Users Find Workaround for Synology X25 NAS Transcoding Issues

Synology users are finding ways to restore hardware transcoding capabilities to their recently released X25 series NAS devices, including models such as the DS925, DS425, and DS225. The company’s decision to drop hardware transcoding support has frustrated many customers, leading to a decline in brand loyalty for these models in 2025. While the NAS devices are equipped with Synology’s renowned DiskStation Manager (DSM) software, the loss of hardware transcoding has severely limited their functionality for media streaming applications like Plex and Jellyfin.

Transcoding is a crucial feature for any Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, enabling the conversion of media files on the fly. Typically, software such as Plex will rely on the CPU for this task. However, CPUs are not specifically designed for such processing, making them less efficient than dedicated graphics processing units (GPUs). Users have noted that even budget graphics cards can significantly enhance transcoding performance, allowing for smoother playback of Full HD (FHD) and Ultra HD (UHD) content.

Despite Synology’s history of supporting hardware transcoding, the recent X25 series has left many users struggling. The decision to limit transcoding capabilities has been documented, with Plex maintaining a spreadsheet detailing the transcoding capabilities of various NAS models, including those from Synology and competitors like Asustor and QNAP. According to this spreadsheet, all X25 NAS models only support software-based transcoding, while the more affordable BeeStation model continues to support hardware transcoding up to HEVC HDR (2160p).

Fortunately, users have discovered methods to re-enable hardware transcoding on their Synology NAS devices. A detailed guide by Luka Manestar from BlackVoid outlines the steps necessary to restore this functionality. Users can easily follow this guide, which does not require advanced technical skills or risky downloads.

For those looking for a simpler solution, a script created by developer Dave Russell on GitHub offers a straightforward way to get transcoding back on Synology’s X25 devices. The script automates several steps, including checking compatibility, downloading necessary modules, and removing default drivers.

To implement this solution, users need to follow these steps:

1. Download the latest version of the script from GitHub.
2. Copy the downloaded zip archive to their Synology NAS.
3. Unzip the archive.
4. Navigate to Control Panel > Task Scheduler.
5. Click on Create, then choose Triggered Task and select User-defined script.
6. Enter a task name (e.g., X25 Drivers), select root as the user, and choose Boot-up as the event trigger.
7. In Task Settings, type the script path (e.g., /volume1/scripts/transcode_for_x25.sh –autoupdate=3).
8. Click OK and reboot the NAS.

After following these steps, users should be able to enjoy their media content through applications like Plex and Jellyfin without further issues.

While it is disappointing that Synology has yet to provide an official resolution to the transcoding problem, the community’s proactive approach demonstrates the commitment of users to enhance their devices’ capabilities. The X25 series NAS devices maintain robust build quality and specifications, making them suitable for various applications. The contrasting transcoding capabilities between the X25 series and the BeeStation model remain a source of confusion and frustration for many users, underscoring the need for clearer communication from Synology regarding model features and limitations.