Server Version#:NA
Player Version#:NACouple of queries.
I run Plex on a QNAP TS453A
Playing a uncompressed 4k rip over LAN, dashboard shows CPU hitting 90%.
I’m thinking of moving PMS to something faster for more headroom
I have a 2013 iMAC thats about to be superseded with the new model.
I assume that would make an excellent server?
The other issue is Makemkv.
When did it start to support Dolby Vision and HDR10+
Do I need to re-rip some of my earliest 4K’s?
Why is the CPU hitting 90%?
Are you trying to transcode 4K HDR video?
What is displayed in Plex Dashboard → Now Playing? Is the video or audio transcoding?
Does “that” = the 2013 iMac or the new model?
The 2013 iMac will have a 10 year old processor, probably Intel 4th gen. It will not be able to use hardware acceleration to transcode any HEVC video, including 4K HDR. It is not necessarily an upgrade from the QNAP.
If the new model, with the M1 CPU, then yes, it should make a superior Plex server. Posts on the forum regarding Macs with M1 CPUs are very positive.
You can run multiple Plex Media Servers on your network at the same time. Install Plex on the iMac and see which one works best.
Transcoding is off.
Dont know why it’s working so hard.
Streaming uncompressed 4k w/Dolby Atmos
I have Plex Pass
Perhaps not my old iMac then.
Maybe a used Mac Mini?
What is displayed in Plex Dashboard → Now Playing?
The expanded view will show if the file is direct playing, direct streaming, etc.
Can you post a screenshot?
It’s direct playing
71mbs.
File Is MKV HEVC Main 10 dovi/HDR10.
Plex Media Server is only running at 10% but overall CPU fluctuates between 50-90%.
PMS is the only think running on the NAS.
On reflection an upgrade seems a bit pointless.
It should cost that NAS maybe 15% of your Celeron N3150 cpu to direct play a 4K HDR. What do you see when you SSH in and use top
The 2013 iMac Core-i7 or a Raspberry Pi 4B 8G can direct play those too.
Running PMS on Apple Silicon is very nice. A new M1 Mini can do 4K HDR transcodes easily, but most modern players do that themselves. An overpowered PMS is less needed than it used to be, but then again, you might have 30k tv shows that all want video preview thumbnails and intro detection. 
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
