If you don't already have a NAS you definitely should consider one of the brands that already has Plex Media Server apps available for it.
Also consider whether you need to transcode or not.
I am also thinking about buying the Seagate central. Currently having to keep my computer on 24/7 which of course, it's not designed for that type of use. Had a NAS previously and all hard drives failed because those drives were not designed to be on 24/7. Could someone tell us if there needs to be a critical mass of people requesting before consideration? Thank you.
Do not buy a Seagate Central if you need PMS on a NAS. Seagate Central is severely underpowered (as I mentioned earlier in the thread) and it is unlikely to get a PMS build on it.
I'm still rather a noob when it comes to NAS drives, servers, software, and media streaming in general. I just started using Plex a few days ago and am trying to figure out how it really works. That being said, I did want to log on and state that I do use Seagate Centrals (3TB and 4TB) and I've had no problems overall. Movies, TV Shows, Music on the Centrals, Plex on a computer, apps through a Sony NSZ-GS8 streaming box and a Samsung TV. I don't expext a detailed answer in this forum, but I don't understand "underpowered." It seems to work for me.
I'm still rather a noob when it comes to NAS drives, servers, software, and media streaming in general. I just started using Plex a few days ago and am trying to figure out how it really works. That being said, I did want to log on and state that I do use Seagate Centrals (3TB and 4TB) and I've had no problems overall. Movies, TV Shows, Music on the Centrals, Plex on a computer, apps through a Sony NSZ-GS8 streaming box and a Samsung TV. I don't expext a detailed answer in this forum, but I don't understand "underpowered." It seems to work for me.
Yeah you misunderstood one vital thing. This thread is about OP wanting to install PMS on the actual NAS machine. Not on a computer as you are doing it.
I don't understand "underpowered."
Underpowered means that it isn't very powerful in regards to all the things Plex would require. This includes but is not limited to RAM and processor...
I can't even seem to locate specs on the Seagate Central... so I can't put in my 2 cents whether or not Plex can run on Seagate.
Underpowered means that it isn't very powerful in regards to all the things Plex would require. This includes but is not limited to RAM and processor...
I can't even seem to locate specs on the Seagate Central... so I can't put in my 2 cents whether or not Plex can run on Seagate.
As far as I can tell it has a 700MHz 32bit ARM processor called "Cavium Econa". Found in routers (D-Link amongst others) and similar devices. They are really cool because they have extremely low power consumption (1W at the low end). But as you might understand it is not in any way suitable to run any applications which needs performance.
This CPU has not been tested by Passmark as far as I can see, so it is hard to say what passmark score it has. But I would be surprised if it is even 10% of what is needed to transcoding anything resembling high resolution. And Plex only makes PMS versions for architectures that allow for transcoding. That is why I am guessing that there will never be a PMS for this device.
It is important to note that I am not a Plex Inc. employee, so I have no idea. But I can make educated guesses.
I would also love to be able to run plex on my seagate central, no transcoding required!
I understand PLEX's primary function is transcoding and that hence it might not make sense to make a version for underpowered nas devices.
BUT for me main point why I like plex is its awesome artwork and metadata processing as well as intuitive and nice interface, subtitles support etc. The thing is I don't need transcoding (and I am using seagate central with chromecast which is more or less the worst mainstream device in terms of supported formats). I believe a simple media server which would organise my media on the NAS and provide it to me nicely on any device (with no transcoding) is what I (and I believe huge number of others) need. All my videos are currently in the formats chromecast supports and they stream perfectly to the chromecast by using an android app (BubbleUPNP if someone is interested) and it never transcodes and works as a charm.
My pc converted all my old media (over 2TB of it) over one night and that was it.
Now seagate central (and its competitor WD MyCloud) are really getting popular and I believe both these devices and plex would benefit for having a dedicated no transcoding server (or possibly just audio (I do believe these devices are just about good enough to do this)). (I mean you would suppose they want a broader range of customers) and it really isn't that much work with their existing infrastructure (my estimate is that with a green light from seagate, which I believe they would be idiots not to give, it wouldn't take me more than a week to do it).
However I managed myself and stopped using plex because it doesn't support this (and am glad I didn't buy the life membership when I was tempted) but I still miss many of its simple features which are its main selling points (most people just want it to work and don't care how).
All of this would be solved if plex incorporated a simple android server, in the sense that you have a server on your phone which again doesn't transcode but simply organises your media and works in line with your account. So you would link this server to any network drive and just use your server with supported formats (and possibly reformat it (which plex regular server could offer to do for you) so it works for some specific device you want to use with it).
It would be infinitely more convenient for anyone having any kind of networked storage (and this includes routers with attached hard drives/usb sticks etc...) and would offer plex to a hugely increased population and for most eliminate the need of having a pc running for plex to work.
It would also be nice if plex server would offer things like transcode(just reformat) in advance which would give a chance to many less powerful devices a chance.
Is this true? And does anyone know when the Plex Media Server app will be available for the Seagate Central NAS?
http://www.garagesalepreview.com/seagates-new-personal-cloud-drive-is-a-170-plex-media-server/
I also have a Seagate Central NAS and want it Plex-ified :)
Me too!!! Please add Seagate central to your list of NAS Servers... Or at least provide a good response explaining why NOT!
In the mean time, I am using DropBox and accessing Plex thru Roku with my computer off. I do have Seagate Central and would like to be able to use it with Plex.
So meeee tooooo
PLEASE ADD SEAGATE CONNECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also have a 4tb seagate nas. very hopeful for plex compatibility.
As far as I can tell it has a 700MHz 32bit ARM processor called "Cavium Econa". Found in routers (D-Link amongst others) and similar devices. They are really cool because they have extremely low power consumption (1W at the low end). But as you might understand it is not in any way suitable to run any applications which needs performance.
This CPU has not been tested by Passmark as far as I can see, so it is hard to say what passmark score it has. But I would be surprised if it is even 10% of what is needed to transcoding anything resembling high resolution. And Plex only makes PMS versions for architectures that allow for transcoding. That is why I am guessing that there will never be a PMS for this device.
It is important to note that I am not a Plex Inc. employee, so I have no idea. But I can make educated guesses.
I can confirm this. What's more, it has a dual-core 700Mhz processor and Seagate disables one of the cores . Also the memory is limited but it has swap.
Currently, the Seagate Central runs a Twonky server for DLNA/uPNP but it only includes the internal drive in the library and not the USB. It has plenty of potential for other applications, but transcoding even 480p is definitely not one of them.
+1
So the Seagate Samsung app is not useful?
seagate central list. add me too!!! :)
+1
Please add Seagate Central
Samsung smart-tv has an Plex-app that you can use but you still need to have the server-program on your computer and it has to be turned on but you don't have to connect it to your tv.
A compromice for the moment
