Synology 213 and Media Streaming Devices.

[armadylan]

Hello everyone,

I started upgrading my home network and find myself in struggling to pick a media streaming device. I just bought my new router, the RT-N66U, and am planning on buying the synology ds213/213+ and a media streaming device.

I was looking at the Roku 2 XS, but wasn’t sure of it had the capabilities to view media off the the synology drive without a personal computer on. The big factor for me is getting media to the tv which is not a smart tv and has no native media support. I have a ps3 but find the interface to clunky.

My goals for the network are as follows:
1. Transfer all current and future downloads to download wirelessly to the Synology 213.
2. Stream all files from the synology drive to the television with a Nice Clean Interface. I really like the look of plex (very similar to Netflix), and I really like the fact that the Roku 2 xs plex app gathers information about all of my media from the web.
3. I already have a playstation 3 and could set it up with synology but hate it’s interface, thumnails of files, and slow refresh time of server libraries.

My question is really regarding the media streaming device.
1. Is the Roku 2 XS a good choice?
2. I want it to connect to the synology drive via Ethernet for max speed. Would you recommend a different Media Streaming Device for someone who cares more about a clean interface for media within the LOCAL network then they do about channels or apps?

Regards,
ArmaDylan

 

[stevech]

I understand that the Roku (and like kind) boxes talk directly to the servers on the Internet like Netflix. No PC in the loop.

I don't think any of the Netflix et al streaming video can be stored on a file system, NAS or not. Due to DRM.

 

[armadylan]

Hmmm, Thanks for the quick reply.

So are there any devices that can link up my synology NAS directly to a dumb television? It has no smart features but it does have a usb port so perhaps a dongle?

I am hoping to play videos off of my synology 213 without the ps3 or computer on, but it is starting to look like I am going to need at least the ps3 on.

 

[stevech]

This begins with: Where do you get the videos from and in what format? Lots of answers to that.
Generally, unless you dive into DVD ripping or Recording using a cablecard (to decrypt cable/satellite) - in an expensive digital tuner, it a'int easy.
Of course, the mundane video off cable and antenna TV isn't encrypted.

Certain formats can be streamed to a media player box (like Boxee) and on to a dumb TV.

The PS3 is a form of media player.

 

[preacher]

I have a similar setup to you, an rt-ac66u router and an older synology NAS. The free synology apps let you download straight to the NAS, rename the files and move them to whatever folder you want (eg music to your music folder, films to films folder etc)

You can listen to your music or watch videos wherever you are on your phone which is handy.

You could get a wdtv media streamer which would work great or I have a boxee and the interface is slick and wife friendly..

There's lots of options out there but most seem to care more about Internet streaming than local network!

 

[tim2min]

Best Streaming Device For Synology

Hello all, I know this thread question has been regards to the Roku 2 XS and its ability to stream directly with the Synology. But now that the Roku 3 is out; of which I bought about a month ago and its great! I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with the question mention here about streaming directly from the Synology to the Roku (3). You might be asking why am I posting about the Roku 3 that I have and posting to this Synology forum. Yes I just ordered the 412+ and should did more reading but I am hoping someone has had success as I would LOVE to do this

Tim

 

[stevech]

Does the Roku claim to discover and use a DLNA server?

 

[tim2min]

nope...unfortuantely!!