Suggestion NAS for Plex

That's a difficult list of requirements.

For transcoding 1080p to stream to the Chromecast you would be looking at e.g. the 516. However you could use the ReadyNAS you get to store the data, but run Plex Media Server on one of your PCs.

I'd be looking at at least the 312 if you don't need the NAS to transcode 1080p

Welcome to the forum!

mdgm wrote:
For transcoding 1080p to stream to the Chromecast you would be looking at e.g. the 516. However you could use the ReadyNAS you get to store the data, but run Plex Media Server on one of your PCs.

Thank you very much for you quick response.
I would avoid to use a PC as a PMS. :D

Here's the media the chromecast can handle w/o plex transcoding: https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media

It will presently decode up to 720p, but there is apparently 1080p in beta.

If you have media with xvid video or dts audio, or need to down-mix dolby digital surround sound to stereo (e.g., no receiver attached to the TV) you would need to transcode. With the stock chromecast you'd need to convert any 1080p you have to 720p.

You can do that off-line (for instance convert everything you have to 720p/AAC stereo mp4s). Or get a 500 series that can do the real-time transcoding.

The third option is to spend more on the player, and get something that can directly play the bulk of the media that you have. That's likely the most cost effective option.

An RN516 series would cost you 1000€ diskless in Europe (current Amazon Germany pricing), an RN312 would cost 371€ (again diskless). Two WD40EFRX drives add another 330€ (you only need one if you can live without RAID). So your budget is too low if you actually need transcoding.

You could afford an RN102+1 WD40EFRX + 1 WDTV live player That comes in about 350€. It can't transcode, but the WDTV can play most formats (more than the chromecast).

Or raise your budget by at least 50%

My suggestion would be to use a RN102 or 104 and use a Mede8er MED600X3D, so no transcoding as the Mede8er will play everything you throw at it and the RN102 is a low power NAS that can easily serve even the biggest Bluray movies...

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I was going along that line also. The MED600X3D is 170€ though (the WD player I priced was only 54). Your suggestion would bring the total to about 500€. I don't have personal experience with the Mede8er products, but I guess the main point is that the right way to do this is to analyze your media library and pick the right player - which I totally agree with.

Mardolas, you aren't mentioning any other streaming. Is playback on mobile devices another requirement? If so, is this only in the home or over the internet?

StephenB wrote:
Mardolas, you aren't mentioning any other streaming. Is playback on mobile devices another requirement? If so, is this only in the home or over the internet?

Actually only in the home.

mardolas wrote:
StephenB wrote: Mardolas, you aren't mentioning any other streaming. Is playback on mobile devices another requirement? If so, is this only in the home or over the internet? Actually only in the home.

Good. Over the internet, transcoding can be needed to reduce the bandwidth needed. In the home you can usually find apps that can play your current content. Android built-in players will play most stuff. IOS is more restrictive. I find AVPlayerHD works well on the ipad for my video content (using FTP as the protocol for access).

Hopefully we've given you enough info to get started, post back if you have any followup questions.

@StevenB: I mentioned the Mede8er as my experiences are really good, it can handle 40 mbit/s streams, I've tested this with a WD Play and that one started to stutter... True, it's a bit more expensive, here in the Netherlands the Mede8er is about Euro 115 and the WD TV Personal Edition about Euro 85. Bit the WD is a very nice player, no doubt about it!

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TonV wrote:
@StevenB: I mentioned the Mede8er as my experiences are really good, it can handle 40 mbit/s streams, I've tested this with a WD Play and that one started to stutter... True, it's a bit more expensive, here in the Netherlands the Mede8er is about Euro 115 and the WD TV Personal Edition about Euro 85. Bit the WD is a very nice player, no doubt about it!

Good to know. I have one WD player, currently on loan to my son. My everyday players are EVA9000s which are quite solid but end-of-life.

Mede8er is a possible replacement I guess, but AFAIK its not available in the US.