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There is no reliable single cost figure without two inputs: your Synology NAS’s average wall-power draw while it runs the stream, and your electricity tariff. Calculate the energy used from those values, then multiply by your local price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Synology’s published DS923+ figures provide context, but they are not measurements of that NAS encoding and streaming your video.
Calculate your 24/7 electricity cost
Use the NAS’s average power draw in watts, not an estimate based on the Docker container alone. The figure should represent the complete system during a representative stream: NAS, installed drives, and the workload you actually plan to run.
| Period | Energy calculation | Cost calculation |
|---|---|---|
| One day | Average watts Ă— 24 Ă· 1,000 = kWh per day | kWh per day Ă— your price per kWh |
| 30-day month | Average watts Ă— 24 Ă— 30 Ă· 1,000 = kWh per 30-day month | kWh per 30-day month Ă— your price per kWh |
| 365-day year | Average watts Ă— 24 Ă— 365 Ă· 1,000 = kWh per 365-day year | kWh per 365-day year Ă— your price per kWh |
For example, if your measured average is W watts and your utility charges T per kWh, the daily cost is (W Ă— 24 Ă· 1,000) Ă— T. Substitute your own measured watts and tariff; the formula is a unit conversion, not a prediction of your bill. Check whether your quoted electricity price includes applicable taxes or other charges, since the calculation only uses the per-kWh rate you enter.
Measure the NAS while it is doing the real job
A plug-in electricity usage monitor can measure wall draw for a NAS plugged into a compatible outlet. Measure across a representative period with the same drives, video, resolution, frame rate, filters, and FFmpeg encoding settings you intend to use. A short idle reading or a reading taken with drives hibernating will not represent continuous streaming and encoding.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Record the average watts while the stream is running, rather than relying on a momentary peak or an idle value.
- Include the drives and other hardware that will remain powered for the stream.
- If the video or FFmpeg settings change, measure again: those changes can alter processor demand and system power use.
A wall-power reading gives you an input for the energy calculation; it does not guarantee a particular stream quality or cost. Your utility tariff is the other necessary input, and it varies by location and plan.
What Synology’s published watt figures do—and do not—tell you
Synology’s current DS923+ store specification page lists 35.51 watts (Access) and 11.52 watts (HDD Hibernation). These are model-specific manufacturer figures, not measured draw during an FFmpeg encode-and-stream workload. Synology also cautions that performance specifications can vary with configuration, deployment, and active operations. They should not be treated as the cost or power use of every Synology NAS, or as a substitute for measuring your own setup. Synology DS923+ specifications (accessed October 3, 2026).
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The DS923+ product specifications, last updated July 7, 2025, list an AMD Ryzen R1600 two-core CPU and 4 GB of preinstalled RAM. Those specifications apply to that model and do not establish how an unspecified Synology NAS will perform with a particular Docker image and FFmpeg job. Synology DS923+ product specifications.
Why Docker and FFmpeg make the result workload-specific
Docker does not have a standard electricity cost. The relevant quantity is the full NAS’s wall draw while the container runs the intended streaming workload. FFmpeg’s CPU demand can change with the input file, resolution, frame rate, filters, and encoding settings. Hardware encoding may be possible on some configurations, but it depends on the NAS, its device access, and the container’s FFmpeg build.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
FFmpeg’s documentation describes reading live inputs and provides benchmarking options; it also documents x264 H.264 encoding when FFmpeg is built with that support. Documentation is not a performance benchmark for your NAS or container. Verify the capabilities of the specific build and measure the complete system under the settings you will use. FFmpeg documentation.
SynoCommunity’s FAQ describes granting video-device access per application, including service-user or videodriver group access. That is community packaging guidance, not a guarantee that hardware encoding is available or will work on every Synology model or container. SynoCommunity FAQ.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Keep YouTube’s stream and archive limits in mind
YouTube’s encoder setup uses a Live server URL and stream key. Enter these in your streaming software as directed by YouTube, and protect the stream key as a credential. A continuous 24-hour event also has an important archive limitation: YouTube Help says, “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived.” Do not assume one uninterrupted 24-hour stream will be automatically archived as a single video. YouTube Help: archive live streams.
Use video and audio you have the right to stream. YouTube’s copyright and monetization rules still apply to prerecorded material; streaming continuously does not make copyrighted footage or music permissible, nor does it guarantee monetization. Review the rights for every element in a loop before putting it on air.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Estimate your own total with these inputs
- Identify your exact Synology model and the number and type of installed drives.
- Run the intended Docker and FFmpeg stream settings, then use a wall-power monitor to record average watts over a representative period.
- Find your electricity tariff in the unit your utility bills: price per kWh, with the currency and applicable billing terms noted.
- Apply the daily, 30-day, or 365-day formula above. Label the result with the measured wattage, period, and tariff so it is not mistaken for a universal estimate.
Without the model, drive configuration, measured streaming draw, and tariff, a personalized total cannot be established. Compare NAS setups using measured average wall watts during the same kind of streaming workload, alongside their ability to handle the chosen encode settings and the local electricity rate.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you would rather not keep a NAS or home computer running, StreamNeo keeps an uploaded video or playlist looping as a 24/7 YouTube stream from the cloud. Upload your recording, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer can be off; StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot rather than quality tiers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
