Synology NAS + Plex Media Server

oHUTCHYo · 27 Dec 2017 at 20:42

I wasnt sure to put this in the Storage forum or in here, ideally Id like input from both sets of expertise.

Current Setup: 2x WD 3TB MyBookLive streaming high qualty 1080p/5.1/7.1 MKV files to a Raspberry Pi3 running Kodi in to Samsung KS8000 and Yamaha soundbar (yes, I know)

My drives seem to be on their way out so am considering a Synology NAS. A budget of £300-£600 for enclosure plus hard drives. I dont often have this amount of money to burn on something like this, it was intended for something else I had been saving for but is no longer needed. May as well burn the money on a good NAS before it disappears.

I quite like the idea of Plex, having a central library which I can manage in the NAS rather than independant libraries on Kodi.

Where I’m torn is this: do I buy an entry level Synology or go for the 218+ which I understand can transcode on the fly to other, smaller devices. I dont NEED transcoding, but am also concerned that an entry level NAS may somehow not direct stream similarly to my existing WD setup. Currently my setup works flawlessly and would be devastated to spend this money and see buffering or audio issues etc etc.

Any advice folks?

nicknack35 · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:48

It depends if you share your plex media library to friends and family and if you need to Transcode if you need to transcode then NAS can be quite Dear with it needing a decent processor. If its just needed around the house then any standard NAS will do. With it been local and the Pi3 can Run Rasplex as a client so transcoding won't be needed. But there is other devices like the Shield that could be used as a plex Server with its powerful processor. But cannot add hard drives. To what NAS you need all depends on what you will be doing with it and how big your media is

oHUTCHYo · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:57

nicknack35 said:
It depends if you share your plex media library to friends and family and if you need to Transcode if you need to transcode then NAS can be quite Dear with it needing a decent processor. If its just needed around the house then any standard NAS will do. With it been local and the Pi3 can Run Rasplex as a client so transcoding won't be needed. But there is other devices like the Shield that could be used as a plex Server with its powerful processor. But cannot add hard drives. To what NAS you need all depends on what you will be doing with it and how big your media is

Thanks, this is very useful. Ive done a lot of reading tonight on the Plex forums and it seems subtitles can affect playback on Plex as force transcoding. Im very confused here as subtitles arent an issue currently on my little setup, yet they can seemingly make a more dedicated media server throw a wobbler.

It almost seems like Kodi is the better option over Plex in an isolated usage at home. Therefore a cheap Synology in place of mybooklive, with Kodi seems like the solution? Or have I misunderstood the whole subtitle thing?

Thanks again for your help, I really dont want to waste a lot of money to have worse than what I do currently.

nicknack35 · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:05

PLEX is a lot better then KODI even for local sharing its a lot easier to setup and maintain then KODI. I have PLEX but i use my computer with TWO 8TB WD RED pro's as my server which i use Local and remote. When you start sharing outside your network is to where transcoding maybe needed like smartphones. Tablets exc, But this all depends on what format files your sharing like DVD or HD. Subs ain't an issue but then again that depends if there hardcorded or not i use 1080p Remuxed MKV's and there normally hardcorded so no transcoding is needed. If your just going to be using PLEX on your local network then upgrade your hard drives and use your Pi with Rasplex. If your NAS has plex then set it up its easy. You can even use the PLEX addon on kodi. Subs don't use much Process power to transcode so a powerful processor won't be needed

oHUTCHYo · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:13

nicknack35 said:
PLEX is a lot better then KODI even for local sharing its a lot easier to setup and maintain then KODI. I have PLEX but i use my computer with TWO 8TB WD RED pro's as my server which i use Local and remote. When you start sharing outside your network is to where transcoding maybe needed like smartphones. Tablets exc, But this all depends on what format files your sharing like DVD or HD. Subs ain't an issue but then again that depends if there hardcorded or not i use 1080p Remuxed MKV's and there normally hardcorded so no transcoding is needed. If your just going to be using PLEX on your local network then upgrade your hard drives and use your Pi with Rasplex. If your NAS has plex then set it up its easy. You can even use the PLEX addon on kodi

Really apprciate your patience, please bear with me...

After a lot of reading around the Plex forums Ive almost convinced myself to get an entry level NAS and stick with Kodi.

The whole subtitle = transcode thing has me worried. How come I can use Kodi and a low powered mybooklive with no issues on subtitles. Im very confused. Is it Kodi that somehow lets me direct play even with subs, where Plex player doesnt?

Some of my MKV subs are hardcoded, but many more have separate files. In Kodi I can just seamlessly flick between each subtitle choice. This is now my main sticking point and the choice to either get a 4 bay entry level or 2 bay better cpu model.

nicknack35 · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:27

If your not having issue with KODI then you won't with PLEX there use simlar media players. Ive had seperate sub files before and you pick which one you want. Like i said to what NAS you need all depends if you be using plex just local or outside the network. If its just local then any NAS will be fine. PLEX is great i use Rasplex to its great and its well supported you wont have issues. Rasplex Direct plays everything you throw at it apart from 4k files

oHUTCHYo · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:48

nicknack35 said:
If your not having issue with KODI then you won't with PLEX there use simlar media players. Ive had seperate sub files before and you pick which one you want. Like i said to what NAS you need all depends if you be using plex just local or outside the network. If its just local then any NAS will be fine. PLEX is great i use Rasplex to its great and its well supported you wont have issues. Rasplex Direct plays everything you throw at it apart from 4k files

Thanks mate. Ive purposely ordered another microsd to give Rasplex a whirl, if it doesnt work as intended I’ll pop Kodi back in.

Im going to just buy a 218J, rather than the 218+. I know I wont be using this outside of direct playing movies to my Pi3. May as well spend the rest on some WD Reds!

nicknack35 · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:54

Rasplex is great it has 3 devs that update there Skins so picking one depends on the UI. I use the AEON NOX skin

TheMightyTen · 28 Dec 2017 at 07:51

Why not use a Plex server and Kodi as your clients? There is an official Plex plugin for Kodi that gives you all the benefits of a centralised Plex setup but with the far superior media player and it's configuration of Kodi and you often find that a media file that the Plex player would force to transcode will direct play with Kodi.