QNAP HS-453DX can be called a hybrid NAS: not so much in construction, which is still original in form, but rather in use. It is in fact halfway between a classic NAS, such as the TS-453B and a TV player, such as the Apple TV, managing in many cases to offer the best of the two, even if something via software, such as we will see, it can be improved.
QNAP HS- 453DX, the review
Out of the box
The first thing that strikes out of the box of the QNAP HS-453DX is undoubtedly the shape: it is not racked but it is not even in the classic cube shape, placing itself in an elegant horizontal shape, which seems made to fit perfectly under the TVs. sitting room.
The shape did not surprise us too much because once we already had the QNap HS-251 + in our hands, of which this model recalls the design, but at the time the review was done with mechanical discs, while in this case we used two Kingston SSDs, which makes a huge difference.
The shape is a little unusual for a NAS, but it fits perfectly under the TV
During the assembly phase you need to make a choice: if we intend to use the two side slots, which can accommodate both 2.5 “SSD and 3.5” mechanical disks, then you don't need to do much, the front panel is magnetic and just one small pressure on the two buttons to unlock the slides.
If, on the other hand, we want to take advantage of the M.2 housings inside for very fast SSD drives then we need to have a screwdriver and, practically, almost disassemble the top panel to open the NAS and access the housings. Luckily it is an operation to be done, hopefully, only once.
For the rest, you just need to choose the type of connection to make with the TV: via the network via a player or directly via HDMI, since the box also contains a remote control.
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Configuration
The first configuration is done via the network. We used the QFinder App from an iMac and defined all the details: for the test we used two 128 GB Kingston SSDs in RAID 0, obtaining a gross volume of 250 GB, about 200 usable for apps and files.
The writer has already made several reviews of QNAP NAS often trying different configurations of both RAID and disks, and has not had problems, as they will not have those who have already used a NAS, even of other brands, for the complete Setup.
However, we would like to say that perhaps, for a unit like this, the wealth of options of QTS (QNAP's operating system) is perhaps greater than what the type of living room clientele needs; for this type of user it is perhaps preferable to have fewer choices, or to have the possibility to select the type of profile: professional and consumer.
In any case, once you come to determine a usable volume, the power of the NAS emerges as clear as the desire to try all the various options.
As for the network: we did some tests with a direct connection via 10GbE but for home viewing, including streaming with Apple TV, where it is needed, in our opinion a gigabit cable connection is also enough, today quite common.
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Can you hear the noise? No? Here you are!
More or less we expected it, because one of the advantages of SSDs is that they are silent, however in this case we can say that the drive is very, very quiet.
In a house where an elementary school child tends to be very noisy, during the day we tend to appreciate the silence of the night, while watching a movie as well as sleeping, and in this case we can say that often the NAS is not only we didn't hear it, but we just forgot it on.
To switch on you need to open the front panel (magnetic) and press the switch, and after a couple of times we preferred to leave it on (but switching on and off are programmable via software), as if it were not there; the only thing that will point this out is the small green light on the front, typically just below the TV.
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the home, seen from the tv, with all the apps available 
The player for movies 
TuneIn Radio, a pleasant surprise
At work
Inside the device there is an Intel Celeron J4105 processor at 1.50 Ghz, with 4 GB of RAM, an amount sufficient to support the viewing of movies and TV series, even at 4K, directly on the TV connected via HDMI.
To view the media we used the HD Player App, controlled by the supplied remote control, which has four software programmable buttons inside. Although a refresh to the interface would not be bad, the player does its duty, also because with local files the task is quite simple.
With the remote control we also used TuneIn to listen to some radio, a very pleasant and comfortable news: for the rest, by connecting a mouse and a keyboard it is possible to transform the NAS into a small PC with a variant of Linux to go to the internet (via Chrome or Firefox ), use Skype or Spotify and basically also browse files and folders as if we were in front of the Mac.
Obviously away from the NAS, via the network, the QNAP HS-453DX has nothing to envy to the most famous brothers, and we can safely use it for home storage of photos, files, music and videos at will, even from mobile, tasks for the which, however, this product seems a bit wasted.
However, we noticed an interesting domestic use: the writer worked on the NAS via the network while it was playing a movie on the TV, thus suggesting that this model is ideal for use in the living room but not only as a server. of the TV to which it is connected, because in other rooms, thanks to an Apple TV and Plex, for example, we can always exploit their potential, offering in a single solution different possibilities for multiple TVs or multiple devices at the same time.
Considrazioni
The QNAP HS-453DX represents, to date, an excellent choice as a living room NAS for those who do not need advanced NAS and a purely “family” use, even if all in all we will see it well even in more business solutions such as in a meeting room of an office or a hotel.
The two front slides and the two internal units for the memory allow a wide flexibility of configuration, provided, however, that you know how to master a software that is as beautiful as, at times, a little too rich, to the point of inducing confusion.
The hardware is flawless but for optimal performance and for a silence that can be determined in the living room, we recommend use with SSD-only drives, to be used for direct viewing or streaming in other rooms.
With the lights off, during playback, the only thing you notice is the small green LED on the front , just below the TV
Pro : • Very quiet • The shape fits very well in the living room
Versus: • QTS is sometimes complex for cutting the typical customer • For M.2 memories it is necessary to disassemble everything
Price: 857.60 Euro
QNAP HS-453DX has an official cost of 857.60 Euros and is available in the sales network of stores offering QNAP products, but you can also find it directly from Amazon.it.
