How Well Does the QNAP TS-262 NAS Perform as a Plex Media Server?
Is the QNAP TS-262 worth it as a Plex Media server NAS? A Plex Media Server NAS is a network-attached storage (NAS) device that has the software for the Plex Media Server application installed. The device acts as a central repository for all multimedia files, and the Plex application streams the content to connected client devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. The attraction of having control over all your movies, TV shows, music, and personal videos, in the sleek and organized way popularized by streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, cannot be denied. With the rise of streaming platforms, however, comes the growing cost of monthly subscriptions and the uncertain ownership of the content. Even if you purchase digital movies or TV shows from online stores like Amazon Video, you still face the challenge of finding storage space and the risk of losing access if the platform loses its license. Having a Plex media server that offers a premium and accessible user interface, without the need for subscriptions, is a key reason why many home and prosumer users choose to invest in one. However, it’s important to note that not all NAS drives are created equal in terms of compatibility and performance with Plex. In this article, I will share my experience using the TS-262 NAS as a Plex media server, to help you make an informed decision on whether it’s worth storing your 4K multimedia content on it in 2023.
Note – If you are unfamiliar with the QNAP TS-262 NAS, but you want to learn more about it, what else it can do and whether it is good for more than just Plex, you can watch my video review below:
What is the Hardware of the QNAP TS-262 NAS Drive?
The QNAP TS-262 NAS drive is structurally similar to most personal computers and laptops, as it features a CPU, memory, and storage. However, it boasts components that are designed to be more energy-efficient and provide optimal performance for 24/7 usage, with a greater emphasis on storage-related applications. On the other hand, the hardware in a PC or laptop is geared towards running general applications, with storage services being relatively basic. The TS-262 NAS is equipped with a popular mid-range server CPU, DDR4 memory, and can accommodate both Hard Drives and SSDs using SATA connections. Although the specifications of QNAP NAS drives are not directly linked to Plex, it is important to understand the hardware specifications relevant to Plex when considering the TS-262 NAS. Below, I have compiled a list of the hardware specifications of the TS-262 that play a significant role in its compatibility and performance with Plex:
- CPU: Intel N4505 Dual Core 2.0-2.9Ghz
- Embedded Graphics: Yes, 350-700Mhz
- Memory (Quantity & Maximum): 4GB DDR4 (Max)
- Number of Storage Bays: Two
- M.2 NVMe Caching Bays: Two, M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x1
- Network Connectivity: 2.5GbE + PCIe Upgrade Slot
Next, let’s quickly touch on how we measure how good/bad the QNAP TS-262 NAS is for Plex Media Server.
Understanding the Plex Media Server Tests of the QNAP TS-262 NAS
Important Terms to Understand in Plex/NAS/Multimedia that will make the TS-262 NAS Plex Tests Easier to Understand.
- SD, 160p, 240p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K : The resolution refers to the level of detail at which media is displayed, ranging from SD to 160p, 240p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K. The higher the resolution, the more pixels are present, which is determined by the quality of the original recording. Displaying high-resolution media, such as 1080p and 4K, puts a heavier load on the NAS hardware. NAS devices with limited graphics capabilities or no graphics at all may struggle to play 4K media seamlessly or not play it at all. It’s important to keep in mind that just because a NAS brand, such as QNAP, claims that their latest NAS is capable of natively playing 1080p or 4K media (natively meaning through their own software, client tools, and/or DLNA), this does not guarantee that the TS-262 NAS will perform the same way with Plex. As Plex is a third-party tool, it may have different requirements and limitations.
- Transcoding, Encoding, Decoding: Transcoding, encoding, and decoding are various terms used when a media file needs to be transformed to be better suited for a specific device, internet connection, or hardware. When accessing media locally, transcoding may not be necessary, unless your files are mainly H.265/HEVC based. However, when accessing media from remote locations with limited bandwidth, weaker internet connection, or smaller devices, you may want to access the media in lower quality. This is where transcoding, or real-time encoding, comes in handy. Keep in mind that transcoding is one of the most demanding tasks for a NAS. To utilize the full resources of the NAS CPU, including its embedded graphics, you may need to enable the “Make My CPU Hurt” option in the encoder menu of the Plex NAS settings menu, which may require a Plex Pass subscription depending on the NAS.
- H.264, HEVC, H.265: The compression techniques H.264, HEVC, and H.265 are used to make large media presentations suitable for viewing on home devices. While H.264 is widely supported by all devices, not all have permission or a license to play H.265/HEVC, as the licensing and patents for H.265/HEVC are complex, expensive, and spread across multiple providers. This can lead to the need for automatic conversion/transcoding of H.265/HEVC media into H.264, which consumes more system resources. The QNAP NAS drive, like the rest of the QNAP NAS range, does not come with HEVC support by default.
- Bitrate:Bitrate refers to the quantity of data that is processed per unit of time, typically expressed in megabits per second (Mbps) for video and kilobits per second (kbps) for audio. The higher the bitrate, the better the quality and resolution of the media tends to be.
For more information on the most important terms to understand when discussing/researching a NAS as a Plex Media Server can be found in my video below:
If you have any further questions, you can use the free advice section at the bottom of the page and ask Eddie and me directly.
How was the QNAP TS-262 NAS Tested in Plex?
The setup for testing the TS-262 NAS for Plex was as follows:
- The QNAP TS-262 NAS was accessed over a 1GbE network, however in order to test how the NAS would cope with transcoding/encoding, I would force the Plex Player client to transcode the file manually
- The TS-262 NAS was used in the default CPU+Memory state that the base model arrives in (no upgraded memory or upgraded caching media)
- Tests were performed one after the other with a short break between each test, so you might see the tail end of the previous test on a CPU graph, but I have pointed at the are of the % utilization that is important as per each test.
CLEAR PASS indicates successful file playback with enough resources for the NAS to handle other tasks, while PLAYED BUT HIGH CPU % signifies that the file played, but consumed significant system resources. FAIL AND-OR DID NOT PLAY means the file did not play or playback was choppy. To view the full video of the Plex tests performed on the QNAP TS-262 NAS, watch the video below (warning: long). Or, you can scroll down to see individual test results and which ones succeeded and which ones failed.
What % System Resources did the QNAP TS-262 NAS Use in Plex when Idle?
The Plex Media Server app requires a portion of system resources even when not playing multimedia, to ensure quick playback from the QNAP NAS when requested remotely. While 2 cores and 2GB of memory are ideal for best performance, some NAS also reserve resources for system use. Knowing the amount of system resources consumed by the QNAP TS-262 NAS when Plex is idle can provide insight into available power for playback. Here’s a screenshot of the TS-262 when Plex is running but no media is being accessed.
Plex Test 1 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – UHD 4K H.265 HEVC 10bit 16Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – UHD 4K H.265 HEVC 10bit 16Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 2 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K UHD 2160p 40Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K UHD 2160p 40Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 3 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K H.264 10bit 80Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K H.264 10bit 80Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: FAIL AND-OR DID NOT PLAY
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 4 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 16Mbps MP4
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 16Mbps MP4 File Performed:
RESULT: PLAYED BUT MEDIUM CPU %
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 5 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD HEVC h.265 8bit 60Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4k uhd hevc h.265 8bit 60Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 6 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD HEVC h.265 8bit 30Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4k uhd hevc h.265 8bit 30Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 7 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 60Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 60Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: PLAYED BUT HIGH CPU %
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 8 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 12Mbps 24FPS MP4
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 12Mbps 24FPS MP4 File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 9 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 32Mbps MKV
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 32Mbps MKV File Performed:
RESULT: PLAYED BUT MEDIUM CPU %
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 10 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 1080p 2Mbps MP4
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 1080p 2Mbps MP4 File Performed
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Plex Test 11 – QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 720p 0.7Mbps MP4
Here is how the QNAP TS-262 NAS Plex Test – 720p 0.7Mbps MP4 File Performed:
RESULT: CLEAR PASS
Extra Notes: None
Is the QNAP TS-262 NAS Any Good outside of Plex and Where Can I buy It?
If you are interested in learning more about the QNAP TS-262 NAS Drive, I am pleased to confirm that the review here on NASCompares is already live and you can find out more about this device below.
Quick Verdict of the QNAP TS-262 NAS – What We Said in the TS-262 Review:
The QNAP TS-262 NAS is a substantial update on the QNAP TS-251+D (even worth considering for those who opted for the TS-251+D or TS-251+B previously) that features a more modern CPU that allows increased internal performance. This translates in hardware to M.2 NVMe SSD support, a larger bandwidth PCIe Upgrade slot, USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gb/s connectivity and 2.5GbE by default. Some areas of the device are less compelling, such as that fixed 4GB of memory meaning that the price needs to reflect the extra RAM on day 1, but you also cannot scale that extra memory further as your processes grow years from now. The limiting of those M.2 NVMe SSD bays to PCIe Gen 3×1 makes alot of sense, giving the range of this PCIe3 Celeron CPU makes sense, but is nonetheless going to annoy some users. lastly, the hardware gains in the system featuring much, MUCH more powerful and visually appealing HDMI 2.1 is a fraction let down by the HD Station software getting fewer and fewer feature-rich updates (outside of stability and performance fixes). As far as running the QNAP QTS EXT4 software platform on the TS-262, you will have little to no complaints, as it can run the bulk of the 1st/3rd party applications available to the software, just remember that you are running a dual-core and two thread processor – so the glass ceiling in terms of hardware resources is going to be a pinch lower than some of their Pentium, Intel Core or Xeon systems of course. After a bumpy start to 2022, with the brand needing to win alot of users back after being targetted by ransomware groups and missteps in communication, fast forward to the start of 2023 and you have a much more secure, closed and layered QNAP NAS platform here.
Choosing the QNAP TS-262 NAS over the increasing range of 2-Bay’s in the brand’s portfolio is a little less straightforward, with the TS-262 nestled somewhere between the TS-253E, TS-264, HS-264 and TS-364 (with several more 2-Bay options in the TS-x51+, TS-31P3 AND TS-31K still listed on their official site). I also think the TS-262 would do better to have been released alongside the TS-264 (and the rest of the x64 range), when the portfolio was a little less clustered and its status as an affordable alternative to the TS-262 made alot more sense! The QNAP TS-262 is designed for users looking to spend a little less on base hardware, whilst still buying a device that can be scaled in storage, network bandwidth and more down the line. QTS still continues to be fully featured and has a great many new security and access defaults/settings introduced to limit novice users leaving doors open, but still has a fractionally steeper learning curve than many of its competitors, often trying to do too many things at once (or at least not stopping an end user doing too much at times), which can lead to occasionally bumps in the road when using their platform on a more modest system as this. The QNAP TS-262 is a great 2-Bay NAS and a solid refresh/update on the TS-251D, but if you can stretch your budget a fraction more, I recommend opting for the TS-462 or TS-264 ($100-200 more) as much like this device doubles down on it’s predecessor hardware, so do those two NAS ram things up further for your money. A good NAS indeed, that lives a tad in the shadow of it’s own brothers and sisters!
Read the Rest of the Review HERE. Alternatively, you can find out the Pros and Cons below, as a few retailers that sell the QNAP TS-262 NAS. Thanks for reading and if you need any further help choosing the right NAS for your Plex Media Server, use the free advice section linked below. Have a great week.
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