
https://forums.plex.tv/t/armv8-platform-alpha-testing-synology-and-qnap

Discussion and Problem resolution
https://forums.plex.tv/t/armv8-platform-alpha-testing-discussion-troubleshooting