So, I figured I’d like to build my own server (read: have my friend build me one).
I currently have a Synology DS918+ with only 2 free bays and it sometimes buffers playing 1080 losslessly via remote access.
I want a server with a minimum of 8 bays, preferably 10 or more and one that will transcode (inkl. HDR to SDR tone mapping from lossless 4k to high bitrate 1080s via remote access whilst away from home.
But what HW do I need for this? I figure a decent CPU, good amount of RAM and a decent, whilst not necessarily high spec GPU?
It’ll be a 24/7/365 on server.
I’m in the EU so if anyone could refer to parts available here and preferably with EU prices, I’d be happy.
As for the 100mbs Ethernet I’m assuming you are using the Plex app built into the tv?
With all respect to the Plex smart tv app devs, that will always be your weakest link.
Performance will be night and day better with an Nvidia shield or Apple TV 4K for those 4K remuxes.
I have both and though slightly more limited I prefer the Apple TV for usability.
However if you’re currently having no issues with 4K HDR remuxes in direct play then obviously there is no reason to not just carry on using the Plex TV app.
Just pointing out you have the option to separate the storage and compute portions of your system.
It gives you the ability to upgrade one without impact on the other.
For example, you could move Plex Media Server to a NUC or other computer to obtain the transcoding capability you need. You can expand the storage later, as the DS918+ nears capacity. The additional storage will need only a moderately powerful CPU, as serving files is not compute intensive.
Just pointing out you have options. That’s all.
Are you transcoding to get around the limitations of 100 Mbps Ethernet?
Does your TV support 802.11ac Wi-Fi?
If so, consider another approach. The TV’s 5 GHz Wi-Fi will almost certainly be faster than 100 Mbps. Drop an access point near the TV, using the wired Ethernet to connect the AP to the rest of your network.
If the TV is 4K HDR, you definitely want to avoid transcoding HDR media whenever possible. Plex transcodes everything to H.264 SDR video. All the HDR “goodness” is tossed aside when transcoding.
I’ve a LG B7 TV and ran into the limitations of streaming high bit-rate 4K media over wired Ethernet. I picked up an inexpensive 802.11ac router, put it in AP mode, and placed it near the TV, using the Ethernet cable as backhaul. The WiFi on the LG is much faster than the Ethernet port. No more buffering when streaming 80 Mbps 4K HDR media.
Or if your TV supports it, a USB3 to ethernet adapter… how much more expensive is a 1000 adaptor compared to 10/100… manufacturers cheaping out as usual.
I would just like ONE server with everything on/in it.
My TV is 4K HDR Sony 90XE or in Europe labeled KD-65 9005.
I do use the TV Plex app. Have been thinking about an Nvidia Shield for a while - but that’s for ethernet / LAN usage. TV wifi is not quicker than LAN.
I’d like more power in my server so that it can tone map HDR to SDR. This way, I can avoid 1080 AND 4K vers. of the same films and save space.
Regarding quickSynq: I thought that a moire powerful GPU would transcode more / better / faster as per this table:
But I’d want the transcodes to be much higher than the 1080 8 Mbit. I’m aiming for 20+ Mbit.
Seldom the Plex app can’t handle 4K HDR and buffers: Star Wars New Hope (Fan vers.) 1977 (4K scans). Goes above 100 Mbit. As does Dark Knight.
Most of my problems with Plex and buffering / transcoding / underpowered happens when I stream remotely.
Suppose I got 2 Nvidia Shield Pros and installed one at my remote location. Would this shiield take a (transcoding) load of my NAS (which is my Plex Media Server), as itt would be capable of direct playing more formats, handle more different codecs etc?
Or would it still be 100 percent be up to my DS918+ NAS to do the work?
Asking because I think a few of us are not clear on your use case: Are you aiming for 20+Mb/s streaming locally or remote?
If local streaming (as you keep referencing your TV’s 100Mb ethernet) then I agree with previous comments, a hardwired Nvidia Shield will remove your network bottleneck and (should) Direct Play.
The Shield will not transcode the media streamed from your remote Plex Server, it’s benefit is that I can Direct Play just about everything (meaning transcoding is not even necessary)
If you have a second Shield set up at a remote location your bottleneck will most likely be your internet upload speed at the source location, and/or the download speed at the remote location. Run a hardwired speed test at both locations to know if that will be a factor for you.
You might still need a beefy server (it sounds like you want to get away from Synology all together if you don’t even want it as a simple box of hard drives) but play out all options on removing your network bottleneck first to see if you actually need the extra oomph (which you might for any remote streaming)
