Looking for alternate solution for plex

[2013]

Hi could someone help with some option on running plex or something similar for my move storage,
at the moment i'm running plex on a micro server in raid 1 but it becoming costly when you consider I need to change the HDD every 2 years or so and only me and my brother use it.

with the currant climate and the price of large HDD not dropping its not cost effective.

I cant think of any good solutions other then just moving the movies back to my PC
or consider biting the bullet buy replacements


any options what have you done ?

 

[2013]

Well storage is a requirement so I can only see couple ways moving forward.

True storage is a big issue and with a micros server running 24/7 the number clock up, thats why I was considering just using it as normal on my PC as an when deed which should increase he life of the HDDS.

What ways do you see, could you share please ?

 

[2013]

Replacing drives because they're full, or because they're failing?

If they're failing, what drives are you using?

The drive are not failing yet but think the drive will start to fail soon because the server is showing a orange light signalling a issue, I cant seem to find any issue so assume its the HDDs, last time it happened i changed the drives and it was fine again.

also the drives are not full but not far off.

 

[2013]

Hopefully, there's nothing on those drives you care about? If there is I'd be a bit more proactive and get them tested (manufacturer's diagnostic) or replaced soon.

If any of the drives in my Unraid server triggers a warning when the monthly parity check runs it's out of there. Luckily it's a rare event, certainly not 'every 2 years or so'.

I would rather not loose anything as ive been collecting for years, backing up and selling the psychical disk.
truth is I dont have spare drive or any money allocated to replace them, 4tb drives at £100+ each can add up.
I cant really remember the exact date I changed the drives but I think I change it about 3 years ago, its likely the drive will still last some time so Ill just start saving and buy a new drive.

 

[2013]

RAID1 for media storage isn't the most economical way of doing it either. Storage is cheap these days, 4TB drives can be had for just over £70. Also 3 years on a drive is nothing, I have a couple of drives with over 7 years of power on hours doing just fine.

True but I cast think of a better option, I mean if one drive fails at least I have a backup. you can get cheaper drives but for nas its best to spend a little more and get something like a WD Red.

The drives may last longer I dont really know how to check, I have tried crystaldiskinfo but it does not work on the MS so im just going by the signal, I think the micro server is giving me a early warning, if it was urgent it would go red.

 

[2013]

Raid is not a backup though. I run WD Reds but my older drives are Samsung 2TB drives which have been on for 7 years straight, no spin down.

I must have some bad luck,

any advice ? dont really know much about NAS or servers so im just going with the basic knowledge I have.

 

[2013]

You can use Plex with cloud storage if your internet connection is up to it.

I did consider that before but the cost was much more so I ended up not going for cloud.
any other suggestions, maybe some suggestions on improving what i have
To be honest I think the issues with the drives is someone moving / knocking the micro server when its on (cleaning)