Looking to buy first NAS. Synology DS214Play?

Lturkz1 on 16/12/2014 - 12:19

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy my first NAS. Particulary looking at the DS214play model from Synology. Having said that I am a bit concerned as it is an older mode which seems like it is due for a refresh soon. Can you recommend it or any other similar models from QNAP? I am keen on a 2 bay to save some space. (I don't mind upgrading in the future if need be but prefer to start small). Also, I'm pretty interested in using it as a media server so it seems like transcoding is an important factor from what I have read online. Looking to start out with maybe 2x 4TB WD Red. Any suggestions?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • AdrianW on 16/12/2014 - 13:34
    +1

    I'd seriously consider at least a 4-bay device, that way you can use Raid-5 and get some redundancy. With 2-bays with 2 x 4TB drives, you'll either get 8TB with no redundancy - i.e. one drive dies and you've lost all your data, or with redundancy - you've only got 4TB of space.

    With 4-bays with 4 x 4TB in Raid 5, you'll have 12TB of space - and if any one of those 4 drives fails you won't have lost any data.

    Transcoding is only important if you want to view stuff on mobile devices - if you're only going to use PCs for viewing then it's not really required.

    For a starter 4-bay NAS, I'd suggest a Qnap TS-451 (StaticIce prices)

  • hamwhisperer on 16/12/2014 - 13:37
    +1

    I considered the 24 series about 7 months back - I'm damn sure it's gonna get an update soon, hold out if you can.

    I recently set up a synology 415 and was happy with it. Personally I use FreeNAS but that is some seriously complex stuff (in comparison)

    2415+ model, surely, surely within the next 6 months

    • AdrianW on 16/12/2014 - 14:31
      +1

      DS3615xs is out. So, I'd expect a 2415+ very soon (it's the same form factor).

      Although, the op was asking about 2 bay devices not 12 bay.

  • benbarren on 16/12/2014 - 17:38
    +1

    i went the budget nas option by the wirecutter http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/zyxel-nsa310-best-cheap-nas…
    grabbed nsa310 $66USD a HGST Deskstar NAS 3.5-Inch 3TB at 7200RPM $150USD and then an older gen WDTV Live so i could stream any codec from the NAS to the UI as well as have Netflix. For a few hundred dollars a great solution.
    Mo'bays'mo$! I'd love a Synology if the budget was there though! Also Asustor had a good 2bay AS-302T that was undercutting Synology and had HDMI out a nice solution over all the issues with streaming!

  • leTintin on 17/12/2014 - 00:35
    +1

    Synology & 2x4tb a good choice. Not everyone needs a massive NAS.

  • turkz1 on 17/12/2014 - 10:02

    RAID redundancy is not absolutely necessary for me. I won't be putting critical information on the device. Just the typical media stuff to offload it from the main PC and make it more accessible.

    Also, does anyone have experience with a comparable model from QNAP?

    Thanks for taking the time to respond guys.

    • iampoor on 17/12/2014 - 15:32
      +1

      No experience with QNAP but I did some reading before I bought my Synology 2 Bay NAS. Pretty much everything I read indicated that Synology had the most user friendly software and was easy to set up.

      I got it up and running pretty quickly and haven't needed to muck around with it so really happy. It is serving its primary purpose of being a repository for all my shows - all downloaded straight into the NAS using its download app so I don't need to leave a computer turned on and streamed to any of my devices when wanted.

      • turkz1 on 18/12/2014 - 09:05

        have you had any issues playing any content? i have read about it being a bit subpar when it comes to transcoding?

        • iampoor on 19/12/2014 - 11:42
          +1

          All good on computers, it will really depend on what player you are utilising.

          The NAS itself doesn't seem to do much other than stream the show I think, but not too sure.

        • turkz1 on 19/12/2014 - 12:03

          was thinking about DLNA direct to smart tv?

  • Gatecrasher on 18/12/2014 - 12:28
    +1

    I think the DS214Play is the right choice. Add 2x 4T Western Digital Red's and you're good to go. I have just placed an order for one. I'll be setting it up in Raid 1.

    • turkz1 on 18/12/2014 - 13:52

      Where'd you get it? Mind if I ask how much you picked it up for? It seems like the WD reds are a bit more expensive now due to the exchange rate.

      • Gatecrasher on 18/12/2014 - 14:13
        +1

        Landmark Computers $425. WD 4TB Red's are selling for $225 everywhere.

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