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Csne2x

Csne2x

Csne2x

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6 Dec 2015
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10
Hi all,

I've asked a few questions about media servers and such but wanted to collectively ask about my proposed setup and some ideas.

I have purchased a Lenovo TS-140 and plan to use this as a dedicated media server. I plan on running Plex on this and streaming movies and music to various tv's around the house using my cat 6 wired network.

I am wondering what to use at the TV end to pull the media from the server as my tv's are not smart. I was looking at something like a Raspberry Pi which could also double up as a HTPC. How would this cope at pulling HD content from the server? And would the server still handle aby transcoding?

I am new to all of this, I've also been reading a lot which I think has confused me slightly.

All help is very much appreciated.

Thanks
Stuart
 
Anything that can run a Plex client will be fine. I find ready made solutions such as the Fire Stick and various Android boxes easier to work with than a roll your own solution such as the Pi.

What processor is in your server? Can't see you having any issues with single stream encoding even if it's a low end CPU.
 
Hi thanks for the advice, my server has the following spec

Intel Xeon QC E3-1226V3/3.3 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB installed
- 1TB HDD installed

I'm just struggling to get my head around how to set the server up. I wasn't sure whether to run something like windows 10 or have it running a server operating system.

The only reason I thought along the line of the PI was it could double up as a HTPC to do trivial Internet browsing and such as well.

Thanks
Stuart
 
Windows 10 will be fine as Plex Server software runs without a hitch on it. The CPU will also suffice plenty.

For your client, go with what you want! If you want a HTPC then a Pi will be great. If you've more cash to splash then look at a NUC.
 
Hi thanks for the pointers, the NUC looks a cracking piece of kit. It's something going forward I may upgrade to. I think I will try along the lines of a ready made solution like you mentioned.

Another quick question, I have a 48 port network switch that I was going to use for tying the individual TV's back to the server. Is this ok or am I better getting an expansion for RJ-45 on the server itself?

Thanks

Stuart
 
The network switch will be fine. If it's only 100Mbit capable rather than Gigabit then you may want to look at a direct connection in the future. Note that most ready made solutions are wireless so wired networking is a moot point!
 
Bluecube said:
The network switch will be fine. If it's only 100Mbit capable rather than Gigabit then you may want to look at a direct connection in the future. Note that most ready made solutions are wireless so wired networking is a moot point!
Click to expand...

Sorry I forgot to mention that its a Gigabit switch, my initial intentions were to distribute wired internet around the house and it's grown arms and legs.

Thanks again
Stuart
 
Pis will play 1080p fine and the server won't need to transcode.

Oh and don't bother with window was unless you specifically need it for some of the very few benefits it gives. For my server I use Ubuntu server as I wanted something full featured as it also hosts gaming servers. Another choice would be free NAS if you just need a NAS. Plenty of choice and its all free.


Also if it's only pis and server then consider going kodi rather than plex. Kodi has a better and more skinable ui . Plex shines when you need transcoding.
 
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I use an old laptop with W10 in Tablet mode, Plex, Netflix etc all set as tabs on the home screen, runs great. It has an SSD so boots up in no time, only issue is switching it on you have to lift the lid but got used to that now
 
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