QNAP 251+ struggling with large files

xar

Thanks. In that case the only way to change those options is a new player unless I am missing something.

xar

Will do. I would probably use Kodi and I think it does handle auto switching.

mickevh

I'd try it on the built in NIC first. 100mbps Ethernet is a pretty efficient protocol and should easily be able to handle 60-70mbps throughput. It may be you just need to tweak the buffering levels to get over the odd glitch, though others will have to get into the details of how to do that as I don't use Kodi.

Coulson

*deleted*

Coulson

I'm using a QNAP NAS running 4K rips over fixed link and occasionally wifi with no issues except pauses on Wifi for obvious reasons. The key to getting this working almost flawlessly have pretty much been said above.
- Use NFS
- Use Kodi
- Use a player (like the Shield) powerful enough to decode H.265 so that all your NAS needs to do is feed it data.

I would also recommend a non blocking Gigabit ethernet switch. May not be "needed" but they are dirt cheap now so why not.

xar

Thanks. I do all of those things (inc the switch) but have narrowed the issue down to the player. I bought an Apple TV 4K yesterday and the infuse app can stream all the same files from the NAS with no issues. To be fair I am not getting full fat audio via the ATV, but don’t think that’s the issue.

Coulson

I'm glad that you have sorted it. But FYI, if you are using Plex then the issue tends to be with transcoding the new HD audio formats because the NAS is simply not powerful enough to do it properly. I see this first hand when I am streaming to my mobile using Plex. If I tell it to play without Transcoding it works a lot better. With Kodi on a decent device you can play 70 GB 4k HDR files with Atmos/DTS-X with no problems. That's with Kodi set up to auto-switch frame-rates as well.

dr_jon

(Edited as I said "goes to sleep" when I means "spins down the drives", sorry.)

I'd change the time until the NAS spins down the drives, as the media player may buffer a big chunk of the file and then play it for some time. It may then go to get some more data, but the NAS spun down the drives due to inactivity and has to start them again, usually one after another, which it won't do in time.

Also check how your network works between NAS and Player...

xar

No plex as I am aware of the transcoding issue. I use Kodi on a Vero 4K player, and I am convinced it is the problem. I did look at a shield as the new option, but the lack of auto resolution switching was putting me off. Was veering towards a Zidoo Z9...

xar

I hadn’t considered that actually. Will investigate further.