I’m in the market to buy a NAS to use with Plex and looking at the Drobo 5N2 or the Synology DS918+ and wanted to see which is better with paired with Plex. I know the DS918+ mentions that it does do 4K transcoding but not sure about the 5N2. Thought I would pass through you knowledgeable folks so I can make an informed decision before spending a bunch of money.
I would still use my Shield TV Pro as the client
Thanks in advance
The Synology products advertize their transcoding because it uses their proprietary chip; which PMS doesn’t have access to.
The DS918+ supports QSV (Quick Sync Video) meaning PMS can use it.
If you have a ‘strong’ player/ client, this will offload the NAS further. Synology and QNAP are comparable. Synology is more novice-friendly than QNAP while QNAP let’s you do a lot more of the ‘neat’ stuff. QNAP is also less expensive and typically offers higher-end processors than Synology.
@ChuckPA said:
The Synology products advertize their transcoding because it uses their proprietary chip; which PMS doesn’t have access to.The DS918+ supports QSV (Quick Sync Video) meaning PMS can use it.
If you have a ‘strong’ player/ client, this will offload the NAS further. Synology and QNAP are comparable. Synology is more novice-friendly than QNAP while QNAP let’s you do a lot more of the ‘neat’ stuff. QNAP is also less expensive and typically offers higher-end processors than Synology.
Thanks! I just sent you a private message with a little more detail on my setup. Hopefully it makes sense and thanks again for your help!
I’ve always known the Synology to be slightly ahead of qnap in software but qnap to be ahead of Synology in hardware. Qnap also offers nas units with i3, i5, i7 CPUs whereas Synology just has 1 option for each product line generally and you can’t get a upper end Intel. That being said qnap usually cost more for the same number of bays since the processor is better.
I have Synology myself - had a ds1813+ that I upgraded to a ds1815+ and now I have 2 ds1815+ units along with 3 dx513 expansion bays. I can’t speak to transcoding off the Synology as I use a separate PC with an i7 for the Plex server. Synology is great for the storage aspect though!
If a hands off setup is important to you, I would stay away from QNAP. QNAP does not support a hybrid raid like drobo or sinology. Meaning if you use QNAP all drives MUST be the same size, and if you want to upgrade, you must replace ALL drives at the same time. In contrast with Drobo and Synology you can have different drives of different sizes and upgrade slowly. Just something to think about.
I run a Synology RS2416+ because it is easy and hands off.
@lenaxia said:
If a hands off setup is important to you, I would stay away from QNAP. QNAP does not support a hybrid raid like drobo or sinology. Meaning if you use QNAP all drives MUST be the same size, and if you want to upgrade, you must replace ALL drives at the same time. In contrast with Drobo and Synology you can have different drives of different sizes and upgrade slowly. Just something to think about.I run a Synology RS2416+ because it is easy and hands off.
sorry but on what are you basing this “opinion”. that is not accurate if you are using the latest firmware and storage pools, whcih is what i use on my 453A for qnap (been a QNAP user since the 209 days)
@lenaxia said:
If a hands off setup is important to you, I would stay away from QNAP. QNAP does not support a hybrid raid like drobo or sinology. Meaning if you use QNAP all drives MUST be the same size, and if you want to upgrade, you must replace ALL drives at the same time. In contrast with Drobo and Synology you can have different drives of different sizes and upgrade slowly. Just something to think about.I run a Synology RS2416+ because it is easy and hands off.
QNAP supports RAID volumes using disks of different sizes just as the others do.
I’m not sure which part of my post you’re taking issue with. The only opinion I stated was a Synology was easy and hands off. That isn’t saying QNAP isn’t, I haven’t used one. But QNAP doesn’t support hybrid raid of any sort because it only uses traditional RAID, that is a fact (supporting evidence: https://forum.qnap.com/viewtopic.php?t=133355). Even your TS453 and TS219 lack any hybrid raid (https://www.qnap.com/en-us/search/?q=ts-453, https://www.qnap.com/en-us/product/ts-453%20pro)
So again, I’m not sure how I offended you so badly.
ChuckPA - what’s your thoughts on the DS-918+ compared to the TS-653B or TS-453B. Based on your input I’m looking into these
From a “First NAS” perspective, with PMS as your targeted use; go with the DS-918+. Those QNAP models are 3 years old (2 generations behind now).
The processor will give you hardaare
I’ll give you the most important warning and advisory now. do not use BTRFS when formatting the disks. You’re putting a layer of RAID on top of your RAID volume and at least one user here has lost the entire volume (all content) because of a BTRFS failure. Stay with the tried-and-true ext4 file system formatting.
You can always add memory easily to the Synology. I bumped mine up to 8GB from the factory 2GB.. It’s easy. You do need small fingers or plastic tools if you drop the one memory DIMM. >:)
Before you know it, you’ll look like this and be scampering for room 
PS: I live in the country. Always dusty here. 
No sooner do I make a recommendation than QNAP drops a very competitive bomb 
Let me re-evaluate… and configure an option or two for you to compare
@ChuckPA said:
No sooner do I make a recommendation than QNAP drops a very competitive bombLet me re-evaluate… and configure an option or two for you to compare
Ha! Yep, as soon as you think you got everything figured out…something new and improved comes out!
Yeah was wondering about the QNAP ones since they are older models. The other thing I’m wondering is in regards to the 4K via HDMI. I’m not going to be connecting the NAS directly to my receiver since my rack in the home theater room wont be able to fit the typical box type NAS. A rack mountable one, yes probably. But the thing is, my modem and router are downstairs in a closet and the home theater room is upstairs. So was just going to hook the NAS directly up to the router via link aggregation or the 10Gbe since I have the Netgear Nighthawk X10 and it has the capability for both.
Again, thanks for your time and help on guiding me through this!!
Ok… I’ve had time to go through the new announcement.
Both machines have the same processor. This is excellent. The new TS-453B and the DS-918+
If you’re going to start with drives of different sizes, go with Synology. Their Hybrid RAID is what you need.
Otherwise, go with QNAP for the HDMI and all the other ports.
@ChuckPA said:
Ok… I’ve had time to go through the new announcement.Both machines have the same processor. This is excellent. The new TS-453B and the DS-918+
If you’re going to start with drives of different sizes, go with Synology. Their Hybrid RAID is what you need.
Otherwise, go with QNAP for the HDMI and all the other ports.
Thanks again brother!
@ChuckPA said:
Ok… I’ve had time to go through the new announcement.Both machines have the same processor. This is excellent. The new TS-453B and the DS-918+
If you’re going to start with drives of different sizes, go with Synology. Their Hybrid RAID is what you need.
Otherwise, go with QNAP for the HDMI and all the other ports.
ChuckPA
I ordered the Synolgy DS-918+ and its arriving today so thought I would ask you a quick question so I don’t screw anything up on the setup! I know you mentioned formatting the drives as ext4 when setting it up correct? Also, was thinking of starting with one 8TB drive and using the Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), so is this fine starting off? Was going to get 2 drives to start with but thinking of just getting one to start with to save some money, then later on just adding more drives.
Thanks again for your help!
