Opinion on streams

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Im just looking for an around about what anyone thinks the number of streams I can have at 1 time.
I’m running Windows 10 with Intel Xeon E5520 @ 2.27GHz 18gb memory. My internet speed is around 350mbps download and upload. My media files are mostly .mkv with bitrate around 2500-6000

Server Version#:
Player Version#:

2

Transcoding - one:

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E5520+%40+2.27GHz&id=1243

Direct Play - as many as it takes to fill the upload pipe.

3

Thanks! How would I know when it will transcode? If possible.

4

Testing and experience.

Start Testing and get some experience.

1 Like
5

Thanks much!

6

The following scenarios will cause transcoding:

  • Video and/or audio codec isn’t compatible for native playback on the target client
  • Bitrates are limited on either the server or client side
  • Certain kinds of subtitles being used on the client side

Other oddities that time and experience will reveal :wink:

7

Shouldn’t Samsung play this direct?

8

What version of the Plex app is on the Samsung?

What are the Streaming/Internet settings on the Samsung? It’s a remote connection so perhaps the client settings are limiting its download bitrate.

9

Ok I will have them check version and stream settings

10

If my server transcodes more streams remotely than it can handle will that cause issues with me playing movies? Buffering etc

11

If all your friends are transcoding and you need the transcoder - guess what?

The Spinning Orange Wheel is your new house guest.

1 Like
12

LOL got it!

13

Can I upgrade components in my current setup to handle extra transcoding?

14

I guess you can.

More horsepower for the CPU in the server machine will increase the possibilities.
A GPU can improve transcoding - as well as destroy it - it depends on the material.

1 Like
15

Thanks much juice!

16

I see a lot of recommendations for Quadro p400. What do you think? Is there a better one in that price range? Maybe a p600 or something else.

17

Howdy mkstrech…in the design of your system going forward I would try to minimize the need for trancoding. For playback do not use the Samsung TV - get a Roku (?) stick so the playback is native (no transcoding required). I’ve tried H/W transcoding - the difference is noticeable. I’d invest in a CPU upgrade although I recognize the other H/W upgrade costs my be prohibitive. If upgrading CPU is not an option maybe look at lowering the bitrate of your video files to something you can live with and just using dedicated compatible playback devices. (:

1 Like
18

Thanks tony

19

Once last thing. Would replacing the video card to the p400 help at all on my system?

20

You could offload a couple of streams to it when you need HW transcoding so I guess I wont hurt. Its not a very powerful card though but if you can get if for cheap/free, why not. I would have gotten a GTX 1070 if you wanna be able to transcode a lot of streams. Best not to transcode at all though.

I have pretty much the same speed internet you have (300/300) and Ive just turned transcoding off entirely. I use Samsung TVs aswell and they directplay pretty much anything, so long I dont use image based subs.