Posting for a co-worker: looking for NAS recommendations

[Cerulean]

"I am looking for recommendations for a NAS. I am looking for as cheap as possible. Supports transcoding, and Roku and Plex. Any ideas?"

 

[Shockey]

How much storage capacity does he currently use? How much is he planning?

 

[techmattr]

Cheap NAS and transcoding don't go together. You're looking at $600 minimum. Take a look at the Plex tracking doc for actual results.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhqU12yGv_OxdC1VYjYtMmRiSlVReVZhNVBLZ0JxSmc#gid=0

 

[Cerulean]

"Budget hasn't been established yet, but as cheap as I can get away with (even used is ok). I'd like to have 3-6 TBs. I plan to rip my DVD collection to make a media PC"

 

[ashman]

Yeah if you want to transcode you need the hardware for it, a Synology DS412+ would be the minimum 4 bay NAS you would be looking at and that starts at $600 before drives. If you can find one used, go for it, otherwise anything less will disappoint.

 

[westrock2000]

Transcoding on the fly, or he wants to convert files permanently from one container to another?

That might determine what kind of hardware and operating system he can use.