Synology DS118 . .

Channels DVR Server
#1

Hello!

Slowly, but surely trying to get my brain up to speed in all of this. Now learning about NAS.

I have very simple needs. Just want to replicate the Tivo I've been using with cable, which I will be cutting. It currently has a 1gb drive in it, which has been plenty for our uses.

I will not be using it for anything else but this, and I don't expect to be accessing it except from my Apple TV.

I was looking at the Synology DS120j, but after reading here a bit, I'm thinking of the DS118. I'll be adding a 2tb drive.

In trying to understand transcoding issues, etc., (which I barely do), will this cover my needs?

Many thanks!

#2

You wont be able to transcode with it. For synology, You should look at plus models.

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#3

And transcoding is something Channels does, not me, yes?

So what are the basic parameters I’m looking for in a NAS box?

Thanks!

#4

Also, I did see a download for the Channels server for the WD my cloud home drive, which I think is lesser specs than the Synology box.

So how do I judge what will work?

#5

You need the transcode for remote viewing and for viewing on a computer browser.
The ARM NAS you mentioned might work with software transcode, but Channels won't be able to utilize hardware processing on it.

Anyway, I would look for a NAS with an Intel processor that does QuickSync, such as any of the Synology Plus series.

Other than that, you want at least 2TB storage.... and at least twice that if recording OTA which is much higher bitrates. And gigabit ethernet, of course.

The My Cloud Home is not a good user experience. You can search the forums for all the issues users have with it.

#6

If you don't really care about the NAS and are just looking for the cheapest thing that will work well, get a Raspberry Pi 4 and a powered hard drive.

#7

Willing to spend a “little“ bit, but I don’t want multiple bays. Since it is not for backup, and only dvr, I’m looking at single bay boxes.

Raspberry Pi looked a bit more complicated than I wanted to deal with. Do you have any links that would be good for a newbie like me, that clearly and simply shows what I would need and how to set it up?

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#8

Our habit is to only watch TV stuff on the TV at home, not on other devices or other locations.

Two people, small apartment, one TV.

Would the Synology box I’m looking at suffice, or would I still run into issues?

#9

I went with the DS720+ and never regret it. The two drives comes in handy if you want redundancy this way if one drive fails the other will save your data. If you are going with Synology I would recommend the DS218 + or the newer DS220 + with a memory upgrade. I got the DS720 + for the 4 core processor the DS220+ is 2 core just a little extra power.

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#10

This is all you need. But I would suggest getting a HD with its own power. I spent $142.00
Shopping List I purchased.

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You would need to spend about $500 to $600 bucks for a NAS Plus (+). It may be over kill for your use unless you plan on Video or Music Library.

#11

I would totally not use a NAS unless I needed features best achieved by a NAS. I was going to say get a SHIELD, but you don't need anymore devices, and have the Apple4k so the Pi4 setup just like @kennyb3653 recommended would be ideal for your setup. Did you need NAS features or were you just looking for something simple?

#12

Only suggested Synology NAS because that's what the conversation was about.

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#13

Thanks for that!

I’ll admit, I was enticed by the nas drives with the “easy to use” interfaces.

Will I be able to set up the RPi from my Mac?

(Thanks for your patience with this newbie)

#14

Go Here. You can with Windows and Mac.

#15

That's the least expensive route.

#16

And the simplest.

I did look at what you were suggesting, but it started to get to be over budget and over need. So definitely thanks for your input.

I think I'll do the RPi learning curve. Might actually be "fun". :wink:

#17

And the simplest.

I did look at what you were suggesting, but it started to get to be over budget and over need. So definitely thanks for your input.

I think I'll do the RPi learning curve. Might actually be "fun". :wink:

#18

Thanks all!

I'm going the RPi route for now.

The input is greatly appreciated. Feeling less and less like a completely clueless newbie.

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#19

I use the Synology for more than just channels. I have Emby running and at night I backup my wife's Mac Mini. But I did install 2 x 4T drives. I don't use much with Channels and a small movie, music and picture collection. I also run some docker containers.

#20

I would recommend using an externally powered external drive and not relying on the RPi USB bus to power it. Save yourself some headaches!

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