Synology DS213J vs Synology DS214?

[SiUK]

Hello,

I was going to buy a Synology DS213J today but noticed that there is a Synology DS214 out at £225 (actually cheaper that the DS213). The Synology DS213J is £159.99, so the difference is £65. Do you think paying the extra £65 for the DS214 would be worth it over the DS213J? I will be using the NAS for streaming my FLAC music library to Hi-Fis around the house, and also DVDs to DLNA TVs, plus backing up of files. It will be accessed by a maximum of 3 devices simultaneously. I'm going to buy 2 Western Digital Red 3TB Desktop SATA Hard Drives for whichever NAS I get. I detest fan noise, so the noise level from the boxes would be a factor.

 

[audioaffair]

Hi not sure about actual fan noise ratings, but if it helps, their software and support is superb, especially the i pad app, for playing back music and browsing the drive. I use this to stream over Airplay.

 

[npoguy]

Hello,

I was going to buy a Synology DS213J today but noticed that there is a Synology DS214 out at £225 (actually cheaper that the DS213). The Synology DS213J is £159.99, so the difference is £65. Do you think paying the extra £65 for the DS214 would be worth it over the DS213J? I will be using the NAS for streaming my FLAC music library to Hi-Fis around the house, and also DVDs to DLNA TVs, plus backing up of files. It will be accessed by a maximum of 3 devices simultaneously. I'm going to buy 2 Western Digital Red 3TB Desktop SATA Hard Drives for whichever NAS I get. I detest fan noise, so the noise level from the boxes would be a factor.

i can't help on comparing the two, but I have the 213j and I can tell you tha the fan noise is virtually non-existent. If you're more than a couple of feet away, you'll never know it's there.

Edit for typing error

 

[SiUK]

Okay, thanks. Think I'll just go for the DS214 then...suck it and see if you like. And it's black, which I prefer ;-) It will be in my living room, in the corner next to the modem and router, so the fan noise has to be at an absolute minimum, especially as the living room is also my main music listening area.

 

[AnotherJoe]

The DS214 is a dual-core - the DS213J is a single core - so if you want the NAS to do any video transcoding you will want the DS214

 

[SiUK]

Think I'll slow down a mo.

The DS213j:

Single core CPU

2 x USB 2.0

17 dB(A)
Power Consumption 19.82W (Access)
3.65W (HDD Hibernation)

The DS214:

Dual core CPU

2 x USB 3.0

19.9 dB(A)
Power Consumption 22.64W (Access)
9.12W (HDD Hibernation)

So the 214 has a better CPU, USB 3, but uses more power, especially in hibernation mode, and has a louder fan than the DS213j. Perhaps I'll go back to the DS213j after all. Quieter, less power.

For people that have the DS213j, does it 'serve' without drop outs? If I was to stream a DVD to the TV downstairs and to play music on my M-CR610 upstairs and someone was also watching a DVD on the bedroom TV would it cope with all that at once?

 

[SiUK]

Hmm, I was wondering whether that would be the case. Suddenly thought, I'm running Serviio on my quad core desktop PC at the moment, so hence no effort streaming films and music simultaneously So do you think the DS213j would fall over transcoding anything? Aside of the transcoding, would it cope with simultaneously streaming music to multiple devices?

I was just working out the power consumption, and possible costs between the two..because you have to nowadays 🙂

The DS213j would use approx 32 kW per year, which, at around 16p ish per kWh, so works out to under £5.50, approx. per year.

The DS214 would use approx 80 kW per year, which, at around 16p ish per kWh works out to just under £13, approx. per year.

So basically the DS214 costs about 14.5p per week / £7.50 per year more than the DS213j to leave running 24/7. So I'd be using some of what I have been saving each year by switching stuff off and ditching unnecessary 'powered' items, like radio alarm clocks. 🙂

So just the noise to consider. I know some people say that 20dB isn't audible or that it doesn't bother them, but I always find that it's only when you turn a fan off after it has been on for a while that you realise just how audible it is. It's the absence of the noise when they are switched off that highlights how much they contribute to the background noise when they're on...if you know what I mean.

 

[AnotherJoe]

The DS213J will have no chance at video transcoding.

The DS214 might just be able to transcode DVD quality (576P) - though I wouldnt bank on it.

If video transcoding is important to you - then you will need the DS214+ which has a dualcore atom CPU at 1.6GHZ and hardware decoding for h264. It is powerful enough to transcode 1080p and 720p streams simultaneously and is available for £276 from dabs.

OR either of these 2

- Make sure your video formats are always in the format your tv supports (most likely .VOB or MPEG2, divx) so you dont need to transcode.

- Buy a streamer like a WDTV Live, and have that play the videos (again you wont need to transcode).

 

[SiUK]

The DS213J will have no chance at video transcoding.

Okay, thanks for that. All of my DVD rips are vob / mpeg2 so the transcoding side isn't actually critical. And besides, the Marantz UD player can handle the other file formats via the media player if needed. And I think the new Samsung TV I have just got might be able to as well.

Was thinking about future requirements and getting the most for my money now but also considering escalating costs...especially as I've spent a pretty packet lately. My partner in crime suggests reining in the spending a bit now so perhaps I'll get the DS213J after all and see how I fare with that. I'll have another brain chomp.

 

[npoguy]

Hmm, I was wondering whether that would be the case. Suddenly thought, I'm running Serviio on my quad core desktop PC at the moment, so hence no effort streaming films and music simultaneously So do you think the DS213j would fall over transcoding anything? Aside of the transcoding, would it cope with simultaneously streaming music to multiple devices?

I was just working out the power consumption, and possible costs between the two..because you have to nowadays 🙂

The DS213j would use approx 32 kW per year, which, at around 16p ish per kWh, so works out to under £5.50, approx. per year.

The DS214 would use approx 80 kW per year, which, at around 16p ish per kWh works out to just under £13, approx. per year.

So basically the DS214 costs about 14.5p per week / £7.50 per year more than the DS213j to leave running 24/7. So I'd be using some of what I have been saving each year by switching stuff off and ditching unnecessary 'powered' items, like radio alarm clocks. 🙂

So just the noise to consider. I know some people say that 20dB isn't audible or that it doesn't bother them, but I always find that it's only when you turn a fan off after it has been on for a while that you realise just how audible it is. It's the absence of the noise when they are switched off that highlights how much they contribute to the background noise when they're on...if you know what I mean.

I've had mine running continuously since August with no down time and no drops while listening to music. I run it by USB to the NAD D3020. As for noise, I have to put my ear almost on it to hear much of anything. I don't want to say you can't hear anything, because that's obviously extremely important to you, but I wouldn't even know it's there if I wasn't looking straight at it.

 

[SiUK]

Hello again. Thanks for further info 🙂

You say that you've had your Synology NAS running 24/7 since August. Is this tnrough choice or is it because the scheduled on / off doesn't do as it should? I read about the sleep mode, but I thought they could also be set to turn off (say during the night) and on (in the morning for example) instead of just left to hibernate? Is it possible?

 

[npoguy]

By choice, due mostly to laziness! I haven't fiddled with many of the options, so...now that you reminded me, I'll give it a try!

 

[npoguy]

BTW, I went in to change the power settings and also noticed that the fan is set to "quiet mode". It says that "fan operates at a lower speed, but the unit may run warmer". I went over and touched it and isn't warm at all--it's on the shelf of an entertainment center with about 10 inches of clearance all the way around.

 

[SiUK]

Hey, thanks, that's terrific info. 'Quiet mode' sounds just the ticket for me and my ears 🙂 I'll be buying a NAS on Monday or Tuesday now. Something else to play with 😉 Well, I've been ripping my music to flac and my PC is now creaking with them all

 

[npoguy]

I've loved mine--I had the 212 prior to the 213 (got the chance for a free upgrade a few months after getting the 212). I hope I'm not leading you astray regarding the noise--you'll have to judge for yourself and report back. It's really just a very low hum that I can't hear more than a foot or so away from the unit. I can't imagine a fan running any quieter, but I'll be interested in your impression!

 

[professorhat]

Hello again. Thanks for further info 🙂

You say that you've had your Synology NAS running 24/7 since August. Is this tnrough choice or is it because the scheduled on / off doesn't do as it should? I read about the sleep mode, but I thought they could also be set to turn off (say during the night) and on (in the morning for example) instead of just left to hibernate? Is it possible?

Scheduled power off and on works fine - I use it to shut down my 214+ at 1am and turn back on at 6am every day. Also, this used to sit just behind our sofa and I can't say I could ever hear it.

 

[ngibbs]

+1

 

[ngibbs]

Hello again. Thanks for further info 🙂

You say that you've had your Synology NAS running 24/7 since August. Is this tnrough choice or is it because the scheduled on / off doesn't do as it should? I read about the sleep mode, but I thought they could also be set to turn off (say during the night) and on (in the morning for example) instead of just left to hibernate? Is it possible?

Scheduled power off and on works fine - I use it to shut down my 214+ at 1am and turn back on at 6am every day. Also, this used to sit just behind our sofa and I can't say I could ever hear it.

+1

 

[SiUK]

Under threat of [something I can't mention], I bought a Synology DS213J and 2 WD Red disks.

Partner in crime convinced me (she has her ways) that we needed to [save] money and for dumb things like food etc. so I'm sticking with the cheapest NAS solution after all. You know how it is, you start with the sensible priced thing, and then you get carried away because you see the next model up for only 60 quid more and then the next model is just another 90 quid...etc. and before you know it you've spent another £400 more than you intended.

Anyhooo...

 

[BluePotato]

SiUK - did you get the DS213j? I'm in exactly this position now. Can't decide if it's worth spending the extra on the DS214. I'm not too fussed about transcoding, more a bonus than anything. Key think for me is minimising lag, I've never seen a NAS in action but I want the OS to run smoothly without lag and If I'm listening to iTunes via the NAS I'd like it to be as responsive as possible (ie going from song to song dont want buffering, spinning circle!).

 

[starborough]

I bought one of these (DS213J) just before Christmas 2013.

I use it for file storage, and transferred my mail server to it soon after.

Whilst it does absolutely everything it says on the tin, the only problem is Synology itself.

I had religiously upgraded the firmware every time a new version came out, and everything was fine until 3 months ago, when , after a firmware upgrade it started rebooting itself. At first the reboot was every couple of hours so it wasn't a huge deal. Then after another firmware upgrade it became worse until it was continuously rebooting.

I raised a support request with synology very early on, and checked their forums. A lot of people had experienced this, but synology took the line that it must be a hardware problem. I went through the various hoops they set me, but the one thing they would not consider was that the firmware was causing the problem.

I upgraded it again last night and instantly the problem improved although it didn't go away.

I would not buy another one of these, and I am considering asking for my money back if they don't stop being in denial.

 

[hybridauth_Google_113583658945786231480]

Hi.
Sorry for using your thread but i can´t decide between these 2 models.
My goal with a NAS is to backup my stuff (Windows 8.1), maybe my girlfriend's files (OSX Yosemite) and to store my music (MP3 and Flac) for then stream the audio to a Cambridge Audio NP30 (dlna). And access it when i'm not at home, of course.

About streaming video, i'm not interested.

What of these two models you think is better for me? Is the increase of performance of the DS214 worth? If i decided for the DS213J, i'll buy 2 WD Red 2TB which will cost me 333.52€/$419.19. If i go to the DS214 with 2 WD Red 1TB it will cost 384.45€/$483.40.

Please answer me asap because i'm a bit of hurry with these.

Thanks

 

[bigboss]

DS213J should suffice your needs.

 

[bigboss]

That's fine, but there's no reason why DS213J won't be able to update its software while DS214 could.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Hi all,

regarding NAS buing always go for the latest model! I've bought the 213 in the end of 2012.

Synology, only give support softwear for 3 years, after that you'll be on your on, and they advise you not to do any softwaer updates, the NAS will work but you'll be stuck with a unit that has no support.

What are the meaning of Synology numbers?

It's easy, the first one is the number of HD bays, the last two is the year they came out, so this year models are 214, 414, 414j. But you can get alredy the 415.

So always get the latest version.