Hi Everyone,
I have a new NVIDIA Shield TV that will arrive tomorrow. Already have my OTA and tuner. I’m trying figure out what NAS will work.
Do I need a NAS that is capable of transcoding if use the NVIDIA Shield TV as the plex server?
The short answer is No, but the complicated answer is Yes, because the latest NVIDIA update to 8.0 broke VC-1 playback (something I just learned today), and no one knows if it will get fixed or not. None of us knows how you intend to hook the NVIDIA Shield up to your network, Wireless or Wired, Wireless will definitely depend on your wireless signal strength and if it’s capable of playing back your chosen content like 1080p vs 4K. Etc. There’s plenty of factors besides codec compatibility that will affect whether or not your system needs to transcode.
But the beauty of Plex is not only the ability to watch at home, or away, and to share the library with friends and family. By limiting yourself to a NAS that doesn’t transcode well, it will hamper this ability.
My best rule of thumb I could ever give on a NAS is to build your own. Buy PC Parts, put it all together like you would a regular PC, and use a Software like FreeNAS or the like. That will ensure you have a purpose built machine rather than just a Network Attached Storage Device.
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Thank you for the fast response, Now I have more questions. Hehe
Like I said, I have a new NVIDIA Shield arriving tomorrow. Is there a way to turn off automatic updates? I assume it will be on a previous revision that still works when I unbox it.
Are there instructions on building a NAS drive somewhere? Did you buy an enclosure and go from there? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, I really don’t have a clue as where to start. How do you get it to transcode?
If you are getting a NAS maybe look for one that you can run Plex on like Synology or qnap or if you build your own you can use unraid or freenas.
XigmaNAS is also a good do it yourself NAS solution that will run PLEX…
So, the reason I don’t like NAS solutions is because “typically” the hardware in them is lacking, unless you spend big bucks. You’re far better off building a PC, using a Mini-ITX Motherboard or something similar, with a nice processor, some ram, a power supply and some hard drives, and using FreeNas, Unraid, or XigmaNAS like the others have mentioned. It will be much more robust than an off the shelf NAS system at or anywhere near the same price point.
If you’re familiar with building a PC, you can build a NAS… it’s essentially the same thing. The Off the Shelf systems just use parts that are underpowered (because typically they are only handling storage, and not storage + transcoding)
A bit of read on this support page.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/201373793-is-plex-media-server-on-a-nas-right-for-me/
If you look over at the Nvidia forums, you will see that the mod sniper has already confirmed that VC-1 is broken and its due to them not advertising that VC-1 HW decoding is available on the device. Once Nvidia patches the shield for what is a trivial regression, the Plex app will start using it. There is nothing that will be needed to be updated by Plex to support VC-1 HW once Nvidia releases the patch update.
I knew it was a NVIDIA problem and not a Plex problem… I just wasn’t aware that they were working on a patch or intending to patch it. I am uncertain what them “advertising” the capability has to do with anything though… That seems like a strange reason not to include it, unless it’s an issue with branding/licensing as part of their agreement. Which would mean a box redesign may be in order? I dunno how that sort of stuff works tbh
Advertise in the technical sense and not the marketing sense. The Shield hardware OS needs to advertise the capability to the apps via API. Thats what is broken.
Ahh, gotcha, that makes more sense 
Wow, that you so much for your help. You you guys are the best.
I have never build a PC from scratch before. I have added PCI boards and memory. I’m good at DIY projects, and with your help I know I can do it
My vision of a DIY NAS is a large ugly box with cover off. Something I could never find a place for. I was hoping to find a box that is about 5" x 6" x 3". Is there a chassis that I can get that is small like that? Do I use laptop components? And how do I add the transcoders? Keep in mind that do not have anything just laying around that I can use. So will this project really save me money? Sorry for all the stupid questions. I’m just thinking out loud.
I will look into this DIY NAS. I have so much to learn. This Plex server is really turning into a huge, and expensive project with such a steep learning curve. I’m really happy you all have my back.
Well, lets set some expectations…
You can get a NAS for pretty cheap. But those type of NAS solutions are generally storage solutions that CAN work as a Plex server, but generally should not.
See this:
https://www.newegg.com/qnap-ts-451-2g-us/p/N82E16822107251?Description=QNAP%20NAS&cm_re=QNAP_NAS--22-107-251--Product
That is only $370.00, and you would still need to buy hard drives. It will allow PLEX to be installed on it, but it will not transcode your files very well.
From this junction you have 4 routes you could go.
- Just put more Hard drives in your already built computer and call it a day. (easiest)
- Use the NAS as a storage solution and let your computer run the server and handle the transcoding (slightly more advanced but not by much)
- Install Plex directly on the NAS and work within its limitations (pretty advanced).
- Spend more money, but have a DIY NAS that can transcode for you (enthusiast level advanced)
Option 1 is a decent option if you can leave your computer running. Option 2 is also a decent option, again if you can leave your computer running. Option 3 is not something I would recommend to someone as the experience will be less than stellar. Option 4 is what I would choose if I had the option of spending more money, but it does require a learning curve and a bit more money… You’re basically building a second PC in option 4.
Onto the second part of your question, which is are there cases available that aren’t ugly, that are a small form factor. The quick answer is No, none really within the dimensions you described that would be worth it. But, if you’re willing to go up to something like 8"x10"x14" there’s a few cases on the market that would work. This one is my favorite:
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/core-series/core-500
Also, sorry, I posted the wrong item earlier, that was DAS not a NAS, and it was cheaper… Please see updated link and price…
Confused. Where is the updated link?
This Core-500 looks pretty cool. It actually looks like some of the nas boxes I have been looking at.
This is the updated link I was talking about: https://www.newegg.com/qnap-ts-451-2g-us/p/N82E16822107251?Description=QNAP%20NAS&cm_re=QNAP_NAS-
I had initially posted a DAS and not a NAS, the cost of the DAS was only $200, while the cost of this NAS is $370
I think that option 4 above is the best for me. But I don’t even have an extra monitor laying around. So I will really be starting from nothing, My goal is a NAS that just works. Something that does not require a lot of maintenance.
The good news about a NAS is that it doesn’t need a monitor, even the DIY ones… You can use your current monitor for the initial install, but after that, you run it from your main computer using a web interface
Here’s something I tossed together quickly, it would give you 16TB of unformatted storage, if you had more money to spend you could always get bigger drives (currently there’s 4x4TB in there; you could go all the way up to 4x16TB if you had the money for it). The only extra you would need is a 5.25" to 3.5" adapter.
