NAS + Plex Server

Meds

Meds

Meds

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20 Oct 2004
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650
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Hi Guys,

Please forgive the level of noobness about to be unleashed!! Im one for doing things on the fly!!! So yesterday I decided I was going to make a HTPC, after spending the day researching and messing about with Plex. I have decided that the plex route would be sufficient for my needs.

Now I also need to get a NAS for home, for backups and shared files.

So right now Im thinking:

Synology DS414 or
Synology DS214 Play

Based on my research the Play seems like it would do a better job. But I was thinking of future proofing and going for the DS414, but I understand it doesn't currently support Plex.


So would getting a 8TB config of the DS214 Play be a good idea or is there a better solution for me.

Thanks

Meds

PS: I kinda of looked at the HP microstation route too, but I think it would be a little complicated for me as I would need to learn a new O/S, main objectives is shared storage and media on TV/IPADS/PHONES :)
 
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The Synology OS on the DS's you've picked out is the same as Xpenology running on a HP Microserver so you'll be learning a new OS either way. Nothing to it though. If you can use Windows, you're laughing! Hence I'd recommend a Microserver and Xpenology. It runs Plex just fine - I know as I use exactly this setup!

One thing to note though is that sharing media to an iPad and phones using Plex may require transcoding and neither the Microserver nor the two Synology boxes you've picked are upto that job. However, my media is all mkv files which stream fine and dandy to my Samsung smart TV through the TVs Plex app.
 
Thanks bluecube, I actually just ordered: HP 704941-421 ProLiant Micro Server, only paid £155 with HP currently offering £100 cash back. So in total would have cost £55, cant be that bad lol...

Now I need to understand what this Xpenolgy is all about and where I go from there.

Any links or info pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated :)

As mentioned, main use for this is media server, and file storage.
 
Suggest you have a look here http://xpenology.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1700

All the info you need is in the first post. Take your time and you'll be running your Xpenology server in no time at all. It's a NAS OS so once you're up and running you'll be able to access your storage through Explorer and copy your media, etc across to it. Once all the media is safely on the Microserver, you'll download Plex through the Synology OS and point Plex at your media. Voila. It's easier than I've just described!
 
Thanks Blue, wondering if I've bought the wrong HP Microserver, looks like the one I've bought only supports a maximum of 8GB :( Best do some research quickly so I can cancel and buy again if required
 
AFAIK all Microservers only support 8Gb although with the right memory you'll be able to use upto 16Gb. 8Gb is more than enough for what you've got planned. You'll only need more if you start playing about with virtualisation.
 
Thanks for all the info guys. Between you guys there's enough bed time reading to last me a life :)
 
Guys,

So would XPEnology only manage the NAS?

Basically I would like my server to do the following;

1) SanZb
2) NAS
3) Plex
4) File Sharing
5) Not essential but would be a nice to have to plug directly into TV, and use as a media server

So would XPEnology do all of the above, or would I need to run virtual servers on it doing some of the above? Sorry trying to learn about XPEnology is a minefield.
 
A NAS will do file sharing as a matter of course - that's really what it's for! Xpenology will also do Plex as I said above.

SanZb, I'm not sure about but I can definitely say you won't be able to plug it into your TV. I think you're a tad confused though - a media server serves media ie gives it out to whatever wants to view it. You seem to thinking more of HTPC.
 
I do agree Bluecube, I'm really confused :)

Basically I need a NAS, and I need to be able to play media on my TV.

Initially I was gonna buy a Synology and build a HTPC. Although when I was messing about with Plex that seemed sufficient.

So then I thought I'd buy a DS214+play and use that as a Nas and to run plex, but reading on the net, It seems sometimes transcoding via the DS214+play can be slow.

That's when I started looking at the HP Microserver, the rest is as above.....

:(

Tbh I just want an easy solution...
 
Why not just get something like Chromecast which will run the Plex front end?

Run Xpenology on a Microserver. You can easily set up the Plex Server on Xpenology (it's a one click download and install) which will hook up to Chromecast (or similar) and that's you sorted.
 
Meds said:
Thanks bluecube, I actually just ordered: HP 704941-421 ProLiant Micro Server, only paid £155 with HP currently offering £100 cash back. So in total would have cost £55, cant be that bad lol...

Now I need to understand what this Xpenolgy is all about and where I go from there.

Any links or info pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated :)

As mentioned, main use for this is media server, and file storage.
Click to expand...

Hey meds, where did you buy the server at that price?
I see they sell them on Amazon, but don't think you will get the cashback on them. Please advise if you do and I'll will certainly be getting another at that price.
 
Hi bluemax, it was from amazon, I realised it was from a Spanish seller and cancelled the order :( next cheapest I've found is 197 at server+
 
Ah good. Didn't want you to be disappointed.
Think a few vendors are getting new stock from tomorrow, so I'm sure you will get fixed up. The deal you mentioned was about the best currently, but they were that price with a three year warranty a few days ago. I'd hang fire if you can.
 
I would be wary about running any frontend setup using WIFI, personally I use an i3 setup for the NAS with plex installed and a raspberry pi running raspbmc with the plex addon for the front end connected via Ethernet. I did try WIFI to start with and it was n't great, kept getting stuttering so switched to Ethernet plugs which have been faultless.
 
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