If you want to experience the functionality offered by Plex, it is important to be equipped with a solid server. This will provide you with the opportunity to get the most out of the service that is available. In addition, you should also take a look at the NAS device that you have.
In the market, you will be able to discover a large number of NAS devices, which you will be able to purchase under a variety of brands. However, all these NAS devices are not in a position to help you with running Plex Media Server. That’s why it is important for you to get your hands on an appropriate server. It will help you to stay away from a lot of frustration in the long run.
The benefit of going forward with a NAS device that provides better specs
The specs of the NAS device can contribute a lot towards the functionality of the Plex Media Server. However, you will have to spend a considerable amount of money, in order to purchase a NAS device that has better specs. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the better you can spend on the NAS device, the better experience you will be able to receive in the long run.
NAS device you purchase is responsible for transcoding media content. In addition, it is responsible for streaming media content into the other devices as well. This entirely depends on the device, where you are willing to enjoy content on. If a phone or a tablet is in need of assistance from the server in order to playback media files, it is not effective when handling the intensive request. As a result, you cannot expect to receive a smooth experience at the end of the day.
Now you must be wondering how to ensure an excellent performance on the NAS device when you are transcoding media content with the help of Plex. This is where the CPU found in the NAS device plays a major role. By keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most prominent factors that you will need to consider when you are purchasing the best NAS for Plex.
Compatibility in between NAS and Plex
Compatibility in between NAS and Plex can create a tremendous impact on the decision that you make when you are purchasing a NAS device for the Plex Media Server. According to the experts, it is better to go ahead with an Intel-powered NAS device. Then you will be able to receive an optimal performance at the end of the day. This fact has also been verified by numerous customer reviews available on the internet.
However, you should also keep in mind that a high-end ARM processor will also be able to provide you with a smoother experience. The only drawback associated with this method is that you will have to spend a considerable amount of money on the NAS device. That’s because the NAS devices that come along with ARM processors are not cheap as the NAS devices with Intel processors. If you don’t have a lot of money to be spent on a NAS device, it is better to settle down with an Intel NAS device.
In order to stay away from hassle with storage and to access other useful features, you need to make sure that the NAS device is equipped with everything that you are in need of. This differs according to the specific situation where you are using the NAS device.
Transcoding capabilities of the NAS device
You should also pay a lot of attention towards the transcoding capabilities of the NAS device when you are purchasing a one for the Plex Media Server. Otherwise, the amount of money you spend on the NAS device would be in vain and you will end up with a lot of frustrations.
Transcoding is extremely important to provide you with a smoother playback at the end of the day. If not, you will have to experience a lot of interruptions when you are playing media content. You will store high definition content in the NAS device. In other words, the media files would be in formats such as .mp4 and .mkv. In this kind of a situation, there is a high possibility for you to come across a series of incompatibility issues. That’s because the streaming player you use will not be compatible with the media format that you have stored inside the NAS device. That’s where the transcoding capabilities of the NAS device comes into play.
Transcoding should happen on the go. Otherwise, you will not be able to get the best possible experience when you are accessing media content. In this kind of a situation, the NAS device should be capable of transcoding the media content into an appropriate resolution. That’s because the transcoded media content is transferred through an internet connection, which has a limited bandwidth. The NAS device should be intelligent enough to determine the most appropriate resolution to overcome the bandwidth gap and make sure that you get an uninterrupted experience at the end of the day. Therefore, this is one of the core functionalities that you will need to look for in the NAS device, which you are purchasing for the Plex Media Server.
Plex Media Server is using software transcoding. As a result, it heavily depends on the processor of the NAS device. Due to this reason, you are strongly encouraged to go ahead with a NAS device, which comes along with a high-end processor. Then you will be able to overcome most of the frustrating situations that you will have to face. In the meantime, you will also need to take your budget into consideration, so that you can take an informed decision.
