Homer Thompson Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I want to build/get a small form, low energy, PC to run as a media server. Ive seen these Tiny Green PCs which look good but seem a bit pricey (an i3 probably wouldnt be enough for what I want but the i7 is too expensive) So, I thought I could build my own. Anyone got any experience of this, or any tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 What do you mean by wanting it as a media server? I could be a bit dumb here but unless you're wanting to use it hooked up to its own dedicated monitor, wouldn't you be as well just getting a big NAS drive hooked up to your router? I know that the small form-factor PCs are increasingly seen as ways of hooking up to large monitors or televisions while being discrete. If you're after something like that, you could explore things like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 What do you mean by wanting it as a media server? I could be a bit dumb here but unless you're wanting to use it hooked up to its own dedicated monitor, wouldn't you be as well just getting a big NAS drive hooked up to your router? I know that the small form-factor PCs are increasingly seen as ways of hooking up to large monitors or televisions while being discrete. If you're after something like that, you could explore things like this: I will, in effect, be a glorified NAS. However, as I want it to run Plex MS it needs to be pretty beefy in terms of processing power. To get a NAS with that sort of grunt would cost around £1000. I can build something for a lot less. Ive spec'd intel and AMD options on ebuyer. I already have a HD to put in it and it wont need a dedicated GFX card Intel option AMD option I'll get more performance and, I think, lower power consumption from the i5 but I dont think its worth the extra £100 ETA - the one on that video looks good, but like the Tiny Green ones I linked earlier its expensive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueone Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 This the kind of thing you're looking at? http://www.novatech.co.uk/search.html?s=pockit&o=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 This the kind of thing you're looking at? http://www.novatech.co.uk/search.html?s=pockit&o=1 Yes. Again, though, those are a lot more expensive than I could build one for. The off-the-shelf ones will be smaller but its not worth paying the extra for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 I think Ive come up with a better build now clicky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just a bairn Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I'd recommend staying away from PSU's with more than one 12V rail. edit: Also, it's not even an 80+ rated PSU. Anything that isn't 80+ minimum shouldn't even be considered IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 I'd recommend staying away from PSU's with more than one 12V rail. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 I think Ive changed my mind and am going to go for this instead clicky nowhere near as powerful as the i3, obviously, but should be enough to run my Plex MS and at only 10W power Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geedub-MFC Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Bit late but what about this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-ELITE-8200-USDT-PC-INTEL-CORE-i5-2-70ghz-250GB-DVDRW-WARRANTY-/281402636074?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item4184e7772a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Bit late but what about this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-ELITE-8200-USDT-PC-INTEL-CORE-i5-2-70ghz-250GB-DVDRW-WARRANTY-/281402636074?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item4184e7772a Not too late, I havent ordered anything. Turned out the one I linked to this afternoon was in the US. When they added VAT and shipping it wasnt much cheaper than the i3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Bit the bullet and went for it. Ive gone for the slightly lower spec J1900 as the J2900 doesnt seem to be available over here yet. This is what Ive ordered. Plus everything from this list Ive got a 1.5TB HDD to put in it. Not bad for £130 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Built this yesterday. For the money its a great little system. Not sure its quite got the power to transcode some of the file formats as a Plex server that I'd, ideally, like but for the money its fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightswoodBear Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Bump. After the discussion I had with Mr X about the Star Wars films, I've been toying with the idea of building my own Media Server for the house, ideally utilising an old PC I've got gathering dust in a cupboard. I'm not entirely sure that it will be up to the task as it is fairly ancient. I'm going to get it out (steady) and give it a good look at this week. Plex does seem like the software of choice for this, and from having a look online it does seem as simple as installing it and setting up the server on my home network. Any advice would be welcome. This might all fall down when I find out my old PC isn't up to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Bump. After the discussion I had with Mr X about the Star Wars films, I've been toying with the idea of building my own Media Server for the house, ideally utilising an old PC I've got gathering dust in a cupboard. I'm not entirely sure that it will be up to the task as it is fairly ancient. I'm going to get it out (steady) and give it a good look at this week. Plex does seem like the software of choice for this, and from having a look online it does seem as simple as installing it and setting up the server on my home network. Any advice would be welcome. This might all fall down when I find out my old PC isn't up to it. It pretty much is that simple. You'll need, obviously, quite a bit of storage for the files but Plex handles everything else - although I would recommend looking up their naming conventions, as that will help a lot when it comes to it identifying the media. Depending on the format your media is in just now and what devices you'll be using for playback it might also be worth looking up formats that are compatible with direct play and converting if necessary. That means Plex doesnt have to do any transcoding which hugely reduces the CPU/memory load on the server. Your other main option is Kodi (formerly XBMC) Personally, I preferred the look of Plex and its a lot easier to setup. IMO, its easier to sort out playback as you can use the web or apps but the setup is all done on the server. Kodi, the setup has to be done on each device. What I ended up doing was installing Kodi on the same server as Plex and then connecting it to the TV. I dont use that for Plex playback but I do for Kodi. The minimum specs for Plex are pretty low - clicky - the issues come when you have multiple devices and/or need to transcode. You shouldnt have any problem getting something up and running, though, even if its just to test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightswoodBear Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 It pretty much is that simple. You'll need, obviously, quite a bit of storage for the files but Plex handles everything else - although I would recommend looking up their naming conventions, as that will help a lot when it comes to it identifying the media. Depending on the format your media is in just now and what devices you'll be using for playback it might also be worth looking up formats that are compatible with direct play and converting if necessary. That means Plex doesnt have to do any transcoding which hugely reduces the CPU/memory load on the server. Your other main option is Kodi (formerly XBMC) Personally, I preferred the look of Plex and its a lot easier to setup. IMO, its easier to sort out playback as you can use the web or apps but the setup is all done on the server. Kodi, the setup has to be done on each device. What I ended up doing was installing Kodi on the same server as Plex and then connecting it to the TV. I dont use that for Plex playback but I do for Kodi. The minimum specs for Plex are pretty low - clicky - the issues come when you have multiple devices and/or need to transcode. You shouldnt have any problem getting something up and running, though, even if its just to test. The issue of multiple devices shouldn't really be an issue just now. It would generally be used to stream stuff to the TV or a tablet, but as it's just my wife and I it would only every be one at a time in an ideal situation. I suppose once the kids get a bit older and want to watch their own shit it might become an issue, but by then if this works I could probably justify getting a better set up. One thing I wondered about was, if i set up the server with an address on my home network (192.168.xx.xx) it wouldn't use any of my internet bandwidth when streaming? Unless i decided to try and stream from elsewhere, obviously. As you know my BB is as slow as a week in the jail, so if this is dependent on having a decent connection speed then I might as well not bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 The issue of multiple devices shouldn't really be an issue just now. It would generally be used to stream stuff to the TV or a tablet, but as it's just my wife and I it would only every be one at a time in an ideal situation. I suppose once the kids get a bit older and want to watch their own shit it might become an issue, but by then if this works I could probably justify getting a better set up. One thing I wondered about was, if i set up the server with an address on my home network (192.168.xx.xx) it wouldn't use any of my internet bandwidth when streaming? Unless i decided to try and stream from elsewhere, obviously. As you know my BB is as slow as a week in the jail, so if this is dependent on having a decent connection speed then I might as well not bother. No, local streaming wont use your BB. You can set up your plex server to be visible to the outside world, as I did obviously, but you dont have to. Do you have a smart TV? The only way you can stream to a device is using the web (which I think is PC only) or an app. I didnt have a smart TV (although one is getting delivered today) so I bought a Roku 3, which has a Plex app. You could cast from a tablet if the TV doesnt have its own app but thats a bit more of a faff. Theres no chromecast Plex app either, which is a shame, you have to cast it from another device Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightswoodBear Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 No, local streaming wont use your BB. You can set up your plex server to be visible to the outside world, as I did obviously, but you dont have to. Do you have a smart TV? The only way you can stream to a device is using the web (which I think is PC only) or an app. I didnt have a smart TV (although one is getting delivered today) so I bought a Roku 3, which has a Plex app. You could cast from a tablet if the TV doesnt have its own app but thats a bit more of a faff. Theres no chromecast Plex app either, which is a shame, you have to cast it from another device I have a smart TV. I'm sure it has an ethernet connection as well as wifi. I was hoping that there would be a plex app for the TV. I could cast from a tablet but that would be more of a faff. I better check out the TV first before I start messing about with the PC edit: This would suggest that there is an app i can install Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 I have a smart TV. I'm sure it has an ethernet connection as well as wifi. I was hoping that there would be a plex app for the TV. I could cast from a tablet but that would be more of a faff. I better check out the TV first before I start messing about with the PC edit: This would suggest that there is an app i can install Yes, thats probably a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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