Okay, so I’ve been messing around with Plex for a while now, and I finally decided to get serious about my home media server setup. I was using an old laptop for a while, but it was, shall we say, struggling to keep up. Transcoding was a nightmare, and forget about multiple streams. So, I started looking into getting a dedicated NAS (Network Attached Storage), specifically a Synology one, because I’d heard good things.
The Hunt Begins…
First, I spent a bunch of time digging through forums and reviews. I learned that not all Synology NAS devices are created equal when it comes to Plex. The processor is super important, especially if you plan on doing any transcoding (which, let’s be honest, you probably will at some point).
I initially eyeballed some of the cheaper models, you know, the ones with the weaker processors. I was trying to be budget-conscious. But then I started reading horror stories about buffering and stuttering, especially with 4K content. No thanks!
The “Aha!” Moment
Then I started to focusing on the Synology models with Intel Celeron processors, specifically the ones with Quick Sync Video. Apparently, that’s a big deal for hardware transcoding. I discovered that Plex can use the integrated graphics on these processors to handle the heavy lifting of transcoding, which frees up the main CPU for other tasks.
- I read from many blogs talking about DS920+, it seems is the golden standard.
- But for budget choice, DS220+ also good.
- I want a future proof choice, so I focused on DS920+
Making the Decision (and the Purchase!)
After much internal debate (and checking my bank account), I finally went with the Synology DS920+. It has an Intel Celeron J4125 processor, which seemed like a good balance of power and price. I figured it had enough oomph to handle my Plex needs, even with some future-proofing thrown in.
I ordered the NAS and a couple of hard drives (I went with WD Reds, because they’re supposedly designed for NAS use). Setting it up was surprisingly easy. Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) software is pretty user-friendly, even for a non-expert like me.
Plex Installation and Testing
Installing Plex on the Synology was a breeze. I just downloaded the Plex Media Server package from the Plex website (making sure to get the one specifically for Synology) and installed it through the DSM Package Center. Took just a few minutes.
Then came the moment of truth: testing! I threw a bunch of different video files at it – 1080p, 4K, different codecs, you name it. I even had a couple of friends connect remotely to my Plex server to see how it handled multiple streams.
The Results?
Seriously impressive! The DS920+ handled everything I threw at it. Transcoding was smooth, even with 4K content. Multiple streams? No problem! It was a massive upgrade from my old laptop setup.
I’m so much happier! Now I can finally enjoy my media library without the constant frustration of buffering and lag. It’s been a game-changer for my home entertainment setup. I’m pretty stoked with my decision. If you’re serious about Plex, investing in a good NAS like the DS920+ is totally worth it.