Media Server / HTPC setup

Nevakonaza

Nevakonaza

Nevakonaza

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7 Jan 2009
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Hey,

Been wanting to setup my own Media Server / HTPC for quite a while.

I already have a small system (Lenovo M720q) which i will add a 1TB HDD too (temp) will get bigger drive eventually.

Specs -

  • Core i3 8100T (Possibly upgrading to 9600T)
  • 16GB Corsair Vengance 2400Mhz DDR4
  • 256GB Intel NVME Drive (For OS)
  • 1TB Hard Drive (Will upgrade to larger capacity.)

Basically what i want it to do, Is be a media Server, I have a few DVDs that are REALLY hard to get ahold of now and I'm worried that they will degrade/diskrot so going to copy them to digital format.

My question is how exactly should i go about setting this up? What OS would you recommend?

Should i just install Jellyfin and use it as a standalone pc connected to the TV, And if i do that how do i go about accessing this PC over the network to add further content (which i own on disk).

My other concern is will it have enough horsepower to play the content? The CPU has "Intel® UHD Graphics 630"

I don't plan to play Bluray or 4K content on this, Purely DVD content. Which i assume the TV upscales by itself.

Cheers :)
 
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You should be fine.

For my Media PC I have the following

I7 9700K (8 core 8 thread processor)
16GB of DDR4 3200mhz ram
1TB NVME drive (Samsung 970)
4TB HDD for storage

I do not have any 4K etc stuff on there its all 1080P and also uses the UHD graphics 630.

I have been watching movies on the TV and my son has been watching his tablet as well without any issues.

I went for Windows 11 (Upgraded my PC to a 9800X3D) as it was an OEM license and tied to the board and used Plex to stream the media to whatever device. (Mobile phone, TV, tablet etc)

Works well and does everything we wanted it for but I have not used Jellyfin
 
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I used unraid and then use Plex, can access from anywhere. So android TV/TV/phone etc.

Unraid is great and very simple to setup. I have a 7700 and it'll play anything, including 4k Dolby vision etc. so your 8100 will be fine
 
Guess it's up to you.
I have two media PC's but they are just standard low power PC's running Windows. Both are directly connected to 4K TV's. One is on my main TV, the second is an exact copy and as well as being a media PC on my other TV, acts as a backup to the first and my games/work PC.
I like it that way because I prefer to have the flexibility of a full PC. I just use a Logitech keyboard with build in trackpad.
 
No need to over complicate it. Just install Windows; grab Plex, and you're done.

The issue most people have is on the "receiving" end. A lot of TVs don't have the umph to happily run Plex in high bitrate without buffering; and browsing the content can be painful. I went with an Apple TV with ethernet and it is like using Netflix now. Buttery smooth even with 100GB+ files.

Access it via your main PC using Remote Desktop.
 
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SpellowHouse said:
Guess it's up to you.
I have two media PC's but they are just standard low power PC's running Windows. Both are directly connected to 4K TV's. One is on my main TV, the second is an exact copy and as well as being a media PC on my other TV, acts as a backup to the first and my games/work PC.
I like it that way because I prefer to have the flexibility of a full PC. I just use a Logitech keyboard with build in trackpad.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a simple but effective setup.

I don't have any spare PC's lying around. So I'd have to buy a NAS most likely. Quite expensive though! I think it was £1500 with a NAS (4 bay) and 2x 20TB Drives. A lot of money but like a lot of people, I want my own media library!
 
First of all, I really appreciate everyone's replies, Glad that my specs for this machine should be more than enough, If not i do have the choice of upgrading the CPU to a 9th Gen 6 core or more and also this unit supports a Low profile GPU so that's also an option (although would push costs up significantly)

Bidley said:
I've used OpenMediaVault for years. I use about 15-20 Docker containers and it's solid.
Click to expand...

This looks like a good option, I was looking into Unraid but ideally if i don't have to pay anything than i wont.

What I'm thinking i might do is have the computer connected to the TV, Install OpenMediaVault and then add my library by remote into it/transfer files to it that way from my main pc then when i want to watch i simply switch on the computer at the TV and do it that way so I'm not streaming movies via the network if that makes sense as the data will be on the actual comp its playing from then.

Sorry if that sounds obvious or anything im new to NAS/Home streaming etc :cry:
 
Nevakonaza said:
First of all, I really appreciate everyone's replies, Glad that my specs for this machine should be more than enough, If not i do have the choice of upgrading the CPU to a 9th Gen 6 core or more and also this unit supports a Low profile GPU so that's also an option (although would push costs up significantly)



This looks like a good option, I was looking into Unraid but ideally if i don't have to pay anything than i wont.

What I'm thinking i might do is have the computer connected to the TV, Install OpenMediaVault and then add my library by remote into it/transfer files to it that way from my main pc then when i want to watch i simply switch on the computer at the TV and do it that way so I'm not streaming movies via the network if that makes sense as the data will be on the actual comp its playing from then.

Sorry if that sounds obvious or anything im new to NAS/Home streaming etc :cry:
Click to expand...

Having a small power use pc and then something you can play externally on is a lot easier, no need to turn on the pc etc. I suppose it depends how often you'll want to play them and what audio formats etc.
 
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