Is there still a place for Networked Attached Storage in a domestic environment?

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KSR

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I'm having a clear out of stuff, in preparation for a down-size now that the nest is empty.

I have an unused Synology DS416 Play, and four new/sealed HGST 4TB 7200rpm drives.

Before I decide to put these on eBay, I'm just wondering if there is still a useful place for a setup like this in a home environment?

I've lots of CDs, which I could rip into storage, also loads of digital images over the years, and over 1000 35mm transparencies still to be scanned.

SO, there's my question. What benefits would I find, in attaching this setup to my home network?

All responses appreciated, thanks.
 
If you transfer all the media from one storage medium to another, would you access it more?

If yes, then it's worth the time and effort. However, if you're never going to listen to those CDs or browse through the digital images then maybe sell on NAS.

If I was you, I would maybe buy some cheap external storage and transfer the images, or upload to the cloud. The memories would be easier to share with others.

A NAS was essential back in the day when broadband speeds were slow or data limited. You could schedule a large download during the night. Now that even the average speeds are good enough to stream a 4K movie, even a high bitrate torrent, I don't see the need. I ditched my HTPC full of HDDs and NAS many years ago.

I use Google Drive (paid) for important docs and OneDrive (free) if I need to share anything.
 
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Really depends on individual case usage
Do you need to access the stuff
From different devices on your network?
The fact it's been unused kind of suggests no

Other option
If you have free sata ports or can add a pcie sata card
Add the drives to your pc
And set up a storage space
Or 2 x 4tb spaces depending how much data
Mirror one to the other as a backup

You probably could still share those over network
Used storage spaces for over 10 years
But never actually tried networking them
As never had the need
 
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I wouldn't be without mine, running Plex is the main use. Everyone in the house uses it daily.
Also use it to backup our photos from mobile devices.
 
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My NAS gets a backup from my main PC every night plus a backup of all the other PCs and laptops in the house once a month. Backups are stored for six months. I can also stream music to my Roberts radio or videos to the TV. I wouldn't be without it.
 
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Wouldn't be without mine - means I can listen to/watch the versions of the CDs and DVDs that I bought without worry that they will be removed from a streaming service due to licensing, or that they will censored/edited in some way.
 
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My Synology DS215J has been in service since 2015, so near 10 years now. During that time, it's been used as an externally accessible storage area where extended family can drop off old photos and videos and wait for me to repair/fix/touch up and then pick up afterwards.

I also have a small selection of the "classics" ripped onto the drive so in case the Internet goes down for any reason, we'll always having something to pass the time. Although given we've lately grabbed a few UPS devices to keep the NAS, the TV, the Internet (the domestic side that is) up, that's probably even less necessary.

Then of course, it was (formerly) in use as a proper NAS as well, where devices from different areas of the residence can access and drop stuff off to be archived on the NAS HDDs.

I don't really see that changing any time soon, other than the NAS needing a hardware uplift as the software is no longer being updated, and so any access to software updates will need the NAS to be updated and thus the hardware itself will be updated too.
 
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robj20 said:
I wouldn't be without mine, running Plex is the main use. Everyone in the house uses it daily.
Also use it to backup our photos from mobile devices.
Click to expand...
what nas do you have and does it run plex fine? I am looking into this at the moment I have 4K movies that I would like to stream
 
ntemples1 said:
what nas do you have and does it run plex fine? I am looking into this at the moment I have 4K movies that I would like to stream
Click to expand...

Typically you don't run Plex on your NAS - it's purely for providing storage. You'd be better off with something that has some computing power for hosting Plex and then have that connect to the NAS for your media.

I run Plex in a LXC with fairly lowish resources, and that has no issues playing 4k via clients (no transcoding).
 
Semple said:
Typically you don't run Plex on your NAS - it's purely for providing storage. You'd be better off with something that has some computing power for hosting Plex and then have that connect to the NAS for your media.

I run Plex in a LXC with fairly lowish resources, and that has no issues playing 4k via clients (no transcoding).
Click to expand...
Plex runs brilliantly on a lot of NAS devices, mine will transcode 4k no issues.
 
Could never be without my NAS, but then I do have many PC's/Servers so the central storage is vital.
Although Even if I only had one pc, id probably still have one nas. or at least external storage in order to keep it separate from the PC.
 
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