Hey guys, looking to get a NAS to have 2 network drives that everyone in my house can reach via wifi containing music/movies etc.
Just had a question, no idea what one to get. Just want something small which works and also wondering do the HDD's spin down when not in use? As I won't be accessing the files all the time and don't really thinking the HDD's being on all the time is a good idea.
Cheers
I am interested in a NAS and do need transcoding ability for Plex. Could you recommend one, or is microserver the only way to go? Thanks!
Plex transcoding is CPU dependent. The cheaper ARM based NAS might work ok for lower res content, but not well.
Check this article: https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201774043
sweet, cheers!
Transcoding on the NAS is a waste of time/money/energy - you're better off getting a head unit (nvidia shield, roku, chromecast) that can do it.
Just get a basic NAS that has decent read/write performance.
Legitimately asking, what do you mean get a head unit that can do it?
The reason I put together my server for transcoding was because most devices wouldn't play my raw files (chromecast, tablets, phones) when they were particularly taxing formats (for example, hi10p anime, which, more often than not, does not have a compliant encode).
Legitimately asking, what do you mean get a head unit that can do it?
Google nvidia shield, roku, chromecast
tablets, phones
Install VLC player, it'll stream/pay it fine.
"for example, hi10p anime"
"+" this, format is very difficult to play without going blocky, have yet to find a concrete reference to a Chinese one that'll do this, admittedly niche requirement, perfectly.
NOTE FOR CLARITY-Have not tried the NVIDIA Shield type player because, frankly, they are beyond my price range so it may do the job, I simply don't know.
Off the cuff answers saying "X model" will play "any high format" non animated movie type of vid don't tackle this issue.
Chrome cast requires transcoding for almost everything though. Or am I missing something big?
Shield is awesome, and played most of what I tried.
Last time I tried VLC on my devices (aside from Pc) it didn't play anything I hoped it would, but maybe it has improved?
@havebeerbelywillsumo:
Shield plays most without issues. Kodi reports dropped frames, but I never noticed any.
But I'm sure there are lots that I never came across that simply would stump it.
Video codecs (Chromecast 1st and 2nd Gen.)
H.264 High Profile up to level 4.1 (the processor can decode up to 720p/60fps or 1080p/30fps)
VP8
Video codecs (Chromecast Ultra)
HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (2160p/60fps)
VP9 Profile 0 and Profile 2 up to level 5.1 (2160p/60fps)
Depends what you're playing, I guess…
Transcoding is only useful if you are accessing your NAS from somewhere else, where you don't want to use as much data to watch something, or your internet connection at either end is subpar. For home use only, you shouldn't need it.
I don't know about that. Plex will automatically transcode what it needs to based on the player (ps4, chromecast, etc). It won't transcode a supported stream.
I like having the highest quality file archived, and this often requries transcoding, especially with devices that work only wirelessly, or when I can only connect via wireless for other reasons.
Transcoding has been really useful for me when it has been needed, and the times it hasn't been, things aren't transcoded.
It was a lot cheaper for me to build a NAS that could transcode then it was to replace all my devices with ones that could natively play everything I had and install ethernet throughout the house.
I too am using a HP Microserver but are using WD Green drives. These drives aren't recommended because the drives park their heads after 8 seconds of being idle. This sort of behaviour is fine in a Desktop environment, but in a raided ZFS environment where a movie is being streamed, your drives can potentially be idle for more than 8 seconds, resulting in excessive head parking. There is a tool called WDIDLE, which adjusts the idle timeout up to 300 seconds (5 minutes). This is what I have set my server drives to. I've had no issues so far and the server has been running for about 3 years now.
More info on the topic can be found here - https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hacking-wd-gree…
Now … if I were setting up a server in a work environment I would not use WD Greens. But it's just a home server so I'm ok with it to save a few dollars.
Synology? If you're not up to managing a linux server, or just want plug-and-play, they make good stuff.
I second this - I actually bounced around a few DIY solutions (including the venerable HP Microserver N40L) before settling on a Synology. DIY solutions are definitely the most flexible but the Synology units are far, far easier to use (need something? install an app! auto updates! no SSHing and config files to deal with!) and unless you're doing something real funny with your NAS you'll find that Synology units will cover all your needs.
IMHO all you really need for NAS is cloud backup and media server capabilities, which a commercial NAS will do well.
And yes they do spin down the HDDs if not used for a while, but note background operations may prevent spin down (e.g. cloud backup, camera surveillance) so keep that in mind when planning what you want your NAS to do.
And even if you want to do something "funny" with Synology you can enable SSH access.
Most of my automated tasks I run on the Synology. It also has Plex which I use a Raspberry Pi 3 to access (no transcode required).
I have set it up as my solar panel monitor, Bluetooth connection to my inverter and uploads all the data to PVOutPut so I can track my solar generation. Then have an Effergy for monitoring consumption.
Synology also only connects to the internet via VPN (Private Internet Access). I have a thread on Whirlpool on how I achieved this :-)
Synology is awesome, just make sure you get an Intel one. The Arm CPU units are too underpowered for anything other than serving files…
Low power usage so great for 24x7 running (it's also my SSH gateway into my house when I need access externally).
+1 Synology for plug and forget!
I've been using hp micro server (n40l) to show kodi on my projector, run nzb, and run plex server but lately noticed the lag with plex after installing zoneminder video surveillance server. I think I've maxed out it's processor and 8GB memory usage
I'm now tired of keep changing operating systems to find the right one (I have tried win 7, openelec, libreelec and now ubuntu desktop)
Do you think Synology is better than Asustore 6404T, this one has HDMI output and has plenty apps from Asus DSM store
Synology or QNAP dual bay, with 2 ~6TB WD Reds in a hardware RAID-1.
Make sure the NAS supports large enough HDD capacities (this catches out people).
NAS boxes with dual ethernet and USB3 expansion ports are always nice.
just few days ago there is same thread from different user…
What!? you want the OP to search….. GASP one would think google hasn't been invented yet!
OzSearch functionality is way to go for sure :)
Another vote for a Synology. There are several dual bays in the range to suit your requirements and they are reasonably easy to use. Mine has done me well over the past few years. There are plenty of apps you can install plus apps for your phone.
If you go to their website, you can even try the software out.
Regarding the HDDs spinning down. I have set mine to power off every night to save power.
IMO building a low tdp pc and putting it in a good looking box is better than a NAS. You can do a whole lot more and it's often less in total cost.
You can do a whole lot more and it's often less in total cost.
Depends how much time you want to spend on it. The build cost might be less than buying a ready made box, but you can spend a lot of time on setting it up and fixing it when it goes wrong…
Yes and no. Setup for some services on NAS boxes are a pain and very exotic for most people. Setting up a HTPC as a windows or linux box is much easier. I've wiped and resetup mine in an hour. For me, the benefits outweigh the costs, but everyone's differnet.
Nas power usage is very low if compared with htpc usage
My htpc uses about 80 watts and has 45TB. It's pretty efficient. Sure, a NAS might be less, but at those wattages, who cares, the cost is negligible.
Are you using HP microserver or similar? I'm tossing the idea of buying nas and chuck my rather old HP microserver N40L, as it's not performing well for my needs
Nope, just a low power CPU and low power motherboard with as many sata slots as i could get. Onboard GPU as well plays everything I throw at it. It can't play 4K, but my TV is only 1080p so that's cool with me.
Synology or QNAP. Get it with actual NAS drives (eg WD Red or Seagate Ironwolf) for preference. Don't forget that you won't actually get all the space of the two drives put together if you're running RAID, so if you're not sure use the calculator to work out what you'll actually end up with: https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/RAID_calculator
I have a HP Microserver with XPenology at home, but that's a little more involved … and for sheer ease of use Synology wins, with Qnap a VERY close second.
That calculator is for synology not qnap
Correct. And worth pointing out that SHR is Synology only. So you'd need to choose one of the other RAID types in the drop-down menu to see how other RAID options would come out.
I have an asustor AS-202TE which, coupled with some WD Red drives, has been fantastic.
As per other comments the most important thing is transfer speed. At the time, this combo was, at its price point, a fair bit faster than Synology and qnap competitors. Look for transfer rate charts and reviews and go from there.
I wouldn't recommend straying much further from the mainstream though as the usefulness of the Nas will be extremely dependent on its software.
Synology and Plex - I've got four NAS, QNAP (Rubbish interface and not that reliable), WD PR4100 (great, but hardware encoding is broken - firmware disables it until WD can fix - been like this for 14 months), Thecus 5550 - pile of junk - raid failure 3 times now (each time with new drives)
Synology has the easiest management and a great user interface
I used to have a Synology and moved to QNAP about a year ago. Was the best option at the time but haven't looked at more recent models. QNAP was more powerful (I bought one with an i3 processor, 4 bays that can handle 4k transcoding), it was a big upgrade from an older Synology I had. So I prefer the QNAP, but definitely if you want the most simple one to use, go with Synology.
Actually just realized it'd might be easier if i got a modem which has USB storage and just plug a hard drive into that. Just wondering if anyone has a setup like that can i just access it via my computer as another drive letter on computers on the network or do i have to go through a weird way.
I believe with asus router, you can do this.
has anyone used a NUC as a NAS?
I've been using an Asustor 2 bay for the last few years, hasn't missed a beat and does an automatic backup to a portable HDD every month..
Argh…I'm tossing between Asustore 6404T and QNAP TS-453B-8G
Both have similar specs, Asustore not as well known brand if compared with QNAP, but Asustore app store (DSM) has applications that I need (NZB downloader, kodi, plex)…
I like Synology as they respond to security breaches like the Wireless Hack really fast!
I have a HP microserver with a few WD Red drives in. Might be a bit big for you.
Do you need transcoding ability? Or is it simply straight file access?
Regarding spin down, it depends on the drives you choose. Some are made to be on 24/7 and it is worse for them to spin down, others are the reverse.
So is all you need straight file access?