Streaming used to be the answer to the dystopian reality of cable packages, but as more services entered the market, that dream has all but unravelled. While streaming services like Netflix, Max, AMC+ and Disney+ offer a wealth of content, you are also at the whim of price increases or ad-supported plans. Beyond the lock-in and cost, there is also something satisfying about curating your own personal library of movies, TV shows, music, and photos. That’s where Plex comes in.
Plex is a powerful media server application that lets you stream your media to any device, anywhere. It’s like having your own personal Netflix but filled only with content you own and love. The interface is sleek and intuitive, pulling in metadata like movie posters, descriptions, and even trailers to give your library a professional touch. Honestly, it may sound complex, but once everything is set up and running, it works like any other app, with it even having many of the same features as skip intro and subtitles. The only difference is that it is all running on your personal hardware.
There are many ways to set up Plex, and all are relatively straightforward, with it running on a range of hardware and configurations. But even though it can run on almost anything, the ability to run it all on one box and not stress with hardware compatibility helps make everything feel seamless. That’s where a Synology, or any other high-end NAS device, shines.
If you have never used one, a NAS is essentially a mini-server that connects to your home network, allowing you to access your files from any device on that same network. It is even possible to access your NAS through the internet if your service is robust enough, giving a personal cloud solution that can become an invaluable addition to your digital life.
You may be wondering why you should use a NAS instead of just running Plex off a regular computer. This is a question I asked myself as I started testing the various options, and honestly, I would find it hard to go back now that I have everything set up. Even though it may be an extra expense, there are aspects of a NAS that stand out above even the most capable PC.
NAS Storage Benefits
1. Always-on availability: A NAS is designed to run 24/7 without hiccups. You don’t have to worry about your Plex server going down unexpectedly.
2. Energy efficiency: NAS devices sip electricity compared to a full-fledged PC. This translates to lower power bills, and with them designed to stay on, it means they are often a set-it-and-forget-it device unless you need to adjust things or run regular updates, etc.
3. Easy storage expansion: Most NAS units have multiple drive bays, allowing you to add more storage as your library grows easily. Some even support hot-swapping, so you can add or replace drives without powering down. It really depends on how you configure the device, but with the ease of access to everything, they are built for storage, and they bring with them all the advantages that entails.
4. Data redundancy: As I mentioned above, NAS systems are made to be flexible when it comes to storage, and by setting up your NAS with a RAID configuration, you can protect your precious media files against drive failure. Even if one drive dies, your data remains safe.
While many NAS systems allow for a Plex media server, not every product in the market is created equally. For a Plex server that you rely on, you’ll want to look at solutions made for performance; anything else will really limit what your system can do and make for a bad time. If you opt for Synology, their Plus series models are the sweet spot and pack more powerful processors that allow for all the fun features Plex allows while giving your media library the widest range of support and reliability.
Personally, I’m running a Synology DS923+ and it does everything I could need for a Plex server, as well as acting as the central hub for everything related to work and backup. It’s a great sweet spot in terms of price and performance. With a dual-core AMD Ryzen R1600 processor and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory, it offers the muscle for Plex duties while even allowing for 4K footage to be streamed without issue. The four drive bays can accommodate up to plenty of raw storage, giving you the flexibility to configure your system any way you need.
One advantage of running everything on a NAS over an older PC is the setup. Getting everything ready on a Synology NAS, or comparable offering is a breeze thanks to their user-friendly operating systems, you simply need to install the drives and you are already almost there. Once you’ve got everything up and running, installing Plex is as simple as downloading the package from Synology’s Package Center or comparable software store, and you are ready to get things running.
A step-by-step wizard guides you through the process of naming your server and setting up libraries for your movies, shows, music, and more. Depending on the size of the drives and the complexity of the software you want to run, you should be able to get most things running in under an hour. Before using a NAS, I would set up a full tower case, loading in Linux packages and sorting out dependencies; while it may be less complex than it sounds, there is a learning curve, and depending on your hardware, it can lead to endless amounts of stress and frustration.
There are plenty of systems that claim they can run Plex, but take it from someone who has been a bit thrifty and paid the price. There is a reason why not investing in one can be a headache down the road. Beyond the ability to play all your media without living through constant stuttering, a high-performance NAS enables hardware transcoding.
Transcoding is the process of converting a media file from one format to another on the fly to ensure smooth playback on any device. It’s a CPU or GPU-intensive task, but compatible NAS models like the DS923+ can offload the work and allow any client that is connecting to your server to access it without issue. This means your Plex streams will start faster and look better, even when streaming remotely over the internet, and will lead to fewer issues with compatibility or stability.
Yes, you heard me; you can even watch your library anywhere in the world, provided your internet at home has the bandwidth to allow it. With remote access enabled, the possibilities are endless. You can catch up on your favourite show during your lunch break at work or stream a movie on your phone while travelling. You can even share your server with friends and family so they can enjoy your curated collection, too. There is a lot you can do if you dive into the options, and considering you control the media your server offers, it is tailored to your taste without the worry of filler content you just don’t want to watch.
Since this is not a full guide to Plex, I won’t get too into the weeds here, but there are a lot more Plex offers, with the company constantly working to add features to the service. Of course, all this functionality doesn’t come free. While the Plex Media Server software itself is free, many of the more advanced features require a Plex Pass subscription. At $4.99/month, $39.99/year, or $119.99 for a lifetime pass, it’s a worthwhile investment for serious media enthusiasts, and honestly, if you plan to use the server seriously, many of the features like the ability to download media while travelling are well worth the price of entry.
As for the costs of the NAS itself, while cheaper than a full PC server, you can expect to spend around $300-$400 for a solid 2-bay model. For a larger model like the Synology DS923+, you can expect to pay much more than that, but it does give you more flexibility and power. Add in the cost of hard drives (around $100-$150 per 4TB drive), and you’re looking at a total investment of around $500-$1000, depending on your needs to get up and running with a robust Plex setup.
That may seem steep compared to a $10-$20/month Netflix subscription, but the beauty of Plex is that you own your media forever. No more worrying about shows disappearing due to expired licensing deals. Plus, with the ability to share your server, a single Plex setup can provide entertainment for your whole family or friend group without subscribing to multiple services to get the few shows or movies you want to watch. If you have been watching the drama at Warner Bros. Discovery and their constant attempts to delist content, the ability to keep the shows you love available whenever you want them is truly magical.
Don’t get me wrong, setting up a NAS for streaming is not for everyone. There is honestly something to be said about the convenience of streaming services, where you just pay the monthly fee and get access to the range of content on any device you own. This is especially true if you are not technically inclined and you need to check out guides or walkthroughs to get things up and running. However, as more services enter the market, prices rise, and the selection gets worse, the ease of use argument quickly becomes less and less realistic.
Even if it is not right for everyone, I know that setting up a Plex server with a NAS has been a game-changer for my media consumption habits. That is even before diving into all the other needs it can answer, such as backup or storage. It’s liberating to have my entire personal media collection at my fingertips, presented with the polish of a premium streaming service that looks as good or better than many of the big players in the market.
If you’re serious about your media and ready to take the plunge into personal server territory, I can’t recommend the Plex + Synology combo enough. While there is some setup involved, the control and flexibility are something that you may find well worth the investment.
