Transcoding 4K Media on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS Plex Media Server?

Transcoding on a NAS such as the QNAP TVS-872XT device is the ability for a multimedia file to be changed from it’s existing format or codec to one that is better suited to the destination device. In this file access, the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS is the host device and the device you want to play the file is the client. This is the case of whether you are using Plex or not. Transcoding is typically required when a media file is more recently released than the client device that is accessing it, so the newer compression or playback format is unknown to the device you want to access it with. Alternatively, you want to access the movie or music on your QNAP TVS-872XT and do not want to use the original file in its full size. Transcoding can enable you to stream a much smaller version in weight or resolution if needed. IN a popular program such as PLEX, smooth playback is essential, and with the plex media server application on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS using a larger percentage of CPU and Memory than most programs, it is very useful to know the plex transcoding abilities of any NAS.

Why should you factor transcoding with a Plex Media Server on a QNAP TVS-872XT NAS

When you install a Plex Media Server on your QNAP TVS-872XT, you should know that plex is not the answer to all of your media prayers. It has some limitations and depending on the NAS you use, these limits can be annoying. You will most likely have media files in a large collection of different formats and there is no guaranteeing that these are going to be compatible with TVs, iPads and Smartphones that you wish to watch them on. Although you will have a version of the Plex app on the viewing device, that app will still be locked to playback the supported media types on that device.

So if your phone does not support.MKV or .MOV, then neither does the plex app you installed on it. However, this is where transcoding comes in again, as the plex media server will use the NAS system resources to change the file to a version/format that it CAN play. What makes transcoding with Plex different to ordinary transcoding is that often, the NAS (in this case, the QNAP TVS-872XT) will not let the plex use the transcoding engine inside. This is not the end of the world, as it will use raw system power instead. The result is that where a regular transcode outside of plex will use 20-30%, in plex it could go as high as 70-80%. This is why it is important to know how well a plex NAS will transcode, as if it will hapen regularly, it could potentially slow down the general use of your QNAP TVS-872XT NAS.

Which plex supported client devices require transcoding from the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS

Destination devices range greatly and are often referred to as the client device. Common client devices that your QNAP TVS-872XT device will be accessed by are often:

iPad or Android Tablet

iPhone or Android Smartphone

Smart TV or DLNA supported monitor

Macbook, Laptop or Netbook device

Sound systems such as Bose, Sonos and Sony DLNA systems

Home Theatre Systems

Network and internet-enabled gaming consoles such as PS4, Xbox One and Nvidia Shield

Transcoding between a QNAP TVS-872XT and your media can be of tremendous benefit for those with limited internet bandwidth, download limits or low powered devices whilst using the plex client application.





What are the Specifications of the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS?

The specifications for the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS are below and like all NAS devices, the CPU and Memory play a big part in how well it performs at transcoding both in and out of plex. The key factors to consider are if the device features an x86 or ARM-based CPU, does the QNAP TVS-872XT CPU feature a transcoding engine and how much RAM the device arrives with for multiple transcoding tasks. Below are the QNAP TVS-872XT specs:

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NAS Model QNAP TVS-872XT SPECS Intel® Core™ i5-8400T 6-core 1.7 GHz processor Burst up to 3.3 GHz 16 GB SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8 GB) Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics 630 HDMI 2.0a TB3 and 10Gbe TRANSCODING ENGINE: YES 1080P Support: YES 4K Support: YES Transcoding Support: YES Where to Buy

What is the difference between H.264 and H.265 4K Media on a NAS

H.264 and H.265 are common codecs of modern digital media. H264 is also referred to as AVC by experts (Advanced Video Coding) and is considered the standard for video file compression. This allows for media originally created for large-scale entertainment to be recording, compressed, and distributed to the home and smaller scale production of digital video content watched by you, the consumer via plex.

H265 is the newer and more consumer-friendly alternative to H264. It is also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) and was developed in order resolve issues of enormous 4K media files being just too large for your client device to playback. H.265 has become so popular and data saving that chances are that the YouTube clip, iTunes media or iPlayer content you watched was in .265 and HEVC. Typically a modern NAS such as the QNAP TVS-872XT will playback with JUST H.265 or it will PLayback both H.264 and H.265. The latter pretty much being exclusive to x86 or AMD based NAS CPU devices.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 4K H.265 8-bit 30fps 46Mb/s PLEX Test 1- How well does it perform?

We pushed the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS to transcode a 4K H265 media file through the plex media server application. It was an 8-bit recording, running at 30 frames per second and featured a bitrate of 46 megabits per second. The QNAP TVS-872XT playback results were:

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 4K H.265 8-bit 25fps 38Mb/s PLEX Test 2 – How well does it perform?

Next, we pushed the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS to transcode a 4K H265 media file through the plex media server application. It was an 8-bit recording, but this time running at 25 frames per second and featured a bitrate of just 38 megabits per second. The QNAP TVS-872XT playback results were:

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 4K H.265 10-bit 30fps 38Mb/s PLEX Test 7 – How well does it perform?

We then ran a much denser H.265 4K file on the QNAP TVS-872XT. This H265 file through the plex media server application was another 10-bit recording, at 30fps but this time with a much higher bitrate of 38 megabits per second. The QNAP TVS-872XT playback results were:

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS Ultra HD 4K H.264 8-bit 24fps 22Mb/s PLEX Test 15 – How well does it perform?

We then decided to end on an older and currently more common owned 4K type of media file. This was kind of our control tests for most NAS and was no exception for the QNAP TVS-872XT through the plex media server application. This UHD file in 4K was an 8-Bit file, arriving in 24 frames per second and at a bitrate of 22megabits per second. For those who have owned 4k media for a while and want to consider their older H264 material, this test would be of interest. The results were.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 1080p H.264 8-bit 24fps 13Mb/s PLEX Test 16 – How well does it perform?

In order to validate the earlier tests, we then switched back to 1080p/HD briefly as we could test an older h264 mp4 file via the plex media server application on the QNAP TVS-872XT. This 2014 made media file type was pretty high spec back then and below we can see how the QNAP TVS-872XT dealt with the 8-bit file at 24frames per second via plex with transcoding enabled.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 1080p H.264 8-bit 24fps 40Mb/s PLEX Test 17 – How well does it perform?

For test 17 we wanted to check that the file used in test 16 was not just a fluke, so we found the exact file, at the same frames per second, file format (mp4), in 1080p and in h.264 type – however this file was THREE TIMES the bitrate. So, the same as before but denser. We can then see a direct comparison between them and how bitrate effects plex media server transcoding on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 4K H.265 10-bit 30fps 40Mb/s PLEX Test 18 – How well does it perform?

Satisfied with our testing 1080p, we decided to focus on 4K Media for this last three tests (Test 18, 19 and 20) as we wanted to introduce the same media file, but each time change just one variable, to see how the plex media server application on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS coped. In all three tests we used a 10bit 4K H.265 Media file. But in test 18 we used the lowest bitrate, at 40Mb/s. Here is how PLEX on the ### transcoded.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 4K H.265 10-bit 30fps 90Mb/s PLEX Test 19 – How well does it perform?

Next we took that exact media file and this time used a version that was more than double the bitrate than test 18 (90Mb/s > 40Mb/s). The results for plex transcoding on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS were diffrerent in both test but not vastly. This could be down to the QNAP TVS-872XT hardware, or the fact the 2nd file needed to be a .MKV file for this bitrate. Take a look.

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 720P H.265 8-bit 24fps MKV PLEX Test 21 – How well does it perform?

In order to start the testing on the QNAP TVS-872XT NAS properly, I started with a relatively modern and regular 720p resolution file. I did throw a few curveballs into the mix with an MKV file. Aside from that, this media file is fairly representative of the larger than average files you will encounter from time to time when choosing media that is suitable for both larger and smaller devices. With the QNAP TVS-872XT plex media server, I was able to software transcode the file down to a manageable 480p (I wouldn’t dip below this on modern mobile devices unless you are on a strict data package). Though it did the job, the CPU use definitely was hogged by the QNAP TVS-872XT, as seen below:

Test File Type

720p Resolution

HEVC Codec

24FPS Frame Rate

8 Bit Depth

h.265 Compression

MKV File Container

24p Video Frame Rate

The QNAP TVS-872XT NAS 1080P H.264 8-bit 24fps MP4 PLEX Test 20 – How well does it perform?

After giving the QNAP TVS-872XT an easier file, I ramped the difficulty right back up again with another H.264 media file that was at 40MB/s bitrate and at 1080p resolution – I wanted to see if the earlier results were a fluke and to see how the QNAP TVS-872XT handles this heavier file. There was a noticeable change in CPU use, but the results bore similar results to before.

Test File Type

1080p Resolution

HEVC Codec

24FPS Frame Rate

40MB/s Bitrate

8 Bit Depth

h.264 Compression

MP4 File Container

24p Video Frame Rate

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I hope these Plex Media Server 4K results were of use to you and this helps you consider which NAS you wish to you buy in 2018, whether it is the QNAP TVS-872XT or something more or less suited to your needs.

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