I currently have a raspberry pi 2 setup using OSMC with TVHeadend enabled, this is currently recording to a NAS and Kodi is pulling the content from the NAS. I also currently have 2 x 3.5" HDD’s that are in my desktop PC that contain archived movies.
My library has grown to a size where its quite difficult to manage and I’m interested in using Plex as an alternative for managing my content and watching recordings. I attempted to install Plex on the Raspberry Pi to see what it would be like but it really struggled and crashed occasionally.
I’m looking for a headless server build that would have cheap running costs as I’d look to have it running 24x7. I could also install TVHeadend on the same server and just use the Pi as a frontend (Or ditch the Pi and Chromecast everything).
Only one user and not planning on accessing over the internet.
Much appreciate any recommendations that you might have, my initial thoughts are to get a Raspberry Pi 3 but I’m interested in alternative options.
Thanks for any feedback and let me know if you I should add anything else that might be useful
I had a cheap Windows 7 Acer PC that I picked up from Amazon about 5 years ago for around $2-300 that ran single user Plex server perfectly fine. Had two streams running on the local network without a single buffering issue as a test. If you’re not taxing your system with Live TV and DVR then you really don’t need much. A processor with a Passmark score of over 2,000 should hold a single 1080p stream for the most part. Shouldn’t be too hard to find.
EDIT: If memory serves, it was an AMD 64bit processor. Don’t recall the exact number, but at the time (before Plex) I just wanted something to serve up movie files direct from a network drive to an HDMI connected TV. Adding Plex later was easy, and rocked more than navigating Windows on a TV.
Thanks AmazingRando24
I’ve been reading through this guide: https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201373793-Is-Plex-Media-Server-on-a-NAS-Right-for-Me-
I’ll mainly be watching my recordings on my TV, I can use either a Raspberry Pi using Kodi and the Plex app or cast to the Chromecast.
I have used my tablet before to watch recordings but played them directly from the NAS - Is there anyway I can cast to the tablet and ensure transcoding isn’t required?
I also have no plans to watch shows over the internet
Considering the above, I don’t think I need to worry about transcoding, therefore could I just use a NAS? I was thinking WD My Cloud EX2.
@pajeffery@gmail.com said:
Thanks AmazingRando24
I have used my tablet before to watch recordings but played them directly from the NAS - Is there anyway I can cast to the tablet and ensure transcoding isn’t required?
Not sure you can “cast” to a tablet. There should be a Plex app available for it though. Whether or not something will transcode or not is based on two things. The media format, and the object attempting to play it. Plex will transcode if there isn’t a match. Lots of variables if you’re not super familiar with the media you’re starting with.
Considering the above, I don’t think I need to worry about transcoding, therefore could I just use a NAS? I was thinking WD My Cloud EX2.
If you already have the equipment, definitely test what you’ve got first. I know some people aren’t too happy with trying to run from WD NAS in particular, but your needs sound pretty light. You may get acceptable results.
@AmazingRando24 said:
Not sure you can “cast” to a tablet. There should be a Plex app available for it though. Whether or not something will transcode or not is based on two things. The media format, and the object attempting to play it. Plex will transcode if there isn’t a match. Lots of variables if you’re not super familiar with the media you’re starting with.
I was doing this over the weekend when I was playing around with Plex, I’m not a subscriber so can’t play directly using an app, but if you open the app then go to your server webpage there is an option to cast to the tablet.
The NAS I have is a 4TB WD My Cloud that doesn’t support apps - I’ll have another look at NAS options, anything with transcoding seems to get into the £200+
You might also try accessing the web interface from the tablet through a browser. That could prove useful as well.
@AmazingRando24
PMS (Plex/web, or any app) can cast to any Plex player app which is advertising itself as a player.
I did not know this… thanks!
