Let’s see your home media servers!

[Travis Ballstadt]

About a year and a half ago I decided to set up a PLEX server for my media. I initially went overboard, with much bigger plans than what I ended up using it for.

My original machine:
Dell T710 (4U Rack Mount Server)

• 2x Xeon X5650 6 Core CPUs w/hyper threading (24 total cores)
• UHD-friendly LG optical drive
• 136GB RAM
• 500GB SSD OS/Boot/App drive
• 8x1.2TB Seagate Cheetah SAS HDs for a total of 8.4TB in RAID5
• External mini-SAS enclosure with 4x10TB drives in RAID5

Well, after using it for awhile, trying PLEX, Emby, Zidoo and now back to PLEX, I’ve decided that I’m going to build a smaller, more energy-efficient machine. I had thought I would share the server with a few friends and family, and might need a couple streams locally, but I can count on one hand how many times the box has fed more than a single stream.

So now I have ordered a whole new lot of parts:

• AMD RYZEN 5 2600X 6-Core 3.6 GHz (4.2 GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 95W Processor
• BIOSTAR RACING B550GTA AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard
• SilverStone Technology Home Theater Computer Case w/rack ears
• WD Black 500GB NVMe SSD
• 16GB DDR4 DRAM
• New LG Blu-ray drive
• (Existing) 8-bay Mini-SAS external RAID
• (Existing) 8-bay e-SATA external enclosure for backup

 

[mechman]

I originally bought a Netgear RN-214 NAS for running PLEX but quickly realized it did not have enough ‘oomph’ for that purpose. I then bought a QNAP TS-235Be and that’s what I currently use. Mine is not used to stream anywhere but my home and the QNAP is more than sufficient. The Netgear is now just used as backup for my media. There are 2 - 12TB drives in the QNAP and 4 - 10TB drives in the Netgear. I do have a 4-bay e-SATA add-on for the QNAP. But I haven’t found a need to populate it with drives just yet.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I have rarely had more than a single stream going at a time. I did recently have to switch out a couple CAT5e cables with CAT6 to successfully stream a few of the new higher-bitrate UHD rips. The Hitchcock box in particular.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

More than anything, I think I'm most excited about the new case, and the fact that this one will fit into my existing audio rack. My current server requires a much deeper rack, as it's an absolute monster. I'm curious how loud it will be, and wondering if it will be quiet enough to actually live in the theater vs a separate closet elsewhere.

 

[mechman]

Mine are in a closet with the router. Very quiet! Lol

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Mine has to be, sounds a bit like a jet engine. Not knowing what my next theater will be, having a quieter server might be a good option.

 

[mechman]

The only noise I ever hear when I go in there is the occasional hard drive noise. If I were looking to put it out in the theater, I’d look into a hush box.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

The parts have all arrived. Will be building this weekend. Happy holidays!

 

[Bill Meyerhoff]

iMac Computer to a Rotel RC1590 via usb2.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I just ordered another 20TB for a total of 60TB (more like 50 once in the RAID).

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I never did share my cleaned-up rack with the new server. I REALLY like this case. Clean, quiet, rack-mountable.
I have the additional 20TB ready, going to likely add and rebuild the RAID this weekend. #NerdFun

 

[mechman]

Panasonic Super VHS player, awesome!

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Panasonic Super VHS player, awesome!

If I ever get around to moving, my next rack will hopefully contain everything in one larger rack, including the SVHS and Laserdisc. Just because.