Want to set up a media server - best option?

[Parthpanchal]

As the title says, I am interested in using my Rpi2 to set up a LAN media server. My intent is to only use this at home, no streaming outside of the LAN. Basically my husband and I are moving so he can take a new job (near his parents) with slow/limited internet access (so no Netflix/Amazon), and our DVD library will be packed away, hence why I want to do this.

From my research it looks like Plex would be my best option? We have iOS devices (iPhones, iPads), a Roku smart TV, windows pcs, and MacOS computers we will be using to access the server, and Plex looks like the best option for the environment so far (any better alternatives?). Speed Test (https://appsync.biz/speed-test/) Scrabble Word Finder (https://appsync.biz/scrabble-word-finder/) Solitaire (https://appsync.biz/solitaire/)


Here are my big unanswered questions:

since the MP4 files are stored on an external HD, will the latency affect playback quality over wifi? Is it better to just store everything on a large microSD card alongside the OS image? -Is Plex the best software environment for what I am trying to do? -With any solution I choose, will it be just installing software on top of Raspian or do I need to install a custom OS image on my Rpi? -Is the Rpi2 even capable of doing this, or do I need to use a beefier Rpi3?

Thanks guys!

[jbinkley60]

As the title says, I am interested in using my Rpi2 to set up a LAN media server. My intent is to only use this at home, no streaming outside of the LAN. Basically my husband and I are moving so he can take a new job (near his parents) with slow/limited internet access (so no Netflix/Amazon), and our DVD library will be packed away, hence why I want to do this.

From my research it looks like Plex would be my best option? We have iOS devices (iPhones, iPads), a Roku smart TV, windows pcs, and MacOS computers we will be using to access the server, and Plex looks like the best option for the environment so far (any better alternatives?). Speed Test (https://appsync.biz/speed-test/) Scrabble Word Finder (https://appsync.biz/scrabble-word-finder/) Solitaire (https://appsync.biz/solitaire/)


Here are my big unanswered questions:

since the MP4 files are stored on an external HD, will the latency affect playback quality over wifi? Is it better to just store everything on a large microSD card alongside the OS image? -Is Plex the best software environment for what I am trying to do? -With any solution I choose, will it be just installing software on top of Raspian or do I need to install a custom OS image on my Rpi? -Is the Rpi2 even capable of doing this, or do I need to use a beefier Rpi3?

Thanks guys!

I'll attempt to answer your questions.

The storage location of MP4 files shouldn't matter as long as it is a wired connect (i.e. ethnet USB etc..) between your media server and where the files are stored If you are using wi-fi connectivity between your media server and client then I suggest using the 5G band vs. the 2.4G band. Also not all wi-fi routers and adapters are created equal. The proper amount of buffering and jitter reduction is necessary when serving high bit rate media files.

This is a Mezzmo forum so for questions regarding Plex I suggest hitting the Plex forums. Mezzmo works extremely well for my media server needs.

Typically media server software is an application which loads on top of an existing OS but not all hardware may be supported on a given OS distribution. The Mezzmo server software currently does not run natively on Linux. I can't speak for Plex.

Most media server software doesn't require a lot of system resources except when transcoding. Again your mileage may vary when attempting ro run client and server software on something like an RPI2 or 3. I run RPi3B+ clients with LibreElec and they can play any media I can throw at them other than 4K.

[Peter]

Why not install ExaGear on the Raspberry pi and run Mezzmo instead of Plex? https://thepi.io/how-to-run-x86-programs-on-the-raspberry-pi/