Media Server Recommendations. What Is Your Setup?

mmd on 26/03/2018 - 02:24
Last edited 26/03/2018 - 12:18 by 1 other user

Hi All
What media server setup do you have?

I'm looking for ideas as I currently use my main computer as a plex server which streams to my smart TV.

I'm looking at a cheap media server option such as an optiplex + 4TB HDD so I can just leave near the TV (convenience of turning it on/off plus sometimes I game on my main PC, while my partner wants to watch a movie).
I only need to leave it all night 1 or 2 nights per week, so I think the cost of getting a NAS is too high.

But I just have a couple of dumb questions:
1. Having a small LCD monitor and keyboard in TV room would look weird. How do I view windows? By connecting the optiplex to the TV via a DVI cable or can I access the optiplex as a sever via my main PC?
2. If it is connected to the TV, would I use a wireless keyboard/pad like the logitech keyboard/pad to access Windows?

Many thanks in advance.

Computing Media Server Plex

Comments

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2018 - 06:41

    I use Ubuntu server and SSH. No monitor etc needed, except for initial install.

    Mine lives in my shed connected via Ethernet and I shutdown using my phone most nights.

    I removed the cd drive and have a 4tb and 1tb HDD for media and a 60gb SSD for OS.

    I was going to have it near my tv but the hum was annoying.

    I have had a range of machines: optioned 740, 780 and now a HP 8200. The HP is great, Especially the i5.

    • mskeggs on 26/03/2018 - 08:25

      I also run the machine headless, though I left mine near the TV and can plug it in to HDMI if I want to do something where that is easier.
      I bought a cheap, slow NUC pc, which is very quiet and small. I scavenged RAM and Hard drive from what I had replaced, and it has a couple of 2.5hdd I retired from laptops hanging off it for storage.
      Mine is left on 24/7, and I would urge you to consider power costs if you do that - they really add up for desktop machines. It could be over $100 p.a.
      Tight VNC lets me control the machine.

      Apart from media, I also use it as a seed box, place to back up ipads and photos back up.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2018 - 09:09

        I turn off most nights unless it's doing a big download/upload. Usually switch on at 11am and turn off at 11pm. So, theoretically, only about $50pa. That's not too bad.

        I specifically run without a GUI as I feel that adds overhead to the machine that isn't necessary. Plus, all the rubbish installed isn't required. All I need is SSH, Plex, resilio, rclone, lftp and OpenVPN.

      • mmd on 27/03/2018 - 02:48

        My setup would cost about $20 pa to run, but will look into Tight vnc. Many thanks
        Unfortunately I don't have any old parts to scavenge, hence why I'm looking at the optiplex :(

  • No Username on 26/03/2018 - 07:25

    I use a Dell PowerEdge R420 that I keep in my server room running 24/7. It has EXSI running on it and part of the VM is running FreeNAS. FreeNAS also allows you to install a huge range of support plugins such as Plex Media Server, Next Cloud (Custom hosted google drive), Transmission and you can even host your own website.

  • salmon123 on 26/03/2018 - 07:58

    I only need to leave it all night 1 or 2 nights per week, so I think the cost of getting a NAS is too high.

    My Cloud Expert Series EX2 Ultra … should be able to have it up and running $300. I doubt you'll be able to do any better with something you put together yourself.

  • npc on 26/03/2018 - 08:49
    +2

    I use Raspberry PI 3 with OSMC + Synology 112j.

  • Ryanek on 26/03/2018 - 09:08
    +2

    I have a Synology ds214play. It has video transcoding so Plex can play any file you throw at it. It's practically silent and sits by my TV.

  • Diji1 on 26/03/2018 - 09:43

    I started using Plex and found it to be hopeless at doing most things consistently including resuming media playback, opening a media player application and updating the library with new content. Most things it does in other words.

    Maybe it works properly with a sub?

  • exe on 26/03/2018 - 09:49

    Ubuntu server with media shared via SMB over ethernet. For storage I am using SnapRaid & Mergerfs, please look into data backup and redundancy. (It is too late by the time you actually lose data!)

    Despite popular opinion I believe a high powered media server has many advantages such as much easier colour calibration, access to higher quality scaling algorithms especially if you are using a 4k display since most sources will need to be upscaled. With enough juice you can even play around with frame interpolation and neural based upscaling! Even better now since you can pick up cheap graphics cards from the bailing crypto miners.

    For NAS you are paying for looks and usability, but it locks you to its platform. Using steamlink to stream media is great value.

    • Diji1 on 26/03/2018 - 11:18
      +1

      What are you calibrating on Linux?

      Unless something's changed recently you're not going to get the highest quality playback using Linux anyway.

      • exe on 26/03/2018 - 12:19

        Only the server is running Linux, I use Windows -> mpv for playback, DisplayCal & ColorMunki Display for colour calibration. Any OS is still way easier to calibrate compared to say a smart TV. You'd be surprised at how much blue is over saturated since its the light we are very sensitive to and associate with intensity. It's similar to the loudness war in the music industry, brighter & louder =/= better but its an easy sell.

  • 0FoxGiven on 26/03/2018 - 10:14

    I use an Nvidia Shield hooked up to a 500GB hard drive to run a Plex media server. Super easy to setup, can handle multiple streams easily and has all the benefits of an Android TV box + Chromecast

    Not the cheapest option though

  • geek001 on 26/03/2018 - 11:33

    Wow, lots of high options already. I use an old Dell laptop running Windows with usb3.0 connected to a usb external hard drive. I installed tightVNC on the old laptop, so that I can remote desktop in from my main machine. Sharing is easy on Windows, just need to remember turn off password protected sharing to stop annoying login popups on machines connected to it that are non-Windows, eg. Android tv box, mobile phones, tablets etc.

    I used to go the old desktop option, but the power consumption was a consideration for me. The PSU of a desktop was 400W, whereas the old laptop power adapter was 75W, not that they both draw maximum power at all times, but I would imagine the power draw of the laptop is considerably less than the desktop. Also a laptop fits in my entertainment unit nicely, hidden away.

    • mmd on 27/03/2018 - 03:13

      Never thought of a laptop and it sounds exactly what I need.
      I'm happy with paying $20 pa in power for a desktop setup. Always happy to pay less.
      Do you run plex?
      Do you leave your laptop on 24/7?

      • geek001 on 27/03/2018 - 09:00

        Nope. Dont run Plex but I cant see why you couldnt. Yes. I leave the laptop on 24/7. The power consumption is minimal when there is nothing happening anyway. Also if you are going to get a laptop, get one with a side power on button so that you dont need to open the lid whenever you want to turn it on. :)

  • Solrak on 26/03/2018 - 12:22

    Looks like there are some good suggestions already especially for repurposing older hardware you may have around the house. An old laptop for example can make a good PMS and sip on power as a bonus. As you use plex do you require your media to be transcoded when playing? Is your stored media important to you? If so you will need to think about a redundancy and a backup. This is where a NAS from Synology, WD or Qnap can come into play. A half decent 2 bay devices are really not that expensive. A 4 bay even better! They also sip on power and can be left on 24/7. If you do go down the road of buying a NAS or making your own home brew NAS for the love of god buy a UPS!

    • mmd on 27/03/2018 - 03:19

      Thanks for the reply; unfortunately I don't have any old hardware other than a 320gb HDD :(

      As you use plex do you require your media to be transcoded when playing?

      No, it is for inhouse use only with a max of three devices.

      Is your stored media important to you?

      No, I have dvd/ vhs copies :) so in the event of failure I have physical copies (stored in another address)

      I think what prevents me from looking at a NAS setup is the initial outlay in costs… drives, UPS

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 13:46

    Mine is really outdated and predominanlty for 2.0 channel set up, but also for movies.

    It's a i5 Sandy bridge with a Asus Exsence STX as a headphone out, otherwise out through SPDIF.

    For movies, it goes through the R7 250 card.

    The whole set up is fanless as it sits in a heatsink enclosure with copper pipes directly into CPU and GPU heatsink. The other components have never overheated.

    I run J River MC.

    I just use a Chromecast 4k these days and just Netflix. And chill.

  • aussie mark on 26/03/2018 - 14:51

    My setup

    HP Gen8 Microserver
    16GB ECC ram
    E3-1265L V2 processor
    1 x 128gb SSD
    4 x 8TB hard drives
    1 x 500gb hard drive via usb interface
    M$ 2012 server
    8tb drives in Raid 5 with Refs file system.
    1 x Hauppauge quad TV Tuner for live TV.
    Headless, RDP for access
    Software
    Plex Sever
    Emby Server
    DVBLink Server (TV)

    For viewing with TV I've had PC's in HTPC's cases in the past, mac mini's
    Now I find the Mi Box with Kodi works well.
    Viewing on phones, tablets, browsers etc…

  • Slippage on 27/03/2018 - 14:22

    Qnap is what I use, it shares media via Twonkey (but there are many other options you can use, including SMB and Plex)

    Web interface, so no need for monitors for setup/admin. if you go a mid to high spec, it will have a HDMI out on the back which you can play content directly from the nas (i use kodi for this). You can also use this output to access the web interface for config/admin. I use my ipad/iphone to control it over wifi.

    They use considerably less power than a media-PC or rack server also

  • gizmomelb on 28/03/2018 - 23:56

    I run xpeneology on two different HP servers - both headless and they are switched off when not being accessed.

  • KBZ on 27/05/2018 - 19:29

    Can you update us what you went through. I’m also interested in setting up a media server. But some of this stuff just over my head.

  • Magus on 27/05/2018 - 23:10

    I have a Pi NAS.
    Open Media Vault
    4TB USB drive.

    Acts as a mapped for all the PCs/Laptops
    DLNA, with no trans coding, but TV handles this.
    Some syncing of drives enabled.
    Will upgrade at some stage, but this is cheap to put together, cheap to run, and does the job.

    At work i have an Isolon..

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