You really need to try and do some of this research yourself so you understand what you have..

Apparently you are new to this thread. 

  You really need to try and do some of this research yourself so you understand what you have..

Apparently you are new to this thread. 

This thread is epic....

  You really need to try and do some of this research yourself so you understand what you have..

Apparently you are new to this thread. 

This thread is epic....

And the original problem was solved pages ago.

 

Hey guys...I'm trying something new here, huh.

 

I've been streaming just fine...for years. I pick up a FireTV, for $85...and I'm like "OK...how do I get local files there".

 

I research...I see PLEX; I'm in. But I didn't anticipate the issues. Set-up turns into "you need to upgrade"; and I've been the first to admit...I'm not avid at this.

 

I've shown appreciation for the help...and tried to take steps, where I felt I could. But c'mon; I don't need the sh*t, or to be made to feel stoopid. 

Hey guys...I'm trying something new here, huh.

 

I've been streaming just fine...for years. I pick up a FireTV, for $85...and I'm like "OK...how do I get local files there".

 

I research...I see PLEX; I'm in. But I didn't anticipate the issues. Set-up turns into "you need to upgrade"; and I've been the first to admit...I'm not avid at this.

 

I've shown appreciation for the help...and tried to take steps, where I felt I could. But c'mon; I don't need the sh*t, or to be made to feel stoopid. 

You do not need to upgrade.  Download/sideloaded Kodi.

 

 

You don't need to upgrade at all if you make use of Plex's optimize function, as I suggested earlier.

 

  You really need to try and do some of this research yourself so you understand what you have..

Apparently you are new to this thread. 

 

Na, I suggested Kodi a few pages ago. OP wants plex.  That's his prerogative, but he needs to aware it comes with  cost for his server to handle it.

No; I'll switch gears and try Kodi.

 

But someone...a few posts back...said needing to transcode, was inevitable.

 

So I thought an upgrade to my server, might be worthwhile. Just don't want to break the bank, and do a whole, new build.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Phenom-II-X6-1045T-6-Core-2-7GHz-6MB-Socket-AM3-CPU-Processor-HDT45TWFK6DGR-/172152947911?hash=item28151d84c7:g:lywAAOSwZtJW8unH

 

That will work.  You really need to think this through before you spend money.

 

You will need a heat sync rated for 95 watts if you don't already have it.

 

Also, make sure your on the F4J bios if your not already before you install the new processor or you will be reinstalling the old one to do the bios update.

F4J

Beta BIOS

Update CPU AGESA code

 

I don't think anyone is trying to make you feel stupid, it just that others are suggesting other ways that may solve your problem and are giving you options as you have locked in on Plex as your solution.  Nothing wrong with Plex, I use it.  I liked it so much I bought a lifetime plexpass. 

 

Earlier you stated you were not opposed to replacing the CPU and adding memory, but wanted to save the MB.  What was pointed out was that you can buy a new CPU/MB/Memory that is current generation and easily available and returnable if you have issues vs buying used EOL gear that could have issues in your system.  There is nothing wrong with that if you way the pros and cons.  I myself am considering upgrading to a 1100t.  I am still debating it vs pulling the trigger on a new SM MB/Xeon/Memory upgrade.  Each has its  pros/cons.

 

Others pointed out Kodi plus pre-transcoding your videos.  A lot of people use Kodi, nothing wrong with it.  It has its advantages, one as that it doesn't phone home like plex does.  Pre-transoding requires you to use to use additional storage space.  Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages.

 

On the suggestion to research some of this is as much a learning aid as anything.  Its one thing to ask a question if you don't know nor can find an answer.  Its another to expect people to spoon feed every bit of information.  Manuals and spec sheets are written for a reason.  I think most tech people expect the user to at least try and read the documentation. 

 

As stated earlier, there is nothing wrong with upgrading your CPU based on the your current hardware.  Just be aware of what your getting into.

 

If you want the ability to transcode with smallest outlay of cash, then the Athlon-II-X4-640 I posted in this link will work.  For $47.54 it gets you the CPU and the heat sync.  It is not as good as the Phenoms' but it is less outlay of cash.  It handles a single plex stream with no issues.  I use the same processor.  If you don't go overboard, you could even run some plugins.

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=47443.msg461943#msg461943

 

The reason I said you are going to have to upgrade is you were locked into plex as your solution and your current server just does not have the power to transcode and plex is based around transcoding the source to an acceptable format the client can use.

 

EDIT:

The downside of the Athlon-II-X4-640 is that it still does not have a lot of power to do some of the neat cool stuff the Unraid is capable of.  For example, running 2-3 plex streams, multiple plugins/docker and VMs.  I can max out my 4 cores and start to see them impacting the various things I have going on.  That's why I am looking to upgrade.

 

If you only want to drop ~50 go with the CPU I linked.  If you don't mind spending  ~100 or a little more go with the CPU you found.  Again nothing wrong with any of the solutions.  If i currently had your CPU, I personally would be going for the 1045T

 

Me and Tim Allen agree on one thing, MORE POWER grunt. 

 

A comparison of the two processors.  Hit the compare button on the right.

 

Edit for correct link.

=171&cmp[]=389]http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=171&cmp[]=389

You don't need to upgrade at all if you make use of Plex's optimize function, as I suggested earlier.

 

What does this do exactly?

You don't need to upgrade at all if you make use of Plex's optimize function, as I suggested earlier.

 

What does this do exactly?

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=plex+optimize

 

Much of your free space will be taken up by this, if not all of it.

You don't need to upgrade at all if you make use of Plex's optimize function, as I suggested earlier.

 

What does this do exactly?

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=plex+optimize

 

LOL 

 

Optimize is good for shows you ALREADY have. But as far as I can tell there's not way for it to automatically optimize (or pre-transcode) newly added videos.

 

For example, say you have Big Bang Theory Season 9 Eps 1-9 already, it can optimize those. Then Thursday rolls around and ep 10 is downloaded, sorted by Sonarr and added to Plex. Plex will NOT automatically optimize it for you (man I wish it did this). You now have to log into the plex server and add it to the optimization list.

 

The Phenom 1045T should be PLENTY of power. I run many dockers and even a Linux Vm from time to time on my setup (see sig, Celeron G1840).

 

 

You don't need to upgrade at all if you make use of Plex's optimize function, as I suggested earlier.

 

What does this do exactly?

 

I pre-answered this when I first made the suggestion:

 

https://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=47443.msg461869#msg461869

 

I have no problem with running it manually. With low power hardware you're going to want to have manual control anyway though, to be fair, the transcoder runs with a high nice value and allows more important tasks to take priority. You do need somewhere to store the transcoded files, of course, but if you're pressed for storage as well as CPU power (and RAM, it seems) something has to give.

 

I personally use optimize on large Blu-Ray rips - I don't need it on HD TV shows or DVD rips and other SD material. If you optimize a Blu-Ray rip you could conceivably delete the ripped .mkv file and actually save some space, knowing that you can always go back to the optical original should you need to. I don't, because I'm not short of space but it's an option worth considering.

 

This is my Kodi?

This is my Kodi?

No. You run Kodi on your FireTV client instead.

This is my Kodi?

No. You run Kodi on your FireTV client instead.

 

It doesn't need hosting??

No, unlike plex, kodi does not have a centralised database.

Each client indexes the media locations.

You can set it up with a centralised database but that's not standard setup.

OK...tried Kodi. No offense; but yawn 

 

So I guess we're, cranking up the server.

OK...tried Kodi. No offense; but yawn 

 

So I guess we're, cranking up the server.

 

From a pure financial point of view you might consider changing your client instead to one that supports your files better than FireTV. A raspberry pi 3 comes to mind.

If you are yawning then you haven't set it up right.  My guess is your browsing using Videos rather than creating a database of media with Movies and TV Shows. 

 

Honestly, just pause for a bit and read a little around kodi.  It actually suits your needs down to a tee.

 

I'm not trying to upset you here, but stop, take a breath and ask one question.....

 

What do you want to achieve?

 

This thread has gone on for a long time because you weren't clear what your aims were....

 

You thought you wanted Plex, but had no idea about streaming/transcoding issues. 

 

I had to ask to get your server specs, twice because the first time you didn't think it was relevant.

 

You were happy with WD streaming before and as far as I can tell, all you actually want is eye candy on your front end.  Nothing wrong with that, I'm a sucker for it myself....

 

I know others have said it but you could have made your life a lot easier by doing a bit of research. 

 

I know you're no expert, but none of us were when we started at first either.

 

Take a couple of days off and read a bit about Kodi vs Plex, advantages and disadvantages.  Read a bit about hardware and get a feel for what it's going to cost you to upgrade and whether it's worthwhile.

 

I honestly think it'll be time well spent.

 

 

 

Another option is to actually buy your media on bluray and play it back on a bluray player. No server hardware needed at all and nothing for you to need to read about either, other than how to connect it to your tv. If thats too much for you, there's always dvd players and dvd media.

 

Perhaps those 2 options are more in your comfort zone.

If you are yawning then you haven't set it up right.  My guess is your browsing using Videos rather than creating a database of media with Movies and TV Shows. 

 

Honestly, just pause for a bit and read a little around kodi.  It actually suits your needs down to a tee.

 

I'm not trying to upset you here, but stop, take a breath and ask one question.....

 

What do you want to achieve?

 

This thread has gone on for a long time because you weren't clear what your aims were....

 

You thought you wanted Plex, but had no idea about streaming/transcoding issues. 

 

I had to ask to get your server specs, twice because the first time you didn't think it was relevant.

 

You were happy with WD streaming before and as far as I can tell, all you actually want is eye candy on your front end.  Nothing wrong with that, I'm a sucker for it myself....

 

I know others have said it but you could have made your life a lot easier by doing a bit of research. 

 

I know you're no expert, but none of us were when we started at first either.

 

Take a couple of days off and read a bit about Kodi vs Plex, advantages and disadvantages.  Read a bit about hardware and get a feel for what it's going to cost you to upgrade and whether it's worthwhile.

 

I honestly think it'll be time well spent.

 

Rather than bug you guys...I followed this http://www.htpcbeginner.com/install-kodi-on-amazon-fire-tv/

***Guys, we're good. Close it down; marked it solved.

 

I see where I was coming up short, with Kodi. I'll give that a try. If I have questions about Kodi, I'll find a forum for them; if I decide to bulk-up my server...I've got some posts here, to reference already.

 

And if I decide to give PLEX another shot...I'll seek that help elsewhere; now that I have the app set-up correctly, to be hosted on unRAID. That's all you guys, need to concern yourself with.

 

Thanks again, to most of you; the snide remarks, were asinine.

Cool, Kodi can look fantastic with a bit of work, although I admit the default skin is a little uninspiring.

 

Pretty sure Plex was a fork of Kodi once upon a time.

 

One addon that is pretty much essential is the trakt.tv one.  Register for an account over there and then install the addon, it'll keep a record of the watched status of your media.

 

At some point you may want to centralise your Kodi database on your Unraid box.  There is a support thread around for that from linuxserver.  The advantage if that is it will keep the database on Unraid rather than a separate one on each client.