Best NAS for DVR - Synology?

Channels DVR Server
#1

I am a new user, still on the one month free trial with Channels, but I like what I see. HDHomeRun Flex 4K for antenna and Verizon FIOS for TVE. Currently using my WD My Cloud Home as the server for Channels DVR, I don't even remember how it ended there :smile:

I am thinking of getting a more powerful NAS for Channels, but not just Channels, as I do need to expand my overall home storage (other stuff too).

From what I read around here these forums, it seems like the consensus here the Synology is the best option, the DS220+ or maybe the DS720+, correct?

#2

I have a DS1019+. I got the 5 bay NAS for expandability. At minimum I think most people say to get the 4 bay (920+) because the moment you realize what the NAS can do, you will want more out of it.

I currently occupy 4 of the 5 bays. At one point I had all populated but have moved some things around which gives me that 5th bay back for future expansion. I think the comparable one would be the 1521+.

#3

I just downsized from a 5 bay to the DS920+. I use it for channels and PLEX and it works great.

#4

I've been using a DS1819+ as my Channels DVR "host". It's been great overall. My only lament is the lack of hardware transcoding but from what I gather, this is a Synology limitation (i.e. Synology won't share).

#5

From what I gather your DS1819+ has an Intel Atom processor which doesn't have Intel Quick Sync for transcoding.

The DS920+ has a Intel Celeron J4125 quad core that has Intel Quick Sync and will do more transcoding if need be. I think J4125 is the fastest processor for a 4 bay nas if you go with Synology.
Don't get pulled into the hype of the 2 port aggregation. It doesn't give you more speed only redundancy and problems. Even though you can aggregate you will only ever get 1000 mb speeds.

I also have a DS920+ which has 4 bays. Synology has its own raid called SHR. This allows you to add more drives to your raid. So instead of buying all 4 now. You could buy 2 or 3 and add the 4th one later.

#6

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and ordered the DS720+. I know it’s a two-bay NAS, but plenty for my needs

2 Likes
#7

My only gripe with that nas is the amount of ram it comes with. But you should be fine at first, and can always upgrade to more. Comes with 2 gig but you can upgrade with 4 for total of 6.

#8

Yup! I aware of the RAM upgradability. Will try it first with the default RAM. Thank you

#9

I have a 218+ with two 6 TB Ironwolf drives, I used generic RAM to upgrade to 6GB. I have 5 Apple TVs all over the house; two are old non-4k Gen 4s, two are 4k Gen 4s and one is a 4k Gen 5. I use channels and Infuse to watch movies and other things. I also have 5 Surveillance Station cameras running and recording all the time. Everyone in the house can watch whatever they want whenever they want and the Synology works perfectly. Some of the Apple TVs are hard-wired and some are not. I never notice any performance degradation. I chose the 218+ because I really did not need more storage space.

1 Like
#10

I have a Synology DS220+ and, althogh it is spec'd for a 6 GIG RAM upgrade limit, I successfully upgraded it to 16 GIG without problems. It runs Channels and all associated dockers very well.

#11

Yeah I know. I have read many times of others able to use off brand different sizes of ram and it works fine. Only wanted to give thyname what synology specified.

#12

all that extra RAM is going to be doing exactly nothing though, unless you are running a bunch of VMs on your NAS.

#13

I'm with you on my two Synology NAS's.
Same with others shucking white label drives from external USB HDD's and using them.
It may work for most people, I just don't want to take the chance,
You never see any of them coming back here to post when their RAM or HDD's fail.

#14

You are correct. I mention it to say that the RAM isn't the limiting factor on these devices. I find the processor is the limiting factor. It just can't handle multiple VMs in my experience. I normally only run them one at at time for special purposes (like video conversion).

#15

I'm using a WD PR2100, been working flawlessly for years.

#16

I use a DS718+, for Channels and Synology apps, including all my music, works great.

1 Like