Which NAS and streaming device?

mavers

mavers

mavers

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After speaking to my parents I've realised that a NAS device would suit them to the ground. They would like to use it to stream video and music predominately, and also a backup of photos/documents. Ideally a 2 bay NAS would do the job.

Currently they have a chromecast, and all android tablets and phones. Most of the video streaming would be done via the chromecast. I was primarily thinking two strands of thought:

1) Buy a powerful NAS (synology 214play, or potentially ds415play/ds415+) and stream directly to the chromecast. It seems that using Plex/DS video could perform this task. Interface seems very quick and easy to use.

2) Buy a less powerful NAS, and buy a streaming player. Was thinking running Kodi on a small HTPC or raspberry pi. The advantage here is that the NAS would not need to transcode any data.

Out of the two options I'm learning towards option 1. Should be easier to use, though a more expensive NAS is required.

Is it worth going down the QNAP route?

Any suggestions welcome!
 
I've gone through this various ways and the way I do it is simple.

1: Sinology NAS in my office
2: Powerline ethernet connection
3: MacMini under the TV
4: Plex App/Server running on said Mac
5: Apple remote to control

Done

I have the Plex app on the Samsung TV, but it's temperamental. I have tried running the Plex App on the NAS but it's not got enough power, so need a server, hence the Mac. I've tried running basic Sinology Video app, which works OK but not as slick as Plex.

So that's what I did and power line ethernet just works consistently where wifi can get the occasionally ass blip.
 
I can't imagine them needing the extra power of the higher-end Synology units really, I've got a 214se and never needed to transcode anything for any device or player.
 
I've never used Plex myself (have a Kodi setup), but it looks very slick.

Not too keen on a low powered PC, as it seems like the synology offerings do what is required with a good interface. Ease of use is the most important aspect. I also quite like the crashplan integration.

From what I understand that the transcoding is all dependent on the streamer/client connected to the TV. If it is powerful enough, then no transcoding is required. I'm open to options here, if I can get a device that is easy to use (ie with a remote and polished GUI), I'd rather go down to the route of a cheaper nas and a more powerful streamer.

On that basis, are there any streamers/media clients that are powerful to play 720/1080p videos? I've starting to look at the Rainforest Fire Stick or the Roku player (I think i have a spare now tv box I could look to install Kodi)
 
Plex is nice, although for some reason it prevents Synology NAS units from hibernating properly which is just a waste of energy. Not a major issue but I find it annoying.
 
Put plex on the now TV roku box. Was impressed, but it does require transcoding to play 720p videos.

I think I'll look to get a cheaper NAS, and look for a device with enough power to play videos directly.

TheVoice - what devices are you streaming to?
 
In the past I've used my PS3/PS4, now I mostly just use the Video app on my Sony Android TV. It has Plex too which also works fine (except for the aforementioned hibernate issue).
 
Chromecast needs transcoding....I have a 214 and it won't manage transcoding. I have a windows machine for running plex server.

Personally I would get a basic NAS and a proper streaming player that won't need transcoding.
 
I'm going with the direction of a simple NAS (one of the cheaper synology 2 bay devices), and a proper streaming player. Currently looking at either a Intel/Asus/Gigabyte NUC or Amazon Fire TV/stick with Kodi.

The NUC is more expensive, but it appears that Amazon Fire TV will do everything I need. As the box will just be used for Kodi, is there advantage of an NUC build?
 
I have a slimline HTPC which runs plex, and my library is on a microserver. It transcodes really well which I think is relatively important to be able to do in some instances.

I do want to get a NAS though and leave the microserver (running windows home server) to run as a server and not just a data store.
 
We've decided to go with a synology 416play to act as a media store, and then will look to get a media player in the new year. A few questions on the synology:

1) Backing up the NAS locally. We have an external hard drive where we'd like to backup music and photos on a periodic basis. Is it possible to connect the external hard drive to the NAS, and it automatically backs up the required folders?
2) Backing up the NAS to the web/cloud. Are there any cloud services recommended?
3) Any tips when setting up the NAS for the first time?
 
This is the type of thread i wouldn't mind asking few questions if ok. Me and the Mrs watch BluRays on our 40" samsung H6400 in our bedroom which is connected the pc but our internal drive and external drives are just about full. Now we have PLEX media server and home theatre on the pc. Now we want to watch our films on the TV is the living room that TV is the 48" to what we have in our bedroom that is connected to a Canton DM55 soundbase. And also a T8 V3 from droidsticks now that is a Quad core quite fast. Now im wondering if i would need a NAS to transcode or not to the Android box using PLEX. I did ask droidsticks direct and they said no. Another thing is PLEX better on KODI or better for the Android App. Hope you don't mind me Hijacking the post. But any help be great thanks
 
mavers said:
After speaking to my parents I've realised that a NAS device would suit them to the ground. They would like to use it to stream video and music predominately, and also a backup of photos/documents. Ideally a 2 bay NAS would do the job.

Currently they have a chromecast, and all android tablets and phones. Most of the video streaming would be done via the chromecast. I was primarily thinking two strands of thought:

1) Buy a powerful NAS (synology 214play, or potentially ds415play/ds415+) and stream directly to the chromecast. It seems that using Plex/DS video could perform this task. Interface seems very quick and easy to use.

2) Buy a less powerful NAS, and buy a streaming player. Was thinking running Kodi on a small HTPC or raspberry pi. The advantage here is that the NAS would not need to transcode any data.

Out of the two options I'm learning towards option 1. Should be easier to use, though a more expensive NAS is required.

Is it worth going down the QNAP route?

Any suggestions welcome!
Click to expand...

iI wouldn't go the Qnap route at the minute If wanting to run PLEX there having issues on the X31 Qnap range at the minute PLEX is crashing and has been for 6 months without a fix
 
Just added a gigabyte brix, which acts as the plex server to my synology 214 nas (media storage). I use two now TV with plex clients for kids TVs and plex app on smart tv. Works great.
 
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