Buzz
We've talked extensively about NAS and its applications or tasks it can handle. In this discussion, I'll share with you a task that many find interesting - Image & Video Management.
Creating a personal cloud storage will bring more benefits than traditional storage drives. It not only offers more conveniences but also provides notable advantages compared to online storage services.
Why NAS will become the go-to tool for image storage needs
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a network storage device, traditionally designed for data accessed by devices internally through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Compared to traditional storage drives, NAS serves multiple devices simultaneously if connected via TCP/IP protocol.
Setting up NAS & installing Synology Photos
After installing the DSM operating system, users proceed to partition storage for the NAS before installing applications in the Package Center. The detailed steps are straightforward and intuitive, and users can also find manufacturer-provided step-by-step guidance.
Synology Photos app is installed in the Package Center. The operating system also requires users to install additional applications for proper functionality, such as Node.js v12, Synology Application Service. Additionally, an optional utility to install is Advanced Media Extensions: this software package helps iOS and modern Android users access HEIC/HEIF photos and is compatible with iOS Live Photos.
To access the photo repository from anywhere, users need to connect the NAS to the internet. Synology provides the Quick Connect tool by creating a connection through an easily memorable access ID and link in the format https://quickconnect.to/ID
WebUI Interface Usage
Logging into the mobile app is a breeze. Once users have set up their Synology Quick Connect ID, they only need to enter the authorized NAS account information. In the app settings, users configure automatic photo backup to the NAS from their phones in the Photo Backup section (Not Enabled).
Here, users can find settings for automatic photo uploads, including using Wi-Fi only or when charging. The intelligent photo upload feature can recognize previously uploaded photos if users log out of the app or reinstall it. Subsequently, new photos not yet in the NAS will continue to be uploaded from the phone.
For the iOS app, the Enable Sleep Time Backup option creates a mechanism to dim the screen after 10 seconds, allowing the app to run in the background due to iOS's restrictions on third-party apps running in the background. On Android OS, background app operation is more flexible if users permit increased usage, though it may consume more battery.
Modern smartphones now come with ample storage capacity, making it easy for users to view thousands of photos in offline mode with a pre-set cache of up to 1 GB or unlimited.Album Management: Auto-categorization, Conditional Album Creation
The Album section includes 5 automatically categorized folders: People, Places, Tags, Videos, and Recently Added. Specifically, the People category utilizes facial recognition based on photos, activated when users enable the feature supported by NAS models listed here.
Creating a custom album is straightforward; users simply choose 'Set photos to create album' and manually select photos from Synology Photos' filtered library.
The 'Set conditions to create album' feature allows the creation of photo albums based on conditions with filters like designated folders, file type (image, video, or both), photo creation time, rating, and other conditions: keywords such as file name, geographical location, tags, etc. This feature enables users to select folders captured by specific devices or specify timeframes or locations for those photos.
It's evident that this feature is incredibly useful for photographers and content creators looking to share their work with clients.Sharing Photos with Others and Receiving Contributed Content Data
With the ability to connect to the internet, Synology's NAS photo management app can securely and swiftly share content externally, optimizing network bandwidth for efficiency.
An photo album can be shared with anyone for viewing, or those with editing privileges can be granted permissions from the NAS account. The shared link can optionally have a password or expiration time, providing security and convenience for administrators.
The Photo Request feature in the Sharing section allows you to receive photos directly to your NAS from others. Specifically, those with this link will see a web interface where they can choose and directly contribute photos. This speeds up the sharing process, eliminating the need to download photos to their devices first.The Benefits that Synology NAS brings to Photo Management
After a period of use, the Synology Photos app has shown me that NAS can replace the cloud storage services I'm currently using, especially by creating a centralized, reliable, and feature-rich storage hub.- Easy capacity expansion as needed - When you have a large number of photos to store, having ample space is essential. This is something public clouds struggle with due to storage limitations.
- Access from anywhere, any device - Similar to public clouds, setting up an internet-connected NAS allows you to use it anywhere on any device that supports a desktop web browser. Synology provides the Photos Mobile app for both Android and iOS platforms.
- Some cloud-like features - I can utilize location-based photo search with a visual map, facial recognition, and the software's algorithm allows keyword search in multiple languages like English.
- No annual fees - The initial investment is only the NAS & hard drive; the rest involves internet connection & electricity.
- Click here to access Synology's micro-site
- Select 'Join Now' under the 'Bring Synology NAS Home' section
- Complete the survey and share your thoughts with Synology
- Click 'Submit' to finish the survey
- The winner will be announced via email
