Configuration:
Nvidia Shield TV (2017 version)
Plex Server version (not currently accessible: it’s the one installed on the Shield and it self-updates to the current version).
Synology DS418 NAS
Synology DSM 7.0.1-42218
Plex Media Server 1.24.3.5033-7000
Background:
For longer trips I travel with an Nvidia Shield TV for remote access to stored media. About 3 Tb of media is stored on an external hard drive that is connected to the Shield via USB 3; this system works fabulously. The installation of Plex on the Shield is the default one with the Plex Media Server database stored locally on the Shield.
When I get home, I plug the external hard drive into my Synology NAS which has the Plex Media Server package installed on it. This instance of the Plex Media Server knows that the media is stored on that remote hard drive and, once that drive is reconnected, everything works fabulously here as well.
The approach I use inherently creates two Plex Media Server databases that operate independently. As a result, keeping metadata synced between the two systems must be done manually. I am trying to rectify that problem.
Desired Solution:
My preferred solution is to store the Plex Media Server database on the travelling hard drive, and not on the two devices (e.g. one database on the Shield and the other, unrelated database on the Synology NAS). The Plex help system has a lovely article for how to achieve this for the Shield: Moving server data storage location on NVIDIA SHIELD so obviously this is possible. While I have not moved the Shield’s database yet the process is well documented and appears straightforward. The next challenge is to get the Synology NAS to access the database from the remote, USB-attached hard drive and not from the NAS’ internal drives. That’s where I am lost. Important: I would move the database from within the Shield. Therefore, I do not need to move the database when using the Synology NAS, I only need to tell the Plex Media Server instance on the Synology NAS to look in a different location for the database.
Help I Am Looking For:
Directions to tell the Plex Media Server installed on a Synology NAS, using DSM 7.x, to reference the Plex database stored on a remote hard drive attached to the NAS.
Known Workarounds:
I am aware of at least two workarounds should I choose to use them:
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Use Plex’s Remote Access feature to stream media to my location when I am travelling. I am trying to avoid this because of what is oftentimes insufficient or expensive Internet connectivity at the places I travel to.
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I understand that I could reconnect my Shield to my home network when I get home and use it for all my needs, avoiding the NAS instance altogether. I wish to avoid this because it is an ongoing pain vs the one-time pain of changing the configuration. Anyway, I forgot the Shield’s power adapter once and never wish to repeat that error!
Thanks one and all for the assistance!
