Home media server & streamer

[Csne2x]

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

 

[Csne2x]

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

 

[Csne2x]

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

 

[Csne2x]

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!

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