-
Amazon Deals - ToS - Like us?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Plex Geeks? I need a hardware setup for Plex.
varkey
I got banned!
@ajgamer Mine is similar to this -- US $73.6 35% OFF|Mini PC Intel Celeron 3965U 4K UHD Intel HD Graphics 610 Windows 10 Dual Core 2.20GHz HDMI VGA Wireless WiFi Fanless Minipc-in Mini PC from Computer & Office on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
I paid 7-8k or so back in 2016, it has an Intel Celeron N3150 processor. I got it barebone, and added the RAM and storage separately. It was shipped by regular registered post, luckily didn't have to pay any customs duty.
It's essentially a full blown x86 computer, and I run CentOS on it, and keep it headless, just connected to network. I find it really VFM, its compact, energy efficient, offers good performance.
Interesting article on similar MiniPCs -- The Scooter Computer
I paid 7-8k or so back in 2016, it has an Intel Celeron N3150 processor. I got it barebone, and added the RAM and storage separately. It was shipped by regular registered post, luckily didn't have to pay any customs duty.
It's essentially a full blown x86 computer, and I run CentOS on it, and keep it headless, just connected to network. I find it really VFM, its compact, energy efficient, offers good performance.
Interesting article on similar MiniPCs -- The Scooter Computer
D
Deleted member 63558
How do you add the storage to it (for OS)?
And do you have any installation steps for plex on it?
And do you have any installation steps for plex on it?
varkey
I got banned!
You could attach a 2.5 inch HDD or use a SSD which can be connected directly to the main board (I think its PCI-E mSATA, there maybe newer ones now). I just got a 16 GB SSD and use that for the OS.
As I said its just a normal PC, so you install the OS how you'd install it on any PC (use a USB flash drive or external CD/DVD drive etc). On CentOS, Plex provides an RPM package, so its just a matter of downloading that and doing an RPM installation.
For the initial installation and configuration, you'd need to connect to a monitor (I used a TV, connected over HDMI), after that mine remains headless, just connected to my network. I added external hard disk drives to use as a NAS and that's where my Plex videos are stored.
As I said its just a normal PC, so you install the OS how you'd install it on any PC (use a USB flash drive or external CD/DVD drive etc). On CentOS, Plex provides an RPM package, so its just a matter of downloading that and doing an RPM installation.
For the initial installation and configuration, you'd need to connect to a monitor (I used a TV, connected over HDMI), after that mine remains headless, just connected to my network. I added external hard disk drives to use as a NAS and that's where my Plex videos are stored.
D
Deleted member 63558
Okay. Do you face any lag or any issue with this low power CPU Intel Celeron N3150 processor ?
Because I'm discussing other places too. They say to go with NUC8i3BEH and some say to go with NUC7CJYH.
Confusion: I am just not experienced with Plex on such compact setup. I use my 4Ghz 4 Core PC right now for the PMS and it's overkill for Plex. But going to such small compact setup, I want to be sure I'm investing right and buying best so that I don't have to regret later on.
Since, once bought, can't be returned or modified with better CPU.
Because I'm discussing other places too. They say to go with NUC8i3BEH and some say to go with NUC7CJYH.
Confusion: I am just not experienced with Plex on such compact setup. I use my 4Ghz 4 Core PC right now for the PMS and it's overkill for Plex. But going to such small compact setup, I want to be sure I'm investing right and buying best so that I don't have to regret later on.
Since, once bought, can't be returned or modified with better CPU.
varkey
I got banned!
As I mentioned earlier, you would need a better CPU if you need transcoding (and this depends on your client/player devices too), also if you want to access Plex over the internet where the video might need to be downscaled etc.
If you are confident that all your players/client devices can play all your videos in Direct Stream mode (or only Audio Transcoding), just get the latest gen Intel Pentium series processor or something. Without transcoding even my low powered CPU with just a Passmark score of 1.6k, works flawlessly.
Also, you could get a mini pc with better CPU as well, there are i3 or i5 or i7 options available too. (An intel NUC is essentially from the same category of products).
Don't worry about the compactness, with the appropriate processor it runs great. So end of the day it depends on your needs, how many simultaneous video streams with/without transcoding etc etc.
If you are confident that all your players/client devices can play all your videos in Direct Stream mode (or only Audio Transcoding), just get the latest gen Intel Pentium series processor or something. Without transcoding even my low powered CPU with just a Passmark score of 1.6k, works flawlessly.
Also, you could get a mini pc with better CPU as well, there are i3 or i5 or i7 options available too. (An intel NUC is essentially from the same category of products).
Don't worry about the compactness, with the appropriate processor it runs great. So end of the day it depends on your needs, how many simultaneous video streams with/without transcoding etc etc.
D
Deleted member 63558
Requirements:
2 Streams averagely of 1080p Full HD (We don't own 4K).
I am not sure if I need transcoding or not. Before yesterday, I never learnt about it too. But still not able to understand if I need it or not. I have always used my overkill PC to watch. It's the firs time, I am moving to TV for this. Do you use Transcoding?
Uses:
Movies of 1080p
Shows of 1080p
Songs of any quality or YouTube to MP3
If you could double check yourself. I own these devices:
WD MyCloud: My Cloud - Personal Cloud Storage | WD
Amazon FireTV Stick: Fire TV Stick with all-new Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player: Amazon.in: Kindle Store
GoogleChromeCast Gen 1: Google Chromecast HDMI Media Streaming Device - Google : Flipkart.com
So recommend me the best possible NUC or compact mini PC you can.
What's the use of transcoding and benfit of it? I tried looking for some videos explaining this but can't find.
2 Streams averagely of 1080p Full HD (We don't own 4K).
I am not sure if I need transcoding or not. Before yesterday, I never learnt about it too. But still not able to understand if I need it or not. I have always used my overkill PC to watch. It's the firs time, I am moving to TV for this. Do you use Transcoding?
Uses:
Movies of 1080p
Shows of 1080p
Songs of any quality or YouTube to MP3
If you could double check yourself. I own these devices:
WD MyCloud: My Cloud - Personal Cloud Storage | WD
Amazon FireTV Stick: Fire TV Stick with all-new Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player: Amazon.in: Kindle Store
GoogleChromeCast Gen 1: Google Chromecast HDMI Media Streaming Device - Google : Flipkart.com
So recommend me the best possible NUC or compact mini PC you can.
What's the use of transcoding and benfit of it? I tried looking for some videos explaining this but can't find.
varkey
I got banned!
Transcoding is needed when your client device does not support playing the video natively. Say for instance the video is in H265 format with AC3 audio, and your device doesn't support H265 format, Plex will need to convert the video on the fly to a format supported by your device. And that needs a lot of CPU. If two people are watching, then that might trigger two simultaneous transcodes too.
So your Chromecast, will definitely need Audio transcoding (I have a chromecast too), cause the chromecast I think supports only AAC audio or something (it's been a while). I don't see issues with just audio transcoding, my low power CPU can handle it just fine.. On Fire TV stick also, I have noticed that it needed transcoding at times. (Again I haven't noted down which formats etc as)
Sometimes when I enable subtitles (this is the one that troubles me the most), it would want to burn the subs to the video (this triggers transcoding). Would need to look into what subtitle formats can be inserted without transcoding and maybe can avoid this type of transcoding.
Considering all these, and be future proof, I would say get atleast a latest gen i3 based MiniPC or NUC depending on your budget.
So your Chromecast, will definitely need Audio transcoding (I have a chromecast too), cause the chromecast I think supports only AAC audio or something (it's been a while). I don't see issues with just audio transcoding, my low power CPU can handle it just fine.. On Fire TV stick also, I have noticed that it needed transcoding at times. (Again I haven't noted down which formats etc as)
Sometimes when I enable subtitles (this is the one that troubles me the most), it would want to burn the subs to the video (this triggers transcoding). Would need to look into what subtitle formats can be inserted without transcoding and maybe can avoid this type of transcoding.
Considering all these, and be future proof, I would say get atleast a latest gen i3 based MiniPC or NUC depending on your budget.
D
Deleted member 63558
And, all the transcoding you've mentioned above is the software or hardware? Because I believe hardware has the requirement of Plex Pass too.
Which model do you specifically suggest for the setup we are talking here? Since I believe you've good information about the NUC and MiniPCs.
I used VLC to run the Movie 1080p with .srt subtitle on AmazonFireStick directly from the WD NAS (without any PMS involved). And, it ran fine.
Which model do you specifically suggest for the setup we are talking here? Since I believe you've good information about the NUC and MiniPCs.
I used VLC to run the Movie 1080p with .srt subtitle on AmazonFireStick directly from the WD NAS (without any PMS involved). And, it ran fine.
1. The NAS comes diskless out of the box, disks have to be purchased separately.Okay, Thanks for the reply and just to make sure each unit is disk less it means I'll have to buy the Disk offline/online myself and it won't come with the unit?
Secondly, Do you recommend buying online or offline (Disk) and Which Disk?
Third, Can I use the Single Disk and keep the other disk empty or is it mandatory to have both?
Fourth, How do you clean the fan of the NAS?
Thanks.
2. I prefer buying online but then I live in a small town with few retail options. If you live in a biggish city, you can explore offline too.
3. Buy a NAS specific hard disk like a red WD. These are built to run 24X7. I'm personally running a 3TB WD Red ans a 2TB Seagate Barracuda.
4.You can run a single disk, 2nd is optional.
5. The NAS I have is toolless and I think other Synology models are also toolless. So just slide off the upper cover and clean with a wipe. I also run a mild blower to release the stuck dirt but be careful with the blower.