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4k transcoding
I just got the ReadyNAS 212 and i was wondering that is it capable to transcode in 4k? There are a couple of nas s out there that do offer 4k transcoding. I was wondering if netgear is the right choice for me.
Also is there any other software that can be used with the ReadyNAS to stream media other than plex. I have been trying to use it but so far its not letting me even add my videos folder and keeps on saying that the changes arent saved something. Also if Plex is the best option to stream media from the readynas, do we need the subscription?
Thank you
The RN212 can transcode HD to SD for streaming, but it's arm processor simply isn't fast enough to transcode 4K. Generally speaking 4K needs 4x the peformance of 1080p. You have 2x the pixels to process, and the compression algorithms used are more compllex as well. To do that in a low-power device you'd need hardware acceleration, and none of the ReadyNAS use that. Even the RN516 only has an I3 processor.
Overall, one option is to use the NAS for storage, but to do the streaming and perhaps other applications from a different device (setting up an application server). That could be built on an Intel Nuc or some other small form factor PC if desired. It gives you a more modular upgrade path (in practice allowing you to use the NAS for a longer period of time). And it allows you to use any apps you want.
I've been thinking about switching to this concept myself, since I'm already running some applications on a desktop PC (plex being one of them), with a mapped drive to the NAS.
9 Replies
Hi RA-s,
Unfortunately, none of our ReadyNAS units supports 4k transcoding (this is the product datasheet). With regard to your other question, on which device are you going to stream the media files from your ReadyNAS?
Kind regards,
BrianL
NETGEAR Community TeamThank you for replying. So i was wondering with an update or something, will the hardware of rn212 be able to transcode to 4k in the future at least? or its not powerful enough? if i do stream in 4k it would be only one user at a time and i would stream that to my 4k tv i guess and then if its possible to stream 2k to my phone. Just knowing that it can go above 1080p will be comforting to know that i have an all around product.
I am trying to use plex to stream to my phones, ipad and tivo bolt(4k capable). So far the plex software isnt even adding my videos. I have asked their community a question as well as they have no direct customer service. thats why i was wondering if there was anything else that we can use to stream from readynas 212 . It seems to have very limited apps
Thank you
The RN212 can transcode HD to SD for streaming, but it's arm processor simply isn't fast enough to transcode 4K. Generally speaking 4K needs 4x the peformance of 1080p. You have 2x the pixels to process, and the compression algorithms used are more compllex as well. To do that in a low-power device you'd need hardware acceleration, and none of the ReadyNAS use that. Even the RN516 only has an I3 processor.
Overall, one option is to use the NAS for storage, but to do the streaming and perhaps other applications from a different device (setting up an application server). That could be built on an Intel Nuc or some other small form factor PC if desired. It gives you a more modular upgrade path (in practice allowing you to use the NAS for a longer period of time). And it allows you to use any apps you want.
I've been thinking about switching to this concept myself, since I'm already running some applications on a desktop PC (plex being one of them), with a mapped drive to the NAS.
- Thank you :)
jak0lantash wrote:
Don't want to be annoyingly picky... but doesn't 4k have 4 times the pixels 1080p has? :DIt does (I typed the wrong thing).
I researched the codec complexity (e.g required processing) a bit more. Complexity depends on the use case - decoding H.265 isn't that different from decoding H.264, the higher complexity is in the encoder. So if you are transcoding 4K H.265 to 480p H.264, it is still about 4x over transcoding 1080p H.264 to 480p H.264. If you are encoding H.265, that would be much higher complexity than encoding H.264 (or VP9).
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