What I am saying is you might call your box a NAS but most would not.
I argue whether it’d be “most” but regardless, they’d be wrong. Thought experiment:
If I build a component computer and use it as a workstation versus buy a Dell Precision, is it not a “workstation”?
If I build a component computer and serve files and printer shares to my network, versus buying an HP ProLiant, is it not a “server”?
If I build a flying machine with wings and a propeller, versus buying a Cesna, is it not an “airplane”?
“NAS” stands for “network attached storage”. The name is based on what software is run on the computer and how it’s used, not whether it has a brand name on it and was bought as-is off the shelf. I think you’re wrong about “most” but it wouldn’t even matter… if the majority thinks a wrong thing, it’s still wrong.
My box is a NAS. It’s running NAS software and it’s used as a NAS. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t say Synology or QNAP on it.
And while you might be squeaking by with your Synology DS1815+, the fact is that is only has a wimpy little Atom C2538 CPU in it with a Passmark score probably round 2500-2600. Ok for maybe 1 1080p stream at a time. Push it much farther and you’re likely going to be unhappy. Considering most people running Plex need to stream to more than 1 person (themselves), my statement still holds true.
What I am saying is you might call your box a NAS but most would not.
I argue whether it’d be “most” but regardless, they’d be wrong. Thought experiment:
If I build a component computer and use it as a workstation versus buy a Dell Precision, is it not a “workstation”?
If I build a component computer and serve files and printer shares to my network, versus buying an HP ProLiant, is it not a “server”?
If I build a flying machine with wings and a propeller, versus buying a Cesna, is it not an “airplane”?
“NAS” stands for “network attached storage”. The name is based on what software is run on the computer and how it’s used, not whether it has a brand name on it and was bought as-is off the shelf. I think you’re wrong about “most” but it wouldn’t even matter… if the majority thinks a wrong thing, it’s still wrong.
My box is a NAS. It’s running NAS software and it’s used as a NAS. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t say Synology or QNAP on it.
And while you might be squeaking by with your Synology DS1815+, the fact is that is only has a wimpy little Atom C2538 CPU in it with a Passmark score probably round 2500-2600. Ok for maybe 1 1080p stream at a time. Push it much farther and you’re likely going to be unhappy. Considering most people running Plex need to stream to more than 1 person (themselves), my statement still holds true.
You are not wrong.
But I will stick to my comment.
In the context of guys asking about a new setup on this board when they say NAS
I say they are thinking Synology, drobo, qnap etc.
Try googling NAS or network attached storage and pick images
1,000 of pics of NAS the rapper (I haven’t heard of him) but amongst them are NAS like synology drobo etc
I am experiencing the same issue.
Just recently bought the LG 4K OLED TV and I am now adding 4K content to my library.
Unfortunately, one single 4K stream is causing my PMS CPU to be utilized @ 100% during the entire playback.
I am planning to build a new system but not until cannon lake gets released.
So does anyone have any recommendations in the meantime?
I just bought a new server i put together myself. I have had the same problem with 4k on a i7 4770k. Could do max 1 transcode of 4k. Now im waiting for my HDD`S to get my libary back from an older NAS. Then im gonna put rig to the test with 4k :
2x Xeon 2697 v4 - 36 cores in total
64gb ram
i think its still gonna be tough tho. @jjrjr1 yep, think encoding is the way to go for now
Encoding is the only way to go, honestly. What kind of CPU requirements are needed to transcode a 4K 60Mbps stream down to 1080p 8Mbps? More than most of us can afford to buy, I would wager. Yet most of us can afford to buy a 3TB drive to store the smaller bitrate files on.
This all comes down to what is the biggest bang for the buck. $2500+ for a CPU to handle the transcoding? Or $200 or less for the drive space to store extra versions of the media on?
@MikeG6.5 said:
Encoding is the only way to go, honestly. What kind of CPU requirements are needed to transcode a 4K 60Mbps stream down to 1080p 8Mbps? More than most of us can afford to buy, I would wager. Yet most of us can afford to buy a 3TB drive to store the smaller bitrate files on.
This all comes down to what is the biggest bang for the buck. $2500+ for a CPU to handle the transcoding? Or $200 or less for the drive space to store extra versions of the media on?
I haven’t tried myself, but a user in the current Plex Media Server Preview release claims he can transcode 4 4k files at once on a consumer level Sky Lake chip with the new hardware accelerated transcoding.
For pixel peepers that’s not interesting, but for sharing with friends remotely… very interesting.
@KarlDag
I assume the guy who says he can transcode 4 4K streams concurrently is using the Preview Release with Hardware Transcoding.
If that is so… That will be a HUGE improvement and can’t wait till that release is available mainstream
However, That advantage is, for me, more 1080p transcodes can occur.
I really do not want to transcode 4K media just to play remotely on my cell phone or tablet. That would be, IMHO, a waste of resources.
I totally agree with @MikeG6.5 , Keep separate copies in both 4K and 1080p. I mean Disk storage is sooooo cheap these days. Makes no sense putting money and resources into 4K transcoding when it is soooo much cheaper to buy disk space.
I mean 8TB for $200 could have a pretty big 4K library with that.
I actually have all 4K media in a separate library and do not give access to that library to remote users so no inadvertent 4K transcodes can be started.
“My suggestion is i5 or i7 nuc connected to a big synology NAS.”
As I understand it if using an i5 make sure its quad core. Seeing some lower cost i5 based systems but they are duo-core. I’m pretty sure Plex will do better if the cpu is quad core.
@jsmiddleton4 said:
“My suggestion is i5 or i7 nuc connected to a big synology NAS.”
As I understand it if using an i5 make sure its quad core. Seeing some lower cost i5 based systems but they are duo-core. I’m pretty sure Plex will do better if the cpu is quad core.
Depending on the codec used in the video side of the stream, it might not matter a bit, whether it’s a dual core or quad core. Some codecs can only use one core for transcoding. (VC-1 for instance. And not sure, but think H265 has issues as well.)
@jjrjr1 said: @KarlDag
I assume the guy who says he can transcode 4 4K streams concurrently is using the Preview Release with Hardware Transcoding.
If that is so… That will be a HUGE improvement and can’t wait till that release is available mainstream
However, That advantage is, for me, more 1080p transcodes can occur.
I really do not want to transcode 4K media just to play remotely on my cell phone or tablet. That would be, IMHO, a waste of resources.
I totally agree with @MikeG6.5 , Keep separate copies in both 4K and 1080p. I mean Disk storage is sooooo cheap these days. Makes no sense putting money and resources into 4K transcoding when it is soooo much cheaper to buy disk space.
I mean 8TB for $200 could have a pretty big 4K library with that.
I actually have all 4K media in a separate library and do not give access to that library to remote users so no inadvertent 4K transcodes can be started.
Absolutely, a 1080p copy of your 4k stuff is a great idea. The HW transcoding simply makes many less powered devices (Mac Minis, NUCs, NASs, etc) that much better as Plex servers!
@jsmiddleton4 said:
“My suggestion is i5 or i7 nuc connected to a big synology NAS.”
As I understand it if using an i5 make sure its quad core. Seeing some lower cost i5 based systems but they are duo-core. I’m pretty sure Plex will do better if the cpu is quad core.
@jsmiddleton4 said:
“My suggestion is i5 or i7 nuc connected to a big synology NAS.”
As I understand it if using an i5 make sure its quad core. Seeing some lower cost i5 based systems but they are duo-core. I’m pretty sure Plex will do better if the cpu is quad core.
Depending on the codec used in the video side of the stream, it might not matter a bit, whether it’s a dual core or quad core. Some codecs can only use one core for transcoding. (VC-1 for instance. And not sure, but think H265 has issues as well.)
Exactly. Sometimes it’s better to have faster single core ratings on a dualcore than 4 slower cores…
I am experiencing the same issue.
Just recently bought the LG 4K OLED TV and I am now adding 4K content to my library.
Unfortunately, one single 4K stream is causing my PMS CPU to be utilized @ 100% during the entire playback.
I am planning to build a new system but not until cannon lake gets released.
So does anyone have any recommendations in the meantime?
@BF24X said:
How do you have your Synology connected to your desktop? I assume you’re using the desktop to transcode the 50TB so the NAS doesn’t have to.
Many will say 32gb ram is overkill for plex although some are using onboard RAM as the temp disk for transcoding so like 128gb would be the number.
NAS are as by the name Network Attached Storage so just plug it into your router or hub or switch
I’m just chiming in without suggestions on 4k streams etc. but I am going to share my current set-up and see if anyone has suggestions on improvements or also if anyone sees my setup as a better alternative than a NAS (in any flavor)
Dell PowerEdge R720
2 @ Intel Xeon es-2670 2.6ghz
1 @ 500GB WD HDD (OS & SW)
4 @ 10TB HGST NAS DRIVES
2 @ 8TB HGST NAS DRIVES (to be upgraded to 10TB)
128gb ram
HDHomerun with antenna
@spikemixture how would I set up to have my RAM be my temp disk, as I have never seen much RAM utilization on my setup always less than 30%.
Some of my thoughts are.
Install a SSD into a PCI slot for OS & SW. That would allow me to have all 8 slots in the front available for 10TB Drives. Adding a TV tuner that would allow me to DVR an unlimited # or programs, I’d like to DVR everything so anything can be played back anytime would need to have show information written to the recordings, this would mean I would need more than an antenna. I am also looking for someone that may want to mirror my server if there is a simple way for that to happen remotely.
