Windows Server 2019 - Hardware Transcoding

General Discussions Plex Features
1

I just got a new server to replace my old home server, I installed WS2019, a new Synology NAS for media storage, and an Nvidia Quadro P2200 for GPU transcoding.
Did some research before getting the hardware but I guess I overlooked some issues or maybe I’m doing something wrong.
Here’s what I’ve found out and having problems with:

I didn’t know Plex didn’t ran as a service, I’ve been running it on my old Synology NAS, but performance is crap wen transcoding is needed, now that I have my new hardware transcoding works but I need to be logged in a user session, if I disconnect the session the GPU is not being used for transcoding and the CPU is pegged at 100%.

How can I achieve running Plex as a service and be able to use my Nvidia GPU to transcode.

Thanks.

2

Use Ubuntu Desktop 18.04.3 LTS since I am guessing you want a GUI. Using Linux as the host OS for PMS is going to yield better results for you. I personally ran PMS on OS X/macOS, Ubuntu Linux and Windows Server for one year to evaluate the functionality and support level for existing and new features.

The Linux host OS won out in the majority of criteria. You have already encountered two known limitations for Windows. There are other deficiencies that I have not listed but work is in progress to overcome those in future PMS releases.

3

You won’t be able to run as a service; you can put something like this on your PC server and log in via RDP.

5

@ChuckPa for his comments.

7

Can I run Linux on a virtual server? I’m running two other windows virtual servers with SQL and IIS for my software development work.

8

What do I need the emulator for? sorry for the ignorance.

9

No detected monitor, no GPU HW Acceleration if you are going to be headless.

10

You can as long as you passthrough the GPU to Linux? What CPU is in this new server?

11

XEON E-2136

12

If you are adept with Hyper-V and can pass through the P2200, you should be able to use full hardware transcoding with the latest alpha test builds of PMS for Linux.

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I tried passing the P2200 already to a windows vm and was not successful using DDA (Discrete Device Assignment), apparently the video card is not compatible or something along those lines.


Maybe in linux is a different story, would have to try.

15

Hi Achilles,

I’m a newbee with Linux and PLEX.
If I install PLEX on a headless Debian or Ubuntu (without virtualization)

  • Does PLEX run as a “Service”?
  • On Linux, do I also need a Display Emulator to make Nvidia GPU hardware transcoding run?

Many Thanks for your help!
Cheers,
Francisco

16

Just create a scheduled task in windows for plex to open at boot. Thats what ive been doing for years.

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