ts-228A vs ds218j

I am trying to get my first NAS and I am between the Qnap ts228A and the Synology DS218j that are both on the same price point. I also looked at the 231P2 but i am not sure i need to pay 50 more. Main usage is storage of multimedia using encryption (preferably veracrypt but i don’t know if possible). I also want to do some torrenting and streaming music and videos (not 4K). Also I am not sure if any of those is capable of hosting a web service?!

Both NAS will do a good job with streaming music and videos as well as do torrenting. You can also host a website on the if you like to (for traffic more than 1000 a day you should consider something with better CPU likes 718+). The main difference between these two is the way of encryption. Both NAS do not have an app for veracrypt but they do have their own encryption service. With Synology you can encrypt folders but Qnap can enctypr entire volume.

Synology always stand out with user friendly interface and Qnap with its additional configurability.

Model DS218j TS-228A
CPU Model Marvell Armada 385 88F6820 32-bit Dual Core 1.3 GHz ARM® v7 1.1 GHz Dual-core
RAM 512 MB DDR3 1GB DDR3 RAM
LAN Port 1 x Gigabit RJ-45 Ethernet port
Hardware Encryption Engine Folders all volume
Power Consumption 17.48 W (Access)
7.03 W (HDD Hibernation)
HDD standby:6.05W
In operation:13.24W
Noise Level 18.2 dB(A) 1M away – front/rear 17.0 dB(A) 1m front

Find regulary updated NAS offers here
Of course I would prefer you choose AMAZON UK AMAZON USA to buy your perfect solution, however, if you would rather buy locally, please use the links used above to take you to your local Amazon store and help support this free advice service with ad revenue. More ways of supporting the blog are described HERE  

Home: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup.html#af9rgr Business: https://www.backblaze.com/business-backup.html#af9rgr Comparison with other service providers: https://www.backblaze.com/best-online-backup-service.html#af9rgr  

 

 


 


What can I connect to a NAS?

Wireless Speaker Sonos

The great thing about Sonos is that you don't need to pay for music subscription service. With the cheapest NAS at home like DS115j or any other, you can have your backups done for all of your devices and still use your network drive as a Sonos music library. Sonos will connect to your NAS via your network and let access your provided music library. If you have little more of IT knowledge, you can even set up your Alexa or Sonos with Alexa built in to play music on your voice commands ("Alexa! Ask DS Audio to Play Music!").

Casting devices

Nowadays it is so cheap to upgrade your old TV and make it smart. All you need is Google Chrome or EZcast alternative plugged into your HDMI port at the back of your TV. Now you have great functionality added to your TV to send a video file directly from your NAS to a TV. No need for wires and chargers and other mess. You can use your phone as a remote to go to your movies or family videos and cast that content on your TV during family or friend gatherings.

 

Apple TV

Amazon Fire TV

You may not have a smartphone, or you just simply prefer to control your content with a remote in that case Amazon Fire TV will be a great addon to get to your TV. It also plugs into your HDMI port and will play content from your NAS to a TV. No wires no mess.

nVidia Shield TV

It gets even better! If you want some more entertainment and all previously mentioned functions - nVidia TV is a great thing to get. You can use it for playing games and watching movies from your NAS. The greatest thing is - shield TV does video transcoding. So even if you have a cheap NAS with a weak CPU, in a combination of shield TV you can now automatically on the fly change video file size and format for a destination device. It is a great way to reduce network load and let older devices to play video content which normally was not supported on the device.