Out of the box questions

General Discussions Plex Features
21

For single 1080p stream your CPU needs around 2k in passmark.

22

In this day and age, this is too simplified:
the 2000 passmark points apply only if

  • the source video is using the AVC (H.264) codec
  • No subtitles are set to ‘burn into’ the video
  • the bitrate of the source video doesn’t exceed ~ 10 - 12 mbps

If you have all your videos stored in the HEVC (H.265) codec, you need significantly more cpu power for a 1080p video.

23

Suggestion for the antenna: Get a coaxial splitter. 1 in 2 out should suffice, but 1 in 3 out also works if you ever consider adding another TV tuner. Plug the antenna into the coaxial in. One output goes to the TV, the other(s) goes to the tuner(s). That’s how my tuner is set up (my server is an Nvidia SHIELD) and it works fine for both recording and just watching normal TV.
Oh, and by the way, you can use whatever antenna you want with your tuner. (I myself use a flat 50 mile range tuner that hides neatly behind the center speaker of our surround sound system.)

An Nvidia SHIELD works fine as a server (handles my family’s gargantuan media collection with little to no problems), unless you just can’t live without iTunes on your TV. (I’m a Windows/Android guy myself, but you do you.) However, if you just want a set-up-and-forget system that isn’t a SHIELD, i’d recommend a Western Digital NAS, such as this one: https://www.wdc.com/products/network-attached-storage/my-cloud-pr2100.html
This model has its own powerful processor in it, and it’s been certified capable of running a Plex server with no issues. You’ll have no problem streaming or recording more than one thing at a time with this.
A two-drive NAS like this one allows you to put two hard drives of the same storage capacity inside and format them as RAID 1. (In layman’s terms, RAID 1 means the drives will back each other up, and if one drive craps out you don’t lose all your files. Highly recommended for a Plex server.)
You can also find these NAS devices in four-drive formats, handy for if you want more Plex storage, or (since you’re a Mac user) Apple Time Machine backups.

If you want a good tuner, go for an HDHomerun. They’re nice tuners, and work with whatever platform you choose to run your server on (Mac Mini, Nvidia SHIELD, a NAS, etc). What model you want depends on a few things:

  1. Whether you want just regular over-the-air TV (like I get in America, I have no idea where you live) or cable TV
  2. How many things you want to be able to record at once (If you don’t record much, 2 is fine)
  3. Your budget

Anyway, I know, I just threw a ton of techno-babble at you, so if you have any questions about anything, just ask.
Hope I was helpful!

24

Mark my words, you are looking at a world of hurt if you think using Plex is the answer to your DVR/LiveTV problem’s.

I am using a MacMini, ATV combo and its almost worthless. You will have to invest in the Channels app because that ATV app is the only real way to watch live tv. Plex just crashes all the time on ATV and takes forever to start playing a channel, not good for channel flipping while watching sports.

The DVR function in hot or miss one whether your show will actually record or be watchable. Look into Sonarr if you want a reliable way to “get” tv shows.

Plex is far from a turnkey solution, read the forums before investing in Plex.

25

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