I’ve a studio apartment, living with my partner, and I have used plex for a month now, using my gaming PC as a plex server 24/7. i7 7700K, GTX 1070, 16gb RAM, 512gb m.2 SSD w/4TB blues. I usually just stream to my Samsung KS8000 UHD TV via the samsung plex app. So far i’ve been using my pc to transcode all my files for me, and it’s 80%/20% 1080P/4K content ripped straight from Bluray encoded into h.264 codec. Both PC and my TV is connected via local lan @ 900+Mb/s up and down. It streams fantastic with little or no stutter.
I’ve come to fear that running my PC rig 24/7 would wear it down quickly, plus it uses quite a bit of electrical power. I’m thinking of a budget setup to circumvent this. However with the myriad of options I am a little lost as what setup to go for. I read up on direct play and have most of my content in h.264 and i have a strong gigabit connection so maybe a budget NAS/NUC streaming via direct play a good option? My budget is USD$400.
Summary
**
Need: A plex server and plex media player
Video Content: Currently at 1.5TB ( 80% 1080P @15Mbps, 20% 4K @45Mbps)
Lan speed: Gigabit connection up and down via ethernet.
Budget: $400 total for either a NAS/NUC and/or media player.
No. of streams: Maximum 2 streams via local lan**
Can i get away with streaming my video content via direct play via a budget NAS/NUC set up since it doesn’t need to transcode?
Would my Samsung TV have a hard time playing my video content directly if so? I currently do not have an android box, i just use the built in plex app on the samsung KS8000.
If my Samsung TV is not powerful enough, what player would be strong to play my content?
If my budget does not allow for a strong server and or player, what bitrate should i aim for smooth playback if i decide to get a budget NAS/NUC as a server and stream via direct play to my samsung TV?
For my budget and need, should i get a NAS or a NUC? I just need around 2-3TB storage. I’ve read that a NUC is usually much better than a NAS for transcoding at a budget.
Thanks for reading through my long post. I tried to input as much information as i can for you to help guide me to a purchase. Recommended models for a server and player would be great too! Thanks in advance.
Well, the easiest and a pretty good choice would be a Shield TV pro. That way you have a server and player in one box and even have a pretty good server.
I the past I have derided the Plex client interface on the Shield but it has improved and, even though it is Plex Pass only, the Plex for Kodi interface is quite good with a few reservations.
The stability is good and the fact that it is designed as a streamer makes it a VERY good choice for a situation like you describe.
Clearly a small computer, like a NUC, would also fill the bill but I think the Shield is a better choice in environments like you describe, and it is defiantly easier for most people.
Some things I recommend/suggest:
Be sure to get a Shield Pro. It has 500gb storage and you may well need it for Plex.
Install and setup the Plex server first and let it at least finish its cataloging before installing other apps including Kodi.
To get the latest version of the server log onto Google Play on a computer and search for “Plex Server” and push the latest version to your Shield.
If you get a Shield one thing to be aware of is that the Shield people and the Plex developers for the Shield have not proven to be the most responsive people on these boards. You may have to wait a few days to get a response to a question.
@Elijah_Baley said:
Well, the easiest and a pretty good choice would be a Shield TV pro. That way you have a server and player in one box and even have a pretty good server.
I the past I have derided the Plex client interface on the Shield but it has improved and, even though it is Plex Pass only, the Plex for Kodi interface is quite good with a few reservations.
The stability is good and the fact that it is designed as a streamer makes it a VERY good choice for a situation like you describe.
Clearly a small computer, like a NUC, would also fill the bill but I think the Shield is a better choice in environments like you describe, and it is defiantly easier for most people.
Some things I recommend/suggest:
Be sure to get a Shield Pro. It has 500gb storage and you may well need it for Plex.
Install and setup the Plex server first and let it at least finish its cataloging before installing other apps including Kodi.
To get the latest version of the server log onto Google Play on a computer and search for “Plex Server” and push the latest version to your Shield.
If you get a Shield one thing to be aware of is that the Shield people and the Plex developers for the Shield have not proven to be the most responsive people on these boards. You may have to wait a few days to get a response to a question.
I had intended to get the pro. However, I am wondering how do i transfer my files over onto it? Once connected will it show up as a NAS storage and i just drag and drop over local lan? Or would i need to manually transfer files via a HDD onto it? Thanks for the input!
I was actually thinking of getting the 16gb version and get a budget NAS to connect to it. However if it does function like a drag and drop i would get the 500gb version definitely.
@Elijah_Baley said:
Well, the easiest and a pretty good choice would be a Shield TV pro. That way you have a server and player in one box and even have a pretty good server.
I the past I have derided the Plex client interface on the Shield but it has improved and, even though it is Plex Pass only, the Plex for Kodi interface is quite good with a few reservations.
The stability is good and the fact that it is designed as a streamer makes it a VERY good choice for a situation like you describe.
Clearly a small computer, like a NUC, would also fill the bill but I think the Shield is a better choice in environments like you describe, and it is defiantly easier for most people.
Some things I recommend/suggest:
Be sure to get a Shield Pro. It has 500gb storage and you may well need it for Plex.
Install and setup the Plex server first and let it at least finish its cataloging before installing other apps including Kodi.
To get the latest version of the server log onto Google Play on a computer and search for “Plex Server” and push the latest version to your Shield.
If you get a Shield one thing to be aware of is that the Shield people and the Plex developers for the Shield have not proven to be the most responsive people on these boards. You may have to wait a few days to get a response to a question.
I had intended to get the pro. However, I am wondering how do i transfer my files over onto it? Once connected will it show up as a NAS storage and i just drag and drop over local lan? Or would i need to manually transfer files via a HDD onto it? Thanks for the input!
I was actually thinking of getting the 16gb version and get a budget NAS to connect to it. However if it does function like a drag and drop i would get the 500gb version definitely.
The Shield is NOT a storage solution although it is possible for the internal memory to hold a few files. I would get a 2 or 4 TB drive and plug that into the USB port on the Shield for storage.
I do not use my Shield to host files at all. I have a separate shared library on a computer. But I have nearly a 30tb library and that constrains my choices a bit.
@Elijah_Baley said:
Well, the easiest and a pretty good choice would be a Shield TV pro. That way you have a server and player in one box and even have a pretty good server.
I the past I have derided the Plex client interface on the Shield but it has improved and, even though it is Plex Pass only, the Plex for Kodi interface is quite good with a few reservations.
The stability is good and the fact that it is designed as a streamer makes it a VERY good choice for a situation like you describe.
Clearly a small computer, like a NUC, would also fill the bill but I think the Shield is a better choice in environments like you describe, and it is defiantly easier for most people.
Some things I recommend/suggest:
Be sure to get a Shield Pro. It has 500gb storage and you may well need it for Plex.
Install and setup the Plex server first and let it at least finish its cataloging before installing other apps including Kodi.
To get the latest version of the server log onto Google Play on a computer and search for “Plex Server” and push the latest version to your Shield.
If you get a Shield one thing to be aware of is that the Shield people and the Plex developers for the Shield have not proven to be the most responsive people on these boards. You may have to wait a few days to get a response to a question.
I had intended to get the pro. However, I am wondering how do i transfer my files over onto it? Once connected will it show up as a NAS storage and i just drag and drop over local lan? Or would i need to manually transfer files via a HDD onto it? Thanks for the input!
I was actually thinking of getting the 16gb version and get a budget NAS to connect to it. However if it does function like a drag and drop i would get the 500gb version definitely.
The Shield is NOT a storage solution although it is possible for the internal memory to hold a few files. I would get a 2 or 4 TB drive and plug that into the USB port on the Shield for storage.
I do not use my Shield to host files at all. I have a separate shared library on a computer. But I have nearly a 30tb library and that constrains my choices a bit.
Ah okay, i understand.
So best solution for me i guess would to use the the shield tv as a player and a server, then set the shield to use a NAS as a storage to host the files?
@Elijah_Baley said:
Well, the easiest and a pretty good choice would be a Shield TV pro. That way you have a server and player in one box and even have a pretty good server.
I the past I have derided the Plex client interface on the Shield but it has improved and, even though it is Plex Pass only, the Plex for Kodi interface is quite good with a few reservations.
The stability is good and the fact that it is designed as a streamer makes it a VERY good choice for a situation like you describe.
Clearly a small computer, like a NUC, would also fill the bill but I think the Shield is a better choice in environments like you describe, and it is defiantly easier for most people.
Some things I recommend/suggest:
Be sure to get a Shield Pro. It has 500gb storage and you may well need it for Plex.
Install and setup the Plex server first and let it at least finish its cataloging before installing other apps including Kodi.
To get the latest version of the server log onto Google Play on a computer and search for “Plex Server” and push the latest version to your Shield.
If you get a Shield one thing to be aware of is that the Shield people and the Plex developers for the Shield have not proven to be the most responsive people on these boards. You may have to wait a few days to get a response to a question.
I had intended to get the pro. However, I am wondering how do i transfer my files over onto it? Once connected will it show up as a NAS storage and i just drag and drop over local lan? Or would i need to manually transfer files via a HDD onto it? Thanks for the input!
I was actually thinking of getting the 16gb version and get a budget NAS to connect to it. However if it does function like a drag and drop i would get the 500gb version definitely.
The Shield is NOT a storage solution although it is possible for the internal memory to hold a few files. I would get a 2 or 4 TB drive and plug that into the USB port on the Shield for storage.
I do not use my Shield to host files at all. I have a separate shared library on a computer. But I have nearly a 30tb library and that constrains my choices a bit.
Ah okay, i understand.
So best solution for me i guess would to use the the shield tv as a player and a server, then set the shield to use a NAS as a storage to host the files?
That is effectively what I have done and it is performing pretty well.
A USB drive plugged into the Shield is not a NAS
NAS is network attached storage - meaning is attached via your network !!
U can get 4 bay DAS (direct attached storage) from Drobo and that is connected “Directly” via USB to the Shield.
So as suggested - get the Shield pro and an External 4,5,6,8 TB drive plugged into the shield.
An mark my words whatever size you get it will get filled !!
@spikemixture said:
You might be confusing your storage names
A USB drive plugged into the Shield is not a NAS
NAS is network attached storage - meaning is attached via your network !!
U can get 4 bay DAS (direct attached storage) from Drobo and that is connected “Directly” via USB to the Shield.
So as suggested - get the Shield pro and an External 4,5,6,8 TB drive plugged into the shield.
An mark my words whatever size you get it will get filled !!
Nah mate, I didn’t get them mixed up haha. I thought i could use shield as a server and then in settings i can just pick my NAS as my folder to pick files from?
Anyway my concern with getting a 16gb shield would be that the 16gb onboard memory might not be enough as it gets filled with previews and metadata. As i understand, plex will not use external storage to place the previews right?
@spikemixture said:
You might be confusing your storage names
A USB drive plugged into the Shield is not a NAS
NAS is network attached storage - meaning is attached via your network !!
U can get 4 bay DAS (direct attached storage) from Drobo and that is connected “Directly” via USB to the Shield.
So as suggested - get the Shield pro and an External 4,5,6,8 TB drive plugged into the shield.
An mark my words whatever size you get it will get filled !!
Nah mate, I didn’t get them mixed up haha. I thought i could use shield as a server and then in settings i can just pick my NAS as my folder to pick files from?
Anyway my concern with getting a 16gb shield would be that the 16gb onboard memory might not be enough as it gets filled with previews and metadata. As i understand, plex will not use external storage to place the previews right?
That is correct. Supposedly the Shield/Plex folks are working to allow the Plex data folder to be moved to adopted storage but I would not count on it. While there are a number of people with 16gb Shields working as servers I would not recommend it. The cost savings would quickly get offset by the headaches and limits to the functionality in many cases.
You can, pretty easily, have the media live on your NAS and simply point the Shield to it. Again that is effectively what I have done and my rather large library is able to be streamed just fine.
You have to use the Shields settings to attach the network storage before you can use it but that is a fairly trivial undertaking as long as you know the user name and password for the storage abd it “might” even work if you log in as “guest” but I have never tested that. Plex normally writes nothing back to the media folders, all it needs is read access there, which is why it might work.
@spikemixture said:
You might be confusing your storage names
A USB drive plugged into the Shield is not a NAS
NAS is network attached storage - meaning is attached via your network !!
U can get 4 bay DAS (direct attached storage) from Drobo and that is connected “Directly” via USB to the Shield.
So as suggested - get the Shield pro and an External 4,5,6,8 TB drive plugged into the shield.
An mark my words whatever size you get it will get filled !!
Nah mate, I didn’t get them mixed up haha. I thought i could use shield as a server and then in settings i can just pick my NAS as my folder to pick files from?
Anyway my concern with getting a 16gb shield would be that the 16gb onboard memory might not be enough as it gets filled with previews and metadata. As i understand, plex will not use external storage to place the previews right?
That is correct. Supposedly the Shield/Plex folks are working to allow the Plex data folder to be moved to adopted storage but I would not count on it. While there are a number of people with 16gb Shields working as servers I would not recommend it. The cost savings would quickly get offset by the headaches and limits to the functionality in many cases.
You can, pretty easily, have the media live on your NAS and simply point the Shield to it. Again that is effectively what I have done and my rather large library is able to be streamed just fine.
You have to use the Shields settings to attach the network storage before you can use it but that is a fairly trivial undertaking as long as you know the user name and password for the storage abd it “might” even work if you log in as “guest” but I have never tested that. Plex normally writes nothing back to the media folders, all it needs is read access there, which is why it might work.
Thank you. I have since ordered the 500gb 2017 Shield and a Synology DS216J with 2 4tb wd red drives. It’s all over my budget but I think this would be a great setup to last me for awhile.
Before I moved to using Plex Cloud (which you should also consider) I was using what must be the simplest lowest cost Plex solution available. I used a 4TB Seagate Personal Cloud to run PMS & a Roku 3 to play content. This must be the lowest powered NAS available & barely costs more than a standalone external disk drive of the same capacity. The Roku 3 will Direct Play pretty much anything so there is no need for transcoding. I also used an Amazon FireTV 4K which also works well & has a slicker interface & more functionality than the Roku but doesn’t play any audio other than DD 5.1 & the NAS struggled to transcode DTS etc. Using Plex for Kodi you can play DTS but not more exotic HD audio.
@nigelpb said:
…The Roku 3 will Direct Play pretty much anything so there is no need for transcoding. …
That is simply not true. Up until the latest update Rokus were my favorite clients BUT they have a pretty limited codec support. At this point even having a server that is quite powerful and a media library that is mostly in a Roku compatible format I still can no longer recommend the Roku line. Rokus are now just too unreliable.
Currently, for Plex, I am using a Raspberry PI. It is stable and plays a very wide codec set without transcoding. I use it embedded so Plex is all it does. I use a Fire TV and my Shield for other things.
But, if you have a Shield as a server you really do not absolutely “need” another client. I just do not like any of the interfaces for Plex that are on the Shield.
Currently I’m planning to just use shield as player and a server combined, with a budget nas to host the files. Total is $299 (500GB Shield tv) + $280 (2x 4TB WD Red) + $169 (Synology DS216J). Comes up to $750. This is almost double my budget though, but i understand that it should last me a long while.
Currently my Synology DS216J and the red drives has arrived thanks to amazon prime. Just out of curiosity i set it up as a server by itself, with my Samsung KS8000 handling the playing of the content without another box. Both are connected to a gigabit ethernet line and so far I have been streaming H.265 coded 1080p blueray rips (13-18mb/s) and I am amazed by the lack of stutter or buffering times. The built in processor of the samsung TV must be pretty good i guess, makes me question if i should return the shield tv when it arrives lol.
I guess i’ll keep the shield in the end if it plays 4K decently. Not expecting much though.
I’m interested in what iteration of raspberry PI that you’re running that it transcodes well enough for you to enjoy? @Elijah_Baley
The PI is a client not a server so it does not transcode at all. It simply plays most everything. My server is a Shield and much of my content is mp4s and mkvs with simple codecs inside. But I have several old AVIs and some rather complex MKVs that do require full transcoding. The Shield handles that quite well. This was when I was using my Rokus as my client.
But now that I am using my Raspberry PI (I have an original PI 2 with a PI 3 arriving today) there is little that needs transcoding. Even my old AVIs seem to direct play just fine. That is yet another reason that I thank Roku for screwing up my Rokus. It made me give my PI a good through test and I decided that it was every bit as good as my Rokus at their best for Plex and, although my Shield can handle it, my server’s workload is reduced. A win all the way around.
@wobblewoo said:
What are you running on the Pi’s?
I use the embedded version of PMP.
Rasplex also works very well.
Yes it does. I play almost everything involving TV shows from “On Deck” and PMP’s “On Deck” is a better implementation for me but I would be pretty happy with Rasplex if PMP was not available.
@wobblewoo said:
What are you running on the Pi’s?
I use the embedded version of PMP.
Rasplex also works very well.
Yes it does. I play almost everything involving TV shows from “On Deck” and PMP’s “On Deck” is a better implementation for me but I would be pretty happy with Rasplex if PMP was not available.
But Rasplex does also feature “On Deck”? Or do I not get your post right?!
@wobblewoo said:
What are you running on the Pi’s?
I use the embedded version of PMP.
Rasplex also works very well.
Yes it does. I play almost everything involving TV shows from “On Deck” and PMP’s “On Deck” is a better implementation for me but I would be pretty happy with Rasplex if PMP was not available.
But Rasplex does also feature “On Deck”? Or do I not get your post right?!
I was saying I prefer PMP’s “On Deck” implementation to RasPlex’s. I was not saying that RasPlex lacked features or did not implement the same things that PMP does I just like the piece of PMP’s interface that I use the most better than the same part of RasPlex.
