TVS-473e and TS-453B – best value for money

My main goal/use of a NAS is to store and access all my photo/music/video files via internet during travel.

And to make available to clients a secured access to their files.

So that being said…my last question is: Currently the two Qnap models:
TVS-473e and TS-453B are now priced about the same.
Do you agree with the following conclusion?

To purchase the TVS-473 not the “e”for my SOHO needs?

WHY: The TVS-473 is a more robust unit with AMD chip and graphics, can add ram, metal construction, etc. Basically the NAS will be functional for my needs into the future.

Therefore, I believe
TVS-473 or even the
TVS-473e is a better choice over the TS-453B at the current price set.
What do you think?
As to the lack of a SDHC memory card reader, I can use a simple USB SDHC adaptor for direct memory card downloads.

TVS-473e is definitely a better choice (comparison). Benchmark tests show  double score on performance. It comes with dual PCIe and M.2 cache slots. It is 100% more professional choice. TVS-473 is discontinued and replaced by 473e series, because they had issues with HDD backplane. But now its resolved in e series. They also removed some unnecessary bits to bring the cost down. SD card reader indeed can be attached over USB port. This is very simple choice between these two NAS options. Good luck.

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.