Can my Synology NAS convert videos for my device?
Last updated:Aug 16, 2024
Can my Synology NAS convert 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
Video Station and DS video
The following table shows the video conversion capability of different models for video streaming to popular media players with Video Station or DS video.
| Group 1 | Group 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Type 2 | ||
| Win PC and Mac browsers | * MP4, MOV, and M4V: Stream original video file | ||
| * MP4 (multi audio tracks) or MKV: Remux video1 | |||
| * Convert videos up to 1080p2 * Use 3rd party plugin for unsupported formats (Win PC only) |
* Convert videos up to 720p2 * Use 3rd party plugin for unsupported formats (Win PC only) |
* 3rd-party plugin (Win PC only) required for unsupported formats | |
| Apple TV | * MP4: Stream original videos (without subtitles) | ||
| * MP4 and MKV: Remux videos (with subtitles) | |||
| * Convert videos up to 1080p2 | * Convert videos up to 720p2 | N/A | |
| 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 videos up to 1080p2 | * Convert videos up to 720p2 | N/A | |
| iOS | * MP4: Stream original videos | ||
| * MKV: Remux video | |||
| * Convert videos up to 1080p2 | * Convert videos up to 720p2 | * 3rd-party solution required for unsupported formats | |
| Android | * Supported formats depend on the device. We recommend installing MX Player for optimal experience. | ||
| * Stream original videos up to 1080p or downsample video to 480p2 | * Stream original videos up to 1080p or downsample video to 320p2 | N/A | |
| Windows Phone | * MP4, WMV: Stream original videos | ||
| * Convert videos up to 720p2 | N/A | ||
| Roku players | * 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)2 | * Convert videos up to 720p2 | N/A | |
Media Server
The table below shows the conversion behavior of Synology NAS running Media Server.
| Group 1 | Group 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Type 2 | ||
| DLNA devices | * For XBOX 360, convert to ASF up to 480p. * For other DLNA devices, convert to TS up to 1080p.2 |
* For XBOX 360, convert to ASF up to 480p. * For other DLNA devices, convert to TS up to 480p. |
* Transmit original files to the DLNA devices; supported formats depend on the device. * For PlayStation 3 and Sony TV, remuxing is available to support MKV. |
Synology NAS Models and Groups
You can refer to the table below to determine which video conversion group your Synology NAS belongs to. If your model is not listed below (e.g., DS112j or DS212j), it does not have conversion capability.
| Supported Video Conversion Type | Applicable Model |
|---|---|
| Group 1 - Type 1 | FS1018, SA3600, SA3400, RS18017xs+, RS4017xs+, RS3618xs, RS3617RPxs, RS3617xs+, RS2818RP+, RS2418(RP)+, RS2416(RP)+, RS1619xs+, RS1219+, RS820(RP)+, RS818(RP)+, RS815(RP)+, DS3617xs, DS3018xs, DS2419+. DS2415+, DS1819+, DS1817+, DS1815+, DS1618+, DS1517+, DS1515+, DS415+, DS415play, DS214play, DVA3219 |
| Group 1 - Type 2 | RS18016xs+, RS10613xs+, RC18015xs+, RS3617xs, RS3614(RP)xs, RS3614xs+, RS3413xs+, RS3412(RP)xs, RS3411(RP)xs, RS2414(RP)+, RS2212(RP)+, RS2211(RP)+, RS814(RP)+, RS812(RP)+, RS810(RP)+, DS3615xs, DS3612xs, DS3611xs, DS2413+, DS2411+, DS2015xs, DS1817, DS1813+, DS1812+, DS1517, DS1515, DS1513+, DS1512+, DS1511+, DS1010+, DS715, DS713+, DS712+, DS710+, DS416, DS412+, DS411+II, DS411+, DS215+ |
| Group 2 | RS819, RS816, RS815, RS814, RS812, RS411, RS409RP+, RS409+, RS217, RS214, RS212, DS509+, DS420j, DS419slim, DS418j, DS416slim, DS416j, DS414, DS414slim, DS414j, DS413, DS413j, DS411, DS411slim, DS410, DS409+, DS220j, DS218j, DS216, DS216j, DS215j, DS214+, DS214, DS214se, DS213+, DS213, DS213j, DS213air, DS212+, DS212, DS211+, DS211, DS210+, DS209+II, DS209+, DS120j, DS119j, DS116, DS115, DS115j, DS114, DS112+, DS112, DS111, DS110+, DS109+, EDS14 |
Notes:
- 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.
- Any container or file extension with codecs AVC, MPEG-4 Part 2, MPEG-2, VC-1 can be converted up to 1080p by models in Group 1 - Type 1 and 720p by other Synology NAS models in Group 1 - Type 2. 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.
- All Group 1 models are capable of converting 3GP, 3G2, ASF, DivX, DVR-MS, FLV, M2T, M2TS, M4V, MTS, MOV, QT, TP, TRP, VOB, 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.
- Video conversion for HD DTV live streaming is supported on DS214play and DS415play.
- 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 with 4K video conversion capability, please refer to this article.