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Emby Server Build and/or Upgrade


Dizzy49

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Dizzy49

I'm building an Emby server for my dad.  All the TV's in the house use either Fire Sticks, or Fire TV Boxes.  They will likely only stream to two devices at any given time, though it's possible that they could allow the grandkids to stream to their tablets as well, so worst case 4 streams.  The Fire Stick/Box should stream without transcoding so, only 2 streams would need to be transcoding at the same time.  They will also have a HDHomerun and will do some time shifting.

 

I currently have a Xeon E3-1276 on a Supermicro X10SLH board in a Norco 4220 (Full Build)

 

I have two options...  

1) Upgrade my server and recycle the replaced parts into my dad's server.

2) Buid a completely new server for my dad

 

I have already purchased a Norco 4224 case, and I'll be moving my server into that regardless.  The 4220 will be used for my dad's server.

 

 

Option 1:

If I upgrade, what do I upgrade to?  I got the E3 for the QuickSync.  I don't want to run Windows Server which is required for Dual CPU.  Is there a good single CPU to upgrade to?  Would the upgrade be worth it?  I'm not looking to drop $1000 for a small increase.

 

 

Option 2:

Is a Xeon complete overkill for my dad's needs?  CPU, Mobo and Ram alone are $800.  I thiink a decent i5 with mobo and ram would be around half that.  Suggestions?

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Guest asrequested

Well, with those devices there's likely to be lots of transcoding. I use an i7 6700k and it works really well.

Edited by Doofus
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Guest asrequested

Buy client devices that won't need transcoding.

That will depend on what you watch. For example, most of what I play, the only app that will direct play them is theater desktop.

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CBers

That will depend on what you watch. For example, most of what I play, the only app that will direct play them is theater desktop.

Nothing I watch transcodes, apart from the odd Live TV channel.

 

My client devices are Nvidia Shield TV's.

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Guest asrequested

Nothing I watch transcodes, apart from the odd Live TV channel.

 

My client devices are Nvidia Shield TV's.

I didn't think it supported 7.1 dts-x and Atmos?

 

But it looks like in this case the devices are already in place.

Edited by Doofus
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CBers

I didn't think it supported 7.1 dts-x and Atmos?

 

 

Don't know, as I don't have that.

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Guest asrequested

Don't know, as I don't have that.

Ah, right. I have an Atmos system. But this probably won't apply in this situation.

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Dizzy49

The Fire devices should be direct play.  The only thing I'm not sure about is the Live and Recorded TV.

 

I would estimate that 85% of usage would be streaming to two Fire devices, and that's it.

The Outliers would be if they have kids/grandkids over and there may be a third device also playing (likely another Fire device), and maybe a phone/tablet.

Or... Unlikely, but a possibility, one of the grandkids using their phone/tablet to hit the server from their house.

 

About a year ago I suggested have device profiles.  So you could force Direct Play for all Fire devices, set a transcode audio/video rate for when on the "home" network, and another while "roaming".  Perfect "set it and forget it", and would prevent transcoding a 16GB movie to change the audio (normal setting for my tablet), and streaming it across 4G (in which case I want a MUCH smaller filesize!)

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Dizzy49

Well, with those devices there's likely to be lots of transcoding. I use an i7 6700k and it works really well.

 

He's not allowed to have a faster processor than what's in my desktop! :D

 

6700s are running $300 right now.  Might as well go for the E3 at that point, mobo's are about the same price, and I could get non ECC ram and prob save $150.  So net diff would be less than $100.

 

Can someone confirm if the Fire devices require transcoding?  If so, then I'm going for the E3.  If not, then I think an i5 should be sufficient, just not sure which :D

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arrbee99

Probably doesn't help much, but at the moment this PC is direct streaming a compressed MKV BR rip to a 2nd Gen FTV via ethernet while using Handbrake to transcode / compress another BR rip to MKV, and obviously browsing the web. Its a 2 or 3 year old i5-4570, 8gig.

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Guest asrequested

Transcoding will depend on multiple attributes, but in this case I think it will depend on file/codec type and whether it's supported. I'm not sure what they support. But my advice is to prepare for the worst, and then you're covered. Using the 6700k with QuickSync enabled, it handles anything I throw at it. With the Xeon you'll be relying on raw processing power, with lower clock speeds.

Edited by Doofus
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Guest asrequested

I say go big! Buuut...an i5 would probably be just fine for his needs. I do recommend using QuickSync, though.

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Dizzy49

Transcoding will depend on multiple attributes, but in this case I think it will depend on file/codec type and whether it's supported. I'm not sure what they support. But my advice is to prepare for the worst, and then you're covered. Using the 6700k with QuickSync enabled, it handles anything I throw at it. With the Xeon you'll be relying on raw processing power, with lower clock speeds.

 

The Xeon I have has QuickSync, it's one of the main reasons I got it. :)

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Dizzy49

I'd suggest you upgrade yours and use what you have now, to build his. Get a 7th gen i7 for yourself

 

Just did some indepth comparisons between the Xeon and the latest i7 and I think you're right and I should build the i7 for myself and just give my dad my old server :)

 

Now, the big question.  What mobo to use!  Since I have enough HBA's for all the drives, I don't need a ton of SATA, and I won't be overclocking it.  Stability and PCIe throughput is most important...

 

Suggestions?

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Guest asrequested

Well, over the years I've come to trust Gigabyte. Of all the boards I've used, they've proven to be the most reliable. I have not used an ASRock, I should add. The board I'm about to buy is this

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRYHW6B/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

But I'm buying it for particular reasons. One of which is that it has a display port. If you don't need a display port, you may want to look at this board

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5G35XK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

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Dizzy49

Asus used to be my Go-To brand, but I went all out on builds for my wife and my personal computers, and had ALL kinds of problems with the boards.  After being replaced 3 times, and getting nonstop excuses I sadly gave up.  I've built a few Gigabyte and was happy with them.  I love the one in my HTPC right now.  Rock solid, been on for nearly 3 years straight :D  Used a couple ASrock and find them to be feature rich and budget friendly.

 

That's a good board recommendation.  I have the cFos software on my existing server and really like it.

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Guest asrequested

ASUS suck! They fail so much. I'll never buy one again. When it comes to motherboards, I just need them to be solid! Gigabyte have regular updates, and they last. Well, these boards aren't called "Ultra Durable" for nothing :)

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Dizzy49

I just started buying hardware.  Cross between what's good, what's available, and what I can afford :D

 

I'm finishing up some major rennovations in the house, so drywall dust and paint everywhere.  Figured I'd order everything, and it would arrive in the next 5-7 days, and when I'm done with the reno next weekend I should have everything ready to go :D  I'll post build and pics.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Dizzy49

Got all my new parts...

 

Case: Norco 4224

Mobo: Gigabyte Z270X-UD3

CPU: i7-7700K

RAM: Corsair Dominator 32GB

PSU: EVA Supernova 850 T2

Cooler: Scythe Big Shuriken 2, Rev B

OS: Samsung 250GB 850 EVO

HBA: LSI 9211-8i

Data Drives:

  3x 10TB Seagate Ironwolf NAS

  3x 4TB Western Digital Enterprise Drives

 

I will be re-using the following:

HBA: LSI 9260-16i

Data Drives:

  2x 5TB Toshiba 7200RPM

  3x 4TB Seagate

  6x 3TB Western Digital Red

  3x 3TB Western Digital Green

  

 

 

58ed770076085_IMG_20170411_095853.jpg

 

58ed77348dd03_IMG_20170411_095914.jpg

58ed790d038a0_IMG_20170411_095936.jpg

58ed79330bf5e_IMG_20170411_095948.jpg

Edited by Dizzy49
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