Help needed choosing a synology nas that could play 2 or 3 4k movies at the same time which device can do this 8 bays or more

[wwwgizy]

Can someone help me on this ? Thanks

 

[Telos]

If transcoding is required, this is not possible. Otherwise, look at the DS1621+.

EDIT: Hardware transcoding is not possible for the 21-Series. You would have to drop back to an older unit, or hope that future units may offer GPU features.

 

[wwwgizy]

DS1621+ I'am only going to stream 4k movies in my house not outside so i'll be able to play 2 4k movies at sametime ? will the

Synology DS1821+ work for playing 2 4k movies?​

 

[Rusty]

If transcoding is required, this is not possible. Otherwise, look at the DS1621+.

TBH, 918 can transcode at least 3x4K down to 1080p without any problems.

I'am only going to stream 4k movies in my house not outside

1821+ is an AMD CPU powered NAS. Plex doesnt really like AMD, but if you are sure there will be no need for transcoding it will work just fine.

There is not much "dead on" choice regarding 100% Plex compatible NAS in this 8+ bay segment tbh.

IMHO, 920+ would be a much better choice as a plex server. Maybe add an expansion on that NAS and you have 9bays total.

920 with DX517 expansion (9 bays total) will cost just a bit more then 1821+, so fro ma price standpoint its the same.

It is true that 1821 spec wise is a better nas then 920, but it all comes down to what you want to use it for (apart from Plex).

 

[SteveNC]

You’re much better off using a NUC or a Pi as a Plex server IMO. And are you really going to stream more than one 4K movie in your household at a time? We have two HTs and two other 4K TVs in bedrooms and I can’t recall it ever being an issue. And besides, if you have your rips in proper format and capable clients it should be direct play 95% of the time.

 

[fredbert]

And are you really going to stream more than one 4K movie in your household at a time?

If nothing else it's contingency in case household members want to watch different things. Who knows what the dynamics are for others?

if you have your rips in proper format and capable clients it should be direct play 95% of the time.

It could be that audio tracks need transcoding rather than video.

I've streamed a MKV (DTS HD-MA, TrueHD, 5.1 and 2.0) of a Blu-ray to AppleTV HD which passes through a HDMI switch set to 2-channel, this then is optically sent to a stereo amp. Using a DS215j and it just about coped with direct video but transcoded audio: CPU was hovering in the high 90% most of the time. Should've tested the same but to the AppleTV 4K connected to Denon AVR which can direct play all the audio tracks. D'oh!

If I'm converting then I always include a stereo AAC track which most things can play.

 

[SteveNC]

If nothing else it's contingency in case household members want to watch different things. Who knows what the dynamics are for others?

For sure but, I remember having the same concerns, albeit ten years ago with BR rips, and it never became an issue.

It could be that audio tracks need transcoding rather than video.

I've streamed a MKV (DTS HD-MA, TrueHD, 5.1 and 2.0) of a Blu-ray to AppleTV HD which passes through a HDMI switch set to 2-channel, this then is optically sent to a stereo amp. Using a DS215j and it just about coped with direct video but transcoded audio: CPU was hovering in the high 90% most of the time. Should've tested the same but to the AppleTV 4K connected to Denon AVR which can direct play all the audio tracks. D'oh!

If I'm converting then I always include a stereo AAC track which most things can play.

Definitely. I usually rip all applicable (English) audio tracks JIC as they are minuscule compared to the video portion. Our systems range from thirteen channel Atmos to TV speakers only, so it will transcode if the right track isn't selected. Most of the time though, that's not even an issue. I guess what I'm saying is if you ensure you can direct play, you wont have an issue playing multiple streams.

 

[fredbert]

Our systems range from thirteen channel Atmos

<envious emoticon here>

I guess what I'm saying is if you ensure you can direct play, you wont have an issue playing multiple streams.

Sure. It just takes a bit of planning.

 

[SteveNC]

Never mind. Momentary lapse of reasoning.

 

[Robbie]

I use an RS1221+ so an AMD user same as the DS1621+ etc. Multiple 4K streams is easy and does not trouble the CPU.

Transcoding as delivered, well a single complex 4K is possible but is a bit laggy and the overall experience is disappointing and you are maxing-out the CPU.

Transcoding with dual channel RAM (identical pairs fitted) with a 4K complex movies is faultless but the CPU does not have much left. It won't transcode another.

The above is more of a fallback position as I have an M1 Mac mini on my network so it acts as the main playback Plex server and just uses the RS1221+ for media playback or Plex DVR recording. No idea how many 4K streams it could transcode as it would be a stupidly high number - I got as far as 11 before boredom set in. The M1 may be cheap but it is a media and transcoding beast that sips power and stays silent - every network should have one!

 

[wwwgizy]

TBH, 918 can transcode at least 3x4K down to 1080p without any problems.


1821+ is an AMD CPU powered NAS. Plex doesnt really like AMD, but if you are sure there will be no need for transcoding it will work just fine.

There is not much "dead on" choice regarding 100% Plex compatible NAS in this 8+ bay segment tbh.

IMHO, 920+ would be a much better choice as a plex server. Maybe add an expansion on that NAS and you have 9bays total.

920 with DX517 expansion (9 bays total) will cost just a bit more then 1821+, so fro ma price standpoint its the same.

It is true that 1821 spec wise is a better nas then 920, but it all comes down to what you want to use it for (apart from Plex).

so plex will not play on Amd cpu? I'am just going to use synology as a plex / emby server only. someone said on here if you dont use transcode some audio dont play good? I dont see 918 for sale anywhere?.. the 920+ could do transcode at least 3x4K down to 1080p without any problems.? and the 920+ can do 9 bays max?
Plex works better with intel?

 

[Telos]

so plex will not play on Amd cpu?

Did you see Robbie's post just upstream of yours?

I use an RS1221+ so an AMD user same as the DS1621+ etc. Multiple 4K streams is easy and does not trouble the CPU.

 

[wwwgizy]

I use an RS1221+ so an AMD user same as the DS1621+ etc. Multiple 4K streams is easy and does not trouble the CPU.

Transcoding as delivered, well a single complex 4K is possible but is a bit laggy and the overall experience is disappointing and you are maxing-out the CPU.

Transcoding with dual channel RAM (identical pairs fitted) with a 4K complex movies is faultless but the CPU does not have much left. It won't transcode another.

The above is more of a fallback position as I have an M1 Mac mini on my network so it acts as the main playback Plex server and just uses the RS1221+ for media playback or Plex DVR recording. No idea how many 4K streams it could transcode as it would be a stupidly high number - I got as far as 11 before boredom set in. The M1 may be cheap but it is a media and transcoding beast that sips power and stays silent - every network should have one!

Really good idea.. So you use m1 Mac Mini to play movies and tv shows ?.. And the Rs1221+ just for storage? Would the Ds1621+ be able to do the samething as the RS1221+ ?. and work with the m1 mac mini? and transcode ? 11 4k?
can you explain more how you setup? And would DS1821 work to with m1 mac mini
the specs or both the same on Rs1221+ and Ds1621?
And what specs is m1 mac mini?

 

[Rusty]

plex will not play on Amd cpu?

The problem is transcoding (if and when needed). Plex in general does run on amd.

 

[wwwgizy]

The problem is transcoding (if and when needed). Plex in general does run on amd.

Robbie said use M1 Mac mini on my network so it acts as the main playback Plex server to transcode

 

[Rusty]

Robbie said use M1 Mac mini on my network so it acts as the main playback Plex server to transcode

Ofc, in that case you can use the J series nas for that matter. I was talking from the perspective of running plex server on the nas not on any other device.

If you will use any other device out there for plex server role that’s a whole different game.

 

[wwwgizy]

Ofc, in that case you can use the J series nas for that matter. I was talking from the perspective of running plex server on the nas not on any other device.

If you will use any other device out there for plex server role that’s a whole different game.

J series nas?
[automerge]1627711568[/automerge]

Ofc, in that case you can use the J series nas for that matter. I was talking from the perspective of running plex server on the nas not on any other device.

If you will use any other device out there for plex server role that’s a whole different game.

I built pc but its a pain to setup everything and then when I add another hardrive more setting up etc.

 

[fredbert]

If you’re already running Plex then you know what formats your media files are: do your playback devices support these formats (direct playback) or require real time transcoding by Plex server (using the hardware platform)?

Like other services, Plex can be broken down to storage (for holding the media files) and server application (for delivering that media to clients). A Synology NAS can perform both functions but it may not be the right option for you. If it is then the DS920+ or DS1520+ are likely the ones to consider with their Intel CPU with built in GPU. The AMD CPU used in Synology don’t have the GPU which is used for real time hardware transcoding.

Others may split the Plex service to have the storage on a NAS and the server application on a device with more performant hardware. In this case the NAS is performing a traditional file sharing role and only needs to be capable of sustaining access through the select sharing service: SMB; AFS; NFS; iSCSI. If this is the case then you just have to select a NAS with the LAN interface speed that you desire. For a 1G interface then a J or Value series NAS will be enough. For 10G support (wil have to add the card) then I think the DS1621+ is the entry point.


So check how your current Plex setup is playing your media files and then you can see which path is best.

EDIT: if split across NAS and server device, be sure to have Plex not set to immediately purge database entries for media it can’t find. Just in case the connection to the NAS drops or you have to do software upgrades etc.

 

[wwwgizy]

If you’re already running Plex then you know what formats your media files are: do your playback devices support these formats (direct playback) or require real time transcoding by Plex server (using the hardware platform)?

Like other services, Plex can be broken down to storage (for holding the media files) and server application (for delivering that media to clients). A Synology NAS can perform both functions but it may not be the right option for you. If it is then the DS920+ or DS1520+ are likely the ones to consider with their Intel CPU with built in GPU. The AMD CPU used in Synology don’t have the GPU which is used for real time hardware transcoding.

Others may split the Plex service to have the storage on a NAS and the server application on a device with more performant hardware. In this case the NAS is performing a traditional file sharing role and only needs to be capable of sustaining access through the select sharing service: SMB; AFS; NFS; iSCSI. If this is the case then you just have to select a NAS with the LAN interface speed that you desire. For a 1G interface then a J or Value series NAS will be enough. For 10G support (wil have to add the card) then I think the DS1621+ is the entry point.


So check how your current Plex setup is playing your media files and then you can see which path is best.

EDIT: if split across NAS and server device, be sure to have Plex not set to immediately purge database entries for media it can’t find. Just in case the connection to the NAS drops or you have to do software upgrades etc.

With the DS1520+ intel cpu did you say DS1520+ has a built in GPU? can it run 2x4k movies at the sametime? and would This be able to transcode 2 or 3 4k movies at the sametime? with this I would not need m1 mac mini to transcode?
says I could add 15 more bays. ? I use plex and emby..
formats theres 264.265. 4k. 1080p.

 

[Robbie]

EDIT: if split across NAS and server device, be sure to have Plex not set to immediately purge database entries for media it can’t find. Just in case the connection to the NAS drops or you have to do software upgrades etc.

I don't recall doing anything special to support 2 Plex Servers from 1 media store and I have been running this configuration for years over different Macs and different Syno hardware.

When it comes to updates or a server being offline it all works as you would expect - the server in question just shows as offline but everything stays in place, albeit greyed-out, until power / service / software etc comes online again; this could be over hours or even months.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your post.