I’m trying to offload my Plex Media Server from my computer and I’m trying to figure out if the DS1821+ will meet my specifications.

​

I’d like to be able to run 4, 1080p to 720p/480p transcodes simultaneously. From Plex’s what cpu do I need guide, the DS1821+'s V1500B CPU is only powerful enough to do 2 1080p transcodes, but some articles and reddit comments claimed it could run up to 8. I don’t know what to believe. Can someone who actually has this device confirm or deny this please? I’m not talking about local streams, just transcoding. Historically, I haven’t used hardware acceleration because it takes longer for a stream to start, but I’m not apposed to using it.

​

On top of that, the 4gb of memory in the stock device is a bit low, and from what I can tell, upgrading the memory will cost a pretty penny since it’s not a standard size ram stick AND it only accepts certain speeds. I certainly don’t expect to need 32gb, but 4gb seems a little low. Again, can someone who has actually used this device comment on that?

​

Thanks, TC370

  • HTWingNutBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    4gb of memory in the stock device is a bit low, and from what I can tell, upgrading the memory will cost a pretty penny since it’s not a standard size ram stick AND it only accepts certain speeds.

    It just uses regular laptop So-DIMM’s. They are cheap and abundant.

    But as far as CPU, yeah that’s the weak point with Synology NAS’s now. I don’t know why they bothered with the AMD chip over an Intel with integrated GPU. Even a weak Intel CPU with Quick Sync support could easily transcode 4x 1080p to 480p streams.