Setup & Transcoding Questions

General Discussions
1

My family is currently using a Tivo HD box to record live TV and stream Netflix through a Sony Bravia TV (not-smart). This works well for our purposes but, in researching NAS devices for family storage, I came across Plex and other software which looks very interesting. I ordered a Synology 716+II for NAS work, but now I am considering running Plex. I read that the CPU in this NAS is not ideal for transcoding. But, I was not sure if this would pose an issue or not, depending on the setup. I was considering running Plex on the NAS and getting the “Plex Pass” option, then use Fire TV and HDHomerun Extend boxes for streaming and live TV / DVR capabilities, respectively. I am an Amazon Prime member, so I would have access to Amazon Video through the Fire TV.

Question #1: In the above scenario, will the transcoding take place on the NAS? Or will HDHomerun transcode live TV and Fire TV transcode streaming vides from internet or NAS. In this case, the NAS would only primarily serve as a storage device – in which the NAS transcode capabilities would not apply, unless I attempt to stream a video on other devices that need transcoding and do not have another means for transcoding.

Question #2: If I purchase the “Plex Pass” option (likely the lifetime option), will I ALSO need to pay a monthly subscription for HDHomerun Extend services?

Thanks!

2

Here is a good NAS comparability list to give you a better understanding of what you can and cant do.

  1. So HDHR with extend will do trans-coding for you however if the client cant play the exact format the extend sends it out the NAS may need to transcode so it really has multiple factors depending on clients.
    If NAS is only storage your clients need no transcoding it should not be an issue.

  2. no there is no HDHR subscription you buy their tuner and hook it up to plex and thats it a one time fee.

I would highly suggest trying a monthly pass to test things out before making the commitment.

3

Thank you, nokdim, for your reply. That’s very helpful and appreciated!

4

I am considering returning my Synology 716+II and picking up a NAS that maybe more suitable for Plex. However, with that said, I am not sure if I am over thinking things here. Here are more questions I have:

(1) If I am running Fire TV and HDHomerun Extend at home, and I primarily want to watch streaming video from Amazon Video, Local TV, and channels through Plex. Occasionally, I will want to stream home movies that were recorded on our phones. If we do the majority of our viewing at home, on the LAN, under these conditions, how likely is it that we will need the NAS to help with trans-coding? I realize there is not a “one size fits all answer” but I am simply trying to gauge how critical I need to consider trans-coding for my NAS purchase. On the Plex compatibility list most of the NAS’s with fast processors are over $900 and that is way more than I want to spend.

(2) I am considering returning the Synology+II I purchased and I am looking at the following alternatives:

  1. WD My Cloud Pro PR2100
  2. QNAP TS-251+
  3. QNAP TS-251A
  4. QNAP TS-253A
  5. QNAP TS-253B

Based on the compatibility list, the WD seems like it will run Plex the best. But, I know there are trade-off’s in other areas, so that is where I am struggling with my decision. In addition to running Plex, we also want to back-up photos from phones and use the NAS as a general file server for saving work. We plan on establishing backup cloud service, too, to backup the NAS to the cloud. I know QNAP has a strong reputation in the NAS department and, like Synology, will offer more add-on’s and have a more refined OS experience…but WD wins in the trans-coding department.

Anyone that can offer further advance/assistance would be appreciated. Thanks!!