HP ProLiant MicroServer

Use the HP as a auto downloader / NAS, get a dedicated media player.

He already has a media player with the TV, even my older H6400 Samsung TV can hardware decode almost anything including x265 HEVC.
 
Thanks team. What are my options for OS for plex client. I know I can go cheap with Windows 7 (wink), but I'd prefer to have longevity in the setup. No time to tinker. So far I gather windows 10 is best.

However, The costs are a problem since I want to replicate the setup at least once at my mum's place. What are my other no fuss options.
 
Thanks team. What are my options for OS for plex client. I know I can go cheap with Windows 7 (wink), but I'd prefer to have longevity in the setup. No time to tinker. So far I gather windows 10 is best.

However, The costs are a problem since I want to replicate the setup at least once at my mum's place. What are my other no fuss options.

Format ... install Linux :D
 
If the TV is doing the transcoding you can use a Raspberry Pi for Sonarr & the Plex client.
 
Thanks team. What are my options for OS for plex client. I know I can go cheap with Windows 7 (wink), but I'd prefer to have longevity in the setup. No time to tinker. So far I gather windows 10 is best.

However, The costs are a problem since I want to replicate the setup at least once at my mum's place. What are my other no fuss options.

If cost is the issue you can go the "wink" route with Windows 10.
 
If cost is the issue you can go the "wink" route with Windows 10.

Cool. I'll investigate.

Re: Linux. I've tried on microserver with Ubuntu. I've had driver issues with the graphics card, etc. So I'd rather stick with what I know on a equal cost basis. So I'm going to try the Windows route first.
 
Run Kodi with linux for the media front-end.

...but as a pure auto-downloader/NAS ... linux wins hands down.
 
Use the HP as the backend Plex server the Plex client on your TV as frontend.

The Samsung TV should have hardware decoding of up to 10 bit HEVC.
This works for me as well, although I still prefer to watch it via my PS4. Think I just got used to the interface.

Streaming also seems to suffer when I use the Samsung TV apps. I have no trouble when streaming via Android and casting to TV.
 
Cool. I'll investigate.

Re: Linux. I've tried on microserver with Ubuntu. I've had driver issues with the graphics card, etc. So I'd rather stick with what I know on a equal cost basis. So I'm going to try the Windows route first.

Also give freenas a go if you have the RAM available. Thats what I use.

Plus Freenas 10 looks like its gonna be awesome.
 
My N54L has been suffering a bit since I upgraded from Windows 7 to 10. Maybe it's also H265 being more common as well but it pretty much doesn't have the power to transcode for Roku 3s via Plex. Throwing a bit more ram in helped marginally. Thinking of "downgrading" it to her used as a file server only and then it's either got to be a cheapy all in one kinda PC or old laptop for Plex or migrate to MySQL/Kodi type solution. I've currently got 3 rokus and 1 rpi 3 with osmc and so far no issues with the rpi solution besides overheating once (have ordered heatsinks and left the cover off in the meantime). There doesn't seem to be a neat replacement at under 2.5k for the N54L.
 
Setting up the windows box with plex and sonarr wasn't as painful as I imagined. Just need to figure out the Trakt plugin to get my watched statuses over from Kodi.

I've only got 2GB ram, which is supposed to be enough. Haven't tested any HD+ content yet - CPU issue I see anyway. Regarding transcoding though, I expect that Plex is smart enough to know when to transcode and when the player will do the transcoding?
 
Setting up the windows box with plex and sonarr wasn't as painful as I imagined. Just need to figure out the Trakt plugin to get my watched statuses over from Kodi.

I've only got 2GB ram, which is supposed to be enough. Haven't tested any HD+ content yet - CPU issue I see anyway. Regarding transcoding though, I expect that Plex is smart enough to know when to transcode and when the player will do the transcoding?

I will be amazed if the Plex client on your Samsung TV doesn't direct play everything, your MircoServer is now fully just a server and the TV will do the rest.
 
I will be amazed if the Plex client on your Samsung TV doesn't direct play everything, your MircoServer is now fully just a server and the TV will do the rest.
My Samsung smart TV plays everything fine. And so does the Raspberry Pi running Rasplex in the lounge. All content stored on my N36l.
 
I will be amazed if the Plex client on your Samsung TV doesn't direct play everything, your MircoServer is now fully just a server and the TV will do the rest.

My Samsung smart TV plays everything fine. And so does the Raspberry Pi running Rasplex in the lounge. All content stored on my N36l.

Thanks for the feedback. And thanks again @SoulAssassin, like having technical support on call :)
 
My issue with the Roku and transcoding seems to be related to AC3 5.1 sound. If I force direct play then the picture is great but there's no sound. If I turn it off then it plays with sound but then transcodes and struggles.
 
My issue with the Roku and transcoding seems to be related to AC3 5.1 sound. If I force direct play then the picture is great but there's no sound. If I turn it off then it plays with sound but then transcodes and struggles.

My Roku direct plays basically everything. Plex will only transcode video when necessary and audio conversion uses hardly CPU at all.

The media info for the file would help shed light on why it's trying to do a video transcode.
 
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