I currently run plex server from my m2 pro. But have an aging Wdmycloud drive with my files on plus a couple of 3tb Wd reds I’m thinking of buying a new nas synology or Qnap. Or maybe just a cheap nas enclosure keeping plex server on my m2 pro.
Which is the best option new set up synology or Qnap or server on m2 mini ?.
This has some helpful information
1 Like
I run a QNAP. I can’t say it’s been a problem free experience. 
1 Like
You wouldn’t recommend the Qnap then?. My Wd Mycloud has just worked for about ten years I want to replace it thinking what the best option is another Mycloud or run the server off a synology or Qnap or other brand?.
The only experience I’ve had with a NAS is Synology, and it’s pretty nice. Has just enough “oomph” in it to run some programs (including Plex, for a year, before I built a standalone for it).
The only problem I suppose is that the expansion bays are almost as much as an entire NAS, which seems strange to me.
1 Like
My QNAP is a monster on paper. It does all of the things with ease. But it’s also been chock full of minor headaches. I couldn’t connect an expansion box for a few months until tech support got around to elevating me to the right person. It keeps ejecting the SSDs for no reason. I have to pull them out, and put them back in to get them re-recognized. Small little software bugs here and there.
It’s been a series of small headaches for me, that makes me wish I’d looked more into Synology before I bought it.
Glad I asked the question on here .the MAC forum didn’t get the answers like here.
I’m now having second thoughts on the Qnap I just want to switch on transfer my videos play and forget but was wondering if a nas plex server would be better than my Mac mini.
For synology, you have to pick the + (plus) line of NASs in order to have a CPU good enough for Plex. Anything less, and I wouldn’t trust it to transcode. Even then, the 920+ that I have can do one SW transcode. But it does have a CPU that can do HW transcoding, which lets it process 6 or so at once. Currently, I use the NAS only to store my media, so even a basic Synology NAS would suffice if you have and maintain your own separate server.
I dunno, if the Mac Mini works as a server, stick with it, and get a NAS to store the media. One downside to offloading media to a NAS is that Plex now cannot automatically perform scans when you add media.
I’d like to play hdr Dolby vision h265 files but it buffers with h265 msg about network not fast enough I have half a gig broadband through virgin. If my issue is the 1gig network then there’s no use spending on a new nas.
I may be better off just buying a new enclosure keep using the Mac mini for the server?.
Any recommendations for a basic NAS Enclosure.
Ah, networking. That can be an issue, even in your own house. Keep in mind that you need to have gigabit connections throughout the entire route from server to client. Which client do you watch it on? TVs use either wifi or wired cables. Wi-Fi, if you have an older TV or a cheap set, might run an older standard that can do sub-100 Mbps, but quite likely to do 200 or more, sufficient for 4K. If its wired, it’s VERY rare to get a device with a gigabit network (1000 Mbps) card in it, they are more likely going to have a 100 Mbps card, which can be a throttle for uncompressed 4K. It depends on the video.
H265 videos are nice and compact, but we run into another problem, in that not a lot of clients support that codec (it is CPU intensive just to read the file). So if you play this video, it might not be buffering because of the network, but because the server might not be able to transcode the file fast enough.
I don’t have any experience with Mac Minis, so I do not know how well it performs with DV videos, or the 265 codec.
There are too many variables here for me to speculate too much on. I suppose we’d need to know your typical video file size/bitrate/codec/format/etc, your BIGGEST video file size/bitrate/codec/format/etc, your network config (routers, switches, wi-fi letter-type, etc), your clients you use (TV, Nvidia Shield, Fire, iOS, Roku, AppleTV, etc), and stats on the server. Without those, all I can do is offer generic advice.
The NAS you pick won’t have much bearing on performance of Plex, it’s just a place to store the files, unless you want the NAS to ALSO be the server. Synology may not be a great platform for this if you got 4K HDR files, because if it has to transcode it will THRASH even the 920+'s CPU.
I watch it on my Sony android tv plex app.
Oh forgot to say my house is all wired Ethernet car 7 with gigabit switches
It doesn’t seem like a nas to put plex server is going to do any better than my Mac m2 mini which is brand new version
Is there a nas that will play anything 4K for about £500 or am I better stick with what I got just buy a new enclosure for the drives that doesn’t transcode.?
The server is not really what dictates whether or not something transcodes. It’s usually the client playing the media (your TV) or your network speed
In your case the Sony android app. Some native TV apps have limited playback capabilities
You can read this and determine if your TV is one of those
https://support.plex.tv/articles/204080173-which-smart-tv-models-are-supported/
It sounds like everything is currently direct playing except the error about your network speed?
I don’t trust the “network is not fast enough error”
I’ve had that error playing the same 3mbps file on a 100mbps connection with one client and not another (same specs) on the same TV
BUT, if that’s actually your problem…consider a device can take full advantage of the network speed you have or to eliminate the “limited playback capability” if it applies to your TV
The Nvidia Shield will, or even a Fire TV with an aftermarket ethernet adaptor will do the job. If your TV can get faster speeds on Wi-Fi you can try that, but I’ve had mixed results. I’ve had better luck with an 80mbps ethernet vs. 300mbps Wi-Fi connection
If it’s not actually your network speed and just something your TV doesn’t like, even a $30 dollar Firestick or Roku might work
If it were me, thinking about budget and performance…
I would keep the server on the Mac, rework your storage and consider upgrading to a potentially more capable streaming device for your main TV.
I have a 500mpbs ethernet connection to my Shield and it can direct play files like this with on a less than stellar Windows server, no problem
Yes I think my network is fast enough the tv is a Sony A8 so not old I think the Ethernet card in it is only 100 mb though but I’ve read you can buy a 2.5bg Ethernet adapter to usb on the tv ?.
maybe a shield or Apple TV might be better?.
Everything is played direct though I’ve checked it’s not asking my Mac mini pro to transcode which it would no problem.
Is there any settings in plex I’ve missed?.
Thanks for replying btw.
If something is direct playing but is playing poorly or giving you errors, you would probably have to provide logs to figure out what’s actually causing your problem
Messing with the TV sounds like a headache I wouldn’t be interested in trying.
I’ve only used the Shield so that’s all I can personally recommend, but an Apple TV with a gigabit port would probably work fine. I know some models only have 100mbps ethernet ports so double check that
Thanks for your help.
What are the best settings in plex advanced I have the plex pass. Make my cpu hurt and network maximum ?.
You could build your own and use Unraid, that is what I did. It is easier to expand then a ready made NAS.
Ok how you go about doing this. Just been looking at the Qnap tr-004
