New to home media setups. Is this a good way to go about it? (If possible at all)

[TheRealDave]

I currently have my pc upstairs with plex and tv downstairs hooked to Xbox 360. I stream media through the 360.

I'm wanting a media server to store content to multiple devices, specifically TV without use of 360. The hardware is to be determined but streaming will be wired.

My question is, can I use a raspberry pi as a media player device to receive data from a plex server in 1080p quality and play it on the tv? If not is there an alternative? Apple TV, etc? I want something that focuses on compatibility and flexibility.

[spikey_richie]

I think I'm right in saying XBMC will allow you to do this, and will run on a Pi.

[TPreston]

 

I'm wanting a media server to store content to multiple devices,

HP P400's Cost as little as 20$ online and have 512MB of battery backed cache... And can do RAID 6 with up to 8 HDDs

 

SAS > SATA cables are similarly inexpensive

 

Add this to a low end pc and youve got a solution you'd pay thousands for from synoligy or qnap... No brainer;

[astrokat]

Google Chromecast will allow you to stream Plex.  Seems to be the cheapest solution followed by a Raspberry Pi (tons of config and potential frustration) and Roku.

 

Edit:  Not sure if you were referring to server or client.  For server, make sure you have an i5 or higher for best experience.

[sagum]

Roku 2 XS is your best bet for Plex, as it's really cheap at the moment since it's being phased out in place of their new box designs. Roku is also the most supported device for streaming too.

 

Other devices if you want the Plex interface, is the Chromcast dongle, and Amazon TV. There are a number of bluray players and a most recent Samsung and LG TV sets have the app.

 

As for a media server, if you want a Network attached storage (NAS) server that'll also do Plex server too, I suggest you look at 'Rolling your own Synology box'.

 

[Aergan]

A Raspberry Pi B Rev2 can become an XBMC device as a project but I wouldn't rate the performance or stability as something to rely on nor expect flawless 1080p playback with down mixed or pass-through 5.1.

 

An Intel NUC based device would be better (ideally i3 based), combined with something like XBMC (Either Windows 7+ or modern Linux distribution, both cater well).

 

Or have a look at the Android boxes (e.g. G-Midnight). Less project, most things are setup ready to go.

[TheRealDave]

Thanks guys. Very insightful

[HawkMan]

A Raspberry Pi B Rev2 can become an XBMC device as a project but I wouldn't rate the performance or stability as something to rely on nor expect flawless 1080p playback with down mixed or pass-through 5.1.

 

An Intel NUC based device would be better (ideally i3 based), combined with something like XBMC (Either Windows 7+ or modern Linux distribution, both cater well).

 

Or have a look at the Android boxes (e.g. G-Midnight). Less project, most things are setup ready to go.

 

This. the pi is all nice and small, but not very powerful and plex is a better bet than XMBC since it syncs across all devices. and plex runs horribly on linux even if there is a sort of linux version, it's not worth the trouble. 

 

Go with a NUC with IR sensor.  Maybe a ROKU, but a NUC will give you more options. Seeing as you run windows you can also run EVERY Streaming service sinc eyou can just load the webpage. 

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

As for a media server, if you want a Network attached storage (NAS) server that'll also do Plex server too, I suggest you look at 'Rolling your own Synology box'.

 

Synology + DLNA + Plex. Done.