Transcoding CPU requirments

[kitsunegari]

I am looking to build a server with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 4MB-cache with 4gb of ram, I was wondering is this a sufficient spec to transcode hi def movies on the fly (both tvs are cat 5 connected) - on a post to someone else you were mentioning the number of threads for the processor?

I will be able to tell you in a few days time if you can hold fire..

[kitsunegari]

I am looking to build a server with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 4MB-cache with 4gb of ram, I was wondering is this a sufficient spec to transcode hi def movies on the fly (both tvs are cat 5 connected) - on a post to someone else you were mentioning the number of threads for the processor?

Right here are my experiences. Don't take this as a definitive yes, but here is my setup and what I've done.

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 4MB-cache
• 4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1000mhz
• Transcoding HDD: Western Digital 180GB Caviar Blue
• Gigabit Ethernet: HP Switches over Cat5e cabling
• Sony Bravia 32" 5th Generation Engine
• No surround sound - sound is output via a valve amplifier

Now I have a variety of bluray rips that have varied in size as I've been experimenting between getting high quality video, reasonable audio (I don't as yet have a super surround sound system), and reasonable file size. My average rip so far is 10GB, and that is with 5.1 DTS.

It runs very hot, but it copes fine. We watched Saving Private Ryan last night; full 1080p, 5.1 DTS surround sound. Looked gorgeous, and had no problems. I then tested Bourne Ultimatum; 1080p, 5.1 DTS and managed to seek without problems - something I could not do before my upgrade! Wall-E 1080p, 5.1 DTS had some problems, but then my server was backing up two computers over the network at the time, so I don't consider that a fair test!

[PTown]

I have a E2200, 2gb DDR2 800, and 4 WD blacks on Server 2008R2 and can stream+transcode 720p mkv rips over my wireless network to the ps3 at about 50% cpu load on core 2.
I don't think huge h/w power is necessary to achieve good results.

[Sepen]

I put together a system with parts I had laying around today. AMD Athlon x2 4000 with 2 gigs ram, using wired ethernet, it can stream fine to any of my media devices. But when my daughter transcodes a mkv through her Directv box it always crashes after a minute or so. The mkv files are 720p. I even tried reducing the quality of the video to about half way and it still crashes. But for streaming, perfect. Oh well, guess I will have to continue using my I5-750 system. Love Mezzmo.

[Paul]

To check transcoding speed, please enable logging (see this thread: http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread...nostic-logging) then try playing the file that crashes and once it does that, stop the server and send the logs to support. Most likely it's not fast enough, but we'll check.