NAS for Plex media server

RParker123

Can anyone recommend me a NAS to run Plex Media server on and store all my media?

I currently use my pc to run media server, NAS would be more convenient.

Not even sure what my budget should be.

uberpixie

RParker123 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend me a NAS to run Plex Media server on and store all my media?

I currently use my pc to run media server, NAS would be more convenient.

Not even sure what my budget should be.

A HP Microserver with an install of linux (or windows if you prefer and a harddisk or two would do the trick nicely. (what I currently run)

http://www.dabs.ie/products/hp-proliant-microserver-turion-ii-neo-n54l-2-2ghz-2gb-ram-250gb-hdd-8JPK.html?src=17
(older version)

http://www.dabs.ie/products/hp-proliant-microserver-gen8-g1610t-2-3ghz-2-core-eu-server-8XDH.html?src=17
(Gen 8, newer versions with integrated lights out management)

Advantage: cpus in the older or new gen 8 versions of the Microserver would be more powerful for transcoding that a standard NAS box. You also get a lot of flexibility in your setup as you can install anything you want/need...

Disadvantage: requires elbow grease to setup.

There does seem to be a few NAS on the market that do support plex: these would be a lot easier to setup but less flexible.

Skittle

RParker123 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend me a NAS to run Plex Media server on and store all my media?

I currently use my pc to run media server, NAS would be more convenient.

Not even sure what my budget should be.

Well it depends whether you are going to need to transcode your media whilst streaming it. I have a Synology DS512+ running Plex Media Server and it works a treat, but I don't have to transcode anything as all my clients are Android or Samsung Smart TVs.

White Heart Loon

Another +1 for the HP Proliant, see what I said here. The advantage is that you can run a desktop OS on it and use it as a PC/HTPC if needed

vibe666

Skittle wrote: »

Well it depends whether you are going to need to transcode your media whilst streaming it. I have a Synology DS512+ running Plex Media Server and it works a treat, but I don't have to transcode anything as all my clients are Android or Samsung Smart TVs.

ditto, works a treat and dead easy to set up.

Granted my Synology is one of the bigger ones (a DS2413+), so it's faster than most of the other Synology NAS's, but I'd say even any of the little ones would still perform plenty well enough.

i'm actually using a NowTV box (see the popular BA thread) as a Plex client and it's been able to play everything i've thrown at it so far.

tiny little box, €15 delivered (more or less) and even comes with a remote AND HDMI cable for the money.

RParker123

vibe666 wrote: »

ditto, works a treat and dead easy to set up.

Granted my Synology is one of the bigger ones (a DS2413+), so it's faster than most of the other Synology NAS's, but I'd say even any of the little ones would still perform plenty well enough.

i'm actually using a NowTV box (see the popular BA thread) as a Plex client and it's been able to play everything i've thrown at it so far.

tiny little box, €15 delivered (more or less) and even comes with a remote AND HDMI cable for the money.

I actually have two of the NowTV boxes already.

Right now running plex server from my pc. I googled the DS2413 and its prices around 1000?. This is way above what I was looking to spend.

vibe666

RParker123 wrote: »

I actually have two of the NowTV boxes already.

Right now running plex server from my pc. I googled the DS2413 and its prices around 1000?. This is way above what I was looking to spend.

and that's without buying disks, but for most people it would be overkill.

Synology make over 20 different NAS devices to suit every requirement and budget.

It's my 3rd NAS (personally speaking, used lots more via work) and my first synology, but having used it i would very hard pressed recommend any other brands or self builds. You really can't beat then.

RParker123

vibe666 wrote: »

and that's without buying disks, but for most people it would be overkill.

Synology make over 20 different NAS devices to suit every requirement and budget.

It's my 3rd NAS (personally speaking, used lots more via work) and my first synology, but having used it i would very hard pressed recommend any other brands or self builds. You really can't beat then.

It may be very good, but this costs more than my pc.

Im just looking for something to run Plex server on. Seems like big overkill.

vibe666

RParker123 wrote: »

It may be very good, but this costs more than my pc.

Im just looking for something to run Plex server on. Seems like big overkill.

I think you may have missed an important part of my last post, so I'll try again.

vibe666 wrote: »

Synology make over 20 different NAS devices to suit every requirement and budget.

my NAS is at the top of a huge range, you can spend anything from €100 to €1000 depending your requirements and budget.

You wanted a recommendation for a NAS to run plex, you won't find a better NAS (whatever your budget) for the money that can run plex than a Synology, end of story.

RParker123

vibe666 wrote: »

I think you may have missed an important part of my last post, so I'll try again.

my NAS is at the top of a huge range, you can spend anything from €100 to €1000 depending your requirements and budget.

You wanted a recommendation for a NAS to run plex, you won't find a better NAS (whatever your budget) for the money that can run plex than a Synology, end of story.

Thanks for the post.
I want a NAS that can run Plex, thats only requirement really. Have a few plex clients, Now tv boxes and tablets/phones/laptops.
Also, I only need 2TB storage for now.

So, Im looking for the cheapest that will do this really.

What kind of extras does your one do?

Skittle

Look at the one I have, the DS412+...

vibe666

if you have a lot of HD content and low end clients that can't play it natively then you'll need one with enough grunt to transcode your media into something that your devices can play natively, but i have a mixture of all sorts of content and even before I got the Synology I was running plex on a low end Windows PC and the NowTV box didn't have any problems playing anything, so you might be fine if you're in a similar position now and aren't having any issues.

I actually had more issues getting plex running in windows than I did on the Synology, it was literally just a case of installing the app (which is no more difficult than installing something on an android phone or apple device, logging in via my web browser and pointing it to my media on the NAS.

The NAS itself is also a breeze to set up, it really couldn't be easier and the Synology NAS interface (which is the same across all their NAS's) is widely regarded as the best and easiest to use in the industry (and I agree).

you'll definitely be able to find a cheaper diskless NAS and you might be able to find one that will also run plex, but you'll be much better off with a Synology in almost every way and I've yet to meet anyone who's bought one and not been very happy with it.

I bought the top end one simply because i want it to last me as long as possible and give me plenty of room to upgrade, but if I do ever need to buy another NAS it will still be a Synology.

Alun

I agree with vibe666 re the Synology NAS's.

I struggled for the best part of a year trying to get something working just the way I wanted it on an HP 40NL microserver, and gave up in the end and bought a Synology DS414 instead. I should have just done that in the first place and saved myself a lot of time and heartache. I got bare FreeNAS running OK, but the available plugins were just a complete mess, only half working, then you'd upgrade them and they'd crash and you'd be back to square one. Life's too short ...

BTW if anyone wants an HP 40NL, one careful owner, let me know by PM

Sniipe

I have a synology 210j and love it to bits. I've tried twice to put a plex media server on it. It works fine but I think my synology server is not as powerful as an x12 or x12+ (or even the x13 range) and this may make the difference (added to the fact that there is probably a big ramp up time at the start if you have a lot of content...