NAS for Plex and Data Storage

[Minato]

Hi chaps,

Been reading and reading for what seems like countless hours only to find myself more confused than when I started.

I'm currently using my desktop PC as a Plex media server which is fine except my HDD is mostly getting full now, and I don't like having to leave it on 24/7 in case someone wants to watch something. I'm also paying a fair bit for cloud data storage (with pCloud).

I'm planning to upgrade my home networking to a mesh wifi system, with something like an Asus ZenWifi ET12 x2. As part of this I'd like to get a NAS with about 8-12TB of storage for TV shows, Movies, Cartoons for the kids etc. These would be watched on an LG CX OLED, possibly a Macbook or 2021 iPad if out of the house (but this is not hugely important), and any future TVs I buy (likely also LG OLEDs).

I understand that Synology NAS have better software, but QNAP have better hardware. I don't know if I need hardware transcoding or not, but I try to download all TV shows and movies in 4K, with HDR wherever possible. I have gigabit internet at home with 1000mb/s download and about 120mb/s upload. I don't mind paying £100 for a lifetime Plex pass if needed.

I'm terrified of spending £500+ on a NAS and hard drives, getting it all set up, only to find I can't watch stuff properly or it buffers constantly or can't be transcoded.

I'd also like to live sync/backup certain folders on my desktop and laptop to the NAS, just like I currently do with pCloud. If I add a new document in folder X, it should appear in the cloud/NAS version immediately, same if I make any changes to that document. And I need to be able to access those files/folders from my phone or elsewhere when I'm out and about. I think this data storage is pretty basic and every NAS will let me do this.

My budget is <£700 including some hard drives. I understand the Synology 920+ is good, and I can buy one used with drives for £600ish. I have seen there's also a Synology 423+ which is newer, and I can get this new without drives for around £500. I read that the QNAP TS-464 is ideal, but it's not available anywhere for non-crazy prices. If I can spend less than the total budget than that would be even better.

Please help!

 

[Minato]

I think since I want to buy this once and not have to worry about it in future, it probably makes sense to get something that can transcode. I can see down the line if the kids want to watch something on an iPad (although this will likely be non-4K cartoons) then this means I should have ability to transcode right?

 

[Minato]

thanks @jaybee. I did consider it, but honestly I just fancied the plug and play of the NAS. I am almost certain to never use it for anything beyond Plex and data storage, with the possible addition of home cameras in future. I don't have anywhere near as much time as I used to to learn something like unraid and get it all set up and working. And regarding storage, I'm only now coming up to the limits of my 2TB HDD after years and years, thanks to downloading a lot more 4K HDR stuff. So I think a 8-12TB NAS would be more than enough for a long time to come.

I'm leaning toward pulling the trigger on a Synology DS920+ unless anyone thinks this is drastically overkill and I can save a few hundred £ on a lighter model.