QNAP NAS Plex Performance Guide – 2021 Edition

What is the Best QNAP NAS for a Plex Media Server?

Plex has fast become the most popular media server software for home users in 2021. With a slick user interface, smart organization, relevant media images and descriptions sourced from many online sources applied automatically and clever show recommendations and watched records, it is easy to see why Plex challenges many of the online streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Instant and Hulu. Another attractive feature of Plex is that the software is available free (or a more feature-rich paid version), whereas online streaming sources have monthly subscriptions, do not let you play your own content and change/rotate available media content on a monthly basis. With Plex, you play the media that you own and it is organized in an attractive and easy way. However in order to take advantage of Plex, you need a device for your media and the Plex media server to live, and this is where the money part comes. The best means with which to host a plex media server is a Network Attached Storage device (or NAS server). One of the biggest NAS server providers in the world right now is QNAP and they have a large range of NAS devices that support Plex in many, many ways (transcoding, smooth running, 4K, etc). However which QNAP NAS should you buy for your Plex media server, what is transcoding on a QNAP Plex media server like and what is the best QNAP NAS for a Plex Media Server (PMS)?

What is Software Transcoding on a QNAP Plex Media Server?

When media lives on your QNAP NAS, often the device a that you are playing back your plex media (Smart TV, iPhone, Laptop, iPod) onto cannot support the media file type, the resolution or audio codec. In this case, the Plex Media Server on your QNAP NAS will try to change the file to a more suitable version, on the fly, to ensure you can enjoy your media in the best way. This is known as transcoding and though the Plex application is actioning this with the software, the actual work is being done by the QNAP NAS CPU. Software transcoding takes a heavy toll on the CPU and you will need a relatively powerful processor in order to support this feature. Typically the CPU will need to be:

• In Intel or AMD Based Based CPU that is 64bit (x86) in Architecture
• Higher than 1.6Ghz in Frequency
• More than 2 Cores

It is important to highlight that transcoding for Plex on a QNAP NAS only really needs more power in the case of converting/changing video files. Audio and Image files will not require much support from the NAS.

Choosing the Right QNAP NAS for a Plex Media Server

When it comes to choosing the right QNAP NAS for your Plex Media Server, below I have broken down the entire currently available NAS you can buy. I have broken them down into the following areas:

Model ID – This is the Name of the QNAP NAS Device

CPU – This is the central processor of the QNAP NAS server and this will be what decides the performance of your Plex Media Server

SD 480p / 576p –Most likely the lowest point at which you will need transcoding of a video media file, 480p was used for many early Plasma televisions, whereas 576p is considered Standard Definition in many countries worldwide

HD 720p – Otherwise known as ‘HD Ready’ or ‘Standard HD’, it is generally considered the lowest starting point for watching HD media and starts at 1280×720

HD 1080p – Widely regarded at ‘Full-HD’, it arrives at 1920×1080. Most media listed at high definition in 2021 will be 1080P

4K SDR 2160p – 4K SDR is the entry point into 4K Media. An SDR 2160p supported TV has around 4,000 lines of resolution (the lines across the screen that form the rows of pixels) but is not capable of completely showing the depth and richness of colours spectrum and contrast of 4K HDR. It is by no means a compromise and still an excellent picture, but rather this is due to the physical differences in the construction of the screen and not just how the images are processed, just like the differences between and SD and HDTV.

4K UHD HDR 2160p – The current top end of 4K Media file formats in popular commercial media. A 4K HDR TV has the same 4000 lines of resolution as those that support 4K SDR 2160p, but is physically capable of rendering an image with increased contrast and richer colours\separation thanks to the physical build superiority.

Be sure to check the kind of media you own (or plan on streaming from your QNAP NAS), as well as the devices you will be playing back on for a better idea of what kind of plex media transcoding support you will need from your NAS server from QNAP. Be sure to check the supported file types (most common modern files types you find for 1080p and 4K are .MKV .MP4 .MOV and .AVI).Below is the entire current QNAP NAS range and how well they perform in the Plex Media Server Application with a single Stream.

Guide for the Chart Below

Software Transcode = Uses the NAS software and CPU Power to alter a file to a more suitable Plex Playback type

Hardware – Accelerated Transcoding – Uses Embedded Graphics that are Integrated into the CPU to Alter a file to a more suitable version for Plex Playback

RED BOX – Recommended Synology NAS for Plex Media Server. Could be based on Performance, Price or Value between both

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.

 

Latest 2021 QNAP NAS Releases:

		Software Transcoding				Hardware – Accelerated Transcoding
Model	CPU Model	SD 480p / 576p	HD 720p	HD 1080p	4K SDR 2160p	HD 720p	HD 1080p	H.264 2160p	HEVC SDR 2160p	HEVC UHD 2160p
TS-131K	ARMv7 (Alping AL-214) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-230	ARMv8 (RealTek 1296) 1.4Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231K	ARMv7 (Alping AL-214) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231P3	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7 Ghz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-251D	x64 (Celeron J4005) 2.0Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-253D	x64 (Celeron J4125) 2.7Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-431KX	ARMv7 (Alping AL-214) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431P3	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431X3	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-451D2	x64 (Celeron J4005) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-451DeU	x64 (Celeron J4025) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-453DU (-RP)	x64 (Celeron J4125) 2.7 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-453D	x64 (Celeron J4125) 2.7 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-653D	x64 (Celeron J4125) 2.7 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	SDR Only	H.264 Output	H.264 Output
TS-h973AX	x64 (Ryzen V1500B) 2.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Some	Some	No	No	No

Previous 2020 and Older QNAP NAS Releases:

		Software Transcoding				Hardware – Accelerated Transcoding
Model	CPU Model	SD 480p / 576p	HD 720p	HD 1080p	4K SDR 2160p	HD 720p	HD 1080p	H.264 2160p	HEVC SDR 2160p	HEVC UHD 2160p
TS-128A	ARMv8 (RealTek 1293) 1.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-131	ARMv7 (Cortex A9) 1.2GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-131P	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-228A	ARMv8 (RealTek 1295) 1.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-230	ARMv8 (RealTek 1296) 1.4Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231	ARMv7 (Cortex A9) 1.2GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231+	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.4GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231P	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.7 Ghz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-231P2	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7 Ghz	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-251	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TS-251+	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-251A	x64 (Celeron N3060) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-251D	x64 (Celeron J4005) 2.0Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TS-253 Pro	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-253A	x64 (Celeron N3150) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-253B	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-253Be	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-269 Pro	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-328	ARMv8 (RealTek 1296) 1.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-332X	ARMv8 (Alpine AL-324) 1.7GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431	ARMv7 (Cortex-A9) 1.2GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431+	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.4GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431P	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-212) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431P2	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-431U	ARMv7 (Cortex-A9) 1.2GHz	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-451	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-451+	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-451A	x64 (Celeron N3060) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-451U	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-453A	x64 (Celeron N3150) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453mini	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453B	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453Be	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453BT3	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453Bmini	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-453BU	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-453U	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-463U	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-463XU	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-469 Pro	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-469L	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-469U-RP	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-473	x64 (AMD RX 421ND) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-531P	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.4GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-531X	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-563	x86 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-569 Pro	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-569L	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-651	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	No	No
TS-653 Pro	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-653A	x64 (Celeron N3150) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-653B	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-669 Pro	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-669L	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-677	x64 (AMD RX 421ND) 2.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-677-1600	x64 (AMD Ryzen 5-1600) 3.2 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-831X	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.4GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-831XU	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-832X	ARMv8 (Annapurna) 1.7GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-832XU	ARMv8 (Annapurna) 1.7GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-851	x64 (Celeron J1800) 2.41GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	No	No
TS-853 Pro	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-853A	x64 (Celeron N3150) 1.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-853BU	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TS-853U	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-863U	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-863XU	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-869 Pro	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-869L	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-869U-RP	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-870 Pro	x64 (Core i3-3220) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-873	x64 (AMD RX 421ND) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-873U	x64 (AMD RX 421ND) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-877-1600	x64 (AMD Ryzen 5 1600) 3.2 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-877-1700	x64 (AMD Ryzen 7 1700) 3.0 GHZ	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Some	Some	No	No	No
TS-879 Pro	x64 (Core i3-2120) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Some	Some	No	No	No
TS-879U-RP	x64 (Core i3-2120) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-932X	ARMv8 (Annapurna) 1.7GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-951X	x64 (Celeron 3865U) 1.8Ghz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-963X	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Some	Some	No	No	No
TS-1079 Pro	x64 (Core i3-2120) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1231XU	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-314) 1.7GHz	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TS-1253BU	x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TS-1253U	x64 (Celeron J1900) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1263U	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1263XU	x64 (AMD GX-420MC) 2.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1269U-RP	x64 (Atom D2700) 2.13GHz	Yes	Some	No	No	Some	Some	No	No	No
TS-1279U-RP	x64 (Core i3-2120) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1635	ARMv7 (Alpine AL-514) 1.7 GHz	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1635AX	ARMv8 (ARMADA) 1.7GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1673U	x64 (AMD RX 421ND) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Some	Some	No	No	No
TS-1679U-RP	x64 (Core i3-2120) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1277-1600	x64 (AMD Ryzen 5 1600) 3.2 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1277-1700	x64 (AMD Ryzen 7 1700) 3.0 GHZ	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1677X-1200	x64 (AMD Ryzen 3 1200) 3.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1677X-1600	x64 (AMD Ryzen 5 1600) 3.2 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1677X-1700	x64 (AMD Ryzen 7 1700) 3.0 GHZ	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1685-D1521	x64 (Xeon D1521) 2.4 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-1685-D1531	x64 (Xeon D1531) 2.2 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC1080 Pro	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-EC1279U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1225) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC1280U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-EC1679U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1225) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC1680U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC2480U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TS-EC879U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1225) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC880 Pro	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TS-EC880U-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some
						Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-471-i3	x64 (Core i3-4150) 3.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-471-PT	x64 (Pentium G3250) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-472XT	x64 (Pentium G5400T) 3.1 Ghz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TVS-473	x64 (AMD RX-421BD) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
TVS-473e	x64 (AMD RX-421BD) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-671-i3	x64 (Core i3-4150) 3.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-671-i5	x64 (Core i5-4590S) 3.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-671-PT	x64 (Pentium G3250) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-672XT	x64 (Core i3-8100T) 3.1 Ghz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TVS-673	x64 (AMD RX-421BD) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-672N-i3-4G	x64 (Core i3-8100T) 3.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TVS-673e	x64 (AMD RX-421BD) 2.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-682-i3-8G	x64 (Core i3-7100) 3.9 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-682-PT-8G	x64 (Pentium G4400) 3.3GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-682T-i3-8G	x64 (Core i3-7100) 3.9 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-871-i3	x64 (Core i3-4150) 3.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-871-i5	x64 (Core i5-4590S) 3.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-871-i7	x64 (Core i7-4790S) 3.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-871-PT	x64 (Pentium G3250) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-871U-RP-i3	x64 (Core i3-4150) 3.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-871U-RP-i5	x64 (Core i5-4590S) 3.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-871U-RP-PT	x64 (Pentium G3250) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-872N-i3-4G	x64 (Core i3-8100T) 3.1 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-872XT-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-8400T) 1.7 Ghz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No	No	No	No	No
TVS-873e	x64 (AMD RX-421BD) 2.1 Ghz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-882-i3-8G	x64 (Core i3-7100) 3.9 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-882-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-6500) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-882T-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-6500) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-882BRT3-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-7500) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-882BRT3-i7-32G	x64 (Core i7-7700) 3.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-882ST3-i5	x64 (Core i5-6442EQ 1.9GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-882ST3-i7	x64 (Core i7-6700HQ) 2.6GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-951X	x64 (Celeron 3865U) 1.8 GHz	Yes	Yes	Some	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC1080	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC880	x64 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) 3.4GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-1271U-RP-i3	x64 (Core i3-4150) 3.5GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-1271U-RP-i5	x64 (Core i5-4590S) 3.0GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-1271U-RP-i7	x64 (Core i7-4790S) 3.2GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Some	No	No	No
TVS-1271U-RP-PT	x64 (Pentium G3250) 3.1GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-1282-i3-8G	x64 (Core i3-6100) 3.7 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-1282-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-6500) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-1282-i7-32G	x64 (Core i7-6700) 3.4 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	No
TVS-1282T-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-6500) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-1282T-i7-32G	x64 (Core i7-7700) 3.4 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-1282T3-i5-16G	x64 (Core i7-7500) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-1282T3-i7-32G	x64 (Core i7-7700) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-1582TU-i5-16G	x64 (Core i5-7500) 3.4 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	H.264 Only	Decode Only	Decode Only
TVS-1582TU-i7-32G	x64 (Core i7-7700) 3.6 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC1280U-SAS-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1246 v3) 3.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC1580MU-SAS-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1246 v3) 3.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC1680U-SAS-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1246 v3) 3.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
TVS-EC2480U-SAS-RP	x64 (Xeon E3-1246 v3) 3.5 GHz	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes

What is Accelerated Transcoding with Plex on my NAS?

Some QNAP NAS arrive with a CPU that has improved rendering or graphical embedding enabled. This means that is Plex can utilize this hardware for transcoding, it will require much, much less of the CPU processing power to transcode a video file. In order to take advantage of Plex hardware transcoding on your QNAP NAS, you will need to first check which NAS supports the transcoding to the extent you need by checking below. Next, you will need to upgrade your Plex Membership from the free version to the paid ‘Plex Pass’ subscription, as the option of Accelerated Transcoding with QNAP NAS hardware is not included in the plex free subscription. However, below has included all the current available QNAP NAS and to what extent they support Hardware transcoding with a Plex Pass:How to Enable Hardware Acceleration with Plex Media Server on a QNAP NAS

To use Hardware Transcoding on your QNAP NAS in a Plex Media Server, you need to enable it using the Plex Web access (head over to your Plex User interface on your browser.

1. Open the Plex Web app.
2. Navigate to Settings > Server > Transcoder to access the server settings.
3. Turn on Show Advanced in the upper-right corner to expose advanced settings.
4. Turn on Use hardware acceleration when available.
   
5. Click Save Changes at the bottom.

The changes should take place straight away and there is no need to reboot your QNAP NAS. Be sure to have updated to the latest version of the Plex Media Server application on your NAS and that Hardware Transcoding is listed as supported in the list above.

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