A cheap mini PC can handle Plex remote transcoding
A long-running Plex setup on a Qnap NAS worked well for storing media and , as long as each viewing device could play the file format directly. The problem appeared when more media was stored as H.265 to save disk space. A Samsung Galaxy S21 could not play those H.265 files directly, so Plex had to convert the video live.
The low-cost NAS did not have enough power for that job. The solution was a HP Elite Desk mini PC bought on eBay for 140 AUD, with 256GB of storage, 8GB of memory, and a 7th generation Intel i5 with Quick Sync support. With a USB or DAS attached, it can work as a low-cost , and possibly as a basic NAS if Windows is replaced with something like TruNAS.
Windows was kept because the same machine also serves as a simple office PC.
Key points
- H.265 saved storage space but created playback problems on at least one phone.
- The existing low-cost NAS could store media but could not handle live video well.
- A HP Elite Desk mini PC cost 140 AUD and became the upgrade.
- The key hardware detail is a 7th generation Intel i5 with Quick Sync support.
- A USB or DAS can add storage if there is no separate NAS.