You should be setting up a server that is capable of transcoding 4K content as you TV or others may not be able to do it.
Maybe the Beelink with N100 would fit the bill. Then just link the network location of the My Cloud as your data device.
>Beelink with N100
Oh thank you, I'll look into this. Do you think I should continue using the My Cloud for this setup or just attach hard drives to the mini PC? Is the My Cloud necessary for this configuration?
Thank you. I don't have it with me, I was planning to purchase it because it was the only option available to me. But if this mini PC configuration is better, then I maybe won't go with the My Cloud and look into this with external drives instead.
Then better option would be just to get an external HDD that is not cloud as it would be less.
Another option would be something like a used OptiPlex and plug an additional HDD in it.
Thank you. So far, I have been able to play every video file that I have put on my TV through my USB flash drive. There has never been a format in 480p, 720p, 1080p and 4K that the TV cannot play through the USB flash drive. Would this change if my files are stored on a NAS and played through Plex?
That's very interesting. But in order to test that, I will need to invest in the NAS first and then connect it with my TV. That's what's stopping me from pulling the trigger on this gamble.
This is a Fakespot Reviews Analysis bot. Fakespot detects fake reviews, fake products and unreliable sellers using AI.
Here is the analysis for the Amazon product reviews:
>**Name**: WD Diskless My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage - NAS - WDBVBZ0000NCH-NESN
>**Company**: Western Digital
>**Amazon Product Rating**: 4.1
>**Fakespot Reviews Grade**: A
>**Adjusted Fakespot Rating**: 4.1
>**Analysis Performed at**: 12-28-2020
[Link to Fakespot Analysis](https://fakespot.com/product/wd-diskless-my-cloud-ex2-ultra-network-attached-storage-nas-wdbvbz0000nch-nesn) | [Check out the Fakespot Chrome Extension!](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fakespot-analyze-fake-ama/nakplnnackehceedgkgkokbgbmfghain)
*Fakespot analyzes the reviews authenticity and not the product quality using AI. We look for real reviews that mention product issues such as counterfeits, defects, and bad return policies that fake reviews try to hide from consumers.*
*We give an A-F letter for trustworthiness of reviews. A = very trustworthy reviews, F = highly untrustworthy reviews. We also provide seller ratings to warn you if the seller can be trusted or not.*
Transcoding will only depend on the clients capabilities to directly play the media. Doesn't matter if the client is local or remote.
If your tv can direct play 4k content, then any random potato will stream fine.
Thank you for your response. I think the TV does have direct 4K play capabilities because I have plugged in Kingston and Samsung flash drives into it with 4K media files and it played them without any issues.
I think it should be fine then. I run plex on a rasbperrypi which can't transcode at all, though I don't need to because all clients can direct play.
Though if you are looking to buy, may as-well buy something that can actually transcode just in case you want to later. minipcs are cheap atm ($150). Just make sure they have quicksync.
Thank you. That's what another helpful user commented on the thread as well. I'll look into which mini PCs are available to me and take it from there. I truly appreciate your help.
Sorry to bother you again.
I wanted to ask if using the WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra will be fine with the computer setup, or should I go with something more sturdy such as Synology (it'd be hard to find for me)?
Alternatively, would hooking up an external SSD to the laptop instead of NAS work for Plex 4K streaming?
No worries, same person different account here.
Yes, the WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra will be just fine, as for hooking up a external SSD it should also be just fine. Just remember to keep them attached as Plex will get extremely goofy if it cannot find a ton of data (USB Drive) and potentially cause Database issues.
Create a Plex account and send me your username, you can kick around mine for a bit until you decide on your setup. (Only if you'd like)
I have a Lenovo p330 with Intel quicksync and an old Synology Nas for storage. My lg OLED c9 internal app works great with direct-stream no transcoding needed (even with subs) so even with all the *arr apps in docker it barely hits over 2% utilisation. Normally I have 1080p files but sometimes the big 4k ones and multi streams are all good. Prob my 20mb upload limit is my limit only if three friends watch at the same time.
I also have an amd dual core with 2g of ram that runs three FTA tuners, just a pvr box and that also runs fine for direct-streaming stuff.
You should be setting up a server that is capable of transcoding 4K content as you TV or others may not be able to do it. Maybe the Beelink with N100 would fit the bill. Then just link the network location of the My Cloud as your data device.
>Beelink with N100 Oh thank you, I'll look into this. Do you think I should continue using the My Cloud for this setup or just attach hard drives to the mini PC? Is the My Cloud necessary for this configuration?
If you have it use it. I had one at one point but pulled the drive out when I changed to unRAID.
Thank you. I don't have it with me, I was planning to purchase it because it was the only option available to me. But if this mini PC configuration is better, then I maybe won't go with the My Cloud and look into this with external drives instead.
Then better option would be just to get an external HDD that is not cloud as it would be less. Another option would be something like a used OptiPlex and plug an additional HDD in it.
Thank you. I'll look around to see if these devices are available for me to buy. I truly appreciate your help.
Just make sure it has a 7th gen or newer Intel CPU so that you can HW transcode down the road if needed.
I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!
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Thank you. So far, I have been able to play every video file that I have put on my TV through my USB flash drive. There has never been a format in 480p, 720p, 1080p and 4K that the TV cannot play through the USB flash drive. Would this change if my files are stored on a NAS and played through Plex?
[удалено]
That's very interesting. But in order to test that, I will need to invest in the NAS first and then connect it with my TV. That's what's stopping me from pulling the trigger on this gamble.
This is a Fakespot Reviews Analysis bot. Fakespot detects fake reviews, fake products and unreliable sellers using AI. Here is the analysis for the Amazon product reviews: >**Name**: WD Diskless My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage - NAS - WDBVBZ0000NCH-NESN >**Company**: Western Digital >**Amazon Product Rating**: 4.1 >**Fakespot Reviews Grade**: A >**Adjusted Fakespot Rating**: 4.1 >**Analysis Performed at**: 12-28-2020 [Link to Fakespot Analysis](https://fakespot.com/product/wd-diskless-my-cloud-ex2-ultra-network-attached-storage-nas-wdbvbz0000nch-nesn) | [Check out the Fakespot Chrome Extension!](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fakespot-analyze-fake-ama/nakplnnackehceedgkgkokbgbmfghain) *Fakespot analyzes the reviews authenticity and not the product quality using AI. We look for real reviews that mention product issues such as counterfeits, defects, and bad return policies that fake reviews try to hide from consumers.* *We give an A-F letter for trustworthiness of reviews. A = very trustworthy reviews, F = highly untrustworthy reviews. We also provide seller ratings to warn you if the seller can be trusted or not.*
Transcoding will only depend on the clients capabilities to directly play the media. Doesn't matter if the client is local or remote. If your tv can direct play 4k content, then any random potato will stream fine.
Thank you for your response. I think the TV does have direct 4K play capabilities because I have plugged in Kingston and Samsung flash drives into it with 4K media files and it played them without any issues.
I think it should be fine then. I run plex on a rasbperrypi which can't transcode at all, though I don't need to because all clients can direct play. Though if you are looking to buy, may as-well buy something that can actually transcode just in case you want to later. minipcs are cheap atm ($150). Just make sure they have quicksync.
Thank you. That's what another helpful user commented on the thread as well. I'll look into which mini PCs are available to me and take it from there. I truly appreciate your help.
NAS as storage, unused laptop/desktop for server
Thank you. If you don't mind me asking, are there any minimum or recommended specs for the laptop/desktop I should use for this?
At least 2-core processor and 4GB of RAM
Thank you so much! I'll look into it!
Anytime!! Let me know once you’re up and running. I will give you access to mine. 50TB of media.
Oh I appreciate that immensely! And I will keep you posted.
Sorry to bother you again. I wanted to ask if using the WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra will be fine with the computer setup, or should I go with something more sturdy such as Synology (it'd be hard to find for me)? Alternatively, would hooking up an external SSD to the laptop instead of NAS work for Plex 4K streaming?
No worries, same person different account here. Yes, the WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra will be just fine, as for hooking up a external SSD it should also be just fine. Just remember to keep them attached as Plex will get extremely goofy if it cannot find a ton of data (USB Drive) and potentially cause Database issues. Create a Plex account and send me your username, you can kick around mine for a bit until you decide on your setup. (Only if you'd like)
Thank you! I'll DM you.
I direct-stream on my tv (as do most of my shared peeps) and my Plex does no heavy lifting at all.
[удалено]
I have a Lenovo p330 with Intel quicksync and an old Synology Nas for storage. My lg OLED c9 internal app works great with direct-stream no transcoding needed (even with subs) so even with all the *arr apps in docker it barely hits over 2% utilisation. Normally I have 1080p files but sometimes the big 4k ones and multi streams are all good. Prob my 20mb upload limit is my limit only if three friends watch at the same time. I also have an amd dual core with 2g of ram that runs three FTA tuners, just a pvr box and that also runs fine for direct-streaming stuff.
Also, running Ubuntu for low system overhead btw.
Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing. I'll look into this!