Summary of Reddit Comments on HDDs for NAS

Ugreen NAS and HDD Recommendations

• Ugreen NAS: Users appreciate the Ugreen NAS for its hardware quality and expect software improvements in the future.
• Toshiba and Seagate: Recommended brands for HDDs for NAS due to reliability and quiet operation.
• NAS Compatibility: Check the NAS compatibility list for suitable options and join Ugreen's Discord server or forum for more information.
• Refurbished Drives: Consider refurbished drives for a cost-effective option.
• NAS Setup: Emphasize the importance of setting up a NAS with two drives in RAID for data protection and better speed.
• Budget-Friendly Options: Suggested options include second-hand PCs, refurbished drives, and DIY setups.
• Mini PC Setup: Mini PC with external HDD enclosures is recommended as a cost-effective and customizable solution for a Plex server.
• Synology NAS: While some users recommend Synology NAS for ease of use, others caution against Synology's new HDD restrictions and suggest alternative setups.
• WD and Seagate: Users share mixed experiences with WD and Seagate drives, emphasizing the importance of drive model reliability over brand loyalty.
• Drive Size Selection: Consider RAID configurations for data protection and speed, evaluating data size needs.

General Recommendations for NAS Setup

• RAID or Backups: Highlighted the importance of RAID configurations or backup systems for data protection.
• Multiple Disk Configurations: Encouraged multiple disk setups for faster speed and data redundancy.
• Transcoding Performance: Mentioned transcoding performance considerations for Plex setups.
• Router USB Port: Suggested troubleshooting router USB port speed if experiencing performance issues.

Miscellaneous Comments

• Synology Restrictions: Cautioned against Synology's proprietary HDD requirements and high cost for compatible drives.
• DIY Media Server: Shared experiences using Linux mini PCs for Plex servers with HDD storage, suggesting a DIY solution for media organization.
• Apple TV Playback: Discussed Apple TV models and their capabilities for playing 4K media files.
• External Enclosures: Mentioned using external HDD enclosures for storage expansion.
• Data Protection: Stressed the value of data protection through RAID configurations or backups in NAS setups.

These comments provide insights into HDD and NAS recommendations, emphasizing reliability, performance, cost-effectiveness, and data protection measures.