Synology brings to the DiskStation 416 (DS416) the play variant DS416play. In the practice test, we check how the device is running and the focus on multimedia functions will work. The DS416play features powerful specs. The 4-Bay NAS server comes with a 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Celeron processor, which can maximally with 2.48 Ghz clock. The processor is supported by 1 GB of DDR3 RAM. The basic data is absolutely necessary because the Synology DS416play supports a single-channel 4K Ultra HD or Triple-Channel 1080p full-HD video transcoding. The NAS converts source files independently and streams it to different devices in matching resolution – either once in 4K or three times in 1080p.
DSM: Good and Proven
Also installed are two Gigabit LAN ports including failover support and three USB 3.0 ports. Like Synology, the Synology DS416play also runs with the proven, browser-based operating system DSM (Diskstation Manager).
Apps for streaming traffic of any kind
The naked facts do not sound wrong. The maximum capacity of the 4-Bay NAS is 32 GB (4x 8 TB HDD), the weight of the case amounts to around 2 kilograms and the two pleasantly quiet running fans measure 92 x 92 mm each. Compatible are 3.5 inch SATA III and SATA II HDDs, as well as 2.5 inch SATA III / II HDDs and 2.5 inch SATA III / II SSDs.
Conclusion
3.5-inch drives can be screwed into a decoupled frame and plugged into the enclosure. The decoupling is very beneficial to the quiet operating speed of the NAS ', especially as a media player. That would not have been necessary. With the DS416play Synology renounces an HDMI output, as is usual with other devices with multimedia focus. The NAS does not need to be near the TV to display content. A network access for clients is sufficient. If there are no Synology apps available, run DLNA or UPnP.
Lesetipp: Multimedia streaming in the home network
By the way: With the three USB ports the storage space with external data carriers can theoretically extend to a maximum of 108 TB.
For our test, we equipped the NAS with two Seagate Enterprise HDDs and reached a very good and stable 113 MB / s over a gigabit LAN connection during the write and read test. This is enough bandwidth and performance for extensive streaming. If that is not enough, use the second gigabit port at the same time.
The setup of the NAS ran through the software completely problem-free, also laymen are thus easily clear. We especially liked the good support for smartphones and tablets. The operation of the mobile web interface works without problems. The app selection is huge in the Play Store of Google as well as in the App Store of Apple. To enable access from the road, you must set up a port forwarding, which explains our article for remote access to the NAS.
The software DSM used by Synology has been particularly successful. Great is that this is constantly improved and updated with free updates. Here, Synology has already proved a really outstanding service with its predecessors. Alone in the test room of two weeks came two updates, which were imported without a long wait and corrected the system of errors.
The firmware is controlled by the browser, the interface can be extended via the package center with various additional applications. This includes, for example, a virus scanner, a photo, video and audio station for providing data via the Internet, e-mail server, cloud station and much more. Top!
DSM is easy to use on the desktop or mobile: Here you can easily set the usage restrictions, even guest accesses can be set up. With the help of Smartlinks you can create direct links to individual files, which can be used by everyone.
Via smartphone (primarily iOS and Android) there are wonderfully simple apps, which provide different services. With DS Photo + you can, for example, view photos from the NAS. DS Audio provides a whole player for music. With DS Video, videos are played, DS file in turn allows access to all files. For more specific applications, for example, to monitor your own four walls, there is the DS Cam. This allows a camera connected to the NAS to be controlled.
Anyone who uses one of the mentioned apps on clients, sets them up beforehand also in the package center of DSM. This is virtually the "App Store" for the Synology NAS. There you can quickly find the point Transcoding at Videostation, which allows you to configure the conversion and streaming to different clients. You select folders that you want to share and adjust the quality settings. The operation is very simple and therefore very easy to access. How to stream and create a movie collection with Synology DiskStation, see a separate article.
When streaming itself, there is nothing to complain about, in short: the performance is true and does not stall with several, parallel streams on different clients. Gigabit LAN, Powerline and WLAN were used. In the transcoding forced the fans of the NAS to turn up, really loud or even unpleasant it was at any time. Comfortable, classy!
Hardly any manufacturer is so good at structuring and implementing the user interface and setting up a NAS. But not only beginners get their money's worth. Because of its versatility and performance, the inconspicuous, black box also inspires professionals. As a multimedia center in the home network, the DS416play is highly recommended.
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