Looking for Video Transcoding Box

[Schlabschi]

Why not just install Plex Media Server (PMS) on your PC then point PMS to the NAS as your source for media?

http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/FAQ:_Plex_Media_Server_and_NAS

Yea, I already heard about Plex (and also XBMC as another alternative), but I still struggle to find a way to make good use of it in my environment. Most of the time I use the PS3 to watch movies and sometimes my iPad. I never use my PC because it is to noisy. So how can I leverage Plex or XBMC to play movies on my PS3 or iPad?

[jman98]

I think there's a PS3 client for Plex. You can find installation instructions at the Plex website. Basically you install a server on your PC and a client on the PS3, but I have no idea how that client install works on a PS3. I've only installed a client on Roku. Media gets served from the PC server to the PS3 client.

You do need to understand that Plex won't stream EVERY possible of type of video there is, but it may meet your needs.

You also need to understand that the PS3 was surpassed over FIVE years ago as a media streamer and continuing to use it as such is little more than deliberately and willingly painting yourself into a corner. If you wish to do so because you are cheap, fine, but I wouldn't let the PS3 and iPad dictate to me what format my videos were in. Plex is really a much better answer for you than resorting to format conversions just to satisfy the PS3 or iPad. And the iPad will have media players you can buy that understand more than just MP4 files.

[Schlabschi]

I think there's a PS3 client for Plex. You can find installation instructions at the Plex website. Basically you install a server on your PC and a client on the PS3, but I have no idea how that client install works on a PS3. I've only installed a client on Roku. Media gets served from the PC server to the PS3 client.

You do need to understand that Plex won't stream EVERY possible of type of video there is, but it may meet your needs.

You also need to understand that the PS3 was surpassed over FIVE years ago as a media streamer and continuing to use it as such is little more than deliberately and willingly painting yourself into a corner. If you wish to do so because you are cheap, fine, but I wouldn't let the PS3 and iPad dictate to me what format my videos were in. Plex is really a much better answer for you than resorting to format conversions just to satisfy the PS3 or iPad. And the iPad will have media players you can buy that understand more than just MP4 files.

Well you made a good point. But this would mean that I have to have my PC running every time I want to watch a movie. Hm. Is it possible to configure the Plex client to boot the server on demand via wake-on-lan?

[jagabo]

For your TV it's probably cheaper for you to buy a media player like the Western Digital models rather than a hypothetical transcoder box. I suspect the iPad will play all h.264/aac MP4 files. h.264 MKV file can pretty quickly be remuxed into MP4 (maybe converting the audio from AC3 to AAC) with MKVtoMP4.

[marioval]

Why not just install Plex Media Server (PMS) on your PC then point PMS to the NAS as your source for media?

http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/FAQ:_Plex_Media_Server_and_NAS

Yea, I already heard about Plex (and also XBMC as another alternative), but I still struggle to find a way to make good use of it in my environment. Most of the time I use the PS3 to watch movies and sometimes my iPad. I never use my PC because it is to noisy. So how can I leverage Plex or XBMC to play movies on my PS3 or iPad?

Yes you will need to have your PC running since that is where the server will be running from. If you follow that link I posted, there is information on running the PMS directly from the NAS. I have never done it that way so I cannot offer insight but read through it and see if it gives you what you need.... I myself run PMS on my home PC and I can watch all of my movies and shows in all various formats with no issue from my PS3, my android phone, my wifes iphone, my G-Box TV Box, my LG ST600, and even using any computer with a web browser with Plex's new Plex/Web browser interface.

[Schlabschi]

Unfortunately my NAS is not powerful enough to run Plex or any transcoding software. I already tried it. So I would have to stick with my PC for transcoding.

[jagabo]

I would have to stick with my PC for transcoding.

Which makes the NAS redundant. You could just put the drives in the PC.

[Schlabschi]

Ok, perhaps it's time for a high level view to look at what we have. Currently I can see four choices:

1. I convert each video into different formats (e.g. MKV and MP4) with a tool like VidCoder to be able to play them on my different devices. VidCoder supports Batches of files to be queued for conversion. Alternatively I could use FFCoder that supports watch folders.
   
   Downside: It consumes much more space because I have different versions of each file. It requires manual effort.
   .
   .
2. I use a media server software like Plex or XBMC. That would require me to set up a server that is capable of transcoding videos which would be my PC. In addition, in the past it was neccessary to install a client software on each client. But I think with the new versions you also have DLNA supported, which makes the client software redundant.
   
   Downside: I have to turn on my PC each time I like to play a video. To have it running the whole day is no option because of power consumption.
   .
   .
3. I buy an additional dedicated Media Server like a WD TV Live, Xstreamer or Zbox and use it instead of my PS3 to watch movies.
   
   Downside: Yet another device to be managed. Does not fix the problem to be able to play the videos from other devices.
   .
   .
4. Send back my QNAP NAS and configure a Windows Home Server with Intel i5 processor instead. I bought the QNAP one week ago from Amazon, so sending it back should not be a problem. And a Windows Homeserver with proper processor would be powerful enough to run Plex or XBMC and transcoding movies, solving all of my streaming problems. In addition it would also deliver the backup, data consolidation and remote access capabilities that I bought the QNAP for.
   
   Downside: Not a preconfigured box. I would have to search the internet for components and assemble it by myself.

What do you think? Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Schlabschi