Nowadays, cloud storage services offer advanced media streaming features, but one of the most convenient ways to manage your music or videos is to get a personal cloud storage device. These devices are perfect for home media since they are scalable and allow you to enjoy better speeds than those that you would get if your data was stored in a remote server. Another advantage of this solution is that it offers privacy and it won’t expose your content to prying eyes. When you have a personal cloud storage, you don’t have to be concerned about the possibility of cloud storage services scanning your file metadata. It gives you greater control over your video and music collection.
The challenge is selecting the right device since there are many options available. You will find a wide range of NAS devices, but choosing the best one could take some time and it is an investment that should be carefully considered. In this article, we’ll go through the best personal cloud storage devices that you can get, which will save you time looking for an option that suits your needs. With these devices, you will be able to set up your own home media system or that will be an important part of a complete backup method. There is one important thing to keep in mind before getting a personal cloud storage device and that is that this is a solution that may not suit all cases and some people may be better off using a cloud storage service.
Seagate Personal Cloud Home Media Storage Device
This device offers a convenient solution that is also very affordable. While it doesn’t support removable and replaceable hard drives, it is a good choice if you don’t want to spend a hefty amount. It is available in 3TB, 4TB and 6TB models and the prices are below $200. The Seagate Personal Cloud Home Media Storage Device lets you use USB port connections to increase the external storage. The device also supports sync for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android and it is possible to listen to music, watch videos, access photos and more. You can also stream 4k video and music to your TV and there is support available for several devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. You can also use platforms like Plex Media Servers, WordPress and Elephant Drive. In addition, the device supports IFTTT, an option that lets you set up automated processes along with other apps and IoT devices.
Synology DiskStation DS216play & DS416play
You will come across different models of DiskStation (DS) and the prices, storage capacities and features vary across the versions available. The best options are the DS216play and the DS416play since they support video transcoding, unlike the standard models. This feature is very useful because thanks to it, you will be able to watch 4K Ultra videos, even on devices that don’t support 4K Ultra. Just remember that if your are streaming to a device that supports the video in its original format, you don’t need transcoding. It is also important to keep in mind that you will have to purchase hard drives separately. The DS216 comes with two bays for a top capacity of 16TB. The DS416 has 4 bays and it provides a maximum capacity of 32TB. The twp models support RAID and they work with Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV and other DLNA-ready devices.
Western Digital My Cloud Personal Network
This popular option has received great reviews from customers who trust the superb capacity that is offered. You can get storage options like 8TB, although it is not possible to swap the hard drives to upgrade. The My Cloud “Mirror” edition uses two drives, which supports RAID storage, offering data redundancy to keep it safe from drive failure. In addition, it is possible to remove the disc drives and replace them if required. My Cloud devices, both single and dual, feature USB 3.0 ports to expand your storage to external drives if that is necessary. WD comes with sync software for Mac, Windows and mobile devices, allowing you to access media content from any location. There is also web access available and the mobile apps supports automatic video and photo backup.
QNAP TS-251 & TS-451
Both devices offer good quality media storage and feature removable storage, although you need to be prepared to pay a higher price for them. While the design of the TS models may not be exactly appealing, the front-loading bays mean that they can be easily upgraded. In addition, they have a remote and offer incredible capacity, particularly the TS-451, which offers up to 48TB. The main difference between the TS-251 and the TS-451 is that the first is a two-bay device and the latter is a 4-bay device. There are 1GB, 2GB and 4GB RAM versions of both. It is also possible to upgrade the RAM at a later stage an dyou can go up to 8GB and even 16GB in some cases. The two devices transcode 4K video and feature an HDMI port so you can connect directly to your TV.
Conclusion
Choosing the best personal cloud storage solution will allow you to transform your home in to a standalone, comprehensive system that allows you to enjoy media on all your internet-enabled devices. The benefits of this kind of storage setup include privacy, speed and consistent access to data. In many ways, personal cloud storage could be even better than cloud storage services that focus on media such as pCloud. Browser-based access and mobile apps allow you to access your content on the go, as long as your system is connected to the internet. Still, it is advisable to avoid relying only on these systems. Just like home computers and mobile devices, NAS devices may be stolen or lost, which is why you need to have an alternative backup solution in place. A comprehensive storage solution should be formed of multiple elements to make sure that you cover all fronts.
