I currently have a Synology 216j that I'd like to upgrade to a more powerful 4 Bay NAS. I would use this as the Channels DVR that could possibly feed up to two remote users. Based on what others are using, could anyone make a recommendation as to what to get? I've been looking at the DS920+, but I'm struggling spending over $500. What about older 4bay models that could for my needs?
Thanks!
I use the DS918+.
I got it nearly new off ebay. That may be a route to investigate, usually a few under $500 listed - some even new - some 920+ models too.
Channels works pretty well - I have been using it as a test bed for a month or so. I will be moving my main channels install there as soon as I can find the time.
My user needs would be similar to yours, mostly in house 1 or 2 remote occasionally. The 918+ isn't a speed demon by any means, but fills my needs.
My issue is I can't find the DS918+ for anything substantially less than the DS920+. Ideally I could get the older model refurbished, but it's non existent at the moment.
The X18+ models have been replaced by the X20+ versions; I'm not aware of any drastic difference between the two. (Perhaps a minor bump in the processor.) The standard X18 models are still around, but those are Marvell or Realtek ARM chips, and probably no great improvement over your current situation.
~$500 is the average cost for a disk-less 4-bay NAS for the home/SOHO market; higher performance models can easily go for 3x the cost, if not drastically more.
Don't know where you are located. Have you seen this: