Synology
Synology DS218play 2-Bay NAS Diskless Media Server
★★★★★
4K1 GB DDR4
Centralize Your Multimedia with Powerful PerformanceThe Synology DS218play 2-bay NAS Disk Station is a feature-rich solution for home users, offering optimal multimedia capabilities. Powered by a 64-bit quad-core processor, it supports real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD content and seamless fil...
Check availability
Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.
Notice a mistake? Let Us Know
Overview
Centralize Your Multimedia with Powerful Performance
The Synology DS218play 2-bay NAS Disk Station is a feature-rich solution for home users, offering optimal multimedia capabilities. Powered by a 64-bit quad-core processor, it supports real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD content and seamless file sharing.
- 2-bay NAS with optimal multimedia solution for home users
- 4K video transcoding on the fly with 10 bit H.265 codec support.
- Up to 112 MB/s and 112 MB/s sequential reading and writing throughput, respectively
- Over 112 MB/s encrypted sequential reading throughput and 112 MB/s encrypted sequential writing throughput
- Powered by a 64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core processor with 1 GB DDR4 RAM
Key Features
2-bay NAS with optimal multimedia solution for home users
4K video transcoding on the fly with 10 bit H.265 codec support. Operating Temperature : 5°C to 40°C (40°F to 104°F), Storage Temperature : -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)
Up to 112 MB/s and 112 MB/s sequential reading and writing throughput, respectively
Over 112 MB/s encrypted sequential reading throughput and 112 MB/s encrypted sequential writing throughput
Powered by a 64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core processor with 1 GB DDR4 RAM
DS218play does not support PLEX
Specifications
Drive Bays
2-bay
Processor
64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core
Memory
1 GB DDR4 RAM
Video Transcoding
4K on the fly with 10 bit H.265 codec support
Sequential Read Throughput
Up to 112 MB/s
Sequential Write Throughput
Up to 112 MB/s
Encrypted Sequential Read Throughput
Over 112 MB/s
Encrypted Sequential Write Throughput
Over 112 MB/s
Operating Temperature
5°C to 40°C (40°F to 104°F)
Storage Temperature
-20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)
PLEX Support
No
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Optimized for multimedia solutions, making it a strong choice for home users managing media libraries.
- Supports 4K video transcoding on the fly with 10-bit H.265 codec support, enhancing media compatibility and streaming.
- Achieves high sequential reading and writing throughputs of up to 112 MB/s, ensuring fast data access.
- Features over 112 MB/s encrypted sequential reading and writing throughputs, maintaining security without significant speed loss.
- Powered by a 64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 1 GB DDR4 RAM, providing solid performance.
👎 Cons
- The Synology DS218play explicitly states it does not support PLEX, which is a significant limitation for users relying on that media server.
- It is a 2-bay NAS, which offers less expandability and redundancy options compared to 4-bay or larger systems.
- The 1 GB DDR4 RAM, while adequate for many tasks, is not specified as upgradeable, potentially limiting future performance enhancements.
- While offering good throughput, the 112 MB/s speeds are typical for Gigabit Ethernet and might not satisfy users with 2.5GbE or 10GbE network infrastructure.
- The operating temperature range is provided, but specific noise levels or power consumption figures, crucial for home users, are not detailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stream 4K content directly from this NAS to my devices?
Yes, the Synology DS218play supports 4K video transcoding on the fly with 10-bit H.265 codec support, optimizing media for streaming.
Does this NAS support the PLEX media server?
No, the Synology DS218play explicitly states that it does not support PLEX.
What kind of processor and memory does this media server use?
It is powered by a 64-bit 1.4 GHz quad-core processor with 1 GB DDR4 RAM.
What are the typical read and write speeds I can expect from this NAS?
It offers up to 112 MB/s for both sequential reading and writing throughput.
Is data encryption supported on this device without significant performance loss?
Yes, it provides over 112 MB/s encrypted sequential reading and writing throughput.
What is the maximum number of hard drives this NAS can hold?
This is a 2-bay NAS, meaning it can accommodate two hard drives.
Related Products
