Can my Synology NAS convert 4K videos for my device?

Can my Synology NAS convert 4K videos for my device?

Purpose

The conversion capability varies depending on your Synology NAS model. This article describes the conversion behavior of Synology NAS models released before 2020 in different scenarios with DSM 7.2.1 and earlier versions. For models released after 2020, please refer to this article.

Resolution

Synology NAS Models and Groups

Synology NAS models with 4K video conversion function are classified into the groups as shown in the table below.

Applicable Models
4K Group 1 DS1019+, DS918+, DS916+, DS718+, DS716+(II), DS620slim, DS418play, DS416play, DS218+, DS216+(II)
4K Group 2 DS216play
4K Group 3 DS418, DS218play, DS218, DS118
  • 4K Group 1 models are capable of converting 3GP, 3G2, ASF, AVI, DivX, DVR-MS, FLV, M2T, M2TS, M4V, MKV, MP4, MTS, MOV, QT, TP, TRP, TS, VOB, WMV, XviD, and RMVB up to 720p. For the complete list of supported file formats in the original and converted streams, please see the specifications of Video Station and DS video.
  • 4K Group 2 models support codecs listed in Note 3. Other codecs are not supported.
  • 4K Group 3 models support codecs listed in Note 4. Other codecs are not supported.
  • For online conversion, only DS1019+, DS918+, DS718+, DS218+, DS418play, and 4K Group 3 models support video format in 4K HEVC Main10 profile and 10-bit HDR; Hi10 profile is not supported in AVC.
  • 4K conversion is not supported on third-party software applications.
  • Video conversion for HD DTV live streaming is not supported.

Video Station and DS video

This table shows the video conversion capabilities of different Synology NAS groups when streaming video to popular media players with Video Station or DS video.

4K Group 1 4K Group 2 4K Group 3
Win PC and Mac browsers
  • MP4, MOV, and M4V: stream original video files
  • MP4 (multi audio tracks) or MKV: remux videos1
  • Convert videos up to 1080p2
  • Use 3rd party plugins for unsupported formats
  • Convert video up to 1080p3
  • Use 3rd party plugins for unsupported formats
  • Convert video up to 1080p4
  • Use 3rd party plugins for unsupported formats
Apple TV
  • MP4: stream original videos (without subtitles)
  • MP4 and MKV: remux videos (with subtitles)
  • Convert videos up to 1080p
DLNA devices
  • Transmit original files to the DLNA devices; supported formats depend on the device.
Chromecast
  • MP4, MOV, M4V, and MKV:
    • Stream original videos (video codec: AVC HP@L4.1; audio codec: MP3)
  • Convert AVC/HEVC 4K video to 1080p max
  • Convert HEVC 4K video to 1080p max
iOS
  • MP4:
    • iPhone 6s and later devices: stream original video
    • Older devices: stream original videos in 1080p or lower; convert 4K videos up to 1080p
  • MKV:
    • iPhone 6s and later devices: remux video
    • Older devices: remux videos in 1080p or lower; convert 4K videos up to 1080p
Android
  • Supported formats depend on the device. We recommend installing MX Player for optimal experience.
  • Convert AVC/HEVC 4K video to 1080p max
  • Convert HEVC 4K video to 1080p max
Windows Phone
  • MP4, WMV: stream original videos
  • Convert videos up to 720p
Roku players5
  • MP4 (mpeg4 Pt 14), M4V, and MOV (video codec: AVC / mpeg4; audio codec: mp3): stream original videos
  • MKV: remux videos
  • Convert videos up to 1080p (resolution conditioned by Roku models)

Media Server

This table shows the conversion capability of Synology NAS running Media Server.

4K Group 1 4K Group 2 4K Group 3
DLNA devices
  • Convert videos to TS up to 1080p
  • XBOX 360 is not supported
  • Stream videos in their original format and resolution to DLNA devices.

Notes:

  1. Remuxing here refers to the process of converting the audio codec of your video while keeping the video codec intact. This enables your PC browser (without plugin) or your Apple TV to play MP4 or MKV videos whose audio codec is not supported.
  2. Any container or file extension in 4K 2160p (4096 x 2160 or 3840 x 2160) with codecs HEVC and AVC, and in 1080p with codecs HEVC, AVC, MPEG-2 and VC-1 can be converted up to 1080p by Synology NAS in 4K Group 1. The maximum supported frame rate per second (FPS) is 30. These containers can be MKV, MP4, AVI, TS, MPG, WMV and more. However, these containers/file extensions might come in codecs other than the four mentioned. In that case, videos cannot be converted to 1080p. Please refer to this article for more information on the container formats.
  3. Any container or file extension in 4K 2160p (3840 x 2160) with codecs HEVC, and in 1080p with codecs HEVC, AVC, MPEG-4 Part 2 (XVID, DIVX5), MPEG-2, and VC-1 can be converted up to 1080p by Synology NAS in 4K Group 2. The maximum supported frame rate per second (FPS) is 30. These containers can be MKV, MP4, AVI, TS, MPG, WMV and more. However, these containers/file extensions might come in codecs other than the ones mentioned. In that case, videos cannot be converted to 1080p. At this time, 4K Group 2 does not support converting any container or file extension in 4K 2160p with codecs AVC. Please refer to this article for more information on the container formats.
  4. Any container or file extension in 4K 2160p (4096 x 2160) with codecs HEVC, and in 1080p with codecs HEVC, AVC, MPEG-4 Part 2 (XVID, DIVX5), MPEG-2, and VC-1 can be converted up to 1080p by Synology NAS in 4K Group 3. The maximum supported frame rate per second (FPS) is 60 (HEVC) / 30 (AVC). These containers can be MKV, MP4, AVI, TS, MPG, WMV and more. However, these containers/file extensions might come in codecs other than the ones mentioned. In that case, videos cannot be converted to 1080p. At this time, 4K Group 3 does not support converting any container or file extension in 4K 2160p with codecs AVC. Please refer to this article for more information on the container formats. Other codecs are not supported.
  5. Owing to Roku's announcement to sunset the legacy Roku SDK since 2019, the availability of and support for DS video for Roku is terminated as of Dec. 31, 2018.
  6. Certain models may not be available in your location. Please contact your local distributors for more information.

Further reading

  • For formats supported by Synology NAS devices without 4K video conversion capability, please refer to this article.
Purpose
Resolution
Synology NAS Models and Groups
Video Station and DS video
Media Server
Further reading