Arion Kurtaj, le jeune hackeur à l'origine de la grosse fuite de GTA 6, a pu voler les données du jeu avec une clé Amazon Fire TV, une télé et un smartphone. Le tout sous la surveillance de la police.
Le célèbre éditeur de jeux vidéo Ubisoft (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry) a confirmé qu'une enquête est en cours après une potentielle cyberattaque. Les services de cybersécurité auraient stoppé le pirate à temps.
Une vaste base de données de GTA 5 a été révélée par un hacker. Les fichiers contiennent de nombreux projets abandonnés par le studio Rockstar pour son titre phare.
TerraMaster, arguably the value/affordable tier of the private NAS market, have revealed three new solutions that form the beginning of their 2024 series of devices – the Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS. Arriving before their main competitors Synology, QNAP and Asustor, these new solutions are arriving with a more recent Intel N95 and N300 CPU series and will be available in 2-Bay and 4-Bay configurations.
At the core of the F2-424 and F4-424 models is the Intel Celeron N95 processor, a choice that balances power and efficiency. The F4-424 PRO, on the other hand, steps up the performance with the Intel Core i3 N300 processor, catering to more demanding tasks. Memory-wise, the F2-424 and F4-424 are equipped with 8 GB of DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM, while the F4-424 PRO doubles this capacity to 16 GB, enhancing its multitasking capabilities. Storage options vary across the models, with the F2-424 featuring two disk slots, suitable for personal or small office setups, and the F4-424 and F4-424 PRO offering four disk slots, providing more flexibility and capacity for intensive data storage needs.Here is a comparison table for the TerraMaster F2-424, F4-424, and F4-424 PRO NAS devices with the correct CPU specifications:
| Feature/Specification | TerraMaster F2-424 | TerraMaster F4-424 | TerraMaster F4-424 PRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor Model | Intel® Celeron N95 | Intel® Celeron N95 | Intel® Core i3 N300 |
| Processor Architecture | X.86 64-bit | X.86 64-bit | X.86 64-bit |
| Processor Frequency | Max burst up to 3.4 GHz | Max burst up to 3.4 GHz | Max Turbo Frequency 3.80 GHz |
| Total Cores | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Total Threads | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| System Memory | 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 16 GB (Max, dependent on memory type) |
| Memory Slot Number | 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) | 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) | 1 |
| Maximum Supported Memory | 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 16 GB |
| Disk Slot Number | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Compatible Drive Types | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD |
| Maximum Internal Raw Storage Capacity | 44 TB (22 TB x2) | 88 TB (22 TB x4) | 88 TB (22 TB x4) |
| Drive Hot Swap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External Ports | 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI | 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI | 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 222 x 119 x 154 mm | 222 x 179 x 154 mm | 222 x 179 x 154 mm |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 3.4 kg | 3.4 kg |
| System Fan | 80 x 80 x 25 mm | 80 x 80 x 25 mm | 120 x 120 x 25 mm |
| Noise Level | 19.0 dB(A) | 19.0 dB(A) | 21.0 dB(A) |
| Power Supply | 40 W | 40 W | 90 W |
| Power Consumption | 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) | 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) | 33.0 W (active), 13.0 W (hibernation) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C |
| Supported OS | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Supported Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge |
| Supported Mobile OS | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ |
| Networking | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS |
| Security Features | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 |
| Price (Approximate) | $379 | $499 | $699 |
This table provides a detailed comparison across key features and specifications for these TerraMaster NAS models. A common thread among these TerraMaster NAS units is their robust build and reliable performance. Each model supports both 3.5″ SATA HDDs and 2.5″ SATA SSDs, ensuring versatility in storage media choices. Networking is a strong suit, with all models featuring 2.5GbE network jacks for faster data transfer speeds, and HDMI ports for direct video output. Compatibility with various operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, alongside comprehensive security features like firewall protection and AES encryption, underscores their flexibility and security focus.
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When assessing these models for purchase, potential buyers should consider their specific needs. The number of disk slots is a critical factor, with the F2-424’s two slots being ideal for less demanding storage requirements, while the four slots in the F4-424 and F4-424 PRO are better suited for larger storage pools and more intensive applications. The F4-424 PRO, with its superior Intel Core i3 N300 processor and expanded memory, is particularly geared towards business environments that require higher processing power and greater multitasking abilities.
The choice of CPU significantly influences the performance of these NAS units. The Intel Celeron N95, powering the F2-424 and F4-424, is a quad-core processor with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.4 GHz and a 6 MB cache, capable of efficiently handling everyday storage tasks. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory types, up to a speed of 4800 MHz, and can manage 4K graphics output at 60Hz, making it suitable for media-heavy applications. The Intel Core i3 N300 in the F4-424 PRO is an 8-core powerhouse, offering a higher turbo frequency of 3.8 GHz, which translates into faster processing and more efficient handling of data-intensive tasks. This processor also supports the same memory types and speeds as the N95 but stands out with enhanced graphics capabilities, owing to a greater number of execution units and a higher maximum dynamic frequency.
| Specification | Intel N95 CPU (F2-424 / F4-442) | Intel N300 CPU (F4-424 PRO) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Collection | Intel® Processor N-series | Intel® Core i3 Processor N-series |
| Code Name | Products formerly Alder Lake-N | Products formerly Alder Lake-N |
| Vertical Segment | Mobile | Mobile |
| Processor Number | N95 | i3-N300 |
| Lithography | Intel 7 | Intel 7 |
| Total Cores | 4 | 8 |
| Total Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |
| Cache | 6 MB | 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| TDP | 15 W | 7 W |
| Max Memory Size | 16 GB (dependent on memory type) | 16 GB (dependent on memory type) |
| Memory Types | DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s | DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s |
| Max Memory Channels | 1 | 1 |
| ECC Memory Supported | No | No |
| GPU Name | Intel® UHD Graphics | Intel® UHD Graphics |
| Max Dynamic Frequency | 1.20 GHz | 1.25 GHz |
| Graphics Output | eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3 | eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3 |
| Execution Units | 16 | 32 |
| 4K Support | Yes, at 60Hz | Yes, at 60Hz |
| Max Resolution (HDMI) | 4096 x 2160@60Hz | 4096 x 2160@60Hz |
| DirectX Support* | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| OpenGL Support* | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| OpenCL Support* | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| # of Displays Supported | 3 | 3 |
| PCI Express Lanes | 9 Gen 3 | 9 Gen 3 |
| USB Revision | 2.0/3.2 | 2.0/3.2 |
| TJUNCTION | 105°C | 105°C |
| Instruction Set | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Advanced Technologies | Includes Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Intel® Image Processing Unit 6.0, Intel® Speed Shift Technology, Intel® Virtualization Technology, etc. | Includes Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Intel® Image Processing Unit 6.0, Intel® Speed Shift Technology, Intel® Virtualization Technology, etc. |
Delving deeper into the usability aspects, all three models boast a user-friendly interface, making them accessible even to NAS novices. Their compatibility with various RAID configurations offers flexibility in data management and redundancy, crucial for data integrity and security. The inclusion of HDMI ports opens up possibilities for direct media playback, a feature that is particularly beneficial in home entertainment setups or digital signage applications. The TerraMaster NAS units also excel in connectivity options, with multiple USB and Ethernet ports providing the versatility needed in modern connected environments. This connectivity, coupled with their compact and sleek design, makes these NAS devices a fit for various settings, from home offices to more formal business environments.
The TerraMaster’s F2-424, F4-424, and F4-424 PRO NAS units cater to a wide range of storage needs. The F2-424 and F4-424, with the Intel Celeron N95, are excellent choices for general home use and small offices, offering reliable performance for standard storage and media tasks. The F4-424 PRO, powered by the Intel Core i3 N300, is a step up, designed to meet the demands of business environments and power users who require enhanced processing power and expanded memory. This range from TerraMaster highlights a commitment to providing versatile, scalable storage solutions across different user needs and budget ranges, making them a noteworthy option in the NAS market.
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Aux abords du village ukrainien de Stepove, deux Bradley ukrainiens fournis par les États-Unis ont affronté un T-90M russe. La 47e brigade mécanisée ukrainienne a revendiqué la victoire, malgré l'emploi d'un véhicule de combat à la puissance de feu moindre. Les jeux vidéo ne sont pas étrangers à ce succès.
VLC est probablement le lecteur vidéo le plus polyvalent que vous puissiez télécharger en raison de sa capacité étonnante à lire presque tous les codecs que vous lui proposez. Rien que pour cela, cette application mérite d’être ajoutée à votre suite logicielle. Bien que la plupart des gens utilisent VLC comme un simple lecteur vidéo, il est bien plus que cela. VLC est le couteau suisse des lecteurs vidéo, avec des fonctionnalités cachées et inconnues de l’utilisateur occasionnel.
Ces fonctionnalités incluent la possibilité d’enregistrer des vidéos, de lire des radios Internet et des vidéos, de faire de l’édition simple, pour n’en citer que quelques-unes. L’énumération des fonctions cachées de VLC pourrait remplir un wiki entier (ce qui est le cas). Alors, au lieu de vous laisser lire ce wiki incroyablement technique, j’ai rassemblé les 15 meilleurs trucs et astuces de VLC que vous ne connaissez peut-être pas.
Vous pouvez utiliser VLC pour lire et télécharger des vidéos en ligne. Vous pouvez utiliser la suite complète d’outils pour manipuler la lecture des vidéos ou les enregistrer pour une lecture ultérieure.
VLC est capable de lire un large éventail de formats vidéo, vous pouvez l’utiliser pour convertir des formats vidéos.
Mais ses capacités de conversion en mode natif sont quelque peu limitées.
Pensez qu’il ne s’agit pas de sa fonction première mais vous pouvez l’utiliser comme solution de dépannage.
Voici comment faire :
VLC propose des chaînes de radio Internet dans sa barre latérale de liste de lecture pour vous permettre de naviguer et de rechercher des stations de radio en ligne.
Si les stations proposées ne vous intéressent pas, vous pouvez écouter votre chaîne préférée en obtenant l’URL de la station et en l’ouvrant à l’aide de Media > Ouvrir le flux réseau.
Une liste des flux radios francophones :
Vous pouvez aussi charger ce fichier xspf comme bibliothèque dans VLC pour avoir la liste complète des flux radios.
Si vous souhaitez enregistrer et capturer un extrait d’une vidéo en cours de lecture, VLC dispose d’une option permettant de le faire. Pour activer cette fonction :
Les enregistrements seront sauvegardés dans le dossier Vidéos pour les vidéos, tandis que l’audio ira dans votre dossier Musique. Sur la version Mac, allez dans la barre de menu et cliquez sur Lecture > Enregistrement ou utilisez le raccourci CTRL+ALT+R
VLC est capable d’enregistrer une vidéo de votre bureau, agissant comme un enregistreur d’écran. Pour activer l’enregistrement du bureau, voici ce qu’il faut faire :
Vous avez déjà eu besoin de prendre un instantané d’une vidéo que vous regardez ? VLC permet de le faire.
Il suffit d’utiliser la combinaison de touches MAJ+S sous Windows et Linux ou CMD+ALT+S sous OS X. L’image sera enregistrée dans le dossier d’images de votre système d’exploitation.
Si vous désirez que la fenêtre VLC reste toujours au dessus des autres et en avant plan.
Voici comment faire :
VLC Media Player offre un moyen simple de couper des vidéos sans avoir besoin d’un logiciel supplémentaire.
Voici comment procéder :
Saviez-vous que vous pouviez utiliser VLC pour copier vos DVD sur votre ordinateur ? C’est un moyen simple de créer une archive de vos DVD à des fins de sauvegarde ou pour les visionner lorsque vous n’avez pas accès au disque physique.
VLC propose plusieurs façons d’avancer dans une vidéo image par image, offrant ainsi un contrôle précis pour des tâches telles que l’édition ou l’analyse de vidéos.
Vous pouvez le faire de deux façons.
Par les raccourcis clavier :
Par les boutons à l’écran :
Il existe une option permettant d’utiliser un navigateur web comme simple télécommande pour VLC.
Cette option est très utile lorsque vous utilisez VLC sur un PC media center, car vous pouvez le contrôler à partir d’un ordinateur portable ou d’un téléphone mobile.
Pour activer cette fonction :
Pour se connecter à l’interface HTTP de contrôle de VLC :
Plus de détails dans la documentation VLC
Vous avez toujours voulu avoir une vidéo en fond d’écran ? Il existe un moyen simple d’activer cette fonction avec VLC.
La prochaine fois que vous lirez une vidéo, une option apparaîtra dans le menu du clic droit sous Vidéo à lire comme Définir comme fond d’écran. Choisissez-la et la vidéo commencera à être lue en tant que fond d’écran.
Si une vidéo n’est pas accompagnée de sous-titres, vous pouvez ajouter les vôtres en trouvant un fichier de sous-titres SRT pour la vidéo et en l’ajoutant. Pour ajouter les sous-titres :
Dans le cas où la vidéo embarque une piste de sous-titres, sélectionnez simplement celle-ci depuis le menu dédié.
Pour s’amuser un peu, VLC vous permet d’afficher une vidéo en caractères ACSII. Pour activer cette fonction amusante, voici ce qu’il faut faire :
Votre vidéo s’affichera désormais entièrement en caractères ACSII. Essayez maintenant de regarder “The Matrix” comme ceci.
Si vous souhaitez ajouter un logo ou un filigrane lors de la lecture de vidéos dans VLC Media Player, il vous suffit d’utiliser les effets d’incrustation et les filtres disponibles.
Si vous souhaitez ajouter une incrustation de texte :
L’article 15 trucs et astuces utiles pour VLC est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.
VLC est un lecteur vidéo polyvalent qui peut aussi lire du contenu audio et même en ligne.
A cette fin, vous pouvez aussi écouter la radio depuis internet.
En effet, chaque radio propose une version webradio au format MP3, AAC.
Dans ce guide simple et rapide, je vous apprends à écouter la radio avec VLC.
VLC vous permet de gérer une playlist et bibliothèque très facilement.
Il est donc possible de charger un fichier de playlist avec la liste des radios françaises.
Pour cela :
L’article VLC : écouter la radio est apparu en premier sur malekal.com.
La bande-annonce de Grand Theft Auto 6 a officialisé le titre de Rockstar. Après 12 ans d'attente, les joueurs vont enfin pouvoir profiter d'un opus inédit. GTA 6 ne sortira ni en 2023, ni en 2024, mais suscite déjà une attente démesurée... Moteur, scénario, gameplay et date de sortie, retrouvez toutes les infos sur le prochain hit de Rockstar Games.
L’article GTA 6 : moteur graphique, technologies, histoire, gameplay, tout savoir sur le jeu de Rockstar le plus attendu de la décennie est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
No doubt, you’ve got friends and professional colleagues working in the world of post-production and content creation who have staunchly recommended that you start editing your big projects on a NAS! Sounds simple, right? You’ve spent the best part of the last couple of decades editing and backing up projects onto a USB or Thunderbolt-connected drive. Yet now, with the influx of cloud services and the sheer size of projects these days, the appeal of moving your production over to your own private cloud NAS, with plenty of benefits in scale and performance possible, does sound remarkably appealing! However, the reality is not quite so simple, and unlike when you might have made the jump from a basic USB drive to an external Thunderbolt-connected SSD, network-attached storage has a little bit more of a learning curve, and novice users to this ever-growing storage alternative have got quite a lot of new things to learn. This is made even tougher when, as a content creator and video editor, you are far more concerned with media resolution, picture quality, and production factors than you are in just how many gigabytes and terabytes of space it takes up! So today, I want to go through the most important aspects that a video editor needs to factor in when considering a NAS device for use in video editing. At the end of this article, I will make recommendations based on different budgets, scale, and production levels. But for now, let’s crack on and go through each of the most important factors for those of you considering making the switch over to NAS in your post-production workflow.
Note – Read a Step by Step Idiots Guide To Editing Video On A NAS Drive (Via 10Gbe Or Thunderbolt) HERE
Note – Learn more about choosing between LARGE HDDs and Multiple Smaller HDDs in this detailed Guide HERE
This is probably one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to users editing on a NAS. Just because a system boasts a certain number of terabytes of storage, it does not necessarily mean that each is just as good as an identical system with the same number of terabytes that happens to be larger. What do I mean by that? Well, I am talking about the benefits of Redundant Array of Independent Disks, also called RAID. Originally, this was developed as a means of ensuring that if you had a large area of storage comprised of multiple drives, if one failed, you would not lose your data, as RAID provided a safety net in the form of a single drive (or two, in some RAID configurations) of failure protection. However, over the years, other inherent benefits of RAID have presented themselves, and a few of these are going to be massively desirable to video editors. The first advantage is performance. In almost all cases of RAID configuration, the more drives you have in a single storage array (e.g., the more hard drives you have in the box), the higher the performance! This is because the more drives you have, the more drives are going to be simultaneously read from and written to as you edit. That is why the more powerful video editing NAS systems tend to have more bays for drives, as this allows you to multiply the performance. So, sometimes if you see a NAS server with the same internal hardware in either a 4-bay or 8-bay form, it is always worth spending a fraction more on the larger system as it will allow more drives and therefore higher performance, which translates into a much smoother editing experience on your connected Mac or Windows machine.
Here is a Guide to Understanding Each of the Main RAID Types (Click Below to read in a new tab)
Next, there is scalability. Although you might be looking at 10TB of storage for your projects right now, that is going to multiply over time as your range of stock footage and completed projects increases over the years. You need to know that you can scale up the NAS system fluidly and easily over that time. Therefore, it is always worth purchasing a NAS with a bunch of empty bays inside it to add drives later or a NAS system that supports expansion devices (i.e., connected smaller boxes that add storage later down the line). All NAS boxes can run on just a single hard drive or SSD, so don’t be afraid to only partially populate a NAS rather than fully populating every single available bay on day one. Adding drives gradually over time will not only allow you to spread the cost of your expanding storage as the years go by, but it will also allow you to gradually increase the performance of your system over time too, and therefore allow you to know just the right performance level that you’re going to need for your video editing tasks in the long term.
Finally, a massively overlooked element of RAID is that it allows you to achieve much better value in terms of your storage. Commonly referred to as ‘price per terabyte,’ thanks to the balance between safety net and storage provided by RAID, it’s genuinely possible to achieve high capacity levels and save money easily. For example, if you buy 2x 10TB hard drives (so, technically 20TB data storage) in a RAID 1 in order to achieve one drive of safety net, you will lose 10TB of storage. However, if you buy 4x 4TB hard drives and put them in a RAID 5 (still one drive of safety net), you will achieve 12TB available storage, and you will have spent less on these four smaller drives than the two bigger drives, and you still get to have increased performance too! Although this logic is not foolproof on all drives, you generally find that this can ring true across the majority of different capacities, so never be afraid to weigh up the cost, benefits, and performance benefits of going for smaller drives in larger quantities.
| Cost of NAS Hard Drives in Jan 2023 (5/1/23) | |
| Seagate Ironwolf HDDs (Regular) | WD Red Pro HDDs (Pro Series) |
| 1TB – $35 2TB – $65 4TB – $105 6TB – $158 8TB – $177 10TB – $224 12TB – $258 14TB – $271 16TB – $309 18TB – $389 |
4TB – $140 6TB – $173 8TB – $215 10TB – $245 12TB – $253 14TB – $270 16TB – $298 18TB – $349 20TB – $419 22TB – $551 |
In most cases, the price per terabyte on both sides will remain largely consistent at each capacity. HOWEVER, when you start putting these drives into a NAS/DAS enclosure and acting in the RAID configuration, it soon becomes apparent that the ben efits in Drive #s in a RAID 1 vs a RAID 5 immediately show a saving in almost every single capacity the smaller you go! Below are two examples of achieving 12TB in a NAS enclosure using RAID 1 vs using RAID 5 (so, still maintaining 1 disk drive failure protection and having 12TB of storage to use):
| 12TB Storage in a RAID 1 MIRROR | 12TB Storage in a RAID 5 |
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One of the things people often do not realize about the difference between using a NAS and previous experience with cloud storage such as Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive, is the performance benefits of connecting via network versus connecting via the internet. Those subscription cloud drives are heavily dependent on your internet speeds, and even if you choose to use high-end internet connections such as fiber optic and gigabit internet, the reality is that you simply will not get the same level of performance as is possible via your local area network. All the devices in a single office or business environment that are utilizing the same internet/router are typically on the same network. Think of all of the devices in your home/office as houses on the same street, whereas think of communicating over the internet as communicating with completely different towns and cities! Devices on the network (also referred to as the LAN or Ethernet) have much higher speeds possible, starting at 109 megabytes per second, and this can be scaled up substantially towards 1000 megabytes, 2000 megabytes, and more, thanks to bonding technology that harnesses and combines multiple network connections.
Different NAS devices will arrive with different network connections, as well as the option to increase and upgrade those network connections in the systems via USB adapters and PCIE upgrades. Equally, most PC or Mac systems provide the means to upgrade their network connections in the same way via simple, affordable USB upgrades, slightly more expensive PCIE upgrade cards, and even Thunderbolt-connected adapters that allow you to connect your PC or Mac directly (no switch or router in between) to allow much larger performance benefits for video editors that want to edit 1080p or 4K directly on the NAS. It is really important when considering a NAS for video editing that you factor in the network connections on the device, as well as the ability to scale them up accordingly throughout the system’s life and as your video editing demands increase over the years. Equally, you need to make sure that your editing machine has similar levels of network connectivity available, as your total maximum performance will always be dictated by the lowest speed device in the network. i.e., You cannot connect a 10-gigabit NAS to a 1-gigabit MacBook, as you will only achieve 109 megabytes (i.e., a Gigabit).
You may have already noticed when considering one NAS over another that although some systems seem very similar in size, their price tags can be wildly different! Although there are a lot of factors that make up the cost of a NAS, the CPU that the system arrives with is extraordinarily important. Much like the Mac or PC that you choose to edit your video on, a more powerful or more task-designed CPU is going to achieve the best results, and that is because of efficiency and having the tools built in to perform those certain tasks. More affordable and lower-end NAS systems tend to arrive with ARM-based CPUs. These are the kind of CPUs more generally found inside mobile devices, tablets, and pretty much anything that is designed to be on a limited power supply for long periods of time (as these are designed to compress commands given to and from the CPU to the rest of the system and that results in lower power consumption but also lower capabilities, as you have to factor in the shrinking of those commands by the processor). More capable and higher-priced NAS systems arrive with x86 processors, which are far more capable processors and will result in a larger frequency and higher complexity of commands handled inside the system. When you are editing data of any kind, the number and complexity of the instructions handled by the system will always govern the overall best performance possible, and in the case of video editing, which has exceedingly dense file sizes and formats, a much more capable CPU is going to make all the difference in terms of ensuring that the multiple files that you are editing at any given time in a single project are managed quickly and efficiently.
However, things get even more powerful when you start looking at CPUs that are either industrially designed for high-frequency file transmission or have integrated graphics. Generally, you find a more industrial component in servers to be a Xeon or AMD EPYC processor. These are designed for server use and enormously high-frequency transmission of data. But integrated graphics are a little different. This is a dedicated component of the processor that is designed to handle and manipulate graphical data. So, high-end video data definitely comes under the classification of graphical data! This is particularly true if you are running dense or lesser-supported formats. So, raw video that is uncompressed or files that are compressed with licensed formats such as HEVC will be made that bit easier with integrated graphics. The importance of the processor inside the NAS you choose to use for video editing is enormously important, and although it’s easy to overlook (as we are talking about one of the significantly more technical aspects and something you have to dig into the spec sheets to learn), it is definitely worth spending a bit of extra time to check the processor inside your NAS before you spend your money on a video editing solution.
Using Thunderbolt to connect with a NAS is something that has grown in popularity over the last 5 years or so. As mentioned earlier, you can purchase Thunderbolt to 10G adapters that allow you to connect directly with a NAS over 10G via an available Thunderbolt port directly on your video editing machine. However, a Thunderbolt NAS takes things further and actually features at least two Thunderbolt ports on your NAS that allow you to directly connect at least two video editing machines to the NAS system. This sets it apart from traditional Thunderbolt-attached storage (referred to as DAS, Direct Attached Storage) as it allows you to have multiple video editors connecting to the same storage device at the same time. But equally, it allows you to access all of the NAS features both via Thunderbolt and via the network, so you’re still able to utilize the device for multi-site backups, multimedia, surveillance, and anything else that you were considering buying a NAS for to maximize your investment in this purchase. Also, if your larger network has factored in some 10G appliances, you can utilize the Thunderbolt NAS as its very own Thunderbolt to 10G adapter, with the NAS connected via 10GBE to your local network. If you connect your Mac or Windows system via Thunderbolt to the NAS, you then instantly have access to the rest of the 10G network via it (known as T2E protocol).
Sounds great, right? Highlighting the advantages of a Thunderbolt NAS does come with disadvantages that are often overlooked or simply not known by a lot of video editors. For a start, Thunderbolt NAS is not a particularly common product and is widely only available from one brand, QNAP. They largely dominate the market for this product, and pricing can be quite high due to the lack of broader competition as found in the rest of the NAS industry. Equally, as mentioned earlier when I touched on the importance of CPU in a video editing NAS, most Thunderbolt NAS systems have particularly high-end internal hardware compared with most other NAS systems of a similar scale, and the CPU choices tend to result in much higher price points on Thunderbolt NAS systems. Finally, it is worth highlighting that, although Thunderbolt NAS allows you to still enjoy the user abilities and software features of a traditional NAS but using Thunderbolt, this does result in a drop in performance compared with connecting a normal Thunderbolt DAS system. Thunderbolt NAS is connected over a protocol known as IP over Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt over IP – which results in a heavier overhead for the system to manage these connections. The result is that you tend to see a drop in performance of around 20% to 30% in a Thunderbolt NAS compared with a similar storage scale Thunderbolt DAS. You can mitigate this in a number of ways, such as getting NAS systems with more bays, utilizing SSD instead of slower hard drives, increasing the memory, or utilizing combined SSD and hard drive storage pools such as caching or QTier. Nevertheless, if you’re running a multi-editor suite and need all of your editors to work from a single storage area with much higher speed overall than in most other cases, a Thunderbolt NAS can be a remarkably attractive proposition. Just be aware that it requires a little bit more set up and a learning curve than found in normal Thunderbolt plug-and-play storage.
It is a common question when looking at a NAS for video editing, given the larger number of Mac-based video editors versus that of Windows users, but all NAS systems these days tend to support both Windows and Mac! Indeed, many users choose to use a NAS system because it can act as a cross-platform file system that can be accessed by both Windows and Mac systems simultaneously and allow users to much more smoothly exchange files across these two different OSes. That said, where in-system apps and connections are supported on both Windows and Mac, the individual client applications that you may wish to download for Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS may have varying levels of support in their individual tools on different app platforms. That is because the individual client operating systems provide their own toolkits which have their own updates, features, and restrictions that are only available on one operating system and not the others. A big part of this is why you tend to find that the newest features promised by a NAS brand are typically available on Android and Windows first, with a slight delay before they arrive for Mac and iOS. This is because macOS and iOS do fewer but much larger software updates, whereas Windows and Android tend to release many more subversions of this software and granularly roll out their new features. So just bear in mind that although the bulk of the features you may have heard about on a NAS will be possible and available on your operating system, it never hurts to check the release notes for any specific tools that you are interested in to edit video on the NAS.
This is where we get into the reeds somewhat! Most video editors in their career grow quite dependent on a handful of premium editing suites and packages in order to create those wonderful pieces of work! Most of the time this has been done with the PC or Mac system you are using editing on a storage drive inside your host editing machine or via a connected USB/thunderbolt storage drive, right? Well, almost all video editing suite software can edit this way as this storage drive is seen as a local (also known as logical) attached drive. This means that the software can treat this drive as immediately accessible and run the footage you are editing directly from the drive and in the system’s memory simultaneously. Editing on a NAS is slightly different, and the protocol that your system uses to communicate with a network/remote storage drive (often referred to as IP) is different enough that some video editing software will not work with it. This is because a lot of premium video editing software takes stability and smooth editing exceptionally seriously. Therefore, many video editing software packages will not allow you to edit on a NAS out of the box. Connecting a NAS to your PC/Mac system in terms of video editing is predominantly done in two main ways.
The first way is known as mapping network drives and is supported on all operating systems. Equally, a mapped network drive appears as another available drive in your list of available storage devices, but it’s clearly defined as a remote lead connected storage device, and whereas normal storage drives have a name/letter to define their identity (such as your operating system drive being listed as C:/ or a connected optical disc drive as D:/), remote drives will be connected via an identifying number on the network (e.g., 192.168.1.5). This means your video editing software will know it is a remotely connected drive, and in the case of some premium video editing software, it will not work with this NAS for video editing. This is why you need to consider the second method of remote connecting a NAS to your video editing.
The second method is a little more complex and depending on your operating system, is connected in slightly different ways. Referred to as iSCSI or IP SAN based connectivity, this creates a completely separate area of storage inside your NAS that has been designed for specific remote-only connectivity and cannot be interacted with from within the NAS software. On the face of it, this sounds kind of illogical to create an area of storage that you cannot access from within the NAS operating system, but the reason for this is you are creating an area of storage that will purely be used outside of the NAS and therefore allows you to craft it in a very specific way. From here, you need to use something called iSCSI protocol, using one of several applications for PC or Mac. Sadly, although you can use an iSCSI initiator for Windows systems that is completely free and available from within Windows, macOS needs you to use third-party peripherals to contact with iSCSI talkative storage area (also known as a LUN). However, once you have created this LUN and iSCSI target inside the NAS, you can then connect to it on your Windows or Mac system, and it effectively tricks your video editing workstation into believing the remote-connected NAS storage is, in fact, a locally attached drive. You can assign it a name or a letter (depending on your operating system), and from there have all of the benefits of fluid and instant connectivity that you would find when video editing on your locally connected drive. I know this all sounds quite complex, and I have already created both a video and an article on this. So if you want to learn more about this very specific process of editing on a NAS on certain video editing suite software, use the article and video below.
It is also worth highlighting that there is, kind of, a third option in the form of drive sync protocol. Known as Synology Drive on their platform, or QNAP Qsync on theirs, these allow you to create a synchronized folder (or folders) on your local PC/Mac system that is constantly mirroring a drive on your NAS. As good as they sound, and they are terrifically user-friendly, it is worth highlighting that this doesn’t necessarily synchronize all of the data between the two platforms. And unless you also want to use up an area of space on your local PC/Mac to mirror with the NAS fully. This means that it ever so slightly undermines the need for editing on a NAS if what the NAS is doing is synchronizing live data between it and your video editing operating system. However, this has been somewhat mitigated in recent years, thanks to processes known as file pinning, metadata pinning, and file streaming on demand. These allow you to see the contents of the NAS (complete file layout, folders, and structure – just not taking up any space, just think of it as a blueprint) in this synchronized folder via your operating system’s native file manager and allows you to pick and choose which files you want to live fully on the local OS without needing to download the whole thing. That is why this is more of a hybrid option and not recommended for everyone.
Choosing the right NAS for video editing, even now that you know the importance of NAS hardware, software, and bandwidth to consider, is still no easy task. As mentioned earlier in this article, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different NAS options available to you, and you don’t really want to get it wrong first time. These make an enormous difference! In order to help you out, below, I’ve detailed several of the current available NAS solutions available in 2023/2024 that best suit a wide range of video editing needs. Keep in mind that although I have detailed several solutions below, other newer options may have arrived since this article was written, which may be even better suited to your video editing needs. So don’t be afraid to use the free advice section on NASCompares at the bottom of the article, the free community forum AskNASCompares.com, getting in touch with other members of our community in the discord or me or at personally consult on the right video editing storage solution for your own very specific setup.
0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i5/i7/i9 CPU, 16-64GB DDR4 Memory, 2.5Gbe Port, 10Gb x2 Prots (Intel i9 Version), KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty , TrueNAS/UnRAID Support
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2000-2500-3000
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Dec ’22:
QNAP TrueNAS Installation Guide HERE
QNAP UnRAID Installation Guide HERE
The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS is easily one of the most hardware-capable desktop NAS systems that I have ever seen (as you would expect for £2500+) and has clearly been designed with phenomenal future proofing in mind! If you are concerned about the longevity of this NAS, this hardware architecture will still be top tier 5 years from now, with the added support of PCIe 4 meaning that high capacity and performing micro upgrades throughout its life also ensuring it remains relevant long after. It’s price tag clearly moves this purchase out of the home and squarely into the business market (though likely those that take their media seriously will add it to the cart) and the TVS-h874 will function as a solid solution for Video editing (even at 8K), high frequency and performing VMs, large scale AI powered Surveillance setup, hybrid cloud/on-prem alternative to Office 365/Google Workspace services and as the center point for all your data storage operations. Crucially though, it is that the hardware on offer here will be able to do ALL of these at the same time, therefore maximising the investment for most businesses that want to move aware from their cloud dependant ops. In terms of software,t things are a little less absolute, with QTS and QuTS still getting a little busy at times, with a steeper learning curve than its big rival DSM from Synology. That said, die-hard fans of ZFS (Zettabyte File System) will adore the inclusion of benefits in RAID handling, management and recovery that are exclusive to that platform, whilst enjoying the wide range of applications and service benefits in QuTS that are often restricted to Linux platforms.
The slightly conveluded approach to release hardware that does complicate the selection process (different CPUs in the Intel 12th Gen family changing the rest of the system architecture) is something that I hoped this brand would graduate from (for the sake of simplicity), but for many, this level of choice in hardware and budget will be welcome. As is QNAP’s position on the support of 3rd party hardware (drives, PCIe upgrades, etc) and software, something that we have seen a worrying trend in the last few years against elsewhere in the industry but some other brands, to err towards 1st party/proprietary compatibility more and more. There are still lingering doubts by some on the security of NAS, with ransomware attacks on the rise and ALL brands and ALL platforms being targetted (NAS, Cloud ,etc), finding a middle ground between ease of use and depth of security being a tricky tie rope walk indeed. The TVS-h874 arrives with a wide range of Day 1 tools, further rigid defaults in QTS/QuTS in 2022/2023, considerable security settings to configure and multiple system scan tools for recommendations & preventative measures available. The QNAP TVS-h874 is probably the most powerful desktop/tower NAS drive I have ever reviewed and if you are looking for a system that can legitimately do anything server-side, but you are also willing to put in the time to configure it correctly – you will genuinely be hard pushed to find a better system in 2022, 2023 and likely 2024 at this price point and scale.
First Commercial Intel Core 12th Gen i5, i7 and i9 NAS DriveUpto 20 Cores, 24 Threads and High End Integrated GraphicsPCIe Gen 4 x16 Upgrade Slot for 10/25/100GbE Cards and 2x PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe Slots for 7GB SSDsNo Obstinant 3rd Party Hardware Limitations on Support or CompatibilityMuch larger support of 3rd Party Software Services than most other NAS Brands10Gb/s USB Connectivity, in Type A and Type CUpto 64GB of Memory and Potential for 128GBZFS or EXT 4 File System ChoiceM.2 NVMe SSD Bays can be used for Storage or CachingVolume Encryption, SED SSD Support and WORMEnhanced AI Surveillance Services, with opt to upgrade with $30 Google TPUAI Photo Management Tool (QuMagie) Includes Thing Recognition and works offlineALL the ZFS Benefits, whilst also the GUI and App benefits of a Linux Software Platform in one
Available Versions/Configs of the 4/6/8-Bay are confusingQVR Elite (not QVR Pro) only has 2 Cam LicencesHDMI Output is 1.4b10Gbe is ONLY included with the most expensive Intel i9 ModelNoisy when in operation when fully populatedToo Many licenses on Enterprise Tools (Drive Analyzer, Face Tiger, etc) with too few free licenses
0-88TB, 4-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Dual Core AMD Emb.Ryzen R1600 CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 2x 1Gbe Port, 10GbE Optional Upgrade Slot, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550+
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Nov’22:
Synology has clearly made something of a gamble in the release of the Synology DS923+ NAS. There is no avoiding that making the switch from the Intel Celeron that has historically been the build choice of this product family and opting for the AMD Emb.Ryzen has ruffled some feathers! On the face of it, the R1600 here has a heck of alot of going for it over the previous generation! Higher clock speed, greater PCIe Gen 3 Support throughout, that 4-32GB of DDR4 memory in such a compact system and just generally giving you a lot more horsepower to play with, as well as better bandwidth potential inside and out! But at what cost? The 1GbE standard connectivity in the base model leaves alot to be desired, the proprietary 10Gb upgrade (though incredibly handy) limits the upgradability a tad and the lack of an integrated graphics processor is likely going to result in many long-term Synology advocates to skip this generation. Synology Diskstation Manager (DSM 7.1 at the time of writing) still continues to impress and although the brand still continues to heavily push their 1st party priorities, they have left a little more wriggle room in DSM 7.1 than DSM 7 before it in terms of media compatibility.
In terms of design, I cannot fault Synology on this as the DS923+ chassis still arrives as one of the best-looking and still exceptionally well-structured devices at this physical scale and storage level. As always, a Synology NAS is more about the software than the hardware (and the DS923+ delivers in spades on the software side!) and with DSM 7.2 around the corner improving things. Just always keep in mind that the Synology DS923+ NAS is a system that arrives with the slight emphasis on having to do many things ‘their way’. If you are less technically versed, then you will definitely appreciate this level of user-friendly design and assistance, but more technically minded admins’ main strain a pinch! In short, the DS923+ IS a good NAS drive, but its focus has certainly ebbed more towards the business user this generation than the home.
DSM 7/7.1 (and DSM7.2 Around the corner) still continues to be an absolute tour-de-force of NAS SoftwareThis latest generation expandable 4-Bay arriving with a 10G Upgrade Option is fantasticECC Memory Support and scalability to 32GB is completely unparallel at this price pointThe design of the DS923+ NAS still continues to be market-leadingThe New CPU architecture allows great PCIe3 bandwidth to be afforded to the rest of the hardware, inside and outLow Noise, Low Physical Impact and Intelligent Automatic Power Use Adjustment SettingsIncreased Support for macOS in Synology Drive and Active Backup Suite (DSM 7.2)Synology C2 Cloud Services, 1st Party Backup/Sync Tools and Collaboration Suite App = Complete 1st Party Eco-system that can rival Office365 and Google WorkspacePCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe SSD Support as Storage Pools!!! FINALLY!Tremendously User-Friendly!!!
The AMD Emb.Ryzen instead of a Intel Celeron (with Integrated Graphics) will be a dealbreaker for alot of usersThe default 1GbE ports that the system arrives with are tremendously datedThe USB ports on the system are older gen USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) and their support/usability have been quite pared back in recent DSM releasesThe continued moves by Synology to prioritize 1st party hardware and software services may put some users offPlex Support on the Synology DS923+ is still great for native playback, client-side handling and client devices with relevant multimedia licenses in place, but if server-side media conversions are needed - this system will struggle in comparison with the DS920+ before it
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DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology DS923+ 4 Bay NAS enclosure Amazon UK 20.87 OFF (WAS 601) [LINK] Synology DS923+ 4 Bay Desktop NAS Including Warranty Extension to 5 Years Amazon UK 21.81 OFF (WAS 893) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i7/i9 CPU, 32-64GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 2x Thunderbolt4 Port, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2999-3499
Hardware Review – LINK (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon
YouTube Video Review – Watch (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon
In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.
The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.
Only brand rolling out i9 Turnkey NASOnly NAS Rolling out Thundebrolt4 NAS (for now!)Upto 20 Cores, 24 Threads and High End Integrated GraphicsPCIe Gen 4 x16 Upgrade Slot for 10/25/100GbE Cards and 2x PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe Slots for 7GB SSDsNo Obstinant 3rd Party Hardware Limitations on Support or CompatibilityMuch larger support of 3rd Party Software Services than most other NAS Brands10Gb/s USB Connectivity, in Type A and Type CUpto 64GB of MemoryZFS or EXT 4 File System ChoiceM.2 NVMe SSD Bays can be used for Storage or CachingVolume Encryption, SED SSD Support and WORMEnhanced AI Surveillance Services, with opt to upgrade with $30 Google TPUAI Photo Management Tool (QuMagie) Includes Thing Recognition and works offlineALL the ZFS Benefits, whilst also the GUI and App benefits of a Linux Software Platform in one
No Smaller 4-Bay VersionQVR Elite (not QVR Pro) only has 2 Cam LicencesLack of ECC Memory will annoy some users10Gbe is Missing (so no TB-TO-10GbE Pass-through)Too Many licenses on Enterprise Tools (Drive Analyzer, Face Tiger, etc) with too few free licenses
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DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review May ’23:
Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.
The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!
SOFTWARE - 7/10
HARDWARE - 10/10PERFORMANCE - 8/10PRICE - 9/10VALUE - 10/10
8.8
PROS
Surprisingly compact for 9 Bays of StorageGood Middle ground between a Rackmount and Desktop SystemDual 10GbE - LOVELY STUFF!Also has support of SMB MultiChannel and an extra 2x 2.5GbEDecent throughput Capable CPUGreat RAID OptionsSnapshot ReplicationBTRFS/EXT4 Support as preferredA large amount of maximum memory supported (16-32GB - TBC)M.2 SSD Bay inside for caching/storageTOS 5.1 is genuinely good, if not quite as polished/evolved as it\\\'s competitorsVERY easy to install TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, etc (and also easy to reverse)
CONS
Secret PCIe Slot - Unused?!Supports ECC Mmeory, but not included (might annoy some)NOT QUIET!
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Video editing and production, as of 2024, continues to be one of the largest generators of unique and large-scale data. From various sectors like wildlife photography to large-scale movie production, video editing has evolved into a significant business requiring power, speed, and efficiency from its hardware environment. In the past, editing with software like Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, DaVinci, etc., was manageable on local HDD/SSDs or external drives. However, in recent years, the demand for performance due to the size of 4K and 1080p footage has outstripped the capabilities of most internal SATA SSDs and external drives. The industry has since moved to NVMe SSD and Thunderbolt DAS RAID external storage.
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In a Rush? Here are the Best NAS Systems for Video Editing that I Recommend:
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Despite their effectiveness, the cost of NVMe, its limited capacities, and the impracticality of Thunderbolt RAID DAS in field settings make them less than ideal. This leads us to the adoption of 10Gbe and/or Thunderbolt NAS for video editing, which offers several advantages:
Editing on a NAS drive, while not as straightforward as traditional USB and Thunderbolt DAS, offers several advantages to network hardware environments and improves the overall workflow. Let’s explore setting up a 10Gbe or Thunderbolt NAS for video editing, but first, some important considerations for 2024.
How to Edit Video on a Synology NAS
Editing on a NAS in 2024 offers more space and potential speed over local/internal SSDs, but there are additional considerations when switching to NAS-based editing:
If NAS-based editing sounds like a fit for your workflow and productivity in 2024, proceed with the guide.
How to Edit Video on a QNAP NAS
These steps will guide you through how to setup editing on your NAS with software such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Elements, PowerDirector and more, as well as be applicable to NAS brands such as Synology, QNAP, Asustor and Terramaster. I will try to keep as many of the steps as ‘universal’ as possible, ut there might be the odd difference between one software brand and another. If you have any questions, scroll to the bottom of the page and content me directly on the ‘Free Advice’ section. It is all genuinely free advice, manned by me (so I apologise if I am not ‘lightning-fast’) and I will help get you all setup to the best of my ability. Let’s get the guide started.
Right so, this is probably the BIGGEST STEP! This guide is largely useless if your NAS system is not already set up – setting up a NAS (eg have it plugged in and ready to interact with, etc) is a whole guide in itself. Luckily I have made several of those in both written and video form. It is important that your NAS system has the following things done:
Depending on your NAS Brand of choice, you can find a guide to setting up your desired system below:
Synology NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Synology NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
QNAP NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
QNAP NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
Asustor NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Asustor NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
Terramaster NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Terramaster NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
From here you should be ready to start setting up your Mac/PC with your NAS system for video editing over 10Gbe and/or Thunderbolt.
Next, you need to create an area of storage on your NAS system that can be accessed by your Mac/PC system and in-turrn, the video editing software you are using. Remember, these steps will differ depending on the NAS brand you choose. First, you need to open up the NAS File Management tool (it will be called File Manager or File Browser).
From here, somewhere at the top, you will find an option listed as ‘create a shared folder’ or simple ‘Shared Folder Options’.
You need to give this new shared folder a name. It is recommended that you should not use spaces or special characters in this name, as some software might have conflicts with it. Additionally, you will be asked about which volume on the NAS you want the shared folder to be within. Be sure to select the volume where your best-performing media (HDD/SSD) are based.
After this, you will be asked several options (depending on the brand. These will include 1) If you want to encrypt the shared folder (which will lock it to only be accessed within the NAS, but can lower performance a pinch), 2) Do you want to create a task of periodic data health checks (up to you), 3) Do you want to set a storage quota (maximum space this shared folder can accumulate) and 4) Do you want to create storage snapshots of the shared folder to revert to later if needed (again, personal preference).
After this, you will then be asked which users on your NAS can access the shared folder. Be sure to allow both Read and Write access to both the Admin account and the one you created for your Video editing account.
From here, open up the client tool (Synology Assistant / Qfinder Pro, etc) and ensuring that the PC/Mac you are using to interact with your NAS so far is on the same network/10Gbe/TB3, Right-click on the NAS on the available and select the option labelled ‘Map Network Drive’
From here, you will be asked to provide the login details you created for the NAS. Here you will need to enter the video editing account details you created (or the Admin account), which will then show you the list of available network drives on the NAS
Select the shared folder that you created earlier, then you will be asked to give the NAS folder/drive a letter to assign on your Mac / PC (EG C:/ is the OS drive typically and D:/ is the CD/DVD/BD drive. Just give the drive a letter and then click confirm.
The new shared folder and Drive will now be available and visible on your My Computer / Finder and this is the drive that you will be editing your work on. As long as you connected to this drive via 10Gbe or Thunderbolt, it will allow considerably faster speeds than typical network/gigabit NAS connectivity.
The next step is quite straight forward. You need to copy or move your existing library of work over to the NAS. This can be done in numerous ways:
Method 1 – Simply Drag and Drop / Copy and Paste into the Mapped network drive
Method 2- Go into the NAS via your web Browser and Upload directly from the File Manager
Method 3 – Create a Sync Jobbetweena folder on your PC/Mac and the NAS using the free first-party tools (Synology Drive or QSync)
You will need to make sure that the bulk of the stock footage, music, photos and more that you use on a regular basis are on the NAS.
When you make the switch from editing video locally on your PC/Mac system and moving onto NAS based editing, the editing software you use (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc) will still have background actions and preferences that will be targeting your main system when in use. Typically these will be the default directories of when shadow files are created, the default location of where project assets are found and/or where temp files are saved.Each video editing software differs, so the options will be different from software to software. But it is recommended you change these to the NAS, as then the internal SATA SSD in your system, that will typically perform at 350-450MB/s (reported 550MB/s speed reports are based on ideal usage scenarios), will not present a bottleneck when your NAS can get up to 1,000MB/s on 10Gbe and more on a Thunderbolt-enabled NAS.
Adobe Premiere Essentials 2020
DaVinci Resolve
This one is not strictly essential, but I would recommend it. As you work on the NAS with your video editing, you are going to be creating both alot of files. Unlike when you were previously editing on a PC/Mac system and it’s internal SSD/HDD (whereupon you could then make a backup onto a USB drive or NAS), the video files you create will be living on the NAS drive ONLY. THAT is a big risk and means you do NOT have a backup. So, I recommend at least a 2 stage backup. That means that your data is in 1 location and then you have 2 more copies of ALL the important data in two more hardware and/or physical locations. Luckily, most NAS devices arrive with numerous multi-tiered backup software options included. In terms of backup options, I recommend one/two/all of the following (methods will differ between brands, but all of the top-tier NAS brands support these):
Backup the NAS Drive to a USB Drive
Backup the NAS Drive to another NAS Drive
Backup the NAS Drive to a Cloud Service
There are ALOT of different NAS options for editing video, but some are more suitable than others. Having a 10Gbe port and/or Thunderbolt is not enough and in order to avoid you spending month unnecessarily, I have listed a few options below that suit different personal budgets and the extent that you wish to edit. Take a look and if you are still in doubt, you can contact me directly for FREE and impartial advice at the bottom in my free support section or on the right-hand side of the page.
0-110TB (90TB with Syn HAT5300s) , 5x SATA Bays, 2x M.2 NVMe 2280 (Pools and Caching), AMD R1600 2-Core / 4-Thread CPU, 8-32GB ECC DDR4 Memory, 4x 1Gbe Port, Optional 10GbE Upgrade, 2x Expansion Port, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $699
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch , Before You Buy Video – Watch
What I said in my review June ’22:
The Synology DS1522+ is a good NAS drive and most business-focused users are going to appreciate what this newer configuration of hardware is able to provide. There was never any doubt in the extent to which this new NAS would support DSM7, and given its architecture, there is virtually nothing in the popular NAS software that this system cannot do. Likewise, having the option of 10GbE on a Diskstation of this scale will be hugely attractive to some, though the proprietary means with which you need to upgrade is arguably less desirable.
The R1600 CPU is a good choice of processor for file handling and simultaneous tasks, as is the 8GB of memory that this system arrives with, plus the potential to ramp it up to 32GB. After that though, the desirability of this system to home users and multimedia users is a little less compelling and with such a large audience of users who look at NAS for their media streaming, the DS1522+ not featuring a more graphically enabled chip will leave them somewhat underwhelmed. Bottom line, the DS1522+ is a solid and full DSM7 supporting system here and you cannot fault the design, internal/external performance and ease of use of this Synology NAS. However, there will always be users wondering why this NAS never arrived with an Intel chip.
SOFTWARE - 10/10
HARDWARE - 8/10PERFORMANCE - 8/10PRICE - 8/10VALUE - 8/10
8.4
PROS
8GB of ECC Memory that can be scaled to 32GB – LOVELY STUFFOptional 10GbE UpgradeContinued Support of Synology Hybrid RAID on this scale4x LAN Ports by defaultExpandable with another 10 Drives down the line (2x DS517)NVMe SSD Bays for Caching will be very useful with this 5-Bay RAID StorageDSM 7.1 is hands down the best NAS software and services in the market right now3 years base warranty, with optional extra 2yrsNumerous storage service advantages inc. BTRFS, Fast RAID Rebuild and Auto-RepairFirst Party Hybrid Cloud services with Synology C2Exceptionally good surveillance software included
CONS
That CPU is going to divide opinionHDD & SSD Compatibility list is a little thinner than I expectedOptional 10GbE upgrade is via a heavily proprietary route
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DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology 5-bay DiskStation DS1522+ (Diskless),Black https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_bc_aui_C_5?ie=UTF8&node=20941687011 USA 15% Off [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-96TB, 12x M.2 NVMe 3×1 Bays, Supports 2x USB Expansions, N5105/N5095 4-Core CPU, 4-16GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 1x 10Gbe Port, 3yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $799
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review HERE)
What I said in my review June ’23:
I cannot stress enough how impressed I am that the Flashstor 6 and Flashstor 12 Pro are priced at $499 and $860, respectively, given the level of hardware on offer here. These are by no means enterprise-grade NAS server solutions, nor should they be thought of as such. However, given the cost of typical fully featured 4x HDD solutions from their competitors and the brand themselves, which often start at $550 and above, it is quite remarkable that the six M.2 SSD system with comparable internal hardware comes in at $499. As long as a user keeps their expectations in line with what this cost versus its capabilities, it’s really tough to argue with the price point that these two devices have arrived at on the market. The Asustor FS6712X Flashstor 12 Pro NAS presents a unique offering in the NAS market, leveraging NVMe technology to provide high-capacity, ultra-high-performance storage. The device’s design, with its rhombus-shaped enclosure and twelve M.2 NVMe slots, sets it apart from traditional NAS devices and offers a sleek and modern aesthetic.
The tool-less drive installation mechanism makes it easy to set up and expand the storage capacity. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The limited number of PCIe lanes provided by the Intel Celeron N5105 processor may restrict the performance of high-speed NVMe drives. The single 10GbE LAN port also presents a potential network bottleneck, limiting the device’s overall network performance. Users seeking maximum performance and network throughput may find alternative solutions better suited to their needs. Despite these limitations, the FS6712X shines as a storage solution for users who prioritize high-capacity storage, quiet operation, and low power consumption. The device’s ability to directly output 4K video, along with its range of Asustor-approved apps, makes it an excellent choice for media distribution and presentation. In terms of pricing, the FS6712X comes with a price tag of $850+. While this may appear high at first glance, it is comparable to 8 bay drive NAS SATA devices and many of those do not even include NVMe slots or 10GbE. Users looking for a more cost-effective option can consider the Flashstor 6, which offers half the number of slots and 2x 2.5GbE enabled ports for $499.
As the cost of flash modules continues to drop, and larger capacity drives become available all the way up to 8TB (even without QLC), the FS6712X provides an attractive solution for those seeking high-capacity and high-performance NAS storage. While some underlying performance relativity by the end user needs to be factored in and hardware limitations exist thanks to the use of that Celeron to remain budget-friendly, the FS6712X is a tremendously smart move by Asustor. A well-designed NAS that presents a much more confident solution demonstrating the benefits of NVMe-focused NAS devices to an audience that would have assumed such things are way, WAY outside the realms of affordability!
SOFTWARE - 7/10
HARDWARE - 9/10PERFORMANCE - 7/10PRICE - 10/10VALUE - 10/10
8.6
PROS
6x NVMe SSD Flash NAS for under $500 - COME ON!Low Power UseFull 1st Party NAS OS IncludedUSB 3.2 Gen 2 10G Connectivity and wide USB Support/CompatibilityVery Slick and compact designSP/DIF and HDMI 2.0b Outputs will hugely please the multimedia user communityLikewise, Plex Performance is very good for 4K and 1080p conversions
CONS
6x NVMe Performance will never be realised because of the Intel Celeron CPU inside and 3x1 Limits2.5GbE x2 is good.. but its still hugely limiting for those NVMesLack of ECC memory (cost prohibitive of course) will put some serious users off
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DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? ASUSTOR FLASHSTOR 6 Network Storage (FS6706T) Amazon UK 48.65 OFF (WAS 796) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review May ’23:
Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.
The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!
SOFTWARE - 7/10
HARDWARE - 10/10PERFORMANCE - 8/10PRICE - 9/10VALUE - 10/10
8.8
PROS
Surprisingly compact for 9 Bays of StorageGood Middle ground between a Rackmount and Desktop SystemDual 10GbE - LOVELY STUFF!Also has support of SMB MultiChannel and an extra 2x 2.5GbEDecent throughput Capable CPUGreat RAID OptionsSnapshot ReplicationBTRFS/EXT4 Support as preferredA large amount of maximum memory supported (16-32GB - TBC)M.2 SSD Bay inside for caching/storageTOS 5.1 is genuinely good, if not quite as polished/evolved as it\\\'s competitorsVERY easy to install TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, etc (and also easy to reverse)
CONS
Secret PCIe Slot - Unused?!Supports ECC Mmeory, but not included (might annoy some)NOT QUIET!
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i7/i9 CPU, 32-64GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 2x Thunderbolt4 Port, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2999-3499
Hardware Review – HERE
YouTube Video Review – HERE
In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.
The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.
Only brand rolling out i9 Turnkey NASOnly NAS Rolling out Thundebrolt4 NAS (for now!)Upto 20 Cores, 24 Threads and High End Integrated GraphicsPCIe Gen 4 x16 Upgrade Slot for 10/25/100GbE Cards and 2x PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe Slots for 7GB SSDsNo Obstinant 3rd Party Hardware Limitations on Support or CompatibilityMuch larger support of 3rd Party Software Services than most other NAS Brands10Gb/s USB Connectivity, in Type A and Type CUpto 64GB of MemoryZFS or EXT 4 File System ChoiceM.2 NVMe SSD Bays can be used for Storage or CachingVolume Encryption, SED SSD Support and WORMEnhanced AI Surveillance Services, with opt to upgrade with $30 Google TPUAI Photo Management Tool (QuMagie) Includes Thing Recognition and works offlineALL the ZFS Benefits, whilst also the GUI and App benefits of a Linux Software Platform in one
No Smaller 4-Bay VersionQVR Elite (not QVR Pro) only has 2 Cam LicencesLack of ECC Memory will annoy some users10Gbe is Missing (so no TB-TO-10GbE Pass-through)Too Many licenses on Enterprise Tools (Drive Analyzer, Face Tiger, etc) with too few free licenses
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Les mots de passe ne sont plus nécessaires pour se connecter au PlayStation Network : Sony prend désormais en compte les passkeys. Les joueurs et les joueuses ont tout intérêt à s'y intéresser pour augmenter le niveau de sécurité de leur compte.
Alan Wake 2, à sa sortie, tournait le dos à près de la moitié des joueurs PC en raison d'un manque de compatibilité de certains GPU avec DirectX 12 Ultimate. Une nouvelle mise à jour va permettre aux cartes graphiques incompatibles de faire tourner le jeu dans des circonstances plus acceptables.
L’article Alan Wake 2 offre enfin des performances décentes sur les vieilles cartes graphiques NVIDIA est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
Le dernier jeu d’Arrowhead Game Studios, Helldivers 2, vient de recevoir son premier patch apportant du contenu inédit. Celui-ci est assez complet et apporte quelques nouveautés de gameplay, dont les “Dangers Planétaires”, des aléas environnementaux pouvant mettre à mal les joueurs.
L’article Helldivers 2 : le premier patch rend les planètes plus dangereuses est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
Ghost of Tsushima, la dernière pépite de Sucker Punch Productions pour PS4/PS5, ne sera bientôt plus une exclusivité. Le jeu, qui s'inspire du Japon féodal, va suivre les traces de God of War 2016 et de Marvel’s Spider-Man en étant porté sur PC très prochainement.
L’article Ghost of Tsushima va dégainer ses sabres dans quelques jours sur PC est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
Un bug très préoccupant semble toucher les joueurs PS4 et PS5. Celui-ci impacte les licences des jeux achetés sur le PlayStation Store et ferait disparaître les jeux en version dématérialisée de la bibliothèque des usagers.
L’article PS5 : un bug supprimerait les jeux, la ludothèque des joueurs en danger ? est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
One of the most popular reasons that users choose to buy a network-attached storage (NAS) device is for use as a media server. The appeal is pretty clear. With most users now owning decades of media (either in digital form or ripped from optical media at home), the ability to enjoy these box sets and Movies on the latest devices can be complicated. Despite this, streaming all of your multimedia from a NAS to all of your TVs, phones, tablets and other devices are growing increasingly popular and a lot of this is thanks to the increasing affordability of NAS from brands like Synology and QNAP and free software from companies like Plex and Emby. The most popular NAS for home media tends to be Synology, with its support of numerous media server applications and its own premium video service app too. This combined with the oversaturation of third-party online streaming services that ask you to pay a subscription (such as Netflix) with little control or right to ownership of the media you watch means that many users just want to enjoy their own unique media collections. So now that a lot of users are choosing to switch from the likes of Netflix and Prime Video towards an in-house media server, the next question is which piece of software they should choose.
The most popular private media server app right now worldwide to counter the likes of Netflix is Plex Media Server, software available in host and client form that allows you to transform your media collection into a glossy, slick and informative UI that genuinely rivals big online streaming platforms. Synology on the other hand would likely prefer users to stick with their own fully-featured media server application, Synology Video Station, which they have invested well in and developed to an impressive standard that easily rivals that of Plex. So today I want to compare these two media server choices and help you decide which one is the ideal media server choice for you.
Before going any further, it is worth addressing the elephant in the room, namely that a number of key media server services that are included with Plex Media Server are locked behind a paid subscription service known as Plex Pass. Whereas Synology Video Station is an application that is included with your NAS on Day 1 at no additional cost. All that said, neither service can technically be called free, as both still require you to purchase a Synology NAS. Additionally, it is still worth highlighting that some more recent Innovations in Plex online services and utilisation of hardware transcoding (the ability to use the CPU’s embedded graphics or an available graphics card to adapt files on the fly to make them better suited to a client) is not available on the free tier of Plex, but ARE available by default in the Synology Video Station application. You can still utilise software transcoding on Plex for free and this will deal with a large degree of transcoding requirements, but the fact that you have to pay extra within the Plex app to utilise the hardware already available on your NAS is something a number of users find difficult to accept. Throughout this article, any feature that is only available as a paid Plex Pass feature will be highlighted as such.
Installation of either the Synology Video Station or Plex Media Server application is near enough identical. Both are readily available in the Synology app centre and can be installed within two clicks. Both media server applications do not require your multimedia files to be stored in a pre-designated/directory location and the sources for TV shows, Movies and more can be scanned and indexed by each media server application after they are installed. In fact, the initial installation on both is incredibly straightforward and there is really only one main difference between them. That difference is that whereas the Synology Media application uses your original NAS login credentials, Plex will require you to set up an account with them online in order to use the software, even if you only intend to use your Plex Media Server on the local network/DLNA. As Plex is a third-party application, this is a little understandable if a tiny bit annoying for some.
It is also worth highlighting that both media server applications will receive regular updates during their lifespan and this is treated slightly differently too. As Synology Video Station is a first-party app, as soon as an update is available, you will be notified immediately in the app centre and even have the opportunity to apply these firmware updates automatically. Plex updates on the other hand will almost always need to be installed manually, as the available default Plex application on the Synology app centre is updated considerably less frequently and as soon as you setup Plex for the first time, it will ALWAYS inform you that there is a new update available straight away. The Plex Media Server application itself will tell you when an update is available regularly at the top right and in the settings menu, but requires you to download the latest Plex server update to a connected computer and then you need to upload this update directly to the Synology NAS app centre manually. It is only a small inconvenience really, but does mean that regular updates on your media server of choice are handled more easily and with likely more frequency on Synology Video Station rather than Plex.
The user interface of Synology Video Station and Plex Media Server are quite similar when viewed on a client device, such as a console, TV and Amazon Fire TV stick. With all of your available Movies and Boxsets clearly shown and the metadata collected by each media server application creating a great user interface for your connected users.
However the back end/server view of each media server application is considerably different and where the Synology Video Station application is designed exclusively around video media options and configuration (as Synology have a wide range of applications for different Media types and general NAS server maintenance already available), Plex, on the other hand, is a far better equipped tool for a complete server, with the bulk of server maintenance and customisation options built into the single Plex GUI. If you are something of an IT novice, the wide range of options that Plex Media Server throws at you for system maintenance can be a touch intimidating and because Plex is designed around many different kinds of media support (something we will touch on later) it’s configuration needs to be noticeably broader than the video-centric options in the Synology official video application. These additional options, if you take the time to go through them, will definitely lead to a better media server user experience and a far better multimedia streaming system overall, it’s just a question of how bespoke and how elaborate you want your media server to be.
As mentioned, there is a clear difference in the multimedia types supported in Plex Media Server or Synology Video Station. In terms of handling of video Media, they are near enough identical with some exceptions with regard to specialist audio handling for certain dense Media. However, much like the back-end server control mentioned earlier, Synology Video Station only handles video media and relies on alternative applications such as Synology moments, photo station, Synology photos, audio station and download station to play and obtain other kinds of multimedia. Plex Media Server is a much more diverse multimedia tool with support of your photo collections (AI-assisted too), album collections, podcast streaming and several online video streaming services included. In both cases, it makes a lot of sense why they are designed this way, but some users may prefer their media server to be more of a Swiss army knife and others may want their video streaming, music streaming and photo streaming to be different services for different devices and clients. Neither Plex or Synology Video Station really gain any advantage here but simply show how they are different in their architecture. If you want simplicity in the user interface, go with Synology Video Station. If you want simplicity in your media server as a whole, go with Plex Media Server.
The scraping of metadata in a media server is precisely what separates a bog-standard selection of files and folders on your screen from a slick graphical user interface that is engaging, informative and a joy to use. When we talk about metadata, we are talking about thumbnails, box art, media descriptions, cast listings, review scores, trailers and more. When we say scraping, that is the process of the software accessing numerous online databases to retrieve and store this information locally to the NAS. The result is your years of TV and movie collection being transformed into something near identical to Netflix and Amazon Prime video in presentation. Metadata ultimately benefits connected users and their client hardware devices, with both Plex and Video Station being very similar in how they look to a client device, albeit with a few branded differences in colour and config.
However, on the server-side, both Synology Video Station and Plex have gone a different way with metadata scraping at a setup level. Of the two, Synology Video Station is definitely the less option-heavy and although this is thanks in many ways to a lot of key options being found in the general server GUI outside of the app, it is still pretty thin on the ground for configuration of your video media server. This is not an enormous surprise given how Synology have generally erred towards keeping things as user-friendly as possible and this is often done by simplifying configurations and sitting numerous settings to system default. The options for scraping metadata on the Synology are surprisingly thin on the ground and some more advanced options require you to sign up to some resource database websites to obtain a two-way key. Despite this, Synology still manages to scrape a tremendous amount of metadata without this key and resource linking. Indeed, although the number of supported databases for metadata listed on the Synology Video Station app is few and far between, it was still able to find the same level of metadata found on the Plex Media Server application and displayed all of the test media perfectly.
Plex Media Server has access to significantly more online databases and although the system will generally ask you to select which one individually you wish to scrape for metadata in each library, it does do it with a high degree of accuracy. It also manages to scrape this metadata for more than just your Movies and applies this also to your music collection and podcast collection too within the app. Metadata scraping via Plex Media Server also does not require any kind of log-in to these individual databases and is largely automated off the bat, with users being able to switch designated databases for each Media type and folder on the fly. Of course, this all doesn’t guarantee accuracy and will still always be based on the format and layout of your Media in many cases (tv shows listed as S01E01 for season 1, episode 1, etc), but nevertheless, it has to be said that with more available resources and less configuration required for each of them, that Plex Media Server has the broader and more likely to succeed position on metadata scraping.
This is one of the most important parts of any media server in the grand scheme of things – multimedia playback and transcoding. This is typically the action of changing a media file into a version that is more acceptable to the client device that you are enjoying it on (TV, Phone, Console, etc). This extends to but is not limited to, changing the resolution, changing the bitrate, changing the file format and ultimately compressing a file into a smaller version in most cases. Because Plex and Synology Video Station are available on the same NAS system, it means that media variations with regard to codecs, compressions and file types will be equally supported at the default level. If a file can be played back in its original version on Plex, it can be played back on Synology Video Station. However, it is when these files need to be adapted with transcoding that we see clear distinctions between each of them. Transcoding is something that remote accessing client users will likely use without even realising it, as they might well be on a limited data connection (speed or coverage at the time) or using a smaller device (such as a phone) to playback a monster 4K 60FPS movie that is overkill on that hardware. So, transcoding is at its best when you do not notice it is being done OR it is adaptable in as many ways as possible to cover all your likely scenarios.
When the NAS needs to perform a transcode on a file on the fly (eg, so you need to convert a video file into a better-suited version for the client watching device upon request and without delay) it will typically do it with software transcoding or hardware transcoding. Software transcoding is when the system uses the raw resources of the CPU and memory inside the NAS to convert the file. Hardware transcoding is when the NAS system features a graphical component (such as embedded graphics featured on a CPU) or an available graphics card that is installed – as these are designed for handling video files and/or graphical manipulation tasks, and will therefore utilise considerably fewer resources. Plex Media Server only provides hardware transcoding in the paid subscription service Plex Pass and then needs to be enabled in the encoding section by selecting the option ‘make my CPU hurt’. Software transcoding is available for the free version of Plex Media Server but is far less efficient and will result in much higher-end Media in 4K and 1080p playback consuming the majority of hardware resources to transcode or will simply not play at all.
Synology Video Station on the other hand, because it is a native first-party app, has full access to the hardware transcoding element of the NAS and therefore allows users to take advantage of it easily and immediately, and at no additional cost. This has been one of the driving forces behind the popularity of Synology Video Station application, as although the majority of NAS brands have their own video player, Synology is the only one that manages to merge the slick meta-data supported graphical user interface found in Plex but still manages to provide the free and unlimited limited access to the hardware resources you would expect after spending several $100s on a NAS. That said, the way that Synology handles the subject of transcoding in its user interface is a little peculiar, especially for users who are trying to balance the best possible playback vs the most appropriate transcoding level on the fly/manually.
When you wish for the NAS system to transcode a file in the Video Station user interface, you are presented with the options for adjusting the picture quality to high, medium, low, very low, etc. This is exactly what one might expect from a brand that wants to consistently keep things as simple as possible, however, for those who want to select a specific quality level to playback the file or want a better idea of the best quality level in future should be for other files, this will be extraordinarily limiting. Plex Media Server on the other hand allows you to switch between an automatic transcode option that changes the file to the recommended quality level for the client and connection, or you can specifically switch one of numerous video quality levels that break down into both resolution and bitrate in several places. Overall, the ability for Video Station to be able to take advantage of hardware transcoding at no additional cost and with little or no intervention from the end-user is still ultimately the best thing here. I just wish they gave uses a better degree of control and choice as found in Plex Media Server.
Having a slick and well-performing media server is always good, but if you cannot watch the media inside it on the devices you regularly use, then it’s all a bit pointless. Most people are already well aware that the multimedia collections they have on a NAS can easily be streamed over the local area network via popular methods such as DLNA and UPnP (digital living network alliance and universal plug and play). However, they are much more file and folder, breadcrumb level streaming and in order to enjoy the pretty GUI of Plex and Synology Video Station, an official client app needs to be available on the respective app centre or made unofficially and manually installed. This is an area where Plex Media Server almost completely wins over Synology Video Station, as it simply cannot compete with the variety and accessibility of the Plex client availability in popular app centres.
Full credit to Plex, they have really taken the time to make sure their platform is available on pretty much any modern device, in what multiple client or media server application forms. They also take the time after an official update of services and then push these updates across each available downloadable client. This is largely impossible for Synology to compete with and they instead opt for a much more targeted client support regime, supporting all modern mobile phone OS’, desktop operating systems and some of the major sofa accessible app centres on TVs and streamers like Amazon fire TV. In 8 out of 10 cases, your device will support both Plex and Synology Video Station, but this is by no means total and sometimes a hardware client (such as an off-brand Android phone, tablet or media box) that you hope to support Video Station will sadly not.
It is once again worth mentioning that Synology separates different multimedia types towards their own individual client apps, for example, DS Audio or Audio Station for music and DS Photo for photography. Indeed, some of these apps are quite advanced with practically unique connectivity to the likes of Amazon Alexa (something currently impossible on any other NAS platform without a 3rd party application like ‘my-media’ Alexa skill. But this, unfortunately, does not make up for being truly overshadowed by the wider degree of support available on Plex across numerous clients and smart Home devices – though the latter does require a Plex Pass. For sheer volume of connectivity on the clients, Plex wins by an absolute landslide.
Throughout this comparison of Plex Media Server and Synology Video Station, it has become abundantly clear that one tool is designed around being a Swiss army knife of features and functions, whilst the other performs a smaller but key range of services exceptionally well. Those who have been using Plex Media Server for a number of years are highly unlikely to make the jump to Synology Video Station, as it may feel less feature-rich and perhaps a tad bare-bones. However, those users who are new to the idea of private NAS based multimedia streaming would do very well to try out Synology Video Station first, as I genuinely believe when it comes to concentrating on video streaming services, it is genuinely one of the best platforms out there – albeit clearly restricted to just Synology NAS devices. Plex Media Server attempts to do many things in its pursuit of being the go-to media server of choice for those jumping ship from Netflix and succeeds in most cases, it is just worth remembering that in recent years the platform has perhaps tried to diversify a tad too much.
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PLEX MEDIA SERVER |
Synology Video Station |
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Best for Mixed Media Best for Ease of Access on Client Hardware Best for Transcoding Control Best for Add On Services Best for Metadata Sources |
Best for Price Best Performance for Transcoding Best for Ease of Use Best for Ease Setup Best for Updates & Firmware Revs |
Thanks for reading and I hope this guide helps you choose the perfect multimedia server for streaming with your friends, family and colleagues. If you are still lost on the right NAS, multimedia software or ideal backup system for your needs, then take advantage of the free advice section below. This is a completely free and unbias service to help work out their ideal data storage solution for you. It is manned by my myself and EddieTheWebGuy, so although replies may take an extra day or so, we will answer your email and have your best interests in mind! Have a great week.
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Accrochez-vous bien à vos manettes car Google DeepMind vient de dévoiler un truc de dingue qui devrait intéresser le gamers que vous êtes !
Leur nouveau programme d’IA baptisé SIMA (Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent) est capable d’apprendre à réaliser des tâches dans une multitude de jeux vidéo, juste en suivant des instructions en langage naturel.
Nvidia avait déjà fait fort l’année dernière en annonçant une techno pour créer des PNJ dotés d’une IA générative capable de discuter en temps réel avec les joueurs. Mais SIMA pousse le concept encore plus loin en acquérant carrément des compétences de joueur humain. Voilà qui promet des parties multijoueurs d’un nouveau genre !
Pour entraîner leur agent, les chercheurs de DeepMind ont collaboré avec huit studios de développement, dont des pointures comme Hello Games (No Man’s Sky) ou Coffee Stain (Valheim). Ils ont ainsi pu plugger SIMA dans des jeux aussi variés que la sandbox spatiale No Man’s Sky, le jeu de destruction créative Teardown ou même le totalement barré Goat Simulator 3 que mes enfants adorent (bêêê !). De quoi lui faire découvrir un max d’environnements interactifs et lui apprendre tout un tas de skills, de la simple navigation dans les menus jusqu’au pilotage de vaisseau ou au craft d’équipements.
Le plus fort, c’est que SIMA n’a pas besoin d’accéder au code source des jeux ni à des API spécifiques. Il lui suffit de deux inputs : le flux d’images à l’écran et des instructions basiques en langage naturel fournies par l’utilisateur. Avec ça, il est capable de prendre le contrôle du personnage principal via des commandes clavier/souris pour réaliser les actions demandées.
Autrement dit, SIMA interagit avec les jeux exactement comme un joueur humain ! C’est fou !
Pour l’instant, l’agent IA maîtrise environ 600 compétences de base : tourner à gauche, grimper à une échelle, ouvrir la carte… Mais il n’est pas encore capable de réaliser des tâches plus stratégiques nécessitant de la planification, comme trouver des ressources pour construire un camp de base. Mais les chercheurs de DeepMind comptent bien l’entraîner pour y parvenir. L’idée, c’est de combiner la puissance des grands modèles de langage (LLM), qui excellent pour générer des connaissances et des plans, avec un agent capable de passer à l’action de manière autonome.
Les tests réalisés montrent d’ailleurs que SIMA est bien plus performant quand il a été entraîné sur un ensemble de jeux que sur un seul. Mieux, un agent formé sur 8 jeux mais pas sur le 9ème se débrouillera presque aussi bien sur le 9ème, qu’il n’a jamais vu, qu’un agent IA spécialisé.
SIMA est donc capable de développer des capacités de généralisation au-delà de son entraînement initial. C’est hyper prometteur même s’il va encore falloir bosser pour qu’il atteigne le niveau des vrais joueurs. Vos streamers Twitch préférés ne sont pas encore tous au chômage, je vous rassure !
Les résultats de SIMA ouvrent en tout cas la voie vers une nouvelle génération d’agents IA généralistes et pilotés par le langage. En les exposant à un maximum d’environnements et en les dotant de modèles toujours plus avancés, DeepMind espère les rendre plus polyvalents et capables de réaliser des tâches de plus en plus complexes, aussi bien dans les univers virtuels que dans le monde réel.
Imaginez un peu les possibilités : un agent IA qui pourrait vous servir de bon pôte dans vos jeux préférés mais aussi vous assister dans plein de tâches du quotidien, juste en lui parlant ! J’imagine également que l’armée américaine s’en frotte déjà les mains…. gloups !
En attendant de pouvoir tester tout ça, je vous recommande de garder un œil sur les travaux de DeepMind, qui sont en train de repousser les limites de ce qui est possible avec l’IA. Et si vous avez envie de vous essayer à la création de PNJ « intelligents », jetez aussi un œil au projet « ACE for Games » de Nvidia, c’est assez bluffant !
Quoiqu’il en soit, ça promet en tout cas de sacrées parties multijoueurs dans les années à venir, avec des bots toujours plus crédibles pour peupler les mondes virtuels et interagir avec nous. Mais n’ayez crainte, même si ces IA font des progrès fulgurants, je pense qu’on est encore loin du jour où elles pourront nous botter les fesses sur nos jeux préférés. Enfin, vu comme je suis une quiche en jeu, mes fesses c’est possible mais pour les autres, vous restez les meilleurs quand il s’agit de faire preuve de créativité et de sens tactique.
Alors que Diablo 4 enchaîne les saisons et les modifications d'équilibrage, le titre va avoir le droit à un petit lifting graphique. Très bientôt, le dernier hack'n'slash de Blizzard va accueillir la technologie de Ray Tracing de NVIDIA afin de sublimer ses visuels.
L’article Diablo 4 : le Ray Tracing arrive pour sublimer le hack’n’slash de Blizzard est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
GTA 6 est probablement le jeu le plus attendu de la neuvième génération de consoles voire de la décennie. Le prochain titre de la franchise phare de Rockstar Games s’est fait attendre, mais après 11 ans d’attente, les joueurs aperçoivent presque le bout du tunnel. En effet, la sortie du jeu pourrait être plus proche que prévu.
L’article GTA 6 : la date de sortie se précise, le jeu pourrait arriver en début d’année 2025 est apparu en premier sur Tom’s Hardware.
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