1. What codecs and containers are supported? (i.e.: when is the review coming?) 2. Is the platform open enough for users to introduce new codecs and containers? 3. Can an Atom transcode multiple Blu-ray backups (MKV/ISO) at once? Can it transcode one? :|
(1) I have been told that we have hardware accelerated transcoding for H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and Real Media in AVI, WMV, RM and MKV containers. Other formats will be handled in software. Can confirm once I have the unit in hand in early November.
(2) You are looking for a Windows / Linux PC, then :) I think it is possible to write a Synology app to do this, but you will be doing it in software and the Atom CPU in EvanSport is not very powerful
(3) Atom, by itself, can't handle probably even one HD transcode. EvanSport has decode / encode blocks which take this task away from the host CPU (After all, Berryville -- the original code name for EvanSport -- is targeted at the set top box market). I think it can handle a couple of HD streams for transcoding simultaneously, but don't hold me to it (I have to check the documentation, will let you know in the review)
my friend's mom makes $84 every hour on the laptop. She has been fired for 9 months but last month her paycheck was $14163 just working on the laptop for a few hours. why not find out more ... jobs23.com
The biggest shortcomings I see are: 1) No HDMI 2.0. 4k movies may not be close, but with phones already supporting 4k video encoding and the 4k foundation being laid in gaming, there are real uses coming soon.
That must have been a transient issue.. I checked personally on multiple PCs / tablets after posting the article to ensure that the galleries had no issues.
The CMS used to have a problem when the filename had a '+' embedded in it, but I believe that has since been resolved.
Comparing external features between models is interesting. 2 of the differences I see are surprising in that they represent features apparently removed from higher end models.
The 214 is the only model with an SD card reader. Both the 114 and 214 have eSata connectors but the 414 does not.
I think it's pretty lame to be introducing units at these kinds of prices using 2011 processors. For 2014 I'd expect something Silvermont based rather than old Saltwell/Cedarview and PowerVR, esp. if you're going to charge these prices for it.
It's because these are still primarily storage devices. The multimedia aspect is being realized. But it's slow coming. Mainly, it boils down to the fact that if you need need massive number crunching as well as storage considerations, heavier iron is required. As far Cedarview, I have an 8-bay version of this box and it can easily handle the math to keep the two Gigabit lines saturated. The newer version has has four Gigabit lines and peaks at over 300MBps. So for shifting data around, using a multitude of different protocols, it does well. Really, Synology's software, which separates all of the different NAS vendors, is the gold standard. Sometimes, I feel that they're biting off more than they can chew. But they're definitely pushing the envelope.
I think Netgear's ReadyNAS has a Core i3 in some of their boxes. But I'd shy away from them, after dropping a nice amount of coin on one of their 6-bays and having them drop software support like a bad habit. They will unapologetically deprecate your hardware.
I think I read, the other day, that Western Digital has a 4-bay box now with a Xeon. That's pretty crazy for something like a NAS. But maybe they have bigger plans.
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nathanddrews - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
1. What codecs and containers are supported? (i.e.: when is the review coming?)2. Is the platform open enough for users to introduce new codecs and containers?
3. Can an Atom transcode multiple Blu-ray backups (MKV/ISO) at once? Can it transcode one? :|
ganeshts - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
(1) I have been told that we have hardware accelerated transcoding for H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and Real Media in AVI, WMV, RM and MKV containers. Other formats will be handled in software. Can confirm once I have the unit in hand in early November.(2) You are looking for a Windows / Linux PC, then :) I think it is possible to write a Synology app to do this, but you will be doing it in software and the Atom CPU in EvanSport is not very powerful
(3) Atom, by itself, can't handle probably even one HD transcode. EvanSport has decode / encode blocks which take this task away from the host CPU (After all, Berryville -- the original code name for EvanSport -- is targeted at the set top box market). I think it can handle a couple of HD streams for transcoding simultaneously, but don't hold me to it (I have to check the documentation, will let you know in the review)
nathanddrews - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
Great, thanks for the update. Looks like I'll stick with my Q6600 setup for a while longer.Theard - Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - link
my friend's mom makes $84 every hour on the laptop. She has been fired for 9 months but last month her paycheck was $14163 just working on the laptop for a few hours. why not find out more ... jobs23.comcalvin.grossclub - Monday, November 11, 2013 - link
I'm looking forward to read your review of this unit. How long till it's ready? Thanks.ikos - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
External subtitles support?ganeshts - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
As per this thread: http://forum.synology.com/enu/viewtopic.php?f=219&... : external subtitles seem to be supported. Can't confirm this for sure without the unit in hand.btb - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
Encryption performance unfortunately extremely poor. 10mb/s upload, 15mb/s download according to http://www.synology.com/products/performance.php?l...ganeshts - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
Thanks for the link. Looks like the hwardware acceleration block for encryption is not taken advantage of..desimaniac - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
List of codecs/formats supported: http://originwww.synology.com/dsm/dsm4.2_softwares...DS214play supports Type1 and Type2 transcoding as per: http://www.synology.com/support/faq_show.php?lang=...
WhitneyLand - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
The biggest shortcomings I see are:1) No HDMI 2.0. 4k movies may not be close, but with phones already supporting 4k video encoding and the 4k foundation being laid in gaming, there are real uses coming soon.
2) 2-bay NAS is weak, like Ukraine.
bobbozzo - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
HDMI? It doesn't have video output at all, afaics.This is a NAS, not an STB or streamer or HTPC.
creed3020 - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
The photos are not showing, only thumbnails for the DS214play. The other photo album is missing all photos for the DS414. Any one else confirm?DanNeely - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
Works for me now. An earlier version didn't have the 114/414 gallery at all. I think you tried in midupdate.OTOH it'd make sense to have all the pictures uploaded before the gallery was added to the page. CMS bug? Manual update ooops?
ganeshts - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
That must have been a transient issue.. I checked personally on multiple PCs / tablets after posting the article to ensure that the galleries had no issues.The CMS used to have a problem when the filename had a '+' embedded in it, but I believe that has since been resolved.
DanNeely - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
Comparing external features between models is interesting. 2 of the differences I see are surprising in that they represent features apparently removed from higher end models.The 214 is the only model with an SD card reader.
Both the 114 and 214 have eSata connectors but the 414 does not.
jensend - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
I think it's pretty lame to be introducing units at these kinds of prices using 2011 processors. For 2014 I'd expect something Silvermont based rather than old Saltwell/Cedarview and PowerVR, esp. if you're going to charge these prices for it.Integr8d - Tuesday, October 29, 2013 - link
It's because these are still primarily storage devices. The multimedia aspect is being realized. But it's slow coming. Mainly, it boils down to the fact that if you need need massive number crunching as well as storage considerations, heavier iron is required. As far Cedarview, I have an 8-bay version of this box and it can easily handle the math to keep the two Gigabit lines saturated. The newer version has has four Gigabit lines and peaks at over 300MBps. So for shifting data around, using a multitude of different protocols, it does well. Really, Synology's software, which separates all of the different NAS vendors, is the gold standard. Sometimes, I feel that they're biting off more than they can chew. But they're definitely pushing the envelope.I think Netgear's ReadyNAS has a Core i3 in some of their boxes. But I'd shy away from them, after dropping a nice amount of coin on one of their 6-bays and having them drop software support like a bad habit. They will unapologetically deprecate your hardware.
I think I read, the other day, that Western Digital has a 4-bay box now with a Xeon. That's pretty crazy for something like a NAS. But maybe they have bigger plans.
RoboJ1M - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
FYI the DS214play is listed as compatible with the DX line of expansion units.So you can add another 2 or 5 bays via the eSATA port.