QNAP 251+ struggling with large files

xar

Hi all,

I use a QNAP 251  as a media server, running plex for TVs in the house, and purely file delivery tool for my Vero 4K media player for my cinema room.

NAS is 6tb (circa 80% full) and I recently upgraded the memory to 8gb.

I have had issues lately where larger 4K files (60 gb plus) are struggling to play. Usually start fine, then circa 20 mins they grind to a halt, start stuttering, then the Vero seems to ‘buffer’ for a bit before trying to play again. Similarly jumping forward or back causes a similar issue.

The same files playing directly from a usb into the Vero don’t have the same issue.

I have tried the following:
- upgraded the NAS memory
- moved the NAS beside the player and connected it directly with an cat 5 (to remove any possible network issues)

I was hoping it’s the Vero and not the NAS, but the fact that the same files play via USB without issue suggests otherwise.

On the flip side I have googled numerous places and they all suggest the NAS should be up to the job for files up to 100gb plus if there is no transcoding (which there isn’t).

I connect the NAS to the Vero using NFS in case that makes a difference, but that’s beyond my knowledge.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I.e. is the NAS just not up to the job for large 4K movie files?

John7

Have you tried the files through the media player direct, i.e not using Plex? I have a TS-451 and the files are streamed natively direct to my Zidoo X9s without issue.

Sounds like you may have a network cable issue, maybe swap out some cables, see if it makes a difference or at the very least, unplug and re-plug the connectors, maybe a loose connection.

xar

Yes, I stream the files directly to my media player (Vero) as it feeds a projector. Plex is only used for my smaller TVs.

I have tried new cables as well, so don’t think that’s the issue. Seems to be exclusive to large 4K files.

I did think about getting a new media player (zidoo Z10) to see if that helped, but if it’s the NAS at fault it won’t make a difference (and the fact the files play fine via usb suggest its the NAS). On saying that a new player is a lot cheaper than a new NAS!

Andy98765

The NAS should have no problems. How does it all connect together, please do not say wireless.

xar

Haha. No wireless. NAS is connected directly to the media player with Ethernet cable.

Was previously further away but hardwired via an unmanaged gigabit switch.

next010

I would recommend trying NFS, QNAP provide a guide with pictures on how to set it up.

Settings;
Host/IP/Network = *
Permission = read only or read/write
Squash Option = All Squash
Leave GID/UID as guest

See if that works, keep in mind if it does the NFS share is tied to the IP of the NAS so the NAS will need a fixed IP or at the router level if it has the feature to lock the IP to the mac address of the NAS.

If you cannot access the share try changing the squash option to root squash.

Many of the guides out there for Kodi NFS with QNAP are very out of date, all the settings have changed so the above is best guess based off setting up NFS on other NAS.

xar

Thanks. I am connected via NFS already and it works fine 90% of the time, but will look at your suggestions tomorrow. Strikes me that it’s just running out of grunt trying to navigate large Files.

next010

If it still buffers your best bet is to ask the guys over on the OSMC forums what to tweak as Kodi/OSMC has internal buffer settings that can be changed but are not normally exposed to the end users.

xar

Thanks. Will look into that. So do you think it’s a player / Kodi issue rather than the NAS in that case?

scarty16

Nvidia shield, QNAP 412 even older, amd KODI on the shield, 4kHDR over WIFI AC, no stuttering issues, including 64GB films.