Introduction

We would like to thank Synology for supplying the review sample.

As we see it, most NAS servers will soon have the capabilities to fully replace your media players and HTPCs if you aren't much into gaming (unless they start to equip NAS servers with VGAs to give them 3D gaming capability). Synology, a key players in the NAS server market, recently released a NAS, the DS214play, with a focus on multimedia content. It includes a built-in floating-point unit, which, according to its maker, not only improves the main CPU's overall capability, but also shows particular promise in speeding up thumbnail processing, which makes viewing photos much faster. The DS214play is even powered by a hardware-accelerated transcoding engine to make transcoding 1080p Full HD video on the fly possible; a thrilling feature for users that want all classical NAS functions and the ability to stream high quality video to their DLNA devices.

The DS214play can take up to two HDDs, is equipped with Intel’s fresh Evansport CE5335 CPU, and has 1GB RAM, which is enough to easily cover all the needs of a demanding home user. It also runs Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), one of the best and most mature operating systems for NAS servers today. Its only downsides look to be the relatively high price in comparison to the tough competition and the lack of an HDMI port, but we will have a clearer picture of its abilities and whether the high price is justified once we finish this review.

Specifications

The NAS is equipped with Intel's Atom SoC CE5335 dual-core processor, which is clocked at 1.6 GHz. This processor is actually a SoC (System on a Chip) that features Hyper-Threading, an PowerVR SGX545 IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor), and a hardware H264 transcoder with hardware AES encryption. The H264 transcoder highly boosts the multimedia-streaming capabilities of the DS214play, allowing the unit to stream HD content with ease.

The DS214play comes with 1GB of RAM, which is enough for use at home. It can take up to two HDDs and supports the older and slower SATA II protocol and all RAID levels that can be created with two HDDs. The unit uses a single gigabit Ethernet port for networking, and while two Ethernet ports would have been nice, including another would have also increased cost. Most home users also won't bother with LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) since it requires fairly specialized equipment to work properly. You had then better look at the DS214+ or high-end DS712+ if you need higher networking speeds with multiple clients connected.

Featuring several I/O ports, including two USB 3.0 and a single USB 2.0 port, the NAS also has an eSATA port and very useful SD card reader, which Synology tucked into the front. This NAS server's dimensions are pretty compact since it can only take two HDDs and because it isn't equipped with an internal PSU. It comes with an external power brick that can deliver up to 65 W instead. Considering its very low power consumption, the 65 W power brick is more than enough for the needs of the DS214play, and we believe that the same applies to the 92 mm cooling fan. Common to most NAS servers, this NAS only comes with a two-year warranty, and its price looks quite intimidating given the unit is meant for use at home—it is more expensive than any competing product with a similar feature set.

Packaging

The DS214play comes in a plain, but sturdy cardboard box with Synology's logo on its sides. It will probably disappoint those looking for a fancy box with nice graphics and loads of product details, but we don't mind it at all. We actually prefer plain, low-profile packaging as long as it provides adequate protection.

Contents & Bundle

Two thick pieces of foam inside the box protect the NAS really well. The unit also comes inside a foam bag to protect it from accidental scratches.


A smaller box stores all accessories. These include a quick-installation guide, an Ethernet cable, the power brick, an AC power cord, and a set of screws.

Exterior

The casing may be of plastic, but is of high enough quality. A plastic cover at the front hides the HDD trays, and several LED indicators keep track of LAN- and HDD activity as well as status. This side also houses an SD card reader and a USB 2.0 port, along with the power and copy function buttons.


Once we removed the front cover, a couple HDD trays were revealed. As you can see in the last of the above photos, there are several numbering dots right next to the trays, but the trays don't have any identifying marks, so you will have to improvise. Weird, isn't it?


Both sides have the Synology logo sculpted into the casing, which also has these act as exhaust grills.


The 92mm fan takes over most of the real estate at the back, and all I/O ports, including two USB 3.0 ones, an Ethernet and eSATA port, a DC input and Kensington lock, are situated below the fan. There is also a reset switch here should things take a turn for the worse.


The bottom not only has the four plastic feet, but also a small label depicting the product's model number and power requirements. The same label tells us that this product was manufactured in Taiwan.


We removed both trays and took some photos of the small PCIe expansion card holding the SATA connectors.


Two WD RED series disks (Red WD40EFRX) with a capacity of 4 TB, each, were pre-installed into the trays. These HDDs are probably the best you can get for NAS usage since they are optimized for NAS servers, are energy efficient, and have lower operating temperatures than other, normal HDDs, and their NASware 2.0 firmware is compatible with every RAID level and all NAS hardware. These HDDs are also backed by a three year warranty. Another interesting feature of these disks is that they are significantly quieter than plain HDDs, which may not be as important a factor in business environments, but is definitely crucial for use at home.

A Look Inside

It's now time to strip the NAS down to unearth which components it hides inside its casing.


Although only one screw is involved in taking apart the DS214play, it isn't an easy procedure since you need to apply a considerable amount of force to the plastic enclosure.


The mainboard may be small, but has all the necessary components to fully support a modern NAS.



The single PCIe slot is located on the solder side of the mainboard.


The only PCIe slot of the mainboard is occupied by a SATA expansion card that has been bolted to the drive cage.


The DS214play's CPU is an Intel Evansport CE5335. It features two cores that run at 1.6 GHz. This CPU is, since it features a pretty low TDP, cooled passively by a small, low-profile heatsink.


Four Samsung 1GB DDR3 RAM ICs are soldered to the board, right next to the CPU heatsink. Their model number is K4B2G1646E-BCK0.


The USB 3.0 controller is an EtronTech EJ168A.


The gigabit Ethernet controller is a Realtek RTL8211E IC.


A Silicon Image SiI3531A, one-lane PCI Express-to-single-port Serial ATA (SATA) II host-controller handles the mainboard's single eSATA port.


A GL836 IC, the USB 2.0 Dual SD-card reader's controller.


Under this sticker lies a Lattice LC4064V-75TN100I PLD (Programmable Logic Device). It stores that portion of DSM essential to booting up the system. The main part of DSM installs on the HDDs.


There is also a PIC16F883 8-bit micro-controller on the mainboard.


Nothing but polymer caps are used on the mainboard, and all of them are provided by Japanese companies (Nippon Chemi-Con, FPCAP and SANYO/OS-CON), so their quality is very high.


The battery and the buzzer of the mainboard.


The 92mm diameter fan is provided by Y.S. Tech, and its model number is FD129225LL-N (12 V, 0.12 A, 1900 RPM, 36.3 CFM). It is the exact same fan as in the high-end DS713+ model. Its speed is kept at low RPMs while the NAS operates normally, which minimizes noise output. Y.S Tech says it to be equipped with Sintetico bearings, which look to be of high quality and should last longer than sleeve- or double-ball bearings.

Initial Setup

Connect all essential cables to the NAS (power and Ethernet one) after installing the HDDs, power it up, and you are ready to go. The easiest way to set the NAS up is to type "find.synology.com" or "diskstation:5000" into your browser. Both of the aforementioned URLs will fire up the easy-to-follow set-up process.


The initial set-up process can take a while, so sit back and relax or make yourself a cup of coffee and read a newspaper. You will, once set-up is complete, be forwarded to the DSM login page, where you will input your credentials to access the administrative interface.