I’m toying with the purchase of a 16T WD PR2100 network drive and am curious whether Plex offers DVD & Blu-Ray conversion for playback to TV and/or Streaming?
Thanks,
Raz
Though Plex can add-already converted files just fine into its media libraries, the actual conversion itself is outside the scope of the Plex software.
You may need to refer to other products for this task.
Nope. Plex does not proselytize. But it does, with a powerful enough processor, transcode most formats into a format that can be played on many clients.
Plex does NOT play DVDs nor does it support native DVD formats. You must use a tool, like Handbrake or Freemake, to create a file that Plex can handle and you must do your own ripping of DVDs to get movies/TV shows off the disk.
Also I do not think that drive can effectively run the Plex server as I do not think its processor is powerful enough.
Plex is a client/server system and, unless you take the time and effort to get all you files in a compatible format, the server requires a pretty powerful server.
@Elijah_Baley said:
Also I do not think that drive can effectively run the Plex server as I do not think its processor is powerful enough.
Au contraire.
This is one of the few devices where Plex supports hardware-accelerated transcoding.
https://www.plex.tv/blog/endless-summer-plex-western-digital/
@OttoKerner said:
@Elijah_Baley said:
Also I do not think that drive can effectively run the Plex server as I do not think its processor is powerful enough.Au contraire.
This is one of the few devices where Plex supports hardware-accelerated transcoding.
Well, as everyone knows, I am NEVER wrong. But in this case I might have been a little short of being right. 
Of course supporting hardware acceleration is, I think, a good thing. How many streams will it transcode simultaneously?
@Elijah_Baley said:
Of course supporting hardware acceleration is, I think, a good thing. How many streams will it transcode simultaneously?
They say 3 or 4 simultaneous fullHD streams are possible.
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/223642/wd-my-cloud-pro-pr4100-pr2100-how-well-do-they-perform-as-pms/p1#top
Guys, thank you for this information. From what I understand, currently we’re thinking the PR serious NAS using PLEX is capable of streaming 1080P content just fine, correct? If so, given proper bandwidth, wirelessly, correct?
I’m feeling confused as to whether Plex is capable of playing any ripped movie file that may be stored on the NAS? Every title would either be ripped from a DVD or Blu-Ray.
Thanks,
Raz
@Razmo76 said:
From what I understand, currently we’re thinking the PR serious NAS using PLEX is capable of streaming 1080P content just fine, correct? If so, given proper bandwidth, wirelessly, correct?
I recommend to plug-in the Plex server device always per ethernet. If you are using a big-screen device, wire that up too. Wireless may work under some circumstances but there are no guarantees and the ‘circumstances’ can change at anytime. Only use wireless for low bitrate clients like tablets and phones.
Is my recommendation at least.
I’m feeling confused as to whether Plex is capable of playing any ripped movie file that may be stored on the NAS? Every title would either be ripped from a DVD or Blu-Ray.
Any? No. I’d avoid any direct rip from BluRay using the VC-1 video codec.
Also stay clear of any video using the H.265 video codec.
With this device I would also not keep the full umcompressed BluRay rip around. I’d compress it at least slightly down to ~ 12 - 18 mbps (from the original 35 mbps)
(Handbrake setting ‘Constant Quality: 16’)
DVD content should be converted to H.264 using Handbrake or similar software.
There is no point in storing the old (often ‘interlaced’) MPEG2 video.
The goal is to be capable of streaming NAS HD content to a remote HDTV wirelessly. If I had the Ethernet cable available for connection, makes sense.
Does compression create resolution loss? Regarding interlaced, I had figured the majority if not all of my DVD’s were at least progressive (480P). I would however, prefer being capable of converting all my DVD titles to an HD digital file for streaming playback via Plex. Same for Blu-Ray files… Hoping Plex has the ability to stream them all without a hitch. I do understand Plex doesn’t offer conversion software currently if I’m understanding all of this correctly…
Raz
