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+--- Forum: General Questions (https://forum.jellyfin.org/f-general-questions)
+--- Thread: Media Server Hardware (/t-media-server-hardware)
Media Server Hardware - printdotexe - 2023-11-26
Hello,
New to the forms. I have a server/media box question which I am hoping you can help me with. I'll try to explain best I can, but please bare with me.
Basically I have accumulated lots of media over the years. I have been keeping them on external HDD ranging from 2TB-4TB. However, I am not wanting to upgrade to some sort of server/box that I can store all my media on. This would preferably be a headless setup. I would like to just have it setup in the corner of my recroom, connected via ethernet (CAT5 or CAT6). I’m pretty sure that these things exist, but just not sure where to start. I would prefer to be able to easily insert new hard drives so that I can add more storage easily when needed. It can run Windows or Linux. Finally I have a budget of about $2000 (excluding HDD), it I can get something for less I could go for that and spend the remaining into storage. However I am looking for something powerful and easy enough to store all my media. I would like transcoding to occur on the server part (if possible) - I don't even know if I am explaining correctly.
I want something dedicated to JellyFin instead of a shared computer. Also not interested in running raspberry pi with an external drive because again I would be swapping external HDDs fairly often.
Is this reasonable expectations for my start budget? Also what is what I am looking for called?
Ideally - something like this with a dedicateddcated graphics card? Do they make those?
https://www.amazon.ca/Western-Digital-Cloud-Pro-Network-Attached/dp/B01GLRX68I/ref=sr_1_47?crid=UIE345HKI2VG&keywords=streaming%2Bmedia%2Bserver&qid=1701011709&refinements=p_36%3A12035764011&rnid=12035759011&s=electronics&sprefix=streaming%2Bmedia%2Bserver%2Caps%2C90&sr=1-47&th=144
I have the HDD Bay to just insert new HDDs as need but unsure if something like this would be set up for JellyFin.
RE: Media Server Hardware - printdotexe - 2023-11-26
replied in error when trying to edit.
RE: Media Server Hardware - tmsrxzar - 2023-11-26
https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection/
standalone commercial NAS is not recommended
hot swapping content drives is not recommended
RE: Media Server Hardware - TheDreadPirate - 2023-11-26
Honestly, you can get away with pretty cheap hardware to run jellyfin. My specs are in my signature. It can transcode 20 streams (non-HDR), and tone map 12 HDR to SDR transcodes.
It's all about selecting the right parts. If all you are doing is running jellyfin, get a 12th or 13th gen Intel ##100 CPU, Intel Arc, 16GB of RAM, whatever board. Spend the rest on hard drives and HBA cards
RE: Media Server Hardware - tmsrxzar - 2023-11-26
agreed
on that note you may also find it's cheaper to offset the cost by buying a cheaper server but also upgrading clients so that they are more capable of direct playback and not require transcoding