NAS specs to transcode 1080p mkv files

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Hi Folks,

I've seen a few threads on here regarding Synology NAS devices and Plex performance, however nothing that fully covers my query (so hopefully not a repeat request here !)....

I've just installed Plex Media Centre on a C2D 1.8GHz Mac Mini, which is attached to my wired home LAN. The media files are stored on an Asus NAS-M25, also connected to the LAN by Ethernet. So far, for most media files I'm finding that the Mac is performing well streaming media, even when being asked transcode, however the exception to this is when I tried to play 1080p mkv files on my Sony Smart TV - what then happens is the video displays, but is unwatchable due to stuttering.

Reason for the post is I was wondering what the minimum spec would be for equipment to complete the transcode for 1080p mkv files. The Mac Mini I currently have is about 5 years old and is struggling, but I wondered if say a Synolgy DS213+ would fair any better, or am I better spending my cash on a newer Mac Mini (I want something that's small, quiet and energy efficient when in idle).

Appreciate the feedback,
Andy
 
Netgear ReadyNAS Pro 6 has a 2.4GHz Pentium Dual Core as standard, and you can open them up to replace with a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo :).

Looking at Netgears website this does look like a beast ! However the specs say Atom dual core ?

Thanks for all the answers - it's sounding like my best option may be to upgrade my Mac Mini so it can better handle transcoding of the HD files. I guess if it can do this, then clients should be able to stream ok ?

Andy
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. I hadn't looked at the WD yet as I wasn't sure if it would run Plex client (though I could use DNLA ?). There's also the Roku 2XS out there which does run Plex client, though it sounds like that one would need the server doing the transcoding for 1080p.

What I have done is test Plex Media Server running on an 3GHz i3 PC on on LAN, and have found that even my Sony TV is able to view 1080p files without any problems, so I think I may be best simply upgrading the Mac Mini at the server end.

Will let you now how it goes...

Andy
 
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