So I posted my use case earlier and struggling between several options https://forums.plex.tv/t/microserver-gen10-vs-shield-gen10-vs-nas-as-pms
Now I did some testing, and have some updates, let’s break down by functionality. To be fair, mileage may vary, but hopefully this can help you since you might run into same issues.
Media files are all stored on HP Gen10 Microserver as NAS
As Plex Media Player - direct play/direct stream high bitrate 4K, since any device can play 1080p
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Roku TV - plays fine direct play/stream if we have the network right, but no support for non-latin subtitle, so FAIL for me but could work well for you
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Windows 10 on Intel 8th gen i7 NUC - surprisingly, it has stuttering quite often playing 60Mbps HEVC 4K, hardware decoding is enabled ( software decoding is too much for the cpu ), GPU usage around 20%-30% for decoding, CPU 20%-30%, connected to NAS via ethernet so network is not a bottleneck. I switched to Kodi / VLC and both played very smoothly via DXVA hardware decoding from NAS. ( Actually Plex for Kodi plugin didn’t work either.) Definitely an issue Plex can fix. Kind of disappointed since computer form usually have the least compatibility issues. so FAIL. (I will spend more time debugging this since this is such a commonly used device and should be most powerful.)
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nVidia Shield w/ 256G USB storage - plays the best among the 3, like the Plex interface on Android most and don’t need much settings. Supports non-latin subtitle. Be aware of the network speed for high bitrate though and ethernet definitely recommended. My Google WiFi mesh is barely enough. PASS and very likely will use as main player.
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Fire TV Cube - to be tested in my bedroom, chosen over Fire TV because of built-in ethernet port
As Plex Media Server / optimizer Supports direct play/stream from other devices, manage library and optimize/transcode videos when not in use
**With all the devices I encountered cases where it started optimizing and then failed saying unable to convert. Could be because of other streaming tasks, or subtitles, or multiple. Today it seems working fine for me **
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HP Gen10 Microserver w/X3421 APU Most stable if you just want to direct play/stream 4K or transcode 1080p, probably because I have the storage on this machine. Optimizing seems okay but slow, around 0.3x-0.4x, 7-8hrs for 130mins video. Overall PASS as a server as long as you don’t transcode 4K on this machine. But GT1030 could work, I’ll update
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Intel 8th gen i7 NUC Also reliable as PMS, managing library much quicker, maybe due to the SSD, optimize a 60Mbps HEVC 4K to 10Mbps 1080p at around 0.6x ~ 0.8x speed, so around 3.5 hrs for a 130mins video. But it failed couple times in the middle for me, but could be just because I’m using NAS and connect wirelessly. PASS
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nVidia Shield w/ 256G USB storage Stopped multiple times when testing, and I have to go the bedroom which has it to turn it on etc. Unlike my MicroServer worst case I can just remote desktop. FAIL
As Transcoder - transcode one 60Mbps HEVC 4K stream to 10Mbps 1080p on the fly and access via PMP on laptop / iPad remotely or through home WiFi
Plex does not support real-time transcoding with embedded subtitle in HEVC MKV.
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nVidia Shield w/ 256G USB storage - too unstable using as transcoder. FAIL
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HP Gen10 Microserver w/X3421 APU - with a 4400 PassMark, according to official guide, should be able to transcode one 60Mbps HEVC 4K stream to 10Mbps 1080p. But in reality not power enough and too laggy, FAIL. Will re-test when I have GT1030 installed.
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Intel 8th gen i7 NUC - the most powerful of 3 using 8th gen Intel i7, but still laggy and not watchable experience. The CPU and GPU usage isn’t that high so I suppose there’s some efficiency issue with Plex . Actually when I optimize the video in the background, it’s giving me 0.7x-1.1x with very fast mode, so maybe this just tells me real time isn’t possible at the moment. FAIL
Conclusion for transcoder: Like everybody say, it might just be the best to store a 1080p copy for high bitrate 4K, it’s going to be 1/6 of the space anyway.
I’m interested in NAS solution as well, but I feel I will very likely run into the same issues as the Intel NUC, and I don’t see any reason a NAS can outperform the NUC either. Besides that way I need to move all my data from MicroServer into the NAS which is a pain in the ass, not to mention it might still not work.
So for now I think I’m settled with SHIELD as PMP (maybe add Fire TV cube to my bedroom) , Gen10 Microserver as PMS (might be a all-in-one if GT1030 can handle well, we’ll see), and Intel NUC as video optimizer in the background ( I still have high hope for it as a PMP and transcoder once the software issues resolved though)
