I run the Plex Synology package (x64) and it works nicely. However, I’m starting to move other stuff on my Synology to docker more and more (e.g., Sonarr, wordpress, ES etc) and I’m wondering if there are any upsides or downsides to the Synology Plex package vs Plex on Docker? If I move to using Docker will I get any benefits (like automatic upgrades etc)? And are there any downsides compared to the PKG?
Hi. I run Radarr, Sonarr, NZBget, and PLex, all in docker on my Synology DS1513+. Just ensure your docker image is set up to run latest and it will automatically pull and update when a new version of the container is released on the registry. I used linux server versions.
I also restrict the memory limits for sonarr, radarr, and nzbget to 400mb (more than enough), and cpu priority to low.
Plex is operating with a 1gb mem limit, and CPU low priority. You wont be able to transcode in real time. I use direct original quality streaming.
Nice, thanks.
How do you set that up? I thought that Docker only updates when the container is restarted?
Presumably I could give Plex higher priority and a bit more memory and it’d transcode quite nicely though (I’m assuming the above is just a choice you made because you don’t need it).
I manually force a container restart when plex (via the web/UI interface) informs me there is a new version available. It does not happen that often, so i just restart via my phone/docker app. Takes seconds to restart.
I’ve made the choice to not transcode as my network is fast enough to deal with streaming, and the devices i have can play direct + buffer. I only have 2gb mem on my diskstation, i keep meaning to put 4gb on it - but i see no reason to anymore due to docker.
You can crank it up for transcoding, but you might find that the diskstation is not fast enough to keep up. I had problems transcoding natively using the local synology package on certain media due to their size.
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Got it, thanks. I suppose I could have a schedule weekly restart of the container to pick up new versions automatically.
I tend to only directplay too, but it’s nice to have the option. I have a 916+ with 8GB so it’s got plenty of headroom (and H/W transcoding is supported).
I am probably biased but offer my two cents.
From the Plex perspective only:
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Docker portability has not proven itself to me. I have 3 docker-capable systems Fedora, Synology, and QNAP. I cannot move a Docker container from one to another without getting “illegal container format” or other such ridiculous error.
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Linux native portability far outstrips this. A tar ball or ZIP file of
./Libraryand it’s done. You can even take it to MacOS or Windows. -
Hardware transcoding in docker requires you hack the base Linux OS. No two ways around it. Should you install the native app, my installer does it all for you automatically and maintains it as well.
With respect to other Docker containers, Go for it. Those apps are small and, due to their operational scope, are easily contained because they are largely file i/o and internet downloading based.
My delimiting point is: Utility or Service.
PMS is a service because it streams and does a lot of heavy lifting CPU-wise.
Sonarr, Nzbget, etc, are utilities because they receive only and very CPU light.
Yeah, although I probably wouldn’t want to move the container. Surely the better approach would be to store the DB and other Plex metadata on backup-able storage, and then when migrating you’d just create a new container and point it at that? That’s what I’d do.
True, although assuming you give it enough resources, it shouldn’t make any difference.
I’ll have a think. There is, of course, the other key point to consider, which is that my current Plex install works, and works well. So other than the fun of fettling, there’s a definite element of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it… 
.
There’s the counter argument to that point,
If you aren’t taking advantage of all the capabilities at your disposal, why aren’t you?
HW transcoding inside of docker on Synology is a No-Go unless you hack it yourself.
Your alternative is to let the native app installer do it.
Synology is pretty bound (nearly containerized) all by itself.
- the package area
- the Plex share.
Nothing else.
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