Basic Plex Nas

[XxCyrexX]

Hi LTT forum members. I am looking to either build or buy a basic nas for my plex media server. I have been looking at the synology ds1815+ but have been debating to just build my own.

 

I want something that I am able to add HDDs to as my library grows. I rip 1:1 copies of Blu-ray movies and anime shows. I currently have a 1TB WD Blue from a few years ago that has my current library on that has around 40GB left on it. I mainly use it for local streaming to my Nvidia Shield Pro (2015) so I shouldn't have to worry about any demanding transcoding. When I first get my nas going I will buy an 8TB WD red HDD to start with but want to be able to easily add storage as time goes on.

 

My biggest worry is that I am not familiar with nas software such as FreeNas or any others if I do build my own system, or that I will not be able to just add a 2nd, 3rd, ect, 8TB drive easily. I do have experience building systems so that will not be a problem. I have built a basic system that I think should work on https://pcpartpicker.com/list/7qq9XH that is approx. $100 cheaper than the Synology including my HDD. which the Synology would come out to close to $1200 inc. the HDD.

[Electronics Wizardy]

If your not transcoding you cna getr a cheaper nas.

 

Id get a premade nas. Lower power, smaller. How about this box  https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-451-Personal-Quad-Core-Transcoding/dp/B015VNLGF8

 

For drives, get at least 2 drives, so that when you lose one of them you don't lose all you data.

[samiscool51]

23 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

If your not transcoding you cna getr a cheaper nas.

....

ok, it depends on two things

1. what devices you are using

2. what codec will you be using for your movies

 

if you don't know what i'm talking about read this:

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200250377-Transcoding-Media

this will give you a basic understanding on how it works and why it's needed

 

by default plex will use the "Full Transcode" option when streaming to a device that can't play the format that the movie is in

a NAS like the one you suggested, can transcode the file, but they can be slow and can't transcode certain files (.mkv is one that many NAS box's can't can't or have problems transcoding) and some can't transcode at all due to their ARM processors

to save a headache i would just get an old computer, load windows (or linux or you want) and use that as your plex server,

it also allows faster transcoding with more powerful CPU's (and GPU, plex can use a GPU though some tinkering with it's code and a plugin to make it easier)

[XxCyrexX]

20 hours ago, samiscool51 said:

....

ok, it depends on two things

1. what devices you are using

2. what codec will you be using for your movies

 

if you don't know what i'm talking about read this:

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200250377-Transcoding-Media

this will give you a basic understanding on how it works and why it's needed

 

by default plex will use the "Full Transcode" option when streaming to a device that can't play the format that the movie is in

a NAS like the one you suggested, can transcode the file, but they can be slow and can't transcode certain files (.mkv is one that many NAS box's can't can't or have problems transcoding) and some can't transcode at all due to their ARM processors

to save a headache i would just get an old computer, load windows (or linux or you want) and use that as your plex server,

it also allows faster transcoding with more powerful CPU's (and GPU, plex can use a GPU though some tinkering with it's code and a plugin to make it easier)

I have an Nvidia shield TV that shows it has Direct Play when streaming from my current pc. I use MKV containers straight from Blu-ray rips of my collection. I just mainly want something that is more energy efficient than my i5 3570k with a gtx 680.

 

I do have an old pc with a intel q8800 from dell but it only has 2 sata connectors.

[Bakerking31]

Why did you choose that $200 motherboard?  If its for the 2 Ethernet ports, you wont be saturating 1 unless you are running multiple computers off the one NAS.

 

Here is a build I just did about 2 weeks ago that is currently running UnRaid, its got the same processor, more Ram, more storage and costs less  

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4fB7Z8

 

I am probably a bit biased, but I would build your own NAS.  Right now you don't need transcoding, but in the future if you get a tablet or something and want to stream outside your home you will want to be able to transcode.  Currently 99% of my streams are not transcoded either, but my system is far more upgradable than a prebuilt NAS.

[XxCyrexX]

8 minutes ago, Bakerking31 said:

Why did you choose that $200 motherboard?  If its for the 2 Ethernet ports, you wont be saturating 1 unless you are running multiple computers off the one NAS.

 

Here is a build I just did about 2 weeks ago that is currently running UnRaid, its got the same processor, more Ram, more storage and costs less  

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4fB7Z8

 

I am probably a bit biased, but I would build your own NAS.  Right now you don't need transcoding, but in the future if you get a tablet or something and want to stream outside your home you will want to be able to transcode.  Currently 99% of my streams are not transcoded either, but my system is far more upgradable than a prebuilt NAS.

I listed it for the amount of Sata ports it has (8 ) for future expansion. I currently have about 160 compressed blu-rays that I want to re-rip uncompressed. I also have nearly 15 anime blu-ray rips consisting of 45-112GB sizes per season. 

 

That is the reason I would like to have at least 8 HDD bays

[Bakerking31]

Ok, that makes a lot of sense.  I believe the Node only holds 5.  Also if you run out of SATA ports on a 6 port board you can always add more via PCIe, especially on a Micro ATX board (rather than an ITX).  The case I linked to has 8 bays, and a lot of soundproofing.  I have the Micro ATX version for the NAS and the larger version for my main HTPC which I used to use for gaming.  I love the case.

 

Either way, I would vote to make your own.  Its always expandable to meet your needs where a pre built NAS is what it is and there is not much you can do to upgrade it.

[XxCyrexX]

I think I may build one. I have been itching to build me a new system lately. What would be a good software to use? FreeNas?

[Bakerking31]

I have heard a lot of good things about FreeNas.  What turned me away was the increased likelihood of losing data over UnRaid.  For example, if you have a 4 drive pool with 1 parity drive on FreeNas and UnRaid and you lose 1 drive its not a problem.  But if you lose another while rebuilding you will lose all of your data on FreeNas.  On UnRaid you would only lose the data on the 2 drives that failed and your data on the remaining 2 is intact. 

 

The downside of UnRaid over Freenas is slower speeds, FreeNas is faster but if you run a SSD Cache you will saturate a Gb Ethernet with either of them.  UnRaid is not free.  Other than that they are pretty similar.

 

[XxCyrexX]

How easy is it to expand storage on the OS? Also where would be a good place to learn more about the different platforms (youtube)?

[Bakerking31]

In Unraid you just pop a new drive in essentially.  Once its in, it will show up in the GUI under unassigned drives then you just add it to your pool.

 

In FreeNas you cannot add to a pool once it is set up.  You can create new pools though, so if you added drives you would want to add multiples at once for redundancy.  But if for some reason a pool goes beyond max capacity you lose all of your data.

 

I used YouTube mostly to learn about the differences in them and how to set them up. 

Spaceinvader One has some excellent UnRaid videos for setup and dockers.  If VM's are your thing he goes into detail on setting them up as well.  His video on the Sickrage/SanbNZB setup is great if you want automated downloading.  Here is one of his explaining basically what UnRaid is.

Byte My Bits has great Plex videos.

 

I don't remember who I used for FreeNas, but there are a lot of videos on FreeNas.

[XxCyrexX]

Don't have any knowledge or experience with VM's but I have heard the term, so I will not be setting one up. At the moment it is just going to be for a Plex Media Server for uncompressed movies and TV shows on my local network. I shouldn't be needing more than 4 streams at once (with one possible transcode at a time when I am out of the house) but if I build my own machine I would be able to upgrade the capability as needed. I may use out the trail version of UnRaid on my old prebuilt q6600 system this weekend and see how it works for me.

 

I was also looking on Newegg at some PCI-Ex4 to Sata III adapters for approximately $28 would something basic like that work for expanding my storage needs? https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124064&cm_re=pci-e_to_sata-_-16-124-064-_-Product