Buying & comparison
NAS for Plex & Jellyfin: transcoding
Choose a Plex or Jellyfin server by direct-play needs, exact CPU/GPU, codec support and software setup. Compare Ryzen Synology, Intel NASync and a separate Intel mini-PC.
Who this is for
First check whether your actual client app can direct-play your video, audio and subtitles. Transcoding becomes relevant when that combination, bandwidth or a playback setting forces conversion. The DS925+/DS1825+ use Ryzen V1500B without integrated graphics; this is not a rule for every Synology Plus model. The DS425+ uses Intel J4125. Use the media runbook to establish the actual playback requirement before buying.
Bottom line
If your tested clients direct-play your library, choose storage, backup and networking first. If video conversion is required, choose a supported GPU and verify the app/OS configuration. DS925+/DS1825+ cannot provide integrated GPU hardware transcoding; an Intel DXP4800 Plus or N100/N305 mini-PC provides suitable graphics capabilities when the driver and application are correctly configured. Plex hardware acceleration requires Plex Pass; Jellyfin’s is free. No stream count or cheapest/per-watt winner is established without testing the actual media workload.
Before you order
- Test a representative difficult file in each actual client app. Record whether video, audio or subtitles force conversion; a Direct Stream audio remux is different from video transcoding.
- Verify the full NAS/mini-PC model, CPU/GPU and codec decode/encode capabilities. A model year or Plus badge does not identify the processor.
- Check the exact OS/firmware and Plex/Jellyfin version, driver support and container GPU permissions. Older Intel Synology models cannot be dismissed by a blanket DSM 7.2.2 claim.
- Include HDR tone mapping, subtitle burn-in and simultaneous remote use in the workload. GPU codec support alone does not guarantee your desired stream count.
- Verify actual hardware video decode/encode in the server dashboard/logs, not just a visible GPU device. Include Plex Pass, client networking, storage and backup in the full quote.
How to choose
- Direct Play versus conversion
- Test the actual file and client app, including video profile, audio tracks and subtitle format. Direct Play avoids conversion; Direct Stream can remux or convert audio while copying video. Remote upload limits and selected quality can force video transcoding.
- Exact processor and software support
- DS925+/DS1825+ use Ryzen V1500B without an iGPU. DS425+ uses Intel J4125, so not every 2025 Plus NAS is AMD. Synology’s DSM 7.2.2 first-party media-codec/Video Station changes do not prove universal loss of Plex/Jellyfin acceleration on older Intel models. Verify current app support for your exact device.
- GPU codecs and difficult workloads
- Intel Quick Sync is one supported route; discrete GPUs are another. Check both decode and encode, HDR tone mapping and subtitle burn-in. Marketing CPU/codec lists do not establish a simultaneous stream count.
- Subscription and setup
- Plex requires Plex Pass for hardware-accelerated streaming. Jellyfin acceleration is free, but still needs supported drivers, render-device access and application settings. Use the Intel Jellyfin setup and verification guide.
- Appliance or separate media server
- An Intel NAS can combine storage and media workloads. A separate mini-PC can provide media processing while an existing NAS keeps files and backups. Compare complete costs and maintenance; Intel’s 6 W/15 W processor TDP figures are not measured whole-system power.
The options
The comparison covers specific processors and deployment choices. Manufacturer codec capability does not certify your application configuration or a 4K stream count; no physical playback benchmark was performed.
Synology DS925+ / DS1825+ (Ryzen V1500B)
SynologyThese two specific Ryzen models have no integrated GPU; they remain storage/app options for direct-play libraries or a separate media server.
Best for
Homes whose tested clients direct-play their media, or which use a separate supported GPU media host.
Watch-outs
Video conversion on these models uses CPU software processing. Test workload requirements rather than assuming 4K conversion will fit. DS425+ and older Intel models have different hardware; model year is not a capability rule.
| Spec | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen V1500B (4 cores / 8 threads, 2.2 GHz) in both DS925+ and DS1825+. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Integrated GPU / Quick Sync | None. The Ryzen V1500B has no integrated GPU (unlike the V1605B with Radeon Vega), and Intel Quick Sync is Intel-only — so neither exists here. | Researchedsource |
| Hardware transcode capability | No integrated GPU hardware video transcode on DS925+/DS1825+. DSM first-party media changes do not establish universal loss of third-party acceleration on Intel models. | Researchedsource |
| Best media use | Direct-play compatible libraries, or file storage for a separate Plex/Jellyfin server. Software conversion needs workload testing. | Researchedsource |
| Strengths elsewhere | ECC RAM, DSM apps, snapshots, Container Manager — a strong files/backup/app NAS despite the transcode gap. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
UGREEN DXP4800 Plus (Intel 8505)
UGREENA specific Intel-based NAS with UHD graphics/Quick Sync capabilities; the media app and render-device setup still need verification.
Best for
Buyers who want four storage bays and Intel graphics in one appliance, with verified firmware/application support.
Watch-outs
Confirm the exact model, installed OS, driver, container permissions and app settings. Test difficult codecs, tone mapping and subtitles; no out-of-box 4K stream guarantee is made.
| Spec | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | DXP4800 Plus uses Intel Pentium Gold 8505 with integrated Intel graphics; other NASync models have different processors. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Intel Quick Sync | Intel Quick Sync capability is present; successful hardware transcoding requires supported drivers and Plex/Jellyfin configuration. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Codecs decoded in hardware | H.264, HEVC (incl. 10-bit), VP9, and AV1 hardware decode; hardware encode targets H.264 and HEVC (no AV1 encode). | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Plex vs Jellyfin | Plex hardware transcode requires an active Plex Pass; Jellyfin's Quick Sync hardware acceleration is free. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Trade-off | Verify application support, GPU access and the actual media workload on this exact model. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
DIY Intel N100 / N305 mini-PC
DIY / IntelA separately maintained Intel N100/N305 media host alongside a storage NAS; processor TDP is not whole-box power.
Best for
Operators retaining an existing NAS while adding supported graphics for media conversion and maintaining the OS/container stack.
Watch-outs
Check board ports, cooling, drivers and the actual playback workload. Include storage access, backup and subscription costs. No guaranteed stream count or lowest-price ranking is claimed.
| Spec | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | N100: 4 cores / 4 threads, 6 W processor TDP. N305: 8 cores / 8 threads, 15 W processor TDP. Both have Intel graphics; system draw varies. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Workload planning | N305 adds CPU cores relative to N100. Stream counts and power depend on codecs, settings, cooling and the complete system; no measured value ranking is claimed. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Codecs decoded in hardware | H.264, HEVC (10-bit), VP9, and AV1 hardware decode; hardware encode is H.264/HEVC only (no AV1 encode on Alder-Lake-N). | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Plex vs Jellyfin | Plex hardware transcode needs a Plex Pass; Jellyfin's hardware acceleration is free. | Manufacturer-confirmedsource |
| Trade-off | You're the integrator and support desk; pair with a real NAS for storage and backups. A common build is AMD Synology for files + N100 mini-PC for Plex. | Researchedsource |
Pick by use case
Tested clients direct-play; DSM storage/backup fits
→ Synology DS925+ / DS1825+ (Ryzen V1500B). The absence of integrated graphics is acceptable when this NAS does not need to convert video.
Intel graphics and four bays in one appliance
→ UGREEN DXP4800 Plus (Intel 8505). Verify current app/driver support and actual hardware video processing; CPU capability alone is insufficient.
Existing NAS plus a self-managed media host
→ DIY Intel N100 / N305 mini-PC. Separate storage from media processing. Test the difficult files and concurrent load before choosing capacity.
Run the numbers
Turn the decision into a calculation before you buy — size the capacity, the backup, and the UPS for your exact setup.
Related runbooks
How we verified this guide
2026-09-27 · Reviewed by HomeTechOps. Source-reviewed on 2026-09-27 against Synology’s model comparison, first-party codec notice and Plex migration guidance, plus Plex, Jellyfin and Intel documentation. CPU/GPU capability is separated from OS/application support. No physical NAS or mini-PC media benchmark, stream count or whole-system power measurement is claimed.
Source-backed checks
HomeTechOps turns official docs and conservative safety rules into a shorter runbook. These links are the source trail for the page direction.
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