Best NAS for a 4K HDMI Enabled Plex Media Server

Last updated on 21 Feb 2020 📧 Subscribe
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1 Choosing the Best NAS Drive for Streaming Media Locally and the Internet
2 Recommended NAS for Multimedia Streaming Video, Music and Plex
3 The Best Media NAS for PLEX via HDMI and Streaming over the Network
4 Best QNAP NAS with 4K HDMI 2.0 Intel Chips and Transcoding
5 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Choosing the Best NAS Drive for Streaming Media Locally and the Internet

I would like advice on a new NAS, please
I use it mainly for TV Shows and films to watch on my Samsung Smart TV. Also to store my music, (through a Soundbar perhaps), books, photos, documents etc
I have seen a video of Synology 12 bay and QNAP NAS with 8 bays and an access port to an HDMI 2.0 to go direct to a TV
I would like a system with about 40TB storage (plenty of space for later expansion) but access via TV and laptop
I have used a Synology Play with 4 drives so I know that supplier but not QNAP at all
Would I have to use PLEX to get access to the files or would a remote be usable?
I thank you now for adviceTony, UK
QNAP HS-453DX NAS

QNAP TVS-672XT NAS

QNAP TVS-1282-i7-450W

3rd Tier Choice 2nd Tier Choice 1st Tier Choice

Recommended NAS for Multimedia Streaming Video, Music and Plex

There are several NAS that I would recommend for your kind f media setup. If you have never used a NAS server before, then I would strongly recommend a Synology NAS Drive, as it is significantly more user-friendly and accessible for the first time user. However, this ease of use and intuitive software design comes as a price (literally) and Synology NAS is typically 15-20% more expensive in terms of hardware than QNAP across the majority of their range. So if you have even a pinch more knowledge of IT/Data storage, or are ok to learn at little at the start, you get SIGNIFICANTLY more hardware for your money with a QNAP NAS. This combined with what you want your NAS Server to do, means that you are almost certainly going to require a QNAP NAS drive to do these tasks. If you are still undecided about whether to buy a QNAP NAS or Synology NAS Drive, then I recommend you check out my comparison of these NAS brands here:
Next, let us discuss the kind of multimedia NAS devices you should consider.

The Best Media NAS for PLEX via HDMI and Streaming over the Network

Depending on which NAS brand suits you the best, the hardware device you should buy will be much easier. In short, e.g;
Synology NAS = Easy, Straight forward, but More Expensive and Lower Powered
QNAP NAS = More Powerful, More Connections, but Less Intuitive fewer first-party apps
WD NAS = Lower in Price, Quiet, but Less user-friendly and basic
In terms of Plex Media Server, I HIGHLY recommend you check out my Plex Media Server 2019 Article here:
Next, there is the consideration of HDMI Output on your NAS. For this kind of local connection to your NAS Drive, yet still retain the ability to access it over the local area network (LAN) and internet, you will need to consider buying a QNAP or Asustor NAS drive. These two brands are the best for HDMI NAS for five key reasons:
1, They are the only two NAS brands taht arrive with HDMI on most of their NAS servers (technically, so does Thecus, but this brand has lost ALOT of coverage in recent years and much less supported)
2, They are the only two NAS Brands that have introduced a range of HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.0a featured servers. This means that they support TRUE 4K playback. The majority of HDMI devices in the home arrive with HDMI 1.4b, which can play 4K media but can only play it at 30FPS (and 1080p HD at 60FPS). If you want to enjoy 4K Media in its original form, via Plex or natively, you need to buy a 4K HDMI 2.0/2.0a NAS from QNAP or Asustor.
3, Asustor and QNAP are the only two brands that arrive with a dedicated HDMI handling application. This is very important, as this means that the HDMI output isn’t just the same as you see on your web browser (though that is an option), but is actually a complete sofa-friendly environment for installing applications within. Most people want to enjoy the media on their NAS via HDMI in a much different way than on a PC or portable device – swapping the keyboard and mouse for a remote control! Which leads me to point 4…
4, QNAP and Asustor NAS drive often arrive with a physical IR remote control, so you can control your NAS from the comfort of your sofa and TV – navigating applications and files. Alternatively, you can use the network remote control applications that are free on both Android and iOS from QNAP and Asustor to control your HDMI NAS instead.
5, Finally, brands like Asustor and QNAP often arrive with Intel-based CPUs. These are hugely useful to those looking to enjoy media over the internet/network, as the rendering of these files, as well as the transcoding of these files, is a big task and definitely something to consider when buying a perfect media NAS. To find out the importance of Transcoding, check out the link below:
So, I genuinely believe your perfect media NAS (for the setup mentioned at the top at least) is a QNAP or Asustor NAS. Likely, it is a QNAP NAS, but do check out this comparison of QNAP and Asustor below:

Best QNAP NAS with 4K HDMI 2.0 Intel Chips and Transcoding

Thank you for your questions. There are several NAS drives that arrive with HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.0a, such as the HS-453DX, TVS-x82 Series and the TVS-x72XT Series – all of which use an Intel Based CPU (ranging from a modest Celeron to a 7th Gen i3/5/7 to a remarkably impressive 8th Gen i3/i5 in 6 Cores.
QNAP HS-453DX NAS

QNAP TVS-672XT NAS

QNAP TVS-1282-i7-450W

3rd Tier Choice 2nd Tier Choice 1st Tier Choice
Alternatively, you can check out this article from last year regarding HDMI 2.0 enabled NAS servers. It is a little dated, so some NAS are missing (really need to make a new one, but time is always low!):

Use the FREE ADVICE Button to contact me directly for a recommendation on the Best Plex NAS for your Setup/Budget. Please bear in mind that this is a one-man operation, so my reply might take a little bit of time, but it will be impartial, honest and have your best interests at heart.

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