NAS Suggestion

[I_H8_Crawford]

Looking for a decent inexpensive NAS solution that I can run Plex off of - need it to be easy to setup/use, 2 or 4 bay, doesn't matter.

Suggestions appreciated!!!

[Hemi-Cuda]

I'd recommend something from Synology in whatever fits your budget

https://www.synology.com/en-us/produ..._value%2Cds_xs

Thing is though running Plex directly on a NAS is fine if you never need to transcode, but if you do need it then you'll need to spend quite a bit to get a decent enough CPU. I'd suggest going cheaper on the NAS and then grabbing a used SFF desktop to use as the Plex server itself. Something like this is quite cheap and will outperform any CPU that you'll find in a NAS

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233955781900...wAAOSwb5VfmLeA

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I'd recommend something from Synology in whatever fits your budget

https://www.synology.com/en-us/produ..._value%2Cds_xs

Thing is though running Plex directly on a NAS is fine if you never need to transcode, but if you do need it then you'll need to spend quite a bit to get a decent enough CPU. I'd suggest going cheaper on the NAS and then grabbing a used SFF desktop to use as the Plex server itself. Something like this is quite cheap and will outperform any CPU that you'll find in a NAS

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233955781900...wAAOSwb5VfmLeA

So as a newb with this stuff - can I run my desktop as Plex server still? Have it that way right now, but want a central place for all media/files, etc

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I'd recommend something from Synology in whatever fits your budget

https://www.synology.com/en-us/produ..._value%2Cds_xs

Thing is though running Plex directly on a NAS is fine if you never need to transcode, but if you do need it then you'll need to spend quite a bit to get a decent enough CPU. I'd suggest going cheaper on the NAS and then grabbing a used SFF desktop to use as the Plex server itself. Something like this is quite cheap and will outperform any CPU that you'll find in a NAS

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233955781900...wAAOSwb5VfmLeA

Why bother with a NAS at all if you are using an SFF?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Why bother with a NAS at all if you are using an SFF?

Well with those mini-desktops you're limited to a single 2.5" drive, and the largest disk you can get in that size is 4TB. If you have a small Plex server that's fine, but if you need more storage and don't want to worry about losing anything if a single drive dies then a NAS is the way to go. You could also get a larger form factor PC with more drive bays and setup your own NAS solution using Unraid, but that's way more complicated

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

So as a newb with this stuff - can I run my desktop as Plex server still? Have it that way right now, but want a central place for all media/files, etc

Ya all you would need to do is move all of your media files to the NAS and then setup file shares that your PC can see, then change your Plex library locations to those shares instead of the local disk. Should work fine

[Fuzz]

If it were me I'd just use an SFF, 2 external USB drives, one master, one backup, and have a script run a copy occasionally. If it's just Plex stuff, I wouldn't care if I lost a week's worth of it. Just seems you are adding costs and complexity with a NAS and SFF.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If it were me I'd just use an SFF, 2 external USB drives, one master, one backup, and have a script run a copy occasionally. If it's just Plex stuff, I wouldn't care if I lost a week's worth of it. Just seems you are adding costs and complexity with a NAS and SFF.

Well a NAS can do a lot more than host a Plex server as well. Plus if you outgrow your single drive all you need to do is plug in another disk (with a 4-bay NAS) and you're good to go, no need to transfer anything over to a new disk. They just give you a lot more flexibility, and if you want to start grabbing 4K stuff for Plex you will run out of space on a single disk very quickly regardless of how large it is

[Azure]

Honestly, Plex on a Synology is super easy. I would highly recommend going that route.

Some of the newer versions can transcode pretty easily, but you can also just get a client that is able to handle all your media properly (Fire TV Stick as an example).

[uofaflamesfan]

I've been looking into a NAS solution as well.

It will really only be used as storage to play videos on a couple TV's in the house (which have dedicated plex apps), any recommendations for which series of Synology NAS will work best and be most cost efficient?

[Azure]

Either the DS220+ or DS920+.

Both should be able to transcode pretty easily.

Just a matter of how much space you want.

Personally I'd go for the DS920+.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Illmatic is still my favorite