[Review] TBS-453DX by Moogle

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

A couple of youtube videos and reviews by OTHER sources, in case you are interested. in case i missed something or you want to compare notes

QNAP TBS 453DX NAS Book - Hardware Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXM1XBbVhQo

QNAP TBS-453DX NASBook Review
https://nascompares.com/qnap-tbs-453dx-nasbook-review/

TBS-453DX M.2 SSD NASbook: Featuring 10GbE connectivity and CacheMount hybrid cloud functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucVlERwlR2A

QNAP HS-453DX vs TBS-453DX Compact Quiet 10Gbe NAS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVSy3-AKhj8

The TBS-453DX is marketed as a portable NAS on the go

The compact, near-silent, and versatile TBS-453DX M.2 SSD NASbook is ideal for office meetings and multimedia applications. With CacheMount, you can map multiple cloud storages and enable caching to work with online files as fast as the files stored on your TBS-453DX, providing an amazing hybrid-cloud experience for seamless file storage, backup, and recovery. The TBS-453DX also supports excellent real-time transcoding and media streaming, and also provides 4K @60Hz HDMI 2.0 output. Coupled with QNAP’s comprehensive 10GbE solutions, the 10GbE-ready TBS-453DX is perfect for enhancing team workflows and multimedia applications. Whether you are using it for work, entertainment, backup, or sharing, the TBS-453DX is always ready for you.

I know it says for office and stuff, but personally it's also something i'd take with me on a holiday if i brought a laptop along. So for me it will be used more in that context (when i require portability). Yes it can also probably double up as one of those media boxes to watch plex and kodi from also. because of the pricing of ssds, i could only afford 500gb x2 raid1. Maybe a single 1tb ssd would have been better? tbh i'm not sure. But with this capacity i'm obviously not going to be able to store everything from my TS-877. So instead i'll just only backup important document files, and just some files i want to watch/read when i need to go elsewhere from my physical main NAS. I'm also using it as a music juke box as well (using music station to play via it's inbuilt speakers) I make use of this device as a place holder for my digital stuff in transit as well in some part as permanent storage. As it gets full, i can offload to my ts-877 main NAS using HBS perhaps.

Specifications you can see here
https://www.qnap.com/en/product/tbs-453 ... s/hardware

CPU: Intel Celeron J4105 quad-core 1.5 GHz processor (burst up to 2.5 GHz)

Celeron J4105 is a quad-core 64-bit x86 desktop microprocessor introduced by Intel in 2017. This processor is based on Goldmont Plus microarchitecture and is manufactured on a 14 nm process. The J4105 operates at 1.5 GHz with a burst frequency of 2.5 GHz and a TDP of 10 W. This MPU incorporates Intel's UHD Graphics 600 GPU operating at 250 MHz with a burst frequency of 750 MHz.

Gemini Lake (GLK) is the name of the core for Intel's generation of system on chip serving as a successor to Apollo Lake. These low-power chips primarily targeted towards entry level embedded devices, low-cost laptops and desktops, and all-in-one PCs as well as IoTs. Gemini Lake chips are manufactured on a 14 nm process and are based on the Goldmont Plus microarchitecture.

In an attempt to differentiate the low-power core from Intel's big cores, beginning with Goldmont Plus, Pentium-based Gemini Lake were re-branded as Pentium Silver whereas Intel's big cores (e.g., Kaby Lake) were re-branded Pentium Gold.

sauce
https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/intel/celeron/j4105
https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/intel/cores/gemini_lake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CDDhld4JPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqXl9Of8WvY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ryOzIZvpQ

It has 4 physical cores, and has AES hardware acceleration. For CPU capability for transcoding, i could not find a test result for the TBS-453DX
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... 1274624273


So instead i did a round-about check


TS-853BU (x64 (Celeron J3455) 1.5 GHz) = CPU MARK: 2110 VS TBS-453DX (Celeron J4105) = CPU MARK: 2634

Code: Select all

https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Celeron-J4105-vs-Intel-Celeron-J3455/m444211vsm200485
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/Intel-Celeron-J3455-vs-Intel-Celeron-J4105/2875vs3159
https://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_celeron_j3455-662-vs-intel_celeron_j4105-841
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/128989/intel-celeron-j4105-processor-4m-cache-up-to-2-50-ghz.html

Because the TBS-453DX uses a better cpu with a slightly higher cpu mark, so the result will at least match or be better than that result in the google spreadsheet.




Intel UHD Graphics 600 review

The Intel UHD Graphics 600 is an integrated processor graphics unit from the Gemini Lake generation (e. g. Pentium N4100), which was announced late 2017. The GPU can convince with low consumption figures, but the performance is only in the low-end segment and is rarely sufficient for modern games. Being the lowest configuration of the Gemini Lake GPU, the UHD Graphics 600 is equipped with 12 of the 18 Execution Units (EUs) running at up to 700 MHz. The technical specifications of the GPU are based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which is also used for the more expensive Skylake series and also in the predecessor HD Graphics 505.

Due to its lack of dedicated graphics memory or eDRAM cache, the UHD 605 has to access the main memory via processor (2x 64bit DDR4/LPDDR4-2400).

Performance

The UHD Graphics 600 offers a similar performance as the Intel HD Graphics 500 in the Apollo Lake SoCs (same Gen 9 architecture). Therefore, the GPU is only suited for some very low demanding games like Dirt Rally or Sims 4.

Features

The video engine decodes H.265/HEVC (8b and 10b) and VP9 completely in hardware. Up to three displays can be connected via DP 1.2a/eDP 1.3 or HDMI 2.0a (including HDCP 2.2).

Code: Select all

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/uhd-graphics-600.c3065

Code: Select all

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-UHD-Graphics-600-GPU.271820.0.html

supports 2 x SO-DIMM DDR4. It comes in either 4gb (TBS-453DX-4G) or 8gb (TBS-453DX-8G) ram config. *mine is 4gb But apparently it uses 2 ram sticks so it's in dual channel mode at least.

Only supports M.2 sata SSDs, specically 4 x M.2 2280 SATA 6Gb/s slots

Has 1x 1gbe port, and 1x 10GBASE-T (10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M) port

tons of usb ports. 4x USB 2.0 ports, 3x USB 3.0 ports

1x HDMI 2.0 (up to resolution 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz)

Audio Input 2 x 3.5mm microphone jacks (dynamic microphones only )

Audio Output 2 x speakers, 3.5mm line out jack (for amplifier or headphone amplifier)

Dimensions (HxWxD) 30 × 230 × 165 mm

Power Consumption: HDD Sleep Mode 12.38 W

Power Consumption: Operating Mode, Typical 16.52 W

Fan 1 x system fan

Sound Level 15.8 db(A)

Kensington Security Slot

In addition to TBS-453DX, i also bought 2 x Crucial MX500 500gb M.2 SATA SSDs for it.





The packaging itself looks nice. it's in like a cardboard box with a sticker. A clean look. MAC and SN are clearly labelled on the box. the packaging is well made to allow easy access. it's also compartmentalized (upper and lower halves of the box) so that the bottom section contains
- warranty/disclaimer leaflet
- quick installation guide (QIG)
- power brick
- cabling
- m.2 ssd heatsinks + thermal pads
- cat5e cables

10GBASET – CAN THIS BE RUN OVER CAT5E?

10GBase T is a standard that provides 10Gbit/s connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cable over distances of up to 100 metres.

Whilst you need to use Cat6a or Cat7 cable to reach the full distance potential, the goods news is that if your data centre already has Cat5e or Ca6 cabling installed, you may not need to upgrade just yet.

Distances:

100m on Cat6a and Cat7 cable types
55m on Cat6 cable which is already deployed in many data centres
45m on Cat5e, the most commonly installed UTP cable types

Note: these distances are for solid core cabling, not standed as typically used in patch cables.

Another great feature of 10GBaseT is that it will auto negotiate to 1000Base-T, so a switch will conecct to 10Gbe and 1GbE devices, protecting your investment and allowing for gradual upgrades of connected devices. DAC, SFP+ and CX4 connectivity options all require 10GbE devices at both ends. Work against 10GBase-T, it uses more power than other options.

i was sad there was no hdmi cable am i expecting too much? xd...


The QIG is not simply a block of text with instructions, which most people would be aversed to reading. It's very pictorial and easy to digest which is nice You can always refer to the online downloadable guide if you need the full details. But for a quick setup, you just only need simple pictorial guide for the beginner to understand initial setup.

however seems ram installation is not part of the QIG. by default it already comes with ram, so only if you intend to upgrade yourself would you need to do anything. I suspect the indepth guide you download would have the detailed instructions for that perhaps.

The physical dimensions of this NAS book length is roughly half the size of my full sized mechanical keyboard.

the weight is comfortable as i can clearly lift it one handed (this is without the m.2 ssds installed yet, but even then i don't think it will add that much more weight). So yes, weight wise it's very portable.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

disassembly based on the QIG seems rather easy.

Pop off the rubber feet, then use a coin to untighten the screws, after which point you can do the rest using your fingers. by the way the rubber feet have some sort of plastic wire attached, so don't pull it all the way out... just pop it out and swivel it to the side is sufficient.

although it's not fully like my Lian Li casing screws that can be done entirely by hand, the fact you can easily use a coin to untighten it to be slack enough to do the rest by hand makes it easy to disassemble without having screwdrivers etc.

opening it up, i see that the inside cover above the m.2 sata ssd slots has padding. and it also has a fan which is nice (i'll check how loud it is. but personally i prefer having a fan to cool because i've had bad experiences with a router that only had passive cooling, and it constantly overheated).

installing the thermal pad onto the m.2 sata ssd first then applying the heatsink on it. carefully and gently apply it evenly. this part you do need a screw driver to lock the m.2 sata ssd securely into the slot for initial install. i did get screws from my m2. ssd, but i'll use the ones by qnap since they also gave them as well.

bottomline, it's not totally hands free (tooless). you still need a screwdriver to install the M.2 sata ssds.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

I was gonna try update the crucial mx500 firmware using the usb method, but i'm missing the video cable to connect the NASbook with my monitor. So i'll skip that part for now.

But if you are interested in that, you can download Crucial MX500 iso here (also included is the instructions PDF)

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/support-ssd-firmware

https://www.crucial.com/wcsstore/Crucia ... all-en.pdf

to make the bootable ISO i use Rufus (i tested this previous for samsung, and it booted up fine)
https://rufus.ie/


that said, i checked the m.2 sata ssd health and saw the f/w matches the latest. so no action required by me

Crucial MX500 firmware updates

Version M3CR023 (All form factors)

Released Dec. 11, 2018

This firmware update addresses the following items:
-Corrected status response in the event of unsuccessful or aborted Sanitize command.
-Improved compatibility with certain 3rd party TCG software.
-Prevent potential loss of PSID during firmware update.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Anyway i plugged in the NAS BOOK and booted up. using qfinder i can see there is a new firmware, but when i wanted to update via qfinder it told me to perhaps initialize first BEFORE updating, in case of failure. So i'm going to initialize first as it suggested.

There are 2 methods to initialize based on the instructions

method 1: use qfinder and to the smart installation on prompt

method 2: using a browser (ideally chrome) go to http://install.qnap.com


I noticed that method2 requires you to setup myqnapcloud. if you are not interested in doing that, then stick to method1.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

During setup you can set a fixed lan ip for the QNAP device, i suggest doing that. Also if you have adblockers and stuff, add the lan ip for this to exclusion. You don't need it for QTS. additionally, if you use bitdefender like i do.... then go to online threat prevention exclusion and add the lan ip for the qnap as well.

at this point QTS browser login should be usable. During the initial setup, make sure you use a secure and unique password (if you are overwhelmed, i strongly recommend a password manager like keepass)

Now i can update QTS 4.4.0 ..... *first thing i did

Next i'm setting up the M.2 sata SSD. creating a raid1 ext4


it asks if you want to join the qts 4.4.1 beta... * i opted no... because i already did some initial testing and got screwed over already so..... i'm waiting for it to be a bit more stable before i try again.

the stable version for the TBS-453DX is QTS 4.4.0 ..... ....

i notice that there doesn't seem to be the same qts build for the TBS-453DX which is also a qts 4.4.1 device (last update was 4.4.0.0979 build 20190627 ), how come :{ ? i wonder when the update for it usually comes out.
https://www.qnap.com/en/download?model= ... y=firmware

4.4.1 is beta, so therefore not the same "patching" of vulnerabilities as Official firmware.

plus some vulnerabilities maybe down to what apache/mysql/php version is being used. QTS 4.4.1 has newer code so therefore may not be affected as Official firmware.

viewtopic.php?f=142&t=149499

so i got that wrong. apparently the latest stable for TBS-453DX is 4.4.0. 4.4.1 is still regarded as beta.

I'm still looking around checking whats in QTS 4.4.0 (e.g. does it have qumagie and the new multimedia console? )



*update

no, there is no multimedia console or qumagie for 4.4.0 not necessarily a bad thing, since those aren't quite stable yet. so it's no wonder it's separated out to 4.4.1 beta.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

During setup it will ask you for permission to collect data. I believe this has something to do with that hard drive analyzer thing
https://www.qnap.com/event/drive-analyz ... aining/en/


based on the wording they promise not to divulge identities or take sensitive info. so you can decide yourself whether to opt in or not at any point.


anyway for the setup i did single static volume (by default, it will try and induce you to setup a pool). I didn't do thick because i'm not doing pool or require snapshots for m.2 ssd setup.

went with single static raid1 2x500gb m.2 sata ssd



temps are 30-35c, so cooling is fine.

cpu not underload is also 41c

system is 32c

so cooling seems more than sufficient. in fact i liked the hardware design that added plenty of ventilation for this NAS book

*update

leaving the NAS book on over night, the m.2 sata ssd temps rose to 41-45c. still acceptable temps.

M.2 SSD Heat Sink Installation
NAS models that support M.2 SSDs are packaged with M.2 SSD heat sinks. For reliable operation, it is recommended that you install the heat sinks onto the SSD controller.

https://www.qnap.com/en/support/con_sho ... ne&cid=105

I suppose you are referring to 80F (around 26C maybe?). That... is impossible on summer. I live in Spain, and at noon we can have 40C easily on the street. Room temperature is around 29-31ºC (84-88F) and there is nothing I can do about it, except for when I'm at home with air conditioner on (btw, right now room temperature is 25-26C and now the m.2 is idling at 39ºC, so it's fairly evident room temperature is an important factor.

hm... conditions for me is roughly between 31-35c on average. but i'm using air conditioning set to 23c so....


the qnap store has some m.2 heatsinks
https://shop.qnap.com/index.php?route=p ... egory_id=0


I use these for my ts-877. their the best qnap offers for m.2 heatsinks


and i use these for my tbs-453-DX they seem to be 2nd best, but they fit in this small nas quite well.




anyway, despite having a fan, it barely makes any noise. and since it uses m.2 sata ssds only, you're not going to get any noise from those parts. so yes, you can use this in whatever environment and not bother anyone with noise.

Also I have seen some SSD firmware upgrades in the past from the SSD vendors that deal with thermal throttling, etc. I know Crucial had self booting images that you could burn to USB and flash while m.2's where in the NAS. I don't think WD does.

You might have to get a m.2 > USB adapter and then run WD's utilities on a Windows box to verify that you are on the latest WD firmware/etc.

trex suggested the use of a M.2 to usb adapter, i thought maybe something like this

For M.2 SATA SSDs
Transcend’s M.2 SSD enclosure kit is designed specifically to accommodate M.2 SATA SSDs with a B+M key. It does not support PCIe M.2 SSDs.

https://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-760



similar usb m.2 enclosures seem to be sold around 17-20 usd on amazon


my only issue with that is then i'd have to remove the qnap heatsink that is attached to a sticky thermal pad from the m.2 sata ssd to move it between the 2 devices each time. i'm not sure doing this repeatedly will wear out that thermal pad from sticking properly the next time.

The first qnap thermal heatsink has clippers at least, but the one's i'm using for the nas book doesn't, it just has the sticky thermal padding to stick onto.

but like i said earlier. fortunately i'm already on the latest firmware, so i'm fine.... for now


*update

noticed on load when running anti virus scan, the temp of the m.2 sata ssd mx 500 hit 51c. it's still okay... just wanted to mention though.


*update

noticed in logs that the m.2 sata SSD mx500 reached a new peak of 61c for temp. I was encrypting the share at the time temp still ok.... afaik 80c is the critical point.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Okay i found my first bug for TBS-453DX using QTS 4.4.0.979

go to QTS > admin (top right) options.

I only wanted to change the wallpaper, and when i save, it will log me out then prompt me to log back in. everything fine so far until trying to enter credentials that don't work.

It seems the password will reset to blank.....

I tried again to see if it's replicable, so i change only "the show time on qts" to untick, then save. same thing happened.

Normally to change the password, you would need to enter your old pass, then enter the new password twice for it to then confirm that change. But it did not behave this way. So most definitely is a bug.

I'll report it later when i'm free.

Just an update, i don't think this is a bug.

The thing is, i use a plugin that auto fills credentials.... so the part which asks for old password is filled (even though i did not flip to the password settings tab). then the new password and double confirm are blanks... that explains why it changed the credentials. But that said, can't they also set a rule that password can't be left blank? why would it allow blank passwords to begin with there should at least be a warning to the user that password didn't meet requirement (as in it's blank) at the very least.


i also noticed some interference by browser plugin with QTS. because when i switch to another chrome without plugins, it worked just fine. so i have to check that later which plugin is causing the interference.


*update

found the offending plugin. It's actually the inbuilt shield for Brave Browser causing the issue. Disabling it for the browser tab for the TBS-453DX fixed the problem.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

benchmarked the 500gb m.2 sata SSD Crucial MX500, i got 536 MB/s and 88202 for IOPS.

also did an iperf benchmark



tested between desktop pc > switch > TBS-453DX (all 1gbe ports )


and the diagnostic benchmark





For my own reference later, for 10gbe setup

My understanding is, if the 10GbE card is on the same subnet, then nas will use the "default" gateway port of the NAS for data transfer.

As dolbyman stated it is better to have both 1GB ports on one Subnet and the 10GbE card on another subnet. that way both subnets will and can have different Gateways. Also if you use protocol binding, you need to have two subnets for it to work correctly.

viewtopic.php?f=182&t=149605

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

hdstation is recommended for the nas book. it's more likely for you to use the HDMI to connect to a HDTV.

the plex and kodi (for hdstation) you have to get from
https://www.qnapclub.eu/en/howto/1



to setup kodi, to locate shares, instead of

Code: Select all

/share/CACHEDEV2_DATA/Storage/Videos/Anime

you have to instead do (do not add the "/" at the very beginning". Also the server name, add the fixed lan ip for your QNAP

Code: Select all

Storage/Videos/Anime

So for me, i added the ts-877 for the video media content location. because obviously i'm not going to be able to store all my media on the TBS-453DX, so instead i use the kodi to point to the ts-877.


for anime i recommend using the XEM addon scraper. Test installing addon from within kodi as working. just do search "xem"
https://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:XEM


For kodi skin i recommend Aura, it looks very similar in style to Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dda6ZQCp7FA


besides kodi i also tested using plex.


On the ts-877 i'd have plex server running. And on the TBS-453DX i'd have plex player (HDstation) running. So the player connects to the server on the same LAN.

yes remote outside lan is also possible but port forwarding would be required. I rather just use VPN if i had to do remote access.

Anyway it works.



for playback audio, the part i got stomped at was how to force the NAS inbuilt speakers to play, rather than my pc desktop speakers. Luckily i found this useful video that explained it. Without it, it's not too clear exactly how to do this without some tinkering around

How to Play Music on your QNAP NAS Speakers + TBS 453DX Stereo Audio Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCK7LBFZvYE


quality wise it's no match for Aktimate Mini speakers. But it still does fare surprisingly well.

I couldn't get headphones to work (i'm using audio technica ATH-A900). I noticed that when i plug in the headphones the speakers would then be silent. But no sound comes out from headphones.

it's not like the headphones don't totally work, because earlier i had them plugged in, and when the NAS was booting up or down forgot which, the sound was coming through the headphones.

I just don't know how to force sound through headphones when it's plugged in, for listening music or when watching movies


anyway... now i got it playing as a juke box using it's speakers for some Final Fantasy music as i play Apex Legends

The Top 25 Final Fantasy Songs of All Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iweue-OcMo

Moogle's Apex Legend S2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMrRTEyStqg

*update

i noticed in music station, it can detect the TS-877 media server. But it cannot force the audio to play using the TBS-453DX speakers unfortunately (it says only can do it on local). Only the network streaming for music works if you are accessing TS-877 music through TBS-453DX. same issue when using the tunein, it can do stream, but won't play the music on the internal NAS speakers.



*update

figured out how to get hdstation to output audio from the TBS-453DX internal speakers.


but the only reason to use the internal speakers is if you don't have any available. but usually via HDMI, your HDTV would normally have speakers available, so no reason to use the internal speakers for that situation.

But when testing via RDP which can access hdstation over the network, i can then get audio to work via the internal speakers. i can't do it via pc speakers, because the only other option is HDMI.

Anyway i don't recommend using hdstation via RDP because the performance **. It's only fine just for some basic testing to adjust settings, but not really for actual usage. Use the HDMI instead whenever using hdstation.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

i'm finding the sound volume buttons at the front of the nas book pretty handy.

feels a bit too close to the power button for my liking, but if careful it's alright


there is another button at the front for the backup function. you put in a usb external device and press that to run the preconfigured action, usually a backup.

it's convenient sure, but i don't like it making it easy for people to plug in some unknown usb device and backing it up to the NAS just like that. so i opted to disable that, i'm using the external usb storage mode.



in a private secure area it's probably fine. but another reason i don't use push to backup physical buttons is accidentally pressing it while something is connected

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Just some other random observations and thoughts when testing the device. a wish list of stuff if you will



i'd also love if there was a yubikey support down the line. complex passwords are secure than most but difficult to remember. a yubikey would solve this dilemma. to be fair, qts already supports 2stepauthentication using google authenticator, sms and email. They have that at least. But Yubikey will remove the need for an actual password, since it requires the physical yubikey to unlock (once it's paired).

because of it's portable nature, something like a usb wireless hand held remote combined with a keyboard & mouse touchpad would be appreciated. You could probably source one for cheap on amazon. I'm just saying such a device would pair well with this. Something like this ($17.99 ), i'm not necessarily saying to get this one, it's just an example (and tbh, i'm not sure if this kind of thing is compatible with qnap or not).
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboar ... B01MSX306Z




i realize that there is the IR004 control, but i'm not sure that if it has a keyboard/mouse as well (since i don't have 1 to try). cause if not, they really ought to revamp it at some point.




i'm 2-3 steps away from a 10gbe setup ( a 10gbe switch and a 10gbe adapter for desktop e.g. QXG-10G1T. Another adapter perhaps the newest QWA for slot2/3 for the TS-877 would be great as well).

Other hardware that seem to be suitable/synergize for the mobile QNAP NAS use case, would be a QNAP QNA-UC5G1T, because then you can plug it into a usb type c, and have a 10gbe port on the other end to connect to the TBS-453DX. If you are connecting to another pc/laptop device, they may not have a 10gbe port, so this adapter would be a quick fix for that scenario. Rob made a review for the QNAP QNA-UC5G1T adapter here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q_v-gVjmB0

//update: this QNA-UC5G1T will only give you an effective 5Gbe speeds even when connected to 10Gbe ports, thought i should clarify on that. It's still better than 1Gbe.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

testing hybridbackupsync v3 beta

Testing the one touch backup for connected usb external devices. in my case i plugged in a samsung android smartphone.

I used the smart import setting first.


When you plugin, the one touch usb touch button lights up a blue led. probably means a usb device is connected, and the button is now live if you pressed it.

Did that and it copied over the pics. But i had some additional stuff it didn't detect, so i'm testing it out more.



but after it copies over, the usb light fades to blank. so reading the description i thought i need to unmount, which it says to press the onetouch button hold for 6-10 seconds till you hear a beep.

Then i hear it warning about "restarting NAS" on speaker ... is that a bug? shouldn't the message be unmounting instead?


anyway... i remove the usb, deleted the pics it added from the TBS-453DX, replugged it back in, then the light is blue again (solid). i click the button and it says no action required. I'm not sure how it knows those files are no longer required to be backed up? they are still on my phone so it wasn't a CUT, but a copy action more like it.



next i try the normal one touch backup option. You can choose either backup from nas to external or external to nas. I choose the later.

I couldn't browse backup storage location folder


only browsing destination on the NAS worked


not sure, but maybe the issue is my phone settings to make it viewable as a usb storage device perhaps? I already have MTP enabled though and it says it's in usb mode on the phone.. ?


tested again and it seemed to detect this time. i notice that brave browser shield was enabled, so i toggled that off and did the test again.








some parts in QTS detects the smartphone as an external storage with MTP enabled on phone, but in HBS 3, it doesn't detect any external storage device. and as such, i'm not able to use the one touch button mode as i cannot select the source of the external storage.

It's weird, because i can via the top right browse the smartphone's data folder directories just fine via filestation. I'd have to copy from there, but weirdly i cannot do the same from HBS 3??? why

The smart import worked, kinda. Although it's confusing how to manage what it considered non new files. Because during the test i deleted what i copied, then repeated again, and it refuses to copy it again. How do you do that?

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

an observation when playing music from music station. It did not detect my music even after i unlocked the encrypted share. Apparently, after unlocking the encrypted share, you would have to also click manual update for multimedia management to re-index. I rather not do that every time i reboot, so i saved encryption key to NAS. yes that effectively makes it not encrypted all the time, but i'll remove the key when i need to allow helpdesk to remote access.

another thing, i can repeat music tracks, but i didn't see a repeat for playlist (which i can do with foobar2000 music player). So music station can still use some improvement.

Update

Actually it can either repeat the playlist OR the music track IN the playlist. Just click the repeat and it will toggle between 3 modes. replay track, replay playlist > disable replay.

The music station help documentation in QTS doesn't clearly explain this


Another thing, the help documentation for music station seems outdated

Supported Formats and Limitations
The following formats are supported: MP3, FLAC, OGG, WAV, AIF, and AIFF.

Advanced folder permission settings are not supported.

i believe a recent update added flac support. i tested it working too.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Did more testing.

I had wrongly deleted the home folder, which is default pathing for the qnap stuff to work. specifically music station didn't work correctly and complained you needed this folder. i ended up reinitializing, but before that i had created a backup of the qts config. so thats what i tested.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=88997&p=703196=

so reinitialize, then restore the qts backed up config. the core parts of settings were restored, like the user accounts i created. so that works for qts 4.4.0 however i noticed that some of the apps like from third party repository did not work properly e.g. onecd's autosort. so i had to remove and reinstall the app and it worked again.

also hdstation RDP settings option was missing. had to remove hdstation and reinstall it for it to show again in the settings.

also the encrypted shares no longer worked. the passwords for them anyway. so i had to remove them then re-add the encrypted password. just something to take note of.




Just to re-examine the TBS-453DX cpu (max tdp 10W), it's quite efficient power consumption wise
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/AM ... 2992vs3159

Power Consumption: HDD Sleep Mode: 12.38 W
Power Consumption: Operating Mode, Typical: 16.52 W

Power Supply Unit: External Power Adapter, 65W, 100-240V

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Multimedia Console x HybridMount: Manage Multimedia Contents in Hybrid Cloud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cInAKsdIAlM

a possible use for the TBS-453DX with limited space to perhaps use cloud caching for a NAS connected remotely to then cache content, perhaps?