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NAS Build?

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  • 07-03-2016 3:34pm
    #1
    Gerard_Smith
    Registered Users Posts: 1,007 ✭✭✭


    Hi

    I am looking to set up a home media server NAS (running plex with transcoding) but have yet to find an affordable option. Frankly buying an old PC on ebay installing unRAID and sticking in some disks is looking like the cheapest option. Not great for space or power efficiency though.

    What can I do on the DIY front for about €250 excluding drives?


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    #2
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    If you're gonna transcode you'll need CPU horsepower, that costs money.


    If you can stand not using HEVC and only one client at a time then pickup a tall 775 box with lots of drive bays.


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    #3
    Serephucus
    Registered Users Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    What sort of transcoding? 264, 265? How many clients?

    To give you an idea: An i3 can sustain (just about) three 1080p x.264 transcodes, as long as they're not all started right at the same time. That'll be €100 of your budget alone.


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    #4
    Gerard_Smith
    Registered Users Posts: 1,007 ✭✭✭Gerard_Smith


    Out of curiosity could I get some opinions on a 4bay Drobo DAS?


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    #5
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Gerard_Smith wrote: »
    Out of curiosity could I get some opinions on a 4bay Drobo DAS?

    Do you want to transcode or don't you? A Drobo is a little SoC thats slower than your phone with some proprietary software.


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    #6
    Gerard_Smith
    Registered Users Posts: 1,007 ✭✭✭Gerard_Smith


    Sorry should have clarified, if I went for a DAS is would be plugged into my PC which will be running Plex Media Sever. Transcoding taken care of.

    I ask about Drobo because they generate so much hate in enthusiastic circles. Its one of the cheaper options and their flexibility is very tempting but if you head onto a message board or reddit they make it sound like it will eat your data or explode as soon as you turn it on.


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    #7
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    I've only looked at Syn and Qnap before, but it seems they don't fail gracefully at all:

    http://scottkelby.com/im-done-with-drobo/


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    #8
    Mad_Mike
    Registered Users Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭Mad_Mike


    This is a list maintained by Plex users of NAS devices running PMS and there is only 1 Drobo listed and it appears it cannot transcode video at all and only audio, so every single file added to the NAS will need to be in a version that your client can play without transcoding


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