Does Plex run on Synology?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Feb 27, 2026

Does Plex run on Synology?

Not only can you install and run your own Plex Media Server on the DS218+, but this NAS is also capable of being used for file storage, managing connected CCTV, and much more. Synology bundles a bunch of software and tools for you to use, and the available smartphone apps make setting up the NAS an absolute breeze.

In this regard, which Synology is best for Plex?

Bottom line: My pick for the best affordable NAS for Plex simply has to be the Synology DiskStation DS220+. The company recently released this enclosure with improved internals and a better CPU. It's a fantastic NAS enclosure for the price and can even handle some 4K transcoding, should you require it.

Also, what OS does plex run best on? Top 7 Linux Media Server Distros for Creating an Entertainment Hub with Plex

Ubuntu. Ubuntu Desktop is a perfect choice for newcomers.
CentOS. Free version of RHEL founded by Ret Hat developers.
OpenSUSE. Both Leap and Tumbleweed are suitable for running Plex.
Debian.
Fedora.
Linux Mint.
Arch Linux.

Moreover, can you run Plex on a NAS?

You can use Plex with a NAS device in two ways: as a simple movie storage drive, or as storage and transcoding hardware. There are some serious limitations to the latter, all depending on the type of NAS you own, how powerful it is, and what kind of processor it's running.

Can Plex run 4k?

nvidia shield + 4k/atmos receiver + 4k tv = the simplest full 4k solution (dolby vision support has been added to the plex android clients, not all clients support all the different dolby vision profiles).

What CPU is best for Plex?

Plex recommends a minimum of an Intel Core i3 or faster, but if multiple people will stream at the same time, look for a CPU with solid multi-core performance. We recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 3600.

How do I stop Plex transcoding?

This would cause Plex to transcode the movie file, using up resources on the Plex server. A simple solution to avoid transcoding, and have more of you media direct played, is to take a page from Netflix: provide multiple versions of your movie files.

Does Plex need a lot of RAM?

In general, Plex Media Server doesn't require large amounts of RAM. 2GB of RAM is typically more than sufficient and some installs (particularly Linux-based installs) can often happily run with even less. Of course, more RAM won't hurt you and will certainly be helpful if you're also doing other things on the computer.

Is Plex the best media server?

Overall, the balance of usability, functionality, and superb device compatibility, Plex is easily the best media server software you can (and should) use. Why you should use Plex: Great for Movies, TV shows, music, photos. Tons of compatible Plex client devices.

What is the best Synology NAS for home use?

Best Overall. Synology DiskStation DS220+
Best Budget NAS. Synology DiskStation DS220j.
Best All-In-One NAS. WD 4TB My Cloud.
Best Entry-Level NAS. Synology DiskStation DS120j.
Best 4-Bay NAS. QNAP TS-451+
Best NAS for Plex. Synology DiskStation DS920+
Best For Under $200.
Best NAS for Content Creators.

How much storage do you get with Plex?

Plex does not provide you any storage, nor do you upload anything to Plex. I added all my movies from my portable HD to plex server. It was almost 1TB worth, but its not taking up any space on the computer itself, my drive on my computer that is running the plex server is still as it was before??

What is Plex and do I need it?

An Introduction. Plex gives you one place to find and access all the media that matters to you. From personal media on your own server, to podcasts, web shows, and news, to streaming music, you can enjoy it all in one app, on any device.

Which NAS for 4k transcoding?

Listed below are some of the best NAS devices that support 4K transcoding: QNAP TS-251A. Synology DS718+Synology DS218+

Is Plex worth paying for?

Whether Plex Pass is worth it for you depends on what you want to use it for. If you are just looking for a convenient way to stream your own content to a handful of devices, for example, two smartphones and a TV Box, then the one of $4.99 payment for each device is probably all you need.

Can Raspberry Pi transcode Plex?

Unfortunately, Plex does not support any hardware transcoding on any Raspberry Pi.

What do I need to run a Plex server?

Plex recommend at least an Intel i3 processor (or equivalent) or better with at least 2GB of RAM (RAM isn't particularly important to Plex). You can read over their hardware recommendations here. Lastly, you'll want a lot of hard drive space–enough to store all the movies, TV shows, music, and photos you have.

Can I install Plex on WD My Cloud?

To enable Plex Media Server on the My Cloud Home, first enter the Services area of the device control panel. Select the Plex service entry and then Enable it. Once Plex Media Server is installed and running, use the Configure button to launch Plex Web App and take you through the initial setup.

What can I use as a Plex server?

From enterprise workstations to streaming devices and DIY PCs, these are the top Plex servers you can buy.

Nvidia Shield TV Pro.
Dell PowerEdge T30 Tower Server System.
CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter Kit.
Intel NUC 7 Mini PC.
QNAP TS-453Be 4-Bay Professional NAS.
Synology DS218play.
TerraMaster F4-220 4-Bay NAS.

Do I need a Plex server?

Before you can use Plex to access your media on your other devices, you first need to set up your home server. This isn't nearly as daunting as it sounds and involves downloading the Plex Media Server app to your computer. It comes in flavors for Mac, Windows and Linux, as well as in a form designed for NAS drives.

Does Plex use GPU for transcoding?

Plex Media Server uses hardware-accelerated H. When hardware-accelerated encoding is not available, Plex Media Server will automatically use normal software encoding. Exact capabilities will depend on what you're using for the hardware-accelerated encoding (e.g. Intel Quick Sync Video vs an NVIDIA GPU).

Do you need a GPU for Plex?

No, /u/OlorinDreams , getting a GPU won't affect your situation at all. All research and postings I've done show that as long as Plex is all the machine is doing then no. A 1080p steam need at least a 2000 passmark I believe. Or an Intel CPU wwith Quick Sync for hardware transcoding.

Is Plex better on Windows or Linux?

I have ran Plex on both Windows and Linux. In my experience Plex ran generally smoother and faster on Linux in all regards.

Does Plex use multiple cores?

We know that Plex can take advantage of all 8 cores. BUT if you have other processes which cannot utilize that many cores, then the quad core (with it's higher clock speed) will complete single threaded tasks more quickly.

How do I host my website on Synology NAS?

How to host a website on Synology NAS

Go to Package Center to install website hosting packages supported by third parties, such as WordPress and Joomla.
Download packages from the official websites of third party providers, and then go to Web Station to configure PHP Settings.

Is Plex free?

The Plex Media Server is free to use and includes the Plex Web App. All of our non-mobile, public apps are free. These include Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Plex Media Player, Roku, Smart TVs, TiVo, and game consoles (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One).

What does Plex server do?

Plex Media Server is a digital media player and organizational tool that allows you to access the music, pictures, and videos stored on one computer with any other computer or compatible mobile device.

How do I use Synology NAS as a media server?

Overview

Install Media Server. To install Media Server, please go to Package Center, find Media Server, and then click Install.
Upload multimedia files to your Synology NAS.
Configure browsing settings for your media player.
Enhance DMA compatibility.
Access the media files stored on your NAS with DLNA TV.

How do I stream my Synology to my TV?

Go to Main Menu > Application > Media Play (USB & DLNA) to enable DLNA service, press the Device button on your remote, and then select your Synology NAS from the list of devices on which media files you would like to access.

What is Synology media server?

With Media Server, you can easily connect those devices such as TV sets and stereo systems to your home network, and stream multimedia files stored on Synology NAS to the devices to enjoy music, photos, and videos.

How do I copy a DVD to my Synology NAS?

Click "File" > "Load from disc" to load DVD from disc drive. Or load DVD folder by clicking "File" > "Load from folder" or load DVD IFO/ISO image by clicking "File" > "Load IFO/ISO". Step 2: Click the “Format” bar, from its drop-down list, select Synology supported digital file format "H.

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