Plex Media Server

[Enquiries]

What is the best setup and how to setup a Plex Media Server. I would like to share video files outside my network with family. All my videos are mkv hevc 1080p or lower. No 4K files. Up to 5 people at a time. I setup a windows 10 computer as a Plex Media Server and I have issues with it. I wanted to create a NAS Server system. Thank you

[ed]

For streaming HEVC 1080p MKV files to up to 5 users remotely, a NAS-based Plex Media Server is definitely a solid choice over a Windows PC for stability and ease of use.

Specifically, the QNAP TS-474 or TS-674 (the QNAP 74 series) are well suited for your setup. These models have Ryzen CPUs powerful enough to handle simultaneous transcoding of up to 5 streams, which is great for HEVC content that’s more demanding to process.

Here’s a quick rundown:

NAS Choice:
The QNAP 74 series offers strong CPU performance and enough RAM to run Plex smoothly, including multiple concurrent transcodes. This will ensure smooth playback for your family streaming remotely.

Storage:
Your 6x22TB drives in RAID 1 might be a bit unusual; consider RAID 5 or RAID 6 for better space efficiency and redundancy, depending on your tolerance for risk and performance needs.

Plex Setup:
Install Plex directly on the NAS via the official QNAP Plex app for best integration and performance.

Remote Access:
Enable Plex remote access by forwarding port 32400 on your router or using Plex’s relay feature if direct access is difficult. Assign your NAS a static IP or DHCP reservation to keep access consistent.

Transcoding:
With the QNAP 74 series Ryzen CPU, you’ll have enough power for multiple HEVC 1080p transcodes simultaneously. This means smooth playback even if the client devices don’t natively support HEVC.

Maintenance:
Regularly update the NAS firmware and Plex server software and keep backups of your media files.