Looking for The Cheapest NAS I Can Get with Good Plex Support

Ltrustnoone on 17/12/2015 - 02:39
Last edited 17/12/2015 - 02:41

Hi guys, I'm looking for the cheapest NAS I can get away with, with plex support to share my home media.
Not going to do any sort of RAID configuration in terms of backup drives if that helps and not sharing anything online either.

Ideally I'd love something in the 2 bay range with possible transcoding support for a single user but transcoding isn't necessary if its not worth the extra money.
So far something like this is interesting me http://www.computeralliance.com.au/parts?id=11171 (I found on another ozbargain page) although I'm having trouble finding out which devices support plex WITHOUT major lag which is what worries me the most.
My setup I hope to have is a NAS straight into the router, and wireless to devices. Devices themselves are likely to be laptops, phones and possibly chromecast.
Would love to be able to get away with something new the 200 dollar mark for device itself (without the harddrives)

Thanks for any help everyone.

Computing

Comments

  • kasp on 17/12/2015 - 06:24
    +2

    200 dollars for a NAS that will be powerful enough to do transcoding I really doubt it. Streaming yes, transcoding no.

    Generally they need an intel CPU to be able to handle transcoding and cost near the 1000ish mark (Prices may have come down somewhat since I last looked) Usually you can find a guide on what can handle transcoding and what can't. (If it says limited then its pretty much a no)

    Synology is probably the least fuss to get Plex working, also the HP microservers I have heard are good but require more of a setup. I am unsure of the netgear but it's a good price for a 4 bay nas.

    EDit:

    Having said that
    http://www.megabuy.com.au/hp-712317-371-proliant-gen8-4-bay-…
    80 extra bucks and for what I read can handle a single 1080 transcode. That might be exactly what you are after. If it can't handle it you can upgrade the cpu later on.

  • Nugs on 17/12/2015 - 07:13

    I too have desire for something like you described.
    My problem is I want to use a pair of recently purchased 6TB drives and many of these seem to top out at 4TB per bay.

  • kipps on 17/12/2015 - 08:23
    +2

    Look into a HP Microserver (as commented above). My N36L is going strong after many years.

  • PartyNextDoor on 17/12/2015 - 08:28
    +2

    I have a HP Microserver that I use primarily for Plex. I'm glad I didn't chose a NAS because I would have been paying premium with reduced functionality. You have a lot of flexibility with a HP Microserver but you will need to be a bit tech savvy to get it set up and running.

  • akd on 17/12/2015 - 09:45
    +2

    If you can wait, HP micro-server G8 might be available for $249.(https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/225688).

  • trustnoone on 17/12/2015 - 19:15

    Thanks guys, it seems like the HP Microserver seems to be the biggest recommendation. I was thinking of going without transcoding due to the price issue, but the HP Microserver seems to be priced really well.
    I'm going to wait out for the $249 price (hopefully) and if it doesn't happen, I'll probably buy the HP G8 from the first message.
    I don't mind the difficulty hugely as I feel like it will be an interesting learning process

    Thanks again all!! Really helped me out a lot.

  • Nugs on 17/12/2015 - 19:21

    if a server is used, as opposed to a NAS, do you then have to buy an OS?

  • trustnoone on 19/12/2015 - 03:51

    Hi guys, i just saw this, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/225925 would you still recommend the hp, they all seem to be about a good price especially HP ProLiant ML10v2 Server/NAS G3240 3.1Ghz 4GB, due to higher ram and cpu? Assuming they work the same way

  • demiurge on 19/12/2015 - 23:48

    build one yourself from second hand pc parts inside a new case.

  • trustnoone on 10/01/2016 - 10:58

    Hi all, apologies for bumping the thread, but wanted to say a huge thanks!! ended up getting the HP gen 8 microserver as suggested here, and its so far working amazingly. Not sure what its going to be like when more people in my house start catching on that I have a plex server setup lol, But wanted to say thanks everyone here for the rec!!

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