So I am wanting to buy a server from the Plex approved compatibility list. The QNAP TVS-1282 with an i7, 32 Gb, and a 450w power supply. I contacted QNAP to ask a few questions about adding a video card and what benefits I would see, but he seemed to think that Plex won’t even run on it. Any advice on this and what benefits would I see if any adding a card, and what card would be best?
It’s scary when the manufacturer doesn’t know what is going on.
Did they say that PMS “won’t run on it” meaning the NAS or the video card ?
I suspect the QNAP owners will give you more answers but the I7 should do a very good job as a PMS.
Many might suggest you have chosen a very expensive plex server and there are cheaper options.
e.g. The QNAP TVS-871-i7 is close to $1000 cheaper and will do the same job.
Don’t forget getting 6 or 8 big drives could easily double the price of the NAS
@UgleeAndStoopid said:
So I am wanting to buy a server from the Plex approved compatibility list. The QNAP TVS-1282 with an i7, 32 Gb, and a 450w power supply. I contacted QNAP to ask a few questions about adding a video card and what benefits I would see, but he seemed to think that Plex won’t even run on it. Any advice on this and what benefits would I see if any adding a card, and what card would be best?
I can help you with the TVS-1282-i7 . I own one.
From the Plex perspective, there is no benefit adding a GPU card to the unit at this time. PMS uses Intel Quick Sync Video as its primary hardware transcoding path.
QNAP’s new feature in QTS 4.3.4 is intended for their products, not Plex. PMS doesn’t use the HDMI ports on QNAP (PMS is the server, not the player)
Who did you speak to at QNAP? I have contacts at QNAP and can address that issue.
@ChuckPA said:
@UgleeAndStoopid said:
So I am wanting to buy a server from the Plex approved compatibility list. The QNAP TVS-1282 with an i7, 32 Gb, and a 450w power supply. I contacted QNAP to ask a few questions about adding a video card and what benefits I would see, but he seemed to think that Plex won’t even run on it. Any advice on this and what benefits would I see if any adding a card, and what card would be best?I can help you with the TVS-1282-i7 . I own one.
From the Plex perspective, there is no benefit adding a GPU card to the unit at this time. PMS uses Intel Quick Sync Video as its primary hardware transcoding path.
QNAP’s new feature in QTS 4.3.4 is intended for their products, not Plex. PMS doesn’t use the HDMI ports on QNAP (PMS is the server, not the player)
Who did you speak to at QNAP? I have contacts at QNAP and can address that issue.
Hey Chuck - FFR what is the difference or benefits of the TVS-1282-i7 vs TVS-871-i7
Principle differences:
1282 = i7-6700 SkyLake @ 3.4 - 4.0 Ghz → 4K 8-bit HEVC hardware decode capable
871 = i7-4790S 3.2 -4.0 Ghz, No 4K HEVC decode ability.
RAM: 64GB max (available from the factory) vs 16GB
2x M.2 SSD SATA-3 (I have QTS on one M.2 1TB SSD now)
4x 2.5" SATA-3 SSD
2 expansion slots + 450 Watt supply capability should you need an arc welder 
4x USB 3.0
4x Gigabit Ethernet
I spoke with QNAP and given what I needed to use it for (Media + Tech Support). They strongly encouraged me to take the newer generation because they knew I wouldn’t be happy with the 87x series.
The 1282 is the newer generation tech. The 871 series is last gen. Look at where the CPU maxes out.
If you look at the TS-1685, you’ll see the tier I stepped into.
I can run mulitple VMs concurrently (which are on the M.2 SSD)
I should probably comment on how that all compares to PMS usage 
How does 4% cpu usage when streaming a 4K movie to a 2K TV feel to you? (HW transcoding)
PS: It can do some heavy lifting but I will also let you know. It weighs in at 37 lbs empty. It’s that well constructed. Be prepared to do some ‘heavy lifting’ of your own
PPS: My media is all raw rips which means typically 60+ Mbps → max the player can handle.
@ChuckPA said:
I should probably comment on how that all compares to PMS usageHow does 4% cpu usage when streaming a 4K movie to a 2K TV feel to you? (HW transcoding)
PS: It can do some heavy lifting but I will also let you know. It weighs in at 37 lbs empty. It’s that well constructed. Be prepared to do some ‘heavy lifting’ of your own
PPS: My media is all raw rips which means typically 60+ Mbps → max the player can handle.
Thanks Chuck.
Maybe next year 
ummmmmm, yeah!
I saved up 6 months of ‘mad money’ before pulling that trigger LOL
+1 for the TVS-1282. Very Robust server for Plex. I have hardware transcoding running through he CPU and it works okay. Multiple streams all being transcoded and the CPU barely blips.
Like @ChuckPA I have all my Rips at Original quality. So the 4K ones stream or transcode with little stress on the the machine.
It is worth the extra $$$$
@ChuckPA said:
ummmmmm, yeah!I saved up 6 months of ‘mad money’ before pulling that trigger LOL
If i had known how much I was going to spend in the last 2 years - the qnap would have been a bargain!!
Well i guess there are a few other people on hear that are having the same problem with PMS looking up and not showing in browser. Server not running and wont start. Does anyone have a version that still works and where can i get it.
Could I get the same kind of performance if I build a blade server? Is there an option to build one with an insane amount of power? I have about a total of 6000.00 to put into this, and I want to make sure I check all options before I spend any money
