Which NAS for Jellyfin?

[TheDreadPirate]

IMO, I'd just do a plain linux distro and docker. If need to use something with a web based management UI, use something like Proxmox.

[mishmash]

I just wanted to update on the mini pc, and I saw the comment above me, so I'm not sure if this will be helpful to you or not.

I got a Beelink s12 pro, it has an intel n100. This is my only windows 11 device, my pcs are still on 10. I'm actually very pleased with it, its been working as intended. I think it does help that I'm familiar with windows and not trying to figure out another OS, like I did multiple times with the pi. The idea of running Ubuntu appeals to me, but its intimidating at the same time, so I think that idea is going to go the back burner, but still a possibility for the future.

Anyways, I've had LibreElec on my pi for quite some time, so I've gotten used to Kodi, and thats what I wanted to stick with. So on the mini pc, I just keep Kodi running, so its present when I turn the tv on, just like LibreElec, and in the backround I have jellyfin as a media server. I think streaming is less intensive then I first assumed, and maybe thats why nas' are often recommended, but I think my video is a bit lower resolution then most aim for, I dont have any 4k media.

I've been observing the cpu temps though hwinfo, the cpu seems to idle around 50c, which seems high to me, but from reading, its apparently common to change the thermal paste on these units, so that may be coming down the line. I was also wondering about cpu usage, and after all the many many updates, it seems to not get too crazy, at least for what I'm using it for. I do have steam installed on it, but thats only to use steam link from my desktop, its just easier to do stuff while at my desktop, but no gaming will happen on this pc.

I went with this pc because it had a slot to put a 2.5 inch drive in it, so currently, I have all my media on it, and have about 600gb to spare. We'll see what happens down the like, like upgrade to a 4tb drive, get a docking station to tuck behind the tv, not sure at the moment, but I've been really pleased with it, and will likely still with these little pc's in the future.

Thanks all for the recommendation to go with a pc vs a nas. It really did fit my needs, and it was an option I didn't consider previously.

I do have 2 random questions while I'm here:

1. What exactly is transcoding, like when people ask about streaming 4k? I rip my media, and run it through handbrake to reduce the file size. When someone talks about transcoding 4k, are they like ripping the file with mkv, keeping the file as in, and the machine is actaully converting the video on the fly as its streaming? I just want a better understanding since I hear about it so often.

2. I really like that on a tablet or a phone, you can download the original file though the jellyfin app, but I just want to confirm, that only downloads the file to the device right? At first I thought it would be like a way to access downloaded media though the jellyfin app/interface, but I cant open jellyfin if theres no connection to the server. It seems that its just downloading the file to the device, and thats it. Theres no way of having like an offlike library with jellyfin is there? The closest I've come is downloading the file on a tablet, and just moving it to my media directory for kodi on the tablet to recognize. Its still an improvement from what I used to do (transferring via micro sd) but just wanted to ask.

Again, thank you for the recommendations!

[Efficient_Good_5784]

1. What exactly is transcoding, like when people ask about streaming 4k? I rip my media, and run it through handbrake to reduce the file size. When someone talks about transcoding 4k, are they like ripping the file with mkv, keeping the file as in, and the machine is actaully converting the video on the fly as its streaming? I just want a better understanding since I hear about it so often.

Pretty much you're correct with your last statement, the server will convert the file as you stream it.

There are two main reasons why someone would need to transcode:

1. Their client is incompatible with the original source
   
2. Their network bandwidth is limited and they need to lower the bitrate to allow for smoother playback over the internet.
   

Try reading this post I made in the past that hopefully will explain what transcoding is in more detail.

2. I really like that on a tablet or a phone, you can download the original file though the jellyfin app, but I just want to confirm, that only downloads the file to the device right? At first I thought it would be like a way to access downloaded media though the jellyfin app/interface, but I cant open jellyfin if theres no connection to the server. It seems that its just downloading the file to the device, and thats it. Theres no way of having like an offlike library with jellyfin is there? The closest I've come is downloading the file on a tablet, and just moving it to my media directory for kodi on the tablet to recognize. Its still an improvement from what I used to do (transferring via micro sd) but just wanted to ask.

The Jellyfin Android app doesn't have an offline mode. The download option is indeed only to download the video onto your phone (so that you can use it with other apps to play it locally on the phone). There would need to be more work done to the app and the server to allow for the app to have in-app offline functionality.