Best option for home media centre using Plex

Ldjames on 08/11/2013 - 08:13

Hi,

I'm after advice on the best way to setup a home media centre using an application like Plex. I use Apple products at home (macbook pro, AppleTV 3rd generation and Macbook air). I have tried running Plex from the AppleTV however, since apple released a patch a few months back it doesn't work and I have spent far too many hours trying to get around it – over it!

I am considering purchasing a Macmini, that way I can install whatever application I like on it and connect directly to the TV without any issues. What does everyone think? Any other recommended solutions?

Computing

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 08/11/2013 - 09:29

    I haven't used Plex but I get the general idea. Mac Mini is neat, but very expensive for this job.

    Solution 1: Rasberry Pi

    Pro:
    - Super Cheap
    - Small
    - Very Low Power
    - Quiet
    - Did I mention how cheap it is?

    Con:
    - Just enough power for 1080 h264 video, not much head room
    - No hardware DTS support, need to have video with different audio or a TV/Amp that supports DTS
    - More advanced set up

    Solution 2: Brix/NUC

    Pro
    - Low Power
    - Quiet
    - Powerful, can do (almost) anything

    Con
    - Not cheap

    Solution 3: Cheap PC

    Pro
    - Expandable
    - Powerful
    - Flexible

    Con
    - Not small

    • futaris on 09/11/2013 - 13:08

      Haswell NUCs are now available too…

      • _Bruce_ on 09/11/2013 - 19:15

        I don't see what difference this makes. Raspberry Pi isn't even x86 and the PC can be whatever you want. Given that I would recommend the celeron for this use case anyway, there isn't much point.

  • strangeloops66 on 08/11/2013 - 12:24

    Buy a Samsung blu-ray player with Smart Hub. Or, if you're going to replace the TV soon, get a Samsung TV with Smart Hub. The second is a better way, as the blu-ray players have Cinavia protection (not just for blu-ray discs, but movie files as well), the TV does not.

  • djames on 08/11/2013 - 13:34

    Thanks guys, great suggestions, really appreciate the advice, exactly what I was after.

    I think I'll end up going with the Brix/NUC option given the flexibility to use for other things.

  • CyberMurning on 08/11/2013 - 19:25

    two more:
    apple tv 2 jailbroken.
    NAS - but make sure they can run plex (intel processor)

    i had both before, run perfectly with plex inside, and at the end sold my apple tv because obviously NAS is more usefull

  • Bystander on 08/11/2013 - 20:28

    I've been looking at doing this myself. I was leaning towards getting a Synology DS213j for about $200 plus 1 or 2 drives for about $100 and loading this onto it.

    As mentioned before a NAS like this can do so much more than a basic media player and is cheaper than a Mac mini.

  • zerocritical on 09/11/2013 - 08:11

    Why not XBMC? I haven't used plex yet so can someone point out the main advantages of plex over xbmc?

  • sonsofthewest on 09/11/2013 - 08:20

    I have recently built a media center PC and did quite a bit of research into small, cheap and silent options

    Ended up with

    Aywun MW-107 mini ITX CASE - $55
    Intel DN2800 mini ITX motherboard with atom CPU inboard (fan less so totally silent - $110
    Samsung EVO 120gb solid state drive - $95
    4gb sodimm ram - $40

    Total - $300

    I run Windows 8 but you can run any OS. All my content is on a NAS

    It's super quick, silent and does everything the NUC does and more (eg can add a DVD drive) Although while it's small it's not as compact as the NUC it's a bit cheaper - similar spec'd NUC is around $450-500

    • _Bruce_ on 09/11/2013 - 08:43

      To be fair an NUC also doesn't run an atom. Doesn't matter purely for playback but 'everything the NUC does and more' is not accurate.

    • djames on 09/11/2013 - 12:36

      Hey mate, can you recommend a place where I can get this stuff from? Is there an online store?

  • sonsofthewest on 10/11/2013 - 14:24

    Fair call _bruce. I implemented NUCs at work and they are very good, and quite true a better processor than the atom. But you're right, for running media Atom is good and for me that's all I do with the PC

    I purchased the above from www.scorptec.com.au except the case which I got from www.budgetpc.com.au.

  • djames on 10/11/2013 - 20:16

    All great advice guys, has anyone purchased from http://www.megabuy.com.au ? Is this a good place to buy or are there cheaper options?

  • [Deactivated] on 13/11/2013 - 22:08

    I personally think small form factor refurbished is the way to go but then again I like fixing broken things.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-USFF-with-17-mo…

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join