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Forum Discussion
316/516 + DLNA/PLEX questions
I am looking at purchasing either the ReadyNAS 316 or 516 in the near future, and have some questions about the built in DLNA server versus installing the Plex Media Server. I understand the differ...
I'm running a 314 with a custom boost in RAM to 4GB. I've all but abandoned the built-in ReadyDLNA in favor of Plex. Plex is updated more frequently, has dealt with every file type I've thrown at it, and offers a great GUI for compatible devices like Smart TVs, Roku and Android/iOS. The Plex Sync feature (which I think might still be Plex Pass-only) is invaluable for mobile devices.
There are some quirks to the ReadyDLNA — e.g., files not appearing, subfolders inexplicably looping back to top-level directories, inconsistent automatic rescanning — that have led me to keep it active as a last-report fallback, but I haven't actually used it to play media in months.
Plex's transcoding has worked for me in about 90% of all cases. It's dished up TV episodes (ripped all kinds of wacky formats) to my iPad without any noticeable indication that they're actually being transcoded. It's even capable of transcoding the movies I've ripped to HEVC (H.265) with a minimal hit to video quality and rare stutters on a 1080p TV. During those rare stutters I did wish for a bit more CPU horsepower. So in terms of future-proofing, the 516 might be a wiser choice, but the 316 should be adequate based on my own experience.
There are some quirks to the ReadyDLNA — e.g., files not appearing, subfolders inexplicably looping back to top-level directories, inconsistent automatic rescanning — that have led me to keep it active as a last-report fallback, but I haven't actually used it to play media in months.
Plex's transcoding has worked for me in about 90% of all cases. It's dished up TV episodes (ripped all kinds of wacky formats) to my iPad without any noticeable indication that they're actually being transcoded. It's even capable of transcoding the movies I've ripped to HEVC (H.265) with a minimal hit to video quality and rare stutters on a 1080p TV. During those rare stutters I did wish for a bit more CPU horsepower. So in terms of future-proofing, the 516 might be a wiser choice, but the 316 should be adequate based on my own experience.
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