Synology DS423+ 4K PLEX NAS TESTS!

Last updated on 02 May 2023 📧 Subscribe
Contents hide
1 How Well Does the Synology DS423+ NAS Perform as a Plex Media Server?
2 What is the Hardware of the Synology DS423+ NAS Drive?
3 Understanding the Plex Media Server Tests of the Synology DS423+ NAS
4 How was the Synology DS423+ NAS Tested in Plex?
4.1 What % System Resources did the Synology DS423+ NAS Use in Plex when Idle?
4.2 Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – UHD 4K 10bit 16mbps HEVC H.265 MKV
4.3 Plex Test 2 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K UHD H.264 8bit 40Mbps MKV
4.4 Plex Test 3 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K H.264 24FPS 40Mbs MKV
4.5 Plex Test 4 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K 10bit 80Mbps 10bit MKV
4.6 Plex Test 5 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – H.264 8bit 16Mbps MP4
4.7 Plex Test 6 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 60Mbps MKV
4.8 Plex Test 7 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 12Mbps 24FPS MP4 Test
4.9 Plex Test 8 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 29Mbps MKV
4.10 Plex Test 9 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.264 8bit 32Mbps MKV
4.11 Plex Test 10 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 32Mbs MKV
4.12 Is the Synology DS423+ NAS Any Good outside of Plex and Where Can I buy It?
5 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

How Well Does the Synology DS423+ NAS Perform as a Plex Media Server?

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 DS423+ 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 Synology DS423+ 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 Synology DS423+ NAS Drive?

The Synology DS423+ 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 DS423+ 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 Synology NAS drives are not directly linked to Plex, it is important to understand the hardware specifications relevant to Plex when considering the DS423+ NAS. Below, I have compiled a list of the hardware specifications of the DS423+ that play a significant role in its compatibility and performance with Plex:

  • CPU: Intel J4125 Celeron 4-Core CPU, 2.0-2.7Ghz
  • Embedded Graphics: Yes
  • Memory (Quantity & Maximum): 2-6GB DDR4
  • Number of Storage Bays: Four
  • M.2 NVMe Caching Bays: x2 (Caching Only)
  • Network Connectivity: 2x 1GbE

Next, let’s quickly touch on how we measure how good/bad the Synology DS423+ NAS is for Plex Media Server.

Understanding the Plex Media Server Tests of the Synology DS423+ NAS

Important Terms to Understand in Plex/NAS/Multimedia that will make the DS423+ 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 Synology, 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 DS423+ 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 Synology NAS drive, like the rest of the Synology 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 Synology DS423+ NAS Tested in Plex?

The setup for testing the DS423+ NAS for Plex was as follows:

  • The Synology DS423+ 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 DS423+ 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 Synology DS423+ 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 Synology DS423+ 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 Synology 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 Synology DS423+ NAS when Plex is idle can provide insight into available power for playback. Here’s a screenshot of the DS423+ when Plex is running but no media is being accessed.

Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – UHD 4K 10bit 16mbps HEVC H.265 MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – UHD 4K 10bit 16mbps HEVC H.265 MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 2 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K UHD H.264 8bit 40Mbps MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K UHD H.264 8bit 40Mbps MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 3 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K H.264 24FPS 40Mbs MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K H.264 24FPS 40Mbs MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 4 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K 10bit 80Mbps 10bit MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – IMAX 4K 10bit 80Mbps 10bit MKV File Performed:

RESULT: FAIL AND-OR DID NOT PLAY

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 5 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – H.264 8bit 16Mbps MP4

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – H.264 8bit 16Mbps MP4 File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 6 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 60Mbps MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 60Mbps MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS / PLAYED BUT HIGH CPU % / FAIL AND-OR DID NOT PLAY

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 7 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 12Mbps 24FPS MP4 Test

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 12Mbps 24FPS MP4 Test File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 8 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 29Mbps MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.265 HEVC 8bit 29Mbps MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 9 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.264 8bit 32Mbps MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K UHD H.264 8bit 32Mbps MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

 

Plex Test 10 – Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 32Mbs MKV

Here is how the Synology DS423+ NAS Plex Test – 4K H.264 8bit 32Mbs MKV File Performed:

RESULT: CLEAR PASS

Extra Notes: None

Is the Synology DS423+ NAS Any Good outside of Plex and Where Can I buy It?

If you are interested in learning more about the Synology DS423+ 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 Synology DS423+ NAS – What We Said in the DS423+ Review in March 2023:

There are two ways we need to look at the Synology DS423+ NAS. In one way, the Synology DS423+ DOES support all of the features and services that users demanded in a fully-featured home/prosumer solution. It features an Intel Quad Core processor with embedded graphics, DDR4 memory, multiple gigabit ports, wide HDD/SSD compatibility and m.2 NVMe SSD support. These are all things popular and most certainly what users would want/expect in a fully featured home/prosumer solution (aka SOHO). Then, when you roll in DSM 7 and it’s enormous range of software and services, the DS423+ is an excellent NAS solution that counters a broad range of criticisms that were leveled at the DS923+ at launch. However, there is, of course, the unavoidable way that most long-term Synology users and those looking to upgrade an existing 2016/2018 Diskstation are going to look at the DS423+ – a Synology DS920+ with less memory and no expandability! For those that skipped the DSx20+ generation, the DS423+ is going to feel decidedly underwhelming at best and hugely disappointing at worst! Synology has made no bones that they prioritize their software and services, with hardware being an important but nevertheless secondary concern. The main criticism is that CPU being the same processor used in the 3 years previous generation. Intel has moved production away from the J4125 themselves several times (with most other NAS brands using the N5105 or J6412 right now) and although Synology has been known to move CPU architecture down through the generations previously, this is a particularly egregious example. If they had just scaled something up on this device, such as the network ports from 1GbE to 2.5GbE, add the option of a 10GbE upgrade or more over upgrade the base level memory from 2GB or 4GB. The Synology DS423+ IS a good NAS system and serves as a great means to enjoy the wide-ranging features of DSM privately or professionally! It just feels like more of a stop-gap system in some places and one that existing DS920+ or DS420+ owners will skip.

Read the Rest of the Review HERE. Alternatively, you can find out the Pros and Cons below, as a few retailers that sell the Synology DS423+ 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.

SOFTWARE - 10/10
HARDWARE - 7/10
PERFORMANCE - 8/10
PRICE - 7/10
VALUE - 7/10


7.8
PROS
👍🏻Synology 4-Bay NAS with a 4-Core Intel Integrated Gfx Processor - Lovely stuff!
👍🏻Runs Everything in the Synology DSM Catalogue (Active Backup, Surveillance Station, VMM, Drive, Collab Suite, etc)
👍🏻Great Plex, Emby and Jellyfin Media Server Performance
👍🏻Supports M.2 NVMe SSD Storage Pools
👍🏻Broad HDD/SSD Compatibility with Synology drives AND Seagate+WD
👍🏻Low Impact chassis, low noise in operation (HDD dependant) and efficient power use
👍🏻Runs exceedingly well on just 2GB of Memory
👍🏻More affordable than the DS923+ and DS723+
👍🏻Long-running DSM Support beyond the Hardware 3yr Warranty
CONS
👎🏻No means to upgrade network connectivity and 1GbE by default
👎🏻Memory maximum cap at 6GB as original 2GB is fixed (non-upgradable)
👎🏻Too similar to the DS920+
👎🏻Non-Expandable
👎🏻2019/2020 Gen Intel CPU



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      147 thoughts on “Synology DS423+ 4K PLEX NAS TESTS!”

      3. Dispite the downsidde I bought the DS423+ cause of the integrated graphics for transcoding…. Mind you, Im using it to store my collection of blue ray DVDs primarily, but also to run NVME’s and a couple of virtual machines….. SYNOLOGY has been smart ( and dumb depending how you wanna view it) in making only the DS920 expandable. After all it seems that Synology make you want to decide between making the NAS expandable and giving it the ability to transcode….. DAMN YOU Synology, why cant we have the cake and eat it too (if we wanna pay the money)
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      8. Are we going to get an M.2 NVMe compatibility test for the DS423+ given you’ve already done memory? My old DS1813+ is on it’s last legs (time to retire after a decade) and needs replacement, predominately for Plex and Surveillance.
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      9. Hello everyone, I bought a Synology 423+, installed the drive inside, but on first power up I smelled a strong plastic and burnt smell.
        The smell passed after few minutes and everything seems to work fine and in temperatures. I would like to know if this is normal.
        The smell did not return again.
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      10. I hope you can help me!
        I have sooo many files on my pc and external SSDs lying around on my desk. About 6 TB with videos, pictures and documents. Now that I’ve started a YouTube channel, there is going to be alot of video files!

        All I want is a box with 4 bays (maybe go with two 12TB to start with), to store aaall of my files. I want to connect with a USB to my pc and have a decent speed when tranferring files from my computer and I want it all to be mirrored. The networking part is not so important to me. Is this Synology DS923+ for me? And what do I look for in a suitable harddrive? Thank so much and cheers from Norway!
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      13. Is there a suitable ( AC power cord extension for synology ds423+ ) would a 4 Pin DIN Connector Cable, 4 Pin DIN Male to Female Extension Connector Power Supply Cable for Audio Digital Devices (1 meter) possibly work ?
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      14. Dumb question nas noob here, If I Plug my nas in, in a different room so to a different ethernet socket, Will i be able to connect to it as normal? Or will its ip change and Ill have to set it all up again?
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      18. I love that this guy’s short review is still 20+ minutes. I appreciate the dedication and passion. Thanks for the the tips. I think I am finally getting a NAS this year cause all of your content.
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      20. Watched this video and that of the ds923+ and seems this one is better for Plex especially when dealing with H.265 conversions natively. Which is kind of annoying that the older model is better when it comes to this, as well as being more expensive than the new model…
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      22. i never had a nas. this will be my first nas. if i understand right i prefer this over the 923+ cause of the intel cpu. in only need the nas for 4k media stream on my tv. am i right? or maxbe should i wait for sth else i dont know. thanks for your help guys
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      23. Why would anyone, at this moment, buy DS423+, when DS920+ is still available, cheaper, with more RAM, and has ESATA port for further 5 HDD extension…
        DS920+ will probably get NVMe, in couple of months (when there no more to buy new), as Synology now has no “hardware explanation” (which is their main explanation that PCI-E 2.0 is problem)
        why it cannot be enabled (as same hardware 423+ has it)
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      24. I was able to pick up probably one of the last “new” ds920+ for $849 USD in April 2023. I probably would have went with the 423+ for over $200USD less if I had seen this first. I upgraded from a d218+ (I think) and wanted the GPU and extra drive bays for Plex.
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      26. Cheers guys @NASCompares for your informative/experienced inputs vlogs. (I hate seagulls, too ;-)). You talk a bit fast in your presenting ‘style’ to my ear, however, if I missed what you’ve shared, I can rewind. :-). You certainly have ‘good’ energy/passion/experience! Thank you for that! You’ve helped me decide on what NAS to buy. (DS-423+) (suitably boring but exceeds my needs enough) and I will use your link to possibly buy via Amazon if price is OK next week. If I can’t share my gratitude in a small way via that route, I will send a donation. Many thanks. You also gave me a valuable ‘feel’ for which type of drive etc., to purchase and how to slowly build a NAS system without ‘overspending’/making mega mistakes., etc., ????
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      30. I love(d) my DS916+ and considered getting a newer and bigger Synology. But since being forced to buy re-labeled and ridiculous priced OEM hdd/ssd drives I am out. TrueNAS Scale and a more potent while cheaper self-build server are my way to go now. Thank you Synology for the good times so far … but I won‘t come back. Hopefully many others think the same.
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      33. If a drive isn’t on the compatibility list will it work with a warning or you can’t use them at all?

        I use some basic desktop Seagate in my old rn31400. Will I still be able to use them in a Synology Nas (obviously re formatted).

        So I can’t buy just any nvme drives to use. I would like to put 2 nvme drives , 1 for storage and 1 for cache. I was thinking some affordable ones like whatever goes for $80 for 1tb drives.
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      34. Good Vid as usual. Still disappointed in Synology and their going proprietary. Currently have a 416play with HDD but really want another for redundancy. Simple of fact of not being able put in affordable SSD’s is a huge issue for me. Samsung 870 Evo 2TB drives are perfect and priced right. I wish they would just open them back up again….
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      35. Ready to buy a NAS but I am torn between synology and asustor. From watching your videos, I guess in a nutshell it is a choice between superior software vs superior hardware for the money, respectively. As an Apple hw user (I use others including windows and Linux since I’m in enterprise “IT”) I’m a bit fed up with price gouging with proprietary hw when spending my own money. Is the software worth the expensive and proprietary hw both initial and future upgrades on the synology side?
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      39. NOPE… I’m trying to upgrade from an ancient second-hand Synology that admirably still works but is not compatible with the latest DSM software. I’m not going to pay top dollar for a repurposed model from 2020 with a cpu from 2019! I was waiting for the ds423+ to come out but I’ll wait for a sale on the ds923+ instead. I don’t know what Synology is thinking, but the ds423+ is dead to me.
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      42. I’m still using a DS414 at home mainly just for file/multimedia storage and CCTV surveillance station. Looking at this 423+, I can’t see a good reason to upgrade and I certainly don’t know why people with the last 1 or 2 generation models would even think of upgrading. For me, like many others have said, a lack of 2.5Gb LAN is a deal breaker. I want my NAS to last well over 5 years (coming up to 9 years on my 414 now) so it needs to be up to date / future proof and 1Gb LAN is not. Especially when you think a bare unit is like £500.
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      43. The 423+ is compared to the 920+ in this review, but even having only the 918+ myself I see no reason to upgrade. I wonder what Synology will have in store for us when the x25+ series are released in two years time. If it comes with a better Intel Celeron CPU and 2,5Gb ethernet on board I might consider the upgrade at that time. But I am leaning towards a 5-bay NAS in the future (now using SHR-2 with 4-bays which is a bit of a waste), so let’s see what the next Synology models will bring.
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      51. Synology hopeless tentative response to the angry Plex clients over the last releases, just obsolete hardware, stay away from this, chose any other brand with 2.5GB network and a NEW intel CPU with integrated graphics.
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      57. Essentially I use my 720+ for Plex and very little else. One drive as redundancy is fine and I use 2 x 8TB Red. Considering going 4 bay more for the extra redundancy of RAID 5 despite the extra drive cost. I send movie files through my Apple TV 4K so I understand that I dont actually need integrated graphics to handle 4k and different formats. But still, It feels strange not having integrated graphics…just in case
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      59. @NASCompares Wondering when QNAP might get some love? I have been seeing emails over the last month or two so that I would have thought would have caught your interest? The Security Bounty alone I thought I was going to see one of your quick deliver videos… Even the updates for the OS in the last 8 months or so have been interesting.
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      64. The CPU is fine because it’s a 423 series… The bigger CPU will roll out hopefully for the upcoming generations. This is the clearly the base model with base model hardware.
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      66. I tried to resist watching this, but as always I couldn’t hold out. I am afraid that you’ll sell me on buying this NAS too. I’ve already got two on my list. Still deciding on which ones to buy.
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      69. I want to have a NAS as a Media server, saving movies and Pictures. I’m still not sure what I need…lol. Money is not realy an issue, but don’t want to get something I don’t need. It will be in my Living Room, so it need to be quiet, hence I’m planning to use SSD’s only. I’m not sure if 4 Bay or 2 Bay due to back up (I know a NAS is not a back up system). So far I’m looking at the 4 Bay Qnap, (they look like something I put in my living Room).
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      70. Very level headed points, thanks. Absolutely shocking that the 920+ doesn’t support M.2 storage, though I’m not sure the 423 would have many selling points if it did!
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      72. The fact that its 1 gig is enough for me to pass, that’s just sad Synology. Practically E-Waste. Its so cheap to have 2.5 or even 1 10g. Really was looking forward to getting a smaller Synology NAS soon for redudant backups and camera server use at a different site but can’t justify the cost with the lack of the expansion
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      76. Very helpfull. Thanks to your channel I have activated the Plex Pass for my 920+. I have only 1080 videos, just a few of them are x265 or 10 bit x265. The largest bitrate is 30 mbps. In the Plex app settings hardware decoding is on. Do I have to perform the x265 fix at all? Maybe it is default now on DSM 7.
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      77. Need Help!
        My turn finally to buy a NAS and money isn’t an issue.
        I edit 4k multi cam vids all day long and need to work off a NAS that has caching etc. I will need raid to back up work just in case of storage failures. My vid and clips and data are at the moment at around 15T so want a system that can handle that, back it up, and extract the data whenever I need with fast speed.

        Again I want the best, something that will last years and not something that will be outdated any time soon.

        Speed is the key for me though.

        Thanks
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      79. So I decided to get a new NAS, The DS920+. But it seams I’m in for a wild ride here. I was thinking to use this as main backup: The backup is going to a DS1010+ and DS210+. But is this idea even possible or do I need to send all from a PC ?
        Any help would be nice.
        And thnx for making and sharing all your content 🙂
        Will be getting the DS920+ in the post office on the 09.11.2022.
        Butt I do feel I need to return it. If it cant backup to old NAS!!! Just think if W7 and W10 didn’t communicate !!!!! Strange !!
        Any feed back will be taken with open arms right now ????
        DS 1010+ and DS210+ Latest DSM 5…… And i guess DS920+ comes with DSM 7??
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      81. The “fail” with the Top Gun Maverick file is most likely due to the use of the Plex web player… Use the Plex Windows desktop player. It performs better than the web player… I was able to play that same file, with direct play, with no issues, using a Fire TV Stick 4K on wifi. The only thing all these tests are showing is how poor the Plex web player is with very high bit rate files, not the real limitations of the DS920+… Also, I would suggest doing these tests with different Plex clients: computer, Fire TV Stick 4K, Chromecast with Google TV, etc… This would be a better way to test the limits of a NAS with 4K files, serving the files to different clients. And it would be a more realistic scenario. Who gets 4K content on a NAS to then try to direct play it on a laptop with the Plex web player? Most likely is to be watched on a 4K TV with one of the clients mentioned above.
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      83. I would love to see a video regarding Jellyfin 4K on the DS920+. Just bought one and realised that Jellyfin uses the wrong driver by default. The integrals graphics aren’t used for transcoding.
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      89. Thank you. I was hoping for these tests a long time ago. These are going to be very useful now that the recent Ryzen release models are a disaster for media playback. Please try the ds420+ next please.
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      90. Thank you Robb for all this great info you are providing us with. I want to replace my DS 1817+ with a new 4-5 bay NAS. I am using my NAS for home/very small business (surveillance 2 cameras, iphone, ipad mac backup, file sharing for small business less than 5 people and as a Plex server). The DS 1817+ handles all our tasks great (although on slow side) and no issues with Plex unless I go to 4K files. DS 1817+ gives up on 4K files from my iphone 14 pro max … just keeps buffering (no surprise I guess). Based on all your great videos, I am leading towards DS 920+. Unless I am mistaken, based on all your info, iphone 14 max videos (HEVC files, 4K, 3840×2160, 24 fps) should play back without an issue on DS 920+? Also I am quiet happy with ethernet port at 1 gbps since I use wifi connection anyway (eero pro 6 mesh). So again do you see any issues with DS 920+? Thank again.
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      91. How many years have you been testing plex on the ds920?

        And you still won’t get the clue that Plex server works MUCH better in docker with less cpu usage and supporting hdr tone mapping?

        Sorry to say this but your tests are flaws because you don’t know what you’re doing and your test files are ridiculous.
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      92. Definitely recommend using an AppleTV, the native client, or anything else besides the browser app. Browser app is far from ideal. My 920+ serves up much larger 4k files than what you’re using in this video out to AppleTV and devices in our house and doesn’t break a sweat. Thanks for the video as always but strongly suggest you not use the browser as your Plex test platform.
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      93. Thank you very much for this test. In my opinion, is the 920+ the best value choice for looking movies at home from Synology. Yes, it could have 10 gbe network possibilities, but…. The alternative could be a qnap ts 464. But it’s also higher in price. So, for me, 920+ for the Christmas tree.
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      94. Something I didn’t see here. Plex also has a desktop player application, separate from the web player. I’ve noticed that when I use the desktop version, playback is often much better. Videos that struggled playing via the web player do not have nearly as much trouble playing through the desktop app. Is this something at could factor into your testing? Thank you.
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      97. Yeah, 920 is still beast for multipedia box, me on emby tho so far so good, happy with 920 purchase some month ago (while waiting 922 / 923, good things i decided grab 920 instead) ????
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      99. Many of us use an AppleTV which is able to decode H.265 Files 4K with high bitrates. Would you consider an AppleTV for future tests? I assume the requirements for the NAS would be pretty basic, assuming the network is fast enough.
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      103. Thank you for your review, amazing contribution! I have a question related to the processor change that Synology is applying to all new products, from Intel to AMD. Do you think that this could be an earlier DSM compatibility limitation in the future version if I get one DS920+ due to the fact that they use Intel processors? Also thinking on hole future compatibility, it’s not better to go on DS1522+ because it has been just released and uses latest hardware changes that Synology did? Or you think that Synology can still keep Intel processor on DS923+? Thanks!
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      107. The first video by NASCompares I didn’t really enjoy. It was too rushed. Stop worrying about the length of your videos. They are normally spot-on. We come here for comprehensive advice and enjoy the “meat” you provide. If I wanted candy floss, I’d go elsewhere????. Keep ’em coming.
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      108. Never had a NAS before & am in the market for one. I was going to pull the trigger on a DS920+ but learned about their model numbering & realised there SHOULD be one this year and I’d be mad at myself if I bought one & the next day the 922+ came out.
        Since I’ve looked, the 920+ has been in & around £500. £515 I think I saw it at. Amazon currently cheapest I see at £496.99.
        IF it drops considerably, like say £450 tops then I may bite the bullet, but until then I’m going to wait out the 922+ & just roll with external hard drives for now. I’ve managed to get this far without one.
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      109. Just picked one of these up for $439 on a newegg deal. Grabbed a 12TB WD Red Plus (7200) for $179 as well. Excited to dive in your video library and get my plex server set up!
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      111. Thanks for all your work putting these together….
        Now the question…. If you were buying a 4 bay NAS today and wanted it for file storage and mp4 playback, Considering OS security/patching models as very important, which brand would you spend your $ on? I keep coming back to synology with intel and asustor.
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      114. I’ve watched a number of your videos and this has been the best one! Specific subject, conclusion at the beginning, and only 5 minutes long… Keep this format!! Thanks for all the great info!!!
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      115. My DS920+ is one robust little NAS. I also have a QNAP TS453A which needs major app repair if it ever encounter a power glitch. Mostly manual reinstallations for too many of them. The DS920+ on the other hand is remarkable. A year ago, we had some contractors in the house and I completely forgot about where they were working and how close they were to the 920+ until one of them called out for me to come downstairs. There on the floor was my 920+ with the case covered in dust and 3 of the 4 drives having spilled out of the case onto the filthy floor. I unplugged it, took it all outside and, with an air compressor, dusted it off inside and out. Back onto a safer shelf, plugged it back in and it booted up like nothing had happened. Hurray for Synology.
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      116. You lied to us. You said “under 5 minutes” but it took 5 minutes and 8 seconds.

        Seriously, though, I can’t recommend the 920+ enough. Had I chosen to wait for its successor when I was in the market for a NAS last year (around November – December and bought late December), then I wouldn’t have been enjoying one of the best devices I’ve ever bought.
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      117. Pulled the trigger on this, no regrets. Thought I’d want 2.5gbe but haven’t really missed it. Running Jellyfin locally and without the overhead of transferring to a transcode system it’s been fine.
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      120. Thank you make me confident that the DS920+ is the best choice for me today (7/2022). Yet I still try to delay my purchase because I am also curious about the 922 model coming… well when? I dont want to wait forever.
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      123. i have ben wanting another synology for a while but i would like a quad core version & 5 bays as well as a way to get 10gb and 16-32gb of ram ..i have a rack full of servers doing about any thing you can imagine already but my redundant back up (dual xeon 6 core ea cpu) (UnRaid )x2 server is getting a little long in the tooth & i think i want to replace it with a synology ! i still have 2 Different Dual xeon serversa 4u main media/backup an a 2U(Truenas) + another 1u for my 1gb network ! I have a isolated 10gb network as well but the 920+ and the new what is it 1520 something its a 5 bay i think an seams to have every thing i want other than a quad core chip..an the next step up gets to costly i could build something better for way less once ya hit the 1000$ + range..its a tough call but i do like synology really well !
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      124. With only 40 comments so far I think I have a decent chance to get this in. I am currently ready to buy this model. On your website and other websites it says that Prime Day will likely have it on sale. My question for you, by the way love your material, but my question for you is: does the discounts become available immediately usually, or is it part of those crazy lightning deals? I’m just stalking historically because I’m sure you can’t predict the future.
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      128. Have the DS918+. Got tired of waiting for the DS922+ (to see what it had). I’ve gone elsewhere for my next NAS. Newer CPU, faster memory, 2×2.5Gbps ports and less on the locked down hardware requirements. Sorry Synology but you had your chance…
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      130. Pulled the trigger on this and have had it now for about 3 weeks…couldn’t be happier. I’m fine with the 1gb ethernet and probably won’t need anything better till it’s time to replace this model. When I do replace it, I’ll be using it as a backup server. Thanks for another great video.
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      133. Thanks. Looking forward to get one in August. But since I’ve been following the price it is consistently 549 USD on Amazon. Is there another reseller I should be verifying?
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      136. Thanks, seriously thinking about buying one of these before the end of August. Waiting for the right price but I would like to see what the future DS922+ will look like.
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      138. Just bought it yesterday 🙂 so far I’m happy with it. It would be better with a “real” processor, currently it is making thumbnails and video converts for photos app. 70.000 photos and 5000 videos, I think it will take a week to finish 😀 . In one day it did 10.000 photos and 800 videos.

        Tho only problem i have, that is is too loud. It would need some foam sound isolation on the inside ot the chassis, and fans too loud even on set to “silent” mode. instead of the 2 small fans, 1 bigger, lower rpm would be better.
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      141. This video being released this late in 2022 indicates to me that he has no knowledge (no leaks) of a 922 being released this year……it’s sadly telling. I think Synology is getting away from the “home user.” Their first move was the strict use of their hard drives. The next move will be no move at all, by not releasing an upgrade to the 920+…….just my two cents.
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