Author Topic: Plex Server Media Center (Read 2547 times)

GIJoe · « **on:** Dec 19, 2018 at 09:47 AM »

may gumagamit na ba dito ng plex server as media center? For my experience mas maganda siya sa KODI. I have a Nvidia shield + Synology 214+ setup. Synology has a builtin plex server.

JeromeA · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 19, 2018 at 11:39 AM »

Quote from: GIJoe on Dec 19, 2018 at 09:47 AM

may gumagamit na ba dito ng plex server as media center? For my experience mas maganda siya sa KODI. I have a Nvidia shield + Synology 214+ setup. Synology has a builtin plex server.

yun oh! mahal na bisyo na yan brader. hahaha

mhacman · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 19, 2018 at 01:19 PM »

I used Plex and discover it in 2012 with my LGTV back then. 5.1ch AVR palang ako nun. I'm using laptop as the Plex server, so right after download, via WiFi pwede na agad mapanuod sa LG TV. I never got any issue with it. 1080p in Dolby Digital/DTS even REMUX no hiccups. any container format as I recall, no problem. But then I need to transfer the movie files to HDD later on kasi limited lang capacity ni lappy storage. at least I could use Plex on some extent. stopped using Plex late 2015.

and yes, I liked the movie metadata/info it gathers & displays on TV. seems initial access with the internet is needed when you add materials on your library. sa laptop naman nangyayari yun hindi sa TV. and lappy is always connected naman, I have my own movie filenaming convention pero alam parin ni Plex kung anong movie yun and it can gather it's movie info. it's the same with TV series and even music videos.

in 2016, found PLEX for Android TV and install it with my Sony x80D. it's a different story. iba na yung UI niya. tried 1080P AVC and HEVC and 4K materials and it asks for which bandwidth I choose to stream. am not using a gigabit router, I think. kaya di ubra kahit 1080p. and I can't install LAN cables from ground floor to 2nd floor sa bedroom.

GIJoe · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 21, 2018 at 01:48 PM »

Quote from: JeromeA on Dec 19, 2018 at 11:39 AM

yun oh! mahal na bisyo na yan brader. hahaha

In the long run braded ok na ok siya

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jnazareta · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 21, 2018 at 06:58 PM »

This is good topic, I'm also leaning to setup my own PMS but still undecided on what hardware should I use. In my research I've seen a lot of post stating that Entry Level NAS with installed PMS will struggle when it comes to transcoding, Lalo na daw sa mga high bitrate files. In my case, My requirement is simple. I want to be able to watch the downloaded TV series directly sa Phone and or sa tablet ko (Android, IOS) and watch movies naman using my HT setup or from my NVIDIA shield and Mi box. Some of the post suggest to use a seperate device to serve as a PMS and just use an entry level NAS as file storage, Others says to get at least an i3 CPU based NAS with 4K trascoding hardware. Any suggestion po on which setup is better po is much appreciated po.

JeromeA · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 21, 2018 at 11:52 PM »

thank you brader GiJoe sa pag explain sakin nito. marami rami na ko natutunan sayo.

GIJoe · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 26, 2018 at 09:51 AM »

Quote from: jnazareta on Dec 21, 2018 at 06:58 PM

This is good topic, I'm also leaning to setup my own PMS but still undecided on what hardware should I use. In my research I've seen a lot of post stating that Entry Level NAS with installed PMS will struggle when it comes to transcoding, Lalo na daw sa mga high bitrate files. In my case, My requirement is simple. I want to be able to watch the downloaded TV series directly sa Phone and or sa tablet ko (Android, IOS) and watch movies naman using my HT setup or from my NVIDIA shield and Mi box. Some of the post suggest to use a seperate device to serve as a PMS and just use an entry level NAS as file storage, Others says to get at least an i3 CPU based NAS with 4K trascoding hardware. Any suggestion po on which setup is better po is much appreciated po.

Parang yung synology DS214+ ko kaya naman niya itranscode yung 1080p or 4k ko sa iphone 8 ko pero di ko pa natest ng matagal kasi ala free lang gamit ko 5 mins nag play naman. Ok naman ang PC na pang plex pero malakas sa kuryente ang NAS kasi like synology puwede ng pang plex server and download 24/7.

Quote from: JeromeA on Dec 21, 2018 at 11:52 PM

thank you brader GiJoe sa pag explain sakin nito. marami rami na ko natutunan sayo.

Need ko na ng 2x8TB bro 1 week puno ung 4TB ko na nasa NAS 50mbps lang speed ko haha

jhelenz · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 08:07 AM »

Quote from: GIJoe on Dec 26, 2018 at 09:51 AM

Need ko na ng 2x8TB bro 1 week puno ung 4TB ko na nasa NAS 50mbps lang speed ko haha

kainngit naman

Dts_raw · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 09:24 AM »

Quote from: jnazareta on Dec 21, 2018 at 06:58 PM

This is good topic, I'm also leaning to setup my own PMS but still undecided on what hardware should I use. In my research I've seen a lot of post stating that Entry Level NAS with installed PMS will struggle when it comes to transcoding, Lalo na daw sa mga high bitrate files. In my case, My requirement is simple. I want to be able to watch the downloaded TV series directly sa Phone and or sa tablet ko (Android, IOS) and watch movies naman using my HT setup or from my NVIDIA shield and Mi box. Some of the post suggest to use a seperate device to serve as a PMS and just use an entry level NAS as file storage, Others says to get at least an i3 CPU based NAS with 4K trascoding hardware. Any suggestion po on which setup is better po is much appreciated po.

Ginamit ko lang as file server un DS216+ii tried PMS pero medyo hirap nga sya sa mag transcode sa high bitrate mkv files.
puede ka namn mag install ng Synology Media Server/Video Station software, then the NAS will easily transcode 4K->1080p.

Waxx · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 10:52 AM »

i use a drobo5n2 device for my plex.. and it works seamlessly! patamad ng patamad... hahahaha before i would download and transfer to hdd then attach to nmt, now everything is digital.. transfer via network lang lahat... stream via network rin...

GIJoe · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 11:04 AM »

Quote from: Waxx on Dec 27, 2018 at 10:52 AM

i use a drobo5n2 device for my plex.. and it works seamlessly! patamad ng patamad... hahahaha before i would download and transfer to hdd then attach to nmt, now everything is digital.. transfer via network lang lahat... stream via network rin...

Walang download station drobo NAS mo?

Waxx · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 11:15 AM »

Quote from: GIJoe on Dec 27, 2018 at 11:04 AM

Walang download station drobo NAS mo?

download station meaning apps pang download? meron ata i think i saw a torrent app or something pero ayaw ko dun mag download... baka super duper tamad na yun.. hahahahahah

GIJoe · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 02:42 PM »

Quote from: Waxx on Dec 27, 2018 at 11:15 AM

download station meaning apps pang download? meron ata i think i saw a torrent app or something pero ayaw ko dun mag download... baka super duper tamad na yun.. hahahahahah

Haha so far sa synology NAS ko kasi max lagi ang internet speed ko download station o na din siya. Transmission gamit ng synology. Try mo para malamn mo para one box ka.

paolorenzo · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 04:51 PM »

Yes, best to use NAS uploader, para puwede ma shut down PCs once loaded ang torrent files or magnet links.

My Thecus N5550 also has Transmission client for my torrents. Puwede direcho movie folder na, so direcho watch sa Kodi na.

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istan · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 05:33 PM »

Can also use the phone to manipulate the download station of synology. Minsan sa download station app ka na maghahanap ng torrent files, the diretso na to Kodi. Very tamad. Hahaha!

sidewinder · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 05:38 PM »

How much is the cheapest synology? can we get one locally? thanks

istan · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 27, 2018 at 06:23 PM »

Lazada has. P11k cheapest w/ 1 drive.

GIJoe · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 28, 2018 at 05:40 AM »

Quote from: sidewinder on Dec 27, 2018 at 05:38 PM

How much is the cheapest synology? can we get one locally? thanks

I suggest the 2 bay max of 2x8TB tapos yung 2xusb3 nya puwede pa extension ng synology. nasa 18k ot 19k ata.

Quote from: istan on Dec 27, 2018 at 05:33 PM

Can also use the phone to manipulate the download station of synology. Minsan sa download station app ka na maghahanap ng torrent files, the diretso na to Kodi. Very tamad. Hahaha!

Yes haha tamad talaga try plex mas ok sya kesa kodi.

sidewinder · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 07, 2019 at 03:51 PM »

Hi guys need help, i think i’m close to completing my setup, what would be a good replacement for my apple airport time capsule (2TB)? I basically need one to store all my movies, especially the 4K ones.
My current setup is my movies are on the airport TC (internal has 2tb) with a 4tb portable drive attached to it and i have it connected via ethernet to my apple tv 4k and nvidia shield.

Everything works fine i use plex/kodi/infuse and all works well... i can stream via wifi but for those 4k rips that goes as large as 80gb really need it connected via ethernet. While my setup works i’m thinking if its a good setup as my collection grows. Also the airport time capsule has long been discontinued so not sure about that too. I have disabled the network capabilities of the time capsule and have it connected to my mesh router - google wifi and all works well.

With many here suggesting a NAS, would an entry level be good enough even those 1 drive only? or will i need a better one to transcode the 4k movies? i have the nvidia shield and apple tv (using infuse app/plex) and both can stream the 4k movies via ethernet without any lag. But if i get a NAs is it the same thing, they will just act as storage and the nvidia/apple tv will do the transcoding? The reason i asked is i dont want to shell out 15k-20k for a NAS just to act as storage, i feel like i might not be able to take advantage of its other features since i dont need the raid mirroring (not sure if that is the correct term hehe) since all my movies are backed up to an 8TB external drive. I also wouldnt need the remote access since i dont really watch movies outside.

But if that's what it takes i guess i have n choice hehe, i guess i just need to be sure if there's a more cost effective way of doing it before i take the plunge on getting a NAS and if an entry level one is good enough

Thanks in advance looking forward to your inputs

frequenzy · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 07, 2019 at 04:15 PM »

imho, it's best to get at least a 2-bay drive. if you don't plan to use raid, then the other slot will be for future expansion. if you will collect 4k rips, you will definitely need higher storage.

transcoding is only needed if your client device doesn't support 4k streaming, for transcoding you would need an intel based nas since it requires cpu power.

assuming you don't use nas, how do you plan to store your movies when it goes above 8tb?

sidewinder · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 07, 2019 at 04:26 PM »

Quote from: frequenzy on Jan 07, 2019 at 04:15 PM

imho, it's best to get at least a 2-bay drive. if you don't plan to use raid, then the other slot will be for future expansion. if you will collect 4k rips, you will definitely need higher storage.

transcoding is only needed if your client device doesn't support 4k streaming, for transcoding you would need an intel based nas since it requires cpu power.

assuming you don't use nas, how do you plan to store your movies when it goes above 8tb?

Thanks for the quick reply sir...
With the nvidia shield/apple tv, since both handle 4k, can i get by with just the basic 2-bay nas by synology?
I actually havent gone that far with storing above 8tb hehe, i have two 4TB portable drive that are both connected to the airport time capsule and backed up to an 8TB desktop drive right now..

These are the two NAS i'm eyeing since its budget friendly
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076G6YKWZ?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=AT90G4EXD1JMQBCVSEQW

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1437337-REG/synology_ds119j_diskstation1_bay_nas.html

GIJoe · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 07, 2019 at 04:35 PM »

Quote from: sidewinder on Jan 07, 2019 at 04:26 PM

Thanks for the quick reply sir...
With the nvidia shield/apple tv, since both handle 4k, can i get by with just the basic 2-bay nas by synology?
I actually havent gone that far with storing above 8tb hehe, i have two 4TB portable drive that are both connected to the airport time capsule and backed up to an 8TB desktop drive right now..

Just make sure you have the basic NAS support the plex server. For the 2 bay synology they have entry level @10k+ ds218j shr raid of synology is good as it all use the space on the 2 drive you will install not like other raid that only one drive will be use. This is good on your future expansion mostly if you download 4k. Synology also has a download station you can directly download from the synology.

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dazed · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 11, 2019 at 02:52 PM »

I tried Plex before, but I kinda liked the customization options / skins I could use with Kodi. The downside of using Kodi is that it's not a true media center, particularly if you run multiple clients and want a central library/database.

The compromise that's worked for me is with Emby, where I get a lot of the benefits of Plex (central database, my viewing history is stored on a per user/account basis, enabling me to watch using one client, stop, and pick up where I left off using another machine), but still get the skin customization flexibility of Kodi (using the Emby for Kodi addon)

Same scenario as OP, with my Emby server installed on my QNAP 653A, streaming to a mix of local and remote clients using a mixture of Minix U1 and Nvidia Shield boxes running Kodi. For those of thinking going the NAS route, it's definitely not cheap, but it's pretty convenient to have everything in one box that's permanently on, that runs all your downloads, and if your connection is fast enough, streams your media externally. I don't have a view on pros/cons of Synology vs QNAP as I've been used to QNAP (been using various models for 18 years now), but most applications would have versions for both.

and if you do have a NAS, tons of ways to automate your media. I use Sonarr to automate my TV shows downloading, and Couchpotato for movies. I don't rely on torrents which can be less reliable, but use usenet (but you have to pay a usenet server subscription), and NZBget for the actual downloading. sounds complicated, but it's not as difficult as you think, and once set up, it's great.

obviously a lot of debate about which media server is better, but at the end of the day, really depends on each individual's use case and preferences

some comparisons here -
https://www.smarthomebeginner.com/plex-vs-emby-comparison-with-kodi/
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/emby-vs-plex/

sidewinder · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 11, 2019 at 03:11 PM »

^thanks sir for your inputs and the links, very good read, i also use sonarr on my mac will check out the other stuff you mentioned and read up on them.

I will be getting the Synology DS218j, but only now realized the hard drives are different with NAS and its pricier, is this bec the NAS runs 24/7? can i use regular 3.5 drives if i dont plan on having it open 24/7? i will be the only user and only watch at night after work so i dont really see the need of having it on all the time. I actually dont mind spending a bit more if i could take full advantage of it, just worried i might be paying for features i might not need as all i really want is to have one central library for all my movies.

Also those using synology, if you plug a portable drive to the nas, can you also access those files as if its part of the nas? how about for plex/kodi? many thanks

GIJoe · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 12, 2019 at 06:39 AM »

Quote from: sidewinder on Jan 11, 2019 at 03:11 PM

^thanks sir for your inputs and the links, very good read, i also use sonarr on my mac will check out the other stuff you mentioned and read up on them.

I will be getting the Synology DS218j, but only now realized the hard drives are different with NAS and its pricier, is this bec the NAS runs 24/7? can i use regular 3.5 drives if i dont plan on having it open 24/7? i will be the only user and only watch at night after work so i dont really see the need of having it on all the time. I actually dont mind spending a bit more if i could take full advantage of it, just worried i might be paying for features i might not need as all i really want is to have one central library for all my movies.

Also those using synology, if you plug a portable drive to the nas, can you also access those files as if its part of the nas? how about for plex/kodi? many thanks

Yes you can use regular hdd i buy the external seagate from amazon its cheaper than internal i remove the hdd from the case. As i say on other before we have this model of hdd like blue green nas and other we only have 1 model and this is also is in NAS i have encounter some user than evennthey use nas hdd they still fail so its about luck if you get a bad hdd or not.

Yes it can be part of the nas if you plug a usb and plex can see it i don’t know for kodi. But i recommend plex over kodi i use both but i like plex more than kodi.

From the synology i can see the usb.

Adding folder on the library of plex and i can see the usb.

If you dont plan to have a redundant hdd use raid 0 but if you plan to have a redundant use shr a hybrid raid of synology.

My plex server with my iphone 8

What i like with plex compare to kodi i can continue watching anything as i can see it on thw main unfinished tv series or movie that i watch.

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