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Mini PC for Plex server
Posted on 6/23/21 at 9:38 pm
Posted on 6/23/21 at 9:38 pm
I bought this mini PC on Prime Day. I'm hoping to get a Plex server that I can leave running constantly (currently using my laptop for single movies at a time). I'm wondering if I can use an 8TB USB hard drive for media storage and be able to stream 4k without issues? If not, I'll probably just send it back. $122 for 8GB/120GB and Win 10 Pro seemed like a really good deal
6
Posted on 6/23/21 at 10:19 pm to LSU Tigershark
It's going to depend on the device(s) you watch on, and whether your files need to be transcoded. That box might not even transcode 720p, much less 4k. If your media can direct play/stream on your devices, then I guess it'll send a 4k stream.
You might be able to optimize your media (basically transcode ahead of time) so that it will direct play.
A little box like that is better suited as a media player rather than media server. Or you could use it as a sweet little Home Assistant box or something like that.
You might be able to optimize your media (basically transcode ahead of time) so that it will direct play.
A little box like that is better suited as a media player rather than media server. Or you could use it as a sweet little Home Assistant box or something like that.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 6:20 am to Korkstand
The Atom CPU is capable of hardware transcoding however unless they've made improvements on the 8/128 model the video and storage are slow.
I bought the 4/64 model on sale a couple of years ago and ended up using it as a Pi-hole server running Ubuntu server.
I bought the 4/64 model on sale a couple of years ago and ended up using it as a Pi-hole server running Ubuntu server.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 7:55 am to Korkstand
quote:
A little box like that is better suited as a media player rather than media server. Or you could use it as a sweet little Home Assistant box or something like that
All of this and everything else he said. I have one I bought a year or two ago and it couldn't transcode anything really. I don't remember the model though, but same brand and similar price point. Also, I tried to do a fresh install of windows and the WiFi driver could never be installed again. I tried numerous ones and never could get it to work and it seemed to be a common issue for my box and/or the manufacturer. I ended up just getting a NVIDIA shield and have been much happier. I use mine now to run my backup software and that's pretty much it.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 8:01 am to Tortious
quote:
I ended up just getting a NVIDIA shield and have been much happier.
It works well as a server?
Posted on 6/24/21 at 8:14 am to LSU Tigershark
quote:
$122 for 8GB/120GB and Win 10 Pro.
Seems well underpowered just to run Windows... for something like plex the higher end (and higher priced) Intel NUC's are better suited and reported work well.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 8:45 am to LSU Tigershark
I don't know how much that was on prime day, but you would have been far better off with this
HP Prodesk mini PC
Upgrading the ram to 8gb is very easy and cheap
HP Prodesk mini PC
Upgrading the ram to 8gb is very easy and cheap
Posted on 6/24/21 at 11:10 am to BallsEleven
quote:
It works well as a server?
Not sure. I seem to be able to stream pretty good to my laptop in plex from the web interface and the app on my laptop which does 4k fine with direct play, but I can't connect my other shield that I use upstairs to it to stream the same movies from external hardrive. I use Kodi to view my movies on my devices so I haven't messed with plex streaming too much.
This post was edited on 6/24/21 at 11:24 am
Posted on 6/24/21 at 12:44 pm to LSU Tigershark
should have bought a shield pro.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 1:09 pm to LSU Tigershark
consider returning it and just get a Shield instead. It is fully capable as a plex server.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 3:09 pm to CarRamrod
I have a shield pro on our living room TV. I attached a hard drive with the movies and created the Plex server, but had issues with streaming. Also, the shield pro is not always on, so remote streaming wouldn't be as reliable as an "always on" mini PC. Sounds like this isn't the right option, though.
Posted on 6/24/21 at 3:20 pm to notsince98
quote:
consider returning it and just get a Shield instead. It is fully capable as a plex server.
Agree with this. It will likely be less of a headache all the way around even if it has shortcomings
This post was edited on 6/24/21 at 3:22 pm
Posted on 6/24/21 at 4:18 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
Also, the shield pro is not always on
It can be. There are settings that allow it but you might lose some CEC convenience.
Posted on 6/25/21 at 11:42 am to LSU Tigershark
quote:then you dont have your media coded well.
I attached a hard drive with the movies and created the Plex server, but had issues with streaming.
quote:why not? it should always be on
Also, the shield pro is not always on,
BTW i dont use a shield pro for my server i have a dedicated full HTCP running all of my stuff
This post was edited on 6/25/21 at 11:43 am
Posted on 6/25/21 at 2:03 pm to CarRamrod
It turns on and off with the TV, which brings up another issue with the shield pro. I will turn off the TV and it will sometimes turn back on maybe 20s later. Any reason for that to be happening?
Posted on 6/25/21 at 2:26 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
It turns on and off with the TV,
Again, that is a settings issue. You can change the settings so it doesn't go on/off and stays on.
Posted on 6/25/21 at 2:57 pm to LSU Tigershark
I use a Shield TV For my Plex Server. Works.....
Posted on 6/25/21 at 2:59 pm to notsince98
quote:
Also, the shield pro is not always on
quote:I have full CEC convenience and the server works fine when the Shield Pro is "off".
It can be. There are settings that allow it but you might lose some CEC convenience.
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