05-10-2024, 09:12 AM
Thanks for reaching out, and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the content! It sounds like you're looking to set up a Plex server that can handle streaming to your HiSense U8K TV and potentially accommodate future upgrades. Considering your requirements and budget, here's a suggestion for a budget-conscious setup:
Option 1: NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is an excellent choice for a Plex server. It offers robust hardware capabilities, including hardware transcoding support, which eliminates the need for a Plex Pass subscription. With its powerful Tegra X1+ processor and 3 GB of RAM, it can easily handle one external stream at a time, even in 4K and HEVC formats. Additionally, it provides network accessibility for your media files and doesn't rely on your PC being on.
Option 2: DIY NAS Build
Another option is to build your own NAS using budget-friendly components. You can opt for a mini-ITX motherboard with an efficient CPU like the AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel Core i3, which should handle transcoding tasks adequately for one external stream. Pair it with 8-16 GB of RAM and a RAID-capable controller. For storage, consider starting with a couple of 4 TB HDDs and then expand as needed. This DIY approach allows for future upgrades, such as increasing storage capacity or adding more RAM.
Considering your budget of $650 USD, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro would be a more straightforward and cost-effective solution, offering the convenience of a pre-built device with powerful hardware for Plex streaming.
Option 1: NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is an excellent choice for a Plex server. It offers robust hardware capabilities, including hardware transcoding support, which eliminates the need for a Plex Pass subscription. With its powerful Tegra X1+ processor and 3 GB of RAM, it can easily handle one external stream at a time, even in 4K and HEVC formats. Additionally, it provides network accessibility for your media files and doesn't rely on your PC being on.
Option 2: DIY NAS Build
Another option is to build your own NAS using budget-friendly components. You can opt for a mini-ITX motherboard with an efficient CPU like the AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel Core i3, which should handle transcoding tasks adequately for one external stream. Pair it with 8-16 GB of RAM and a RAID-capable controller. For storage, consider starting with a couple of 4 TB HDDs and then expand as needed. This DIY approach allows for future upgrades, such as increasing storage capacity or adding more RAM.
Considering your budget of $650 USD, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro would be a more straightforward and cost-effective solution, offering the convenience of a pre-built device with powerful hardware for Plex streaming.