I'm confused about building my server and need guidance

Plex Media Server
1

Hey folks,
I’m going to try to keep this as brief and concise as I can, but because I’m completely new to Plex, I have tons of questions.

I am building my technically second Plex server, right now.
(keep in mind that my first Plex server is less than a month old and it is not yet operating the way I want it to, because it resides in my mother’s house, and I cannot go there and work on it constantly)

So I’m building a new server where I live, with the intent of gaining more experience and knowledge, while also providing a media server for my family

I would appreciate it if people could point out where I might be making mistakes that I don’t see yet.

Server specs:
Dell Optiplex 7060 mid-tower
Intel i5-8500
32GB G.Skill RAM (a portion of which will be dedicated to a RAMdisk for transcoding)
256GB NVMe SSD (Windows 10 Pro and Plex software)
4TB Seagate IronWolf HDD (Media)
External USB 3.0 connected 4TB Seagate IronWolf HDD (backup/carry media)

Intended audience:
Two 4K TVs, three standard definition TVs, and potentially up to 5 other devices in need of transcoding at a single time.

Future plans:
ATSC 3.0 compatible OTA TV receiver (HD Homerun is the most likely choice) to provide 4K Live TV to 4+ users at a time

At this time I have not decided:
what client boxes to use on the TVs to make them suitable to 70+ year old users, but aren’t exorbitantly expensive

I am still confused about:
making Plex see all the media I put on the server (i.e. bulk renaming of files)

I do not speak Linux, and get very confused when working with command-line level programs.
Any advice you might be able to provide will be appreciated.
Thank you for your time,

~FF

2

Since you “don’t speak Linux,” why not use W10 Pro? With the storage you’ve indicated you have no real need to learn a new OS.

Unless you just want to, of course!

2 Likes
3

Oh I intend to use Win10 pro. Just forgot to specify that

4

How are the files(particularly TV shows named currently)?

The new Plex scanner is far more forgiving with file naming either way. You just need to make sure that shows and movies are in different directories as a starting point.

1 Like
5

The next time I visit my mother I’ll get a screenshot to illustrate the problems. Sorry I can’t elaborate.

If I have two servers (one here and one there) will I need a second Plex Pass?

6

If they are both signed into the same plex user account, no.

1 Like
7

After some research it may not be the file names that I’m having trouble with so much as the file types.
I have a lot of files saved in .flv format.
Once the new PC arrives I’ll be able to better tinker with this and figure out just where my problem is.

1 Like
8

As for easy to use player I’d go with ROKU. My dad is 74 and he has ROKU playing my Plex media content with no issues.

1 Like
9

That’s the one I was leaning toward the most, so I’m thrilled to hear it recommended.

10

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.