Been dabbling in this for a bit but now I’m ready to fully get it set up since I have my office done and main PC back up and running. Looking to get some direction before I dive into it.
When I first tried this I simply installed the app on my Drobo 5N via the Drobo control center. I was able to log in on my smart TV’s etc and see the content but when trying to play it, it basically said not enough transcoding power which makes sense as I’m sure the Drobo’s CPU is basic.
SO, do I simply install Plex server software on my main PC and use that as my server? It has a I7 8700k overclocked which I’m sure has enough CPU power to transcode 4k content. Once installed I simply direct it to the Drobo 5N for content (plugged into my network switch).
Is this right? When I attempted to do this on my Laptop before having my main PC up and running I tried this. It loaded all of my content with thumb pics etc but when accessing it, it would say Drobo unavailable. Is it because I have the Plex app installed on my Drobo making it the “main server”, hence making it busy and my new server not being able to access anything.
A step by step video or info would be helpful in setting up a Drobo 5N as a plex server and also having the transcoding power to send 4k content to my smart TV’s etc.
As for using a PC with a stronger CPU as your server while keeping the Drobo for storage purposes, that should be working alright.
The i7-8700K might be capable to transcode some basic 4K content (SDR) while 4K HDR media or tone mapping will most likely be beyond its capabilities.
For reference:
Your CPU has a passmark score of approx. 13000
Transcoding a 4K SDR video (40 Mbps, 8-bit HEVC) to 10 Mbps 1080p will require a passmark score of approx. 12000
Transcoding a 4K HDR video (50 Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) to 10 Mbps 1080p will require a passmark score of approx. 17000
When setting up your server, preferably establish a fixed drive mapping for the shares hosted on your Drobo. Then you can point the PMS libraries to that drive
That’s kinda crazy that I’d need more CPU power. I have this overclocked to 4.2ghz right now with liquid cooling if that helps. Does the GPU take any of the workload off the CPU? Right now it’s only a GTX 970 SSC card.
I do plan on upgrading the PC with in the next few months to the latest CPU paired with a RTX 3080ti but waiting for the 4000 series to decide.
On the bright side I’m really the only user. So if there’s a movie being played on my local network it’s just a single transcode. There’s really no scenario where it would be more than 1 at a time.
I’ll get to work setting up the server tonight and check back on this thread with most likely, more questions. lol
Got it. For now it’s the best I can do. It also won’t ever be under a heavy load. 1 transcode at a time and there’s no scenario it’ll be under the stress of more than one. Should it be ok?
I also just got a 2 TB M.2 drive to add to the system. I’ll install my plex server on that drive so it’ll have plenty of space for thumbnails, previews etc etc.
As soon as I get that installed I’ll install the server and hopefully it all works!
Update for anyone looking for the same answers. Setup was rather easy.
Drobo connected to the network via Switch. PC is the server. Set up my shares on the server PC and all is good. I can stream content to my phone or any tv in the house with the plex client.
Transcoded 4K without buffering or stumbling! BUT the 8700k CPU is almost maxxed out. It’s at stock clock now and runs 90 a 100% while transcoding. Might overclock again but we’ll see.
Forget two devices trying to run 4K at once. Multiple 1080p is fine but if you’re playing 4K I doubt the server could handle anything else.
Is there anyway to have the GPU help take some of the load off of the CPU?
Getting due for a new build anyhow so will be upgrading to the latest greatest (latest cpu, mb, video card etc etc)
I also found that when playing content in my 4K TVs there is no need for transcoding.
I’m playing a 4K file on a 4K TV and their compatible.
Plex is awesome!!! Saved me from having to build a whole new HTPC!
