Synology DS920+ NAS Plex 4K, 1080p and 720p Tests (H.264 & HEVC)

Last updated on 20 Jul 2021 📧 Subscribe
Contents hide
1 Transcoding 4K Media on the DS920+ NAS Plex Media Server
2 Why should you factor transcoding with a Plex Media Server on a DS920+ NAS
3 Which Plex supported client devices require transcoding from the DS920+ NAS
4 What are the Specifications of the DS920+ NAS?
4.1 The Synology DS920+ 4-Bay NAS – £550+
5 What is the difference between H.264 and H.265 4K Media on a NAS
6 The DS920+ NAS Plex Tests – Idle/Standby
7 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 1 – 720p 0.7Mbps 23FPS – How well does it perform?
8 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 2 – TARNSCODE 720p 0.7Mbps 23FPS –TO– 480p 1.5Mbps – How well does it perform?
9 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 4 – 1080p 1.9Mbps 23FPS – How well does it perform?
10 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 5 – Trancode 1080p 1.9Mbps 23FPS –TO– 720p 2Mbps – How well does it perform?
11 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 6 – 1080p 3Mbps H.264 30FPS – How well does it perform?
12 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 7 – TRANSCODE 1080p 3Mbps H.264 30FPS. –TO– 480p1.5Mbps – How well does it perform?
13 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 8 – 1080p 100Mbps H.264 30FPS – How well does it perform?
14 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 9 – TRANSCODE 1080p 100Mbps H.264 30FPS TO 10Mbps 1080p – How well does it perform?
15 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 10 – TRANSCODE 4K 120Mbps H.265 10BIT 30FPS Automatic Plex Settings – How well does it perform?
16 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 11 – TRANSCODE 4K UHD 200Mbps H.264 30FPS TO 720p 4Mbps – How well does it perform?
17 Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 12 – TRANSCODE 4K UHD 400Mbps H.265 30FPS TO Plex Recommended – How well does it perform?
18 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Transcoding 4K Media on the DS920+ NAS Plex Media Server

Transcoding on a NAS such as the DS920+ device is the ability for a multimedia file to be changed from it’s existing format or codec to one that is better suited to the destination device. In this file access, the DS920+ NAS is the host device and the device you want to play the file is the client. This is the case of whether you are using Plex or not. Transcoding is typically required when a media file is more recently released than the client device that is accessing it, so the newer compression or playback format is unknown to the device you want to access it with. Alternatively, you want to access the movie or music on your DS920+ and do not want to use the original file in its full size. Transcoding can enable you to stream a much smaller version in weight or resolution if needed. In a popular program such as PLEX, smooth playback is essential, and with the plex media server application on the DS920+ NAS using a larger percentage of CPU and Memory than most programs, it is very useful to know the plex transcoding abilities of any NAS.

Why should you factor transcoding with a Plex Media Server on a DS920+ NAS

When you install a Plex Media Server on your DS920+, you should know that plex is not the answer to all of your media prayers. It has some limitations and depending on the NAS you use, these limits can be annoying. You will most likely have media files in a large collection of different formats and there is no guaranteeing that these are going to be compatible with TVs, iPads and Smartphones that you wish to watch them on. Although you will have a version of the Plex app on the viewing device, that app will still be locked to playback the supported media types on that device.

So if your phone does not support .MKV or .MOV, then neither does the plex app you installed on it. However, this is where transcoding comes in again, as the plex media server will use the NAS system resources to change the file to a version/format that it CAN play. What makes transcoding with Plex different to ordinary transcoding is that often, the NAS (in this case, the DS920+) will not let the plex use the transcoding engine inside. This is not the end of the world, as it will use raw system power instead. The result is that where a regular transcode outside of plex will use 20-30%, in plex it could go as high as 70-80%. This is why it is important to know how well a plex NAS will transcode, as if it will happen regularly, it could potentially slow down the general use of your DS920+ NAS.

Which Plex supported client devices require transcoding from the DS920+ NAS

Destination devices range greatly and are often referred to as the client device. Common client devices that your DS920+ device will be accessed by are often:

  • iPad or Android Tablet
  • iPhone or Android Smartphone
  • Smart TV or DLNA supported monitor
  • MacBook, Laptop or Netbook device
  • Sound systems such as Bose, Sonos and Sony DLNA systems
  • Home Theatre Systems
  • Network and internet-enabled gaming consoles such as PS4, Xbox One and Nvidia Shield

Transcoding between a DS920+ and your media can be of tremendous benefit for those with limited internet bandwidth, download limits or low powered devices whilst using the plex client application.

What are the Specifications of the DS920+ NAS?

The specifications for the DS920+ NAS are below and like all NAS devices, the CPU and Memory play a big part in how well it performs at transcoding both in and out of plex. The key factors to consider are if the device features an x86 or ARM-based CPU, does the DS920+ CPU feature a transcoding engine and how much RAM the device arrives with for multiple transcoding tasks. Below are the DS920+ specs:

The Synology DS920+ 4-Bay NAS – £550+

SPECS CPU MEMORY TRANSCODING ENGINE: YES 1080P Support: YES 4K Support: YES Transcoding Support: YES

CPU Model Intel Celeron J4125
CPU Architecture 64-bit
CPU Frequency Quad Core 2.0 burst up to 2.7 GHz
Hardware Encryption Engine (AES-NI) Yes
Memory Options 4GB DDR4 SODIMM 2666Mhz in Base Model (Max 8GB)

 

Codec h264 Decode / Encode
Codec h265 8bit Decode
Codec h265 10bit NO
Codec VP8 Decode / Encode
Codec VP9 Decode / Encode
Codec VC-1 Decode
Codec AVC Decode / Encode


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What is the difference between H.264 and H.265 4K Media on a NAS

H.264 and H.265 are common codecs of modern digital media. H264 is also referred to as AVC by experts (Advanced Video Coding) and is considered the standard for video file compression. This allows for media originally created for large-scale entertainment to be recording, compressed, and distributed to the home and smaller-scale production of digital video content watched by you, the consumer via Plex.

H265 is the newer and more consumer-friendly alternative to H264. It is also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) and was developed in order to resolve issues of enormous 4K media files being just too large for your client device to playback. H.265 has become so popular and data saving that chances are that the YouTube clip, iTunes media or iPlayer content you watched was in .265 and HEVC. Typically a modern NAS such as the DS920+ will playback with JUST H.265 or it will Playback both H.264 and H.265. The latter pretty much being exclusive to x86 or AMD based NAS CPU devices.

The DS920+ NAS Plex Tests – Idle/Standby

To get a better idea of what is considered ‘normal running’ in plex, we installed plex media server, along with a handful of video files that covered SD, 720p, 1080p and 4K, each at either H.264, H.265 (HEVC), UHD, 10bit or a combination of some/all of them. Here is how the NAS looked when in standby/idle (I have circled the important things to look at:

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 1 – 720p 0.7Mbps 23FPS – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 2 – TARNSCODE 720p 0.7Mbps 23FPS –TO– 480p 1.5Mbps – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 4 – 1080p 1.9Mbps 23FPS – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 5 – Trancode 1080p 1.9Mbps 23FPS –TO– 720p 2Mbps – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 6 – 1080p 3Mbps H.264 30FPS – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 7 – TRANSCODE 1080p 3Mbps H.264 30FPS. –TO– 480p1.5Mbps – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 8 – 1080p 100Mbps H.264 30FPS – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 9 – TRANSCODE 1080p 100Mbps H.264 30FPS TO 10Mbps 1080p – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 10 – TRANSCODE 4K 120Mbps H.265 10BIT 30FPS Automatic Plex Settings – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 11 – TRANSCODE 4K UHD 200Mbps H.264 30FPS TO 720p 4Mbps – How well does it perform?

 

 

Synology DS920+ NAS Plex Test 12 – TRANSCODE 4K UHD 400Mbps H.265 30FPS TO Plex Recommended – How well does it perform?

 

 

I hope these Plex Media Server 4K results were of use to you and this helps you consider which NAS you wish to you buy in 2020, whether it is the DS920+ or something more or less suited to your needs.

Read the Synology DS920+ NAS Drive Review Below

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      45 thoughts on “Synology DS920+ NAS Plex 4K, 1080p and 720p Tests (H.264 & HEVC)”

      4. Been using this NAS for over 3 years now, bought it after watching this very review. Still runs like a dream, and I couldn’t be happier with what it does for my family.
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      8. Question?

        So if I rip 4K uhd blu rays to a synology nas and play it using a pc,Apple TV 4K and phone. Do I have to worry about transcoding? And will i worry about transcoding if I were to rip older disneys dvd tbat are 720p or 1080p
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      9. It’s super hard to determine if 4k is going to be a good experience with all your videos on PLEX with NAS, you always seem to focus on sub 1080p. I’m looking for a NAS that will work as a media server, and all my TV’s and devices at home are 4k. The answer I’m looking to answer is; can a NAS do this, or do I have to build my own NAS? 1080p was years ago.
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      11. Excellent Video. I upgraded from a DS220J based on your reviews of the DS920+ … I LOVE this 920. the 220j just fell on it’s face when asked to do anything beyond the basics.
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      13. I have never quite understood the need for Plex. I retain the original high bit rate files and use ffmpeg to convert them ONCE to 1280x / h.264 / CRF 18-20 or similar with NVENC hardware encoding. I keep both them on my NAS and watch whatever runs best.
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      17. I don’t think transcoding is as important as it used to be. Many devices these days can handle the files and don’t need a transcode. I’m not gonna ask my NAS to play an H265 file natively, I’ll run it through a device and connect via SMB.
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      18. I was an early adopter of NAS and had the pos Buffalo 4bay Nas. I swear every time I called costumer service a kid was stoned, had no idea of what raid was, or cache, port forwarding, etc ????. Anyways my question is streaming from somewhere afar like a hotel or friends house any good? The buffalo was on and off and most times glitchy or didn’t work.
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      22. If you open a 2160p file on a 1080p laptop for example it just works. If you locate a network 2160p file and play from source on the same laptop, it just works. So why when you get plex involved does it crap the bed? THIS is what im trying to work out before buying a nas over just having a second pc.
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      29. I am going through all the videos learning about NAS, particularly from Synology before I dip my toes to get one (preferably the DS920+) to replace an ageing Drobo 4 bay. I am getting more confident by the day and by the videos. watched. Thank you for the great videos.
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      32. Recently bought this as my first NAS.. Attached a Seagate Exos 16TB, configured as SHR.. Later will expand with other bays. The only negative I can call out is that it came with a 16 amp plug which is very difficult to attach to a socket used for low power devices.. only refrigerators, water heaters etc need that. So I replaced the cable with a 10 amp one and its working fine
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      35. HI, I just bought DS920+ learning from your channel. Thankyou very much for Providing Inside out understanding. I just have one question can i setup my NAS with one Drive and then Later i can populate other slots.
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      36. DS920+ it can read 2 or 3 videos same times ?
        I want to creat a PLEX server for my KIDS at home on differents devices.
        TV with a Google Chromecast 3rd Gen and on iPad / iPhone for replace Netflix.
        It’s very difficult to understand all your video (transcode H264 / H265)
        I just want find the best NAS possible with a good price (if possible), and not want to buy the wrong NAS with bad experience when my kids launch there film.
        Thank you
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      40. on my 20gb ram ds920+, I’m able to play 4k uncompressed, completely just copy and pasted from the uhd disk to the hard drive. so about 60-70Mb/s playing back on my nvidia shield. no skips, no buffers. nothing. plays flawlessly
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      41. I can’t believe I watched 50 minutes of this. Very very informative. I’m a new nas user and this 920+ is my first nas so thank you for the overview!! I didn’t know it could do much more than I already thought it could!
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      42. bought this exact NAS on prime day sale today. $473 USD, 16GB crucial 2666 memory upgrade $82 (20GB ram total), 2x noctua nf-a9 fans to get rid of the stock synology loud fans $34, 2x250GB western digital blue nvme for caching. Reusing 4x8TB ironwolf drives. it’s main purpose for me is going to be 4k uncompressed plex server
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      43. I know it’s an old post, but all that pretty packaging you’re so impressed by you’re paying for. Protective packaging is a must, but why does is have to be so impressive? A measly dollar/quid increases drastically by the time it gets to the consumer. Simply put, in business, if you spend money you have to make money .
        Other than that a fair video.
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      44. i know you enabled hardware transcoding make my cpu hurt, if you was using docker did you correctly sort the hardware transcoding? as you didnt actually show the screen that would also show the type of transcoding it is doing on the main dashboard?

        Reply