If streaming services keep removing your favorite shows, consider a media server as your collection grows. If you have been searching for plex synology, you will find that you are in the right place: Synology NAS synology combined with plex media server, you can stream your own movies, shows, and music to any device, anywhere.
Read on and find out why this combination is so great, what models of Synology do well with Plex and how to set it up, as well as the pitfalls for novices.
Why Synology with Plex?
It is essentially a small computer that’s always on and made for file storage: a NAS (Network Attached Storage) box. Synology is one of the more simplified NAS devices to come and Plex is one of the most streamlined media server applications available.Synology is one of the most intuitive NAS drives around and Plex is one of the most intuitive media server applications you can find. Combine them all and you have Synology NAS for Plex — a solution that allows you to store all your media files in a single location and play them on your TV, phone, laptop or tablet, without having to rely on a third-party streaming service.
The appeal is not that difficult to see:
- Your Content is Your Own: No subscription can get your favorite movie out of the library in a single night.
- Access Anywhere: A well-configured Synology Plex server will allow streaming from remote locations, not just from the comfort of your couch.
- Centralized: All media is stored on the NAS, as opposed to across several hard drives.
- Auto-Metadata: Plex automatically adds posters, episode information and metadata to your library.
If you have ripped DVDs, downloads, and home videos, you can create a Netflix-like experience on your own hardware.
Synology for Plex
Not all Synology models are created equal, and this is more important than it seems. What’s really important is if your NAS is capable of managing the Plex Media Server Synology installation well enough to transcode video as it plays, that is, to convert the format and/or resolution of the file as it is being played to ensure that it can be properly displayed on the device involved.
Key Considerations
Here are the key considerations when choosing a model:
- Storage capacity is not as important as CPU. It is often thought that the more drive “bays”, the better the Plex box. Not true. The number of simultaneous streams transcoded is CPU-intensive, so a model with a powerful CPU, preferably with Intel Quick Sync support for hardware transcoding, will support more simultaneous streams than a budget model with less powerful specs — despite the fact that it may have more bays.
- When there is load, RAM is a performance factor. More memory will reduce lag if you’re streaming to multiple devices simultaneously, or if you’re using other apps at the same time as Plex.
- The middle-tier models are usually the best value and, with a bit of customization and patience, should be able to handle Plex. Entry-level Synology units can run Plex, but they may have trouble transcoding 4K content or handling multiple streams simultaneously. Within budget, one can make a difference to the daily reliability by moving up a tier.
- Refer to Plex’s Hardware Transcoding Compatibility List. Intel Quick Sync isn’t supported by every Synology chipset and that’s the only thing that differentiates between a smooth or a slow transcoding.
- If your media supports native playback, you can use cheaper hardware because Plex can Direct Play it without changes. For mixed libraries, a stronger CPU can prevent more playback issues.
Plex Setup
Here are some steps to follow to set up Plex on Synology.
Package Center
Log into your Synology’s DSM (DiskStation Manager), and click on Package Center. Look for Plex Media Server, it should be a community or official package depending on your DSM version.
Install Plex
Click install and allow DSM to download & install. It’s typically a “hands-off” process: Synology has simplified the Synology Plex installation process to a degree where most users aren’t required to have technical expertise to get it up and running.
Media Folders
Create a clean folder structure on your NAS, preferably with folders for movies, TV shows and music. By naming things appropriately, Plex can properly match files to the right information which makes a lot of life easier for the person who will have to clean up later.
Launch Plex
You’ll access Open Plex Media Server either via DSM or a browser, log in, or register a free Plex account, and you’ll be taken to the initial setup wizard.
Add Libraries
This is the heart of Synology NAS Plex setup: set up the movies folder, TV shows folder, etc. Plex will scan everything, automatically download artwork and descriptions for every album, and create a neat, easy-to-naviable library.
Remote Access
To stream outside your home network, go to Plex’s settings and turn on remote access. If your router has to be configured, you may need to configure port forwarding; many systems these days will do this automatically if you are using a Synology or Plex system.
Plex Apps
The library should appear on whatever device you want to watch on, whether smart TV, phone, streaming stick, whatever, and you can sign in with the same account to download it.
Common Problems
Playback stutter / buffering. Most likely a transcoding issue. This will be displayed if your NAS’s CPU is not able to convert the file as it is being uploaded. It typically can be fixed by reducing the streaming quality, or by upgrading to a model that supports hardware transcoding by its built-in coders.
Plex is unable to discover or match your media. In almost all cases this is simply file naming. Plex wants a more specific format (movie title, season/episode number for TV, year) to be able to match content with its metadata database properly.
You cannot reach the server from the Internet. Make sure that port forwarding is set correctly on the router and at the server level, the Plex remote access toggle is turned on.
Slow scanning or library updates. It may take time to scan a big library of thousands of files. This is normal and should just be left to continue in the background without the need to restart the process.
Compatibility
The compatibility of Synology NAS Plex depends on the Synology DSM version and the current development of Plex as a supported package by Synology. In some cases, hardware is made available by Synology that is only offered in a specific package center, so it is advisable to verify the availability of the hardware on the package center directly from Synology before buying it. Some newer Synology units are based on ARM chips as opposed to x86 chips, and not all these models handle the same amount of hardware transcoding — if that’s what you’re looking for, you should check before you buy into a particular model.
Other Options
| Option | Best For | Trade-off |
| Synology NAS for Plex | Home media libraries, easy setup and long term storage. | Upfront hardware cost |
| The servers for Plex Pass are dedicated.Plex Pass cloud servers are dedicated. | Minimal hardware management | Ongoing subscription cost |
| Building an own PC server. | Optimum performance and flexibility. | More technical set-up required |
But for most home users, a Synology Plex server is the sweet spot — it’s a reliable, relatively easy-to-maintain, cross-purpose storage solution for their backups and files, not just media.
Tips
To make the Synology Plex experience smoother, here are a few tips:
- Use the same naming system throughout — saving hours of manual metadata cleaning later on.
- For those who want to stream in 4K, check for hardware transcoding support before purchasing, and not after.
- If you are streaming to more than one device at a time, use wired Ethernet for your NAS.
- Frequently update DSM and the Plex package for security and compatibility reasons.
- You can use RAID to prevent data loss from drive failure in your media library on your NAS.
FAQs
Does Synology support Plex?
There are a number of currently available models that support Plex installation, but the performance of each of these is widely varying. Lower-end models may have trouble transcoding, particularly with multiple streams and/or 4K resolution.
Do I need a Plex Pass to use Plex on Synology?
No — the basic Plex Media Server operations are not affected by not having a subscription. Extras such as hardware transcoding acceleration on compatible hardware, live TV/DVR, and mobile sync are all available with a Plex Pass.
How large a Plex server do I require?
It is completely dependent on the size of your library and the quality of your videos. A small library may fit into a few terabytes, a large 4K library may require much more. Think of growing larger than you are now — plan for growth.
Is streaming Plex possible outside of my house from my Synology?
Yes, when the remote access is set up correctly. Performance will be dependent on the internet speed of your home internet, as this will be the speed you are receiving the stream.
Is Synology still officially supporting Plex?
The software is available in the Synology Package Center on most supported models, but please refer to the current availability status of the software for your specific model in the package center before you buy to avoid the possibility of a change in package support over time.
Final Thoughts
Setup plex on synology is a solid way to get control over your media library, without paying fees from the subscription service to keep your titles available, or letting the algorithm choose what you see. It’s all about the right hardware for the job: If you’re mostly direct-playing compatible files, it’s perfectly fine to get a small NAS, but if you want to transcode and stream at 4K, you should invest in a 4K capable model with some power to back it up.
Don’t worry about getting the folder structure wrong, don’t worry about buying equipment that’s too slow for your consumption needs, and a Synology Plex server will work well for years while you take pleasure in watching the media collection you’ve built.