What kind of NAS to buy supporting 4K movies

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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hi

I would like to buy 2bay NAS. The main usage is watching 4 K movies. I would like to install NAS and stream 4K movies to plex client app installed on my Samsung 4K TV.
I’m interesting in 2 bay NAS.
Looking for recommendations

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So long as there’s no transcoding involved you don’t need anything special from the NAS. Plenty of tips here on avoiding transcoding: Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you - aka the rules of 4k - a FAQ

3

Thanks Gary

Now I’m even more confused. How can I know if the NAS that I would like to buy support 4K. I’m not intend to connect directly from my 4K TV to the NAS and stream online.
I would like to install Plex server on the NAS. And stream movies (4K, 1808p…, that are stored in the NAS) from the plex server to plex client.

4

the goal is to avoid transcoding, then you can use any nas you want.

if your client can direct play your content, then the power of the nas does not matter

to avoid transcoding;

  • don’t play 4k content on non-4k clients.
  • don’t play HD audio on non-hd audio compatible clients
  • don’t play either of the above over slow/limited/remote connections.
  • subtitles can be tricky for some clients, you may need to make sure they are disabled to avoid transcoding
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My client is plex app installed on Samsung 4K HDR TV connected to my local network via cable
Im not connected remotely or via WiFi, only cables
I would like to use subtitles, its MUST

6

you should search the forum for your tv model and see what other people’s experience is with that tv.

smart tv are typically not designed for 4k bluray rips with plex.

in particular most of them have issues with HD audio (truehd/dts-hdma). generally you must choose a different audio stream such as dts/dolby digital 5.1 or stereo.

further, most smart tvs use 100mbit ethernet (not 1gbit), which can cause buffering issues on full 4k rips.

finally, smart tvs often have limited subtitle support, you will simply have to try it, or search for other posts on your specific tv.

in short, smart tvs are more suited to low bitrate 4k streaming from netflix/amazon/hulu/etc than full 4k bluray over plex.

the simplest solution for direct play 4k content is nvidia shield.

shield > atmos receiver > tv

there are soo many threads here about 4k, I suggest you research carefully before getting too far down the rabbit hole.

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Hi TenkoJunky

Lets amuse that I’ll connect my TV to nvidia shield as you recomeneded. In this case, shield plex app will be connected to the plex server installed my NAS.
I would like to stream movies from NAS to nvidia shield or to other PC connected to the same LAN
Any recommendations?

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if you want hd audio, you must have a receiver that is compatible with truehd/atmos/dts-hdma, and the shield must be plugged into the receiver (not the tv).

otherwise, you should use dd/dts 5.1 or stereo audio stream.

I don’t have any nas recommendations, there is no one size fits all.

The only suggestion I have is to buy at least a nas with 4 drive bays. You do not normally have to start with 4 hard drives, but 4 bays will give you a lot more storage expansion possibility.

Buy a nas with as many drive bays as you can afford is even better.

for plex ‘compatible’ nas, see @ https://support.plex.tv/articles/201373803-nas-compatibility-list/

unless you plan on getting a plex pass, you should also get a nas with the most powerful cpu you can afford.

if you intend on getting plex pass, you can enable hardware acceleration for transcoding, which can use GPU to avoid bogging down the CPU.

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