Hi, I have a QNAP TS-231P with dual 1TB drives in Raid 1 configuration. On there I have my large collection of media. I have a problem which leads to a question.I would appreciate if forum members could read the below and give me some input.
BACKGROUND:
I have Plex Media Server installed on the QNAP, version 1.13.5.291. The QNAP itself is running v 4.3.6.0805. I believe both versions are the most recent. available.
The QNAP and desktop PC about to be mentioned are all on wired gigabit ethernet network no WiFi involved. Other playback devices are on WiFi apart from a dedicated music streamer which is also wired.
My Desktop PC is a Dell i5 3.30Ghz, with Windows 10 Pro on it. On my Dell I have Plex Server installed also, this is V 3.774.
Both Plex Server on the NAS, and Plex Server on the PC have libraries referencing the same media on the QNAP NAS. Plex on the PC also has libraries reference media on other storage devices (not visible to Plex on the QNAP).
Here is how I like to use it.
When sat at the Dell desktop, I can open Plex (it opens in a browser) and I can select from drop down (top left) whether I am enjoying media served by the PC itself or by the QNAP. But I also have many other rendering options around the house.
In my main hi fi, I have a Cambridge Audio CXN media player (wired ethernet), I also have 3 Chromecasts and 2 Firesticks here and there around the home (all on WiFi)
When I am in the house, enjoying streamed content I generally use Plex on my Smartphone to browse and find the content and then use the “cast” button to select which device I want to use as playback engine. The exception is the Firestick, when I use that I tend to browse from the Firesticks own UI using the remote. And of course Plex installed on my mobile devices (smartphone, tablet and lenovo PC) which sometimes I use in the house and sometimes I use when out and about on other Wifi networks and 3G/4G networks
Here’s the problem:
Sat at my Dell PC, and selecting to enjoy content from the QNAP server, it reports that the content is being served “remote”, meaning I understand that it is going via the world wide web and via Plex’s own servers, Whilst I would expect this when streaming my media over any network other than my home network, in this case I would expect direct streaming, (not remote relay) across a network where both devices are connected wired to the same router/hub. I have looked at ways at “forcing” direct as opposed to remote/relay streaming and not found anything.
Here’s the question:
Apart from wanting to fix this for streaming from the QNAP sat at my Dell, I want to ensure same for all other playback devices where those devices are in the home and on the same network. I want to avoid transcoding and un necessary latency/lag when streaming from the QNAP to any playback device in the home. I do not want to go via relay. How do I ensure that happens when the device being used is not my Dell (which may be turned off).
Incidentally, when sat at my Dell, and when selecting the Plex Server which the Dell is running itself, the “remote” message goes away, clearly it is direct streaming. But my concern is as much about the other devices in the home.
