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  1. #1
    DF VIP Member TJB's Avatar
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    Default Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    Can anyone give me some advice on building a cheap plex server? Basically I want to have a server running so my kids can stream movies using plex to a bluray player. The bluray player will handle most things natively. Could I use a NAS box to store the movies and then use my laptop as the server or is there a better way of doing it?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    Many NAS devices have Plex apps so they can host the media and serve it IIRC. You just need to make sure there is enough processing power for the amount you want to stream simultaneously.

    I know my ReadyNAS has Plex but I am pretty sure Synology does too. Alternatively you could pick up a Microserver, I am sure there will be some Gen7 N36l, N40l and N54l going second hand for a decent price now the Gen8 is gaining popularity.

    Thanks to evilsatan

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  3. #3
    DF VIP Member DJ OD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    Any old pc will do in the most part. Higher specs better for streaming and encoding more/simultaneously etc.

    Fill it with hdd's and off u go. Dedicated servers/NAS always better as they are designed for the job and staying on for long periods. HP microssrvers are pretty cheap.


    DJ OD

    Thanks to DJ OD

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member chizh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    May not be your brand of bluray but might be of help.
    CLICK

    Thanks to chizh

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  5. #5
    DF VIP Member DJ OD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    Not sure how well a NAS or blue ray player will cope as a plex server tbh.

    Better with proper server or a pc to do the job of a server.


    DJ OD

    Thanks to DJ OD

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  6. #6
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    Default Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    I started off with a very old laptop and 2 external usb drives.
    It was a dell Vostro 1000.
    It did alright and played anything I wanted to before I started sharing on the plex forum via here.
    Upgraded to a micro server running whs2011 and not looked back since.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by jaygo; 8th April 2015 at 08:04 PM.

    Thanks to jaygo

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  7. #7
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    My ReadyNAS is fine but I have the Ultra 4 which has an Intel Atom so probably better than the ARM/SPARC models which are cheaper.

    Thanks to evilsatan

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  8. #8
    DF VIP Member TJB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    I'm not looking to share anything and will only be streaming one file at a time. My bluray player plays practically anything natively over dlna so I don't need to transcode anything. I've just bought a 3D TV so ideally I want to use the NAS to store 3D films for my kids. I'll have a look for a cheap NAS. Thanks.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    Quote Originally Posted by TJB View Post
    I'm not looking to share anything and will only be streaming one file at a time. My bluray player plays practically anything natively over dlna so I don't need to transcode anything. I've just bought a 3D TV so ideally I want to use the NAS to store 3D films for my kids. I'll have a look for a cheap NAS. Thanks.
    Recommend anything really from synology then mine went quite well


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Thanks to jaygo

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  10. #10
    DF VIP Member Geko's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    I have a HP microserver N40l. When transcoding one stream the CPU is constantly at 90% +. I wouldn't recommend it as a Plex Server, and don't use it as one myself. Tried it as a tester and wasn't happy with the results.


    Quote Originally Posted by TJB View Post
    I'm not looking to share anything and will only be streaming one file at a time. My bluray player plays practically anything natively over dlna so I don't need to transcode anything. I've just bought a 3D TV so ideally I want to use the NAS to store 3D films for my kids. I'll have a look for a cheap NAS. Thanks.
    The HP microserver is perfect for that. And much better than any QNAP I owned previously.

    Thanks to Geko

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


  11. #11
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    Default Re: Cheapest way to build a plex server?

    I built a PC using a cheap AMD bundle that has 2 cores, 8Gb Ram, and I now use external USB 3 Passport drives and it works like a treat.

    Thanks to chesser

    TJB (10th April 2015)  


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