Synology CS407 v QNAP 409 Pro v Thecus N4100

[chris57]

I've managed to squirrel away 4 x 750 Samsung 753LJ HDD's and £400.

I've my eye on two NAS devices:-
Synology CS407

http://www.synologystore.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=3

£320 x 1.15 = £368

Or the :
QNAP 409 Pro


Approx £384

The tests HERE are quite revealing.

The Thecus N4100Pro can be had for approx £400
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Thec...D-Unmatched-Speed-and-Total-Security-and-More

Iv'e been looking for some time now, I need a NAS compatible with the HDD's I have, which the Synology is now I note. I want RAID5 so need 4 bay.

My main stress for the NAS will be streaming 1080p 1:1 BluRay files with total bitrate of circa 50Mb/s so the fact that the Thecus can achieve speeds nearly double the CS407 is a big plus.

The Thecus forum, or lack thereof of one with any activity is a big disadvantage though as this is my first NAS device.
Funds are limited to what ive squirrelled, what have others experienced?

 

[vicx]

Interesting to see those prices. In Australia, the Thecus is the cheapest with the QNAP next and Synology as the most expensive. There is a $400AUD spread (180GBP/250USD) $650-$1050.

I would have bought the QNAP if it wasn't so expensive because what they are doing with the optware stuff is cool.

Instead I saved about $300AUD and bought a Thecus 3200pro. It was hard to argue with the savings and its a nice focused unit for home use.

I can pick up TS-109 with the money I saved anyway.

 

[ca197]

first off Blu-Rays 50Mbps is Mega Bits per second which equates to 6MB/s. So all the NAS's here should be able to provide that over 100mbit ethernet.

Option wise I am currently looking at:

Synology 407(e) and 407, QNAP 409(pro) and the Thecus N3200 Pro

407(e) - £275 inc VAT
N3200Pro - £332 Inc VAT
407 - £355 inc VAT
409 - £382 inc VAT
409 Pro - £412 inc VAT

I really like the Qnap devices and am very tempted by the 409 Pro. But it is rather pricey. The Thecus N3200 is a bit of a dark horse as it seems to be fast and very capable. Having had a thecus N299 however has put me off them slightly. The interface is clunky and it never seemed to work as well as advertised (Anyone got a N3200 Pro and can give some feedback). Synology obviously has the Ajax interface which looks good and can run Squeezecenter which is a nice bonus (as can the Qnap).