HTPC Upgrading Advice

siross

I use Media Player Classic on the PC at the moment, it does the job for the most part but cannot handle x.265. It just jumps and stalls constantly.

ChuckMountain

Most media players run something like Kodi or possibly Plex or their own proprietary player.  Kodi in most new boxes will quite happily support x265. The Raspberry pi 4 will also support x265 with latest builds.

Unless you need something that a media player won't give I don't really see the point in spending that much money on a htpc.  I used to have an Antec fusion case too before changing to an Intel nuc and a pi for a second room.  Just got a Vera 4K  to replace the pi as I run a heavy skin for Kodi.  I might however replace the nuc with it because it has better support.

siross

Is this the machine you have? Vero - OSMC

Would you recommend this over something like the Nvidia Shield? Ideally I want something that's very easy to use.

I'd probably run Kodi as that's what I've been used to before.

A Network drive like this WD would be good, but it gets poor reviews...

ChuckMountain

Yep sorry vero not Vera

I haven't plumbed it in yet as I have quite a complicated system and don't have any spare time. My mate has two though and I originally suggested he looked and then and his work fine as far as I know.

Most NAS devices should work fine but the ones linked are the very low end of the market.

ChuckMountain

I would be more worried about running out of space

techquest

Looking at what your now saying you want to do it seems obvious the way to go is with something like the Vero 4K, that plus a Network drive such as Synology or maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TerraMaster-F2-210-Transcoding-Personal-Diskless/dp/B07Q6KGLJG?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIIYGG26R5AFDI45Q&tag=genieshoppi0c-21&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07Q6KGLJG&ascsubtag=37557170

Combined would be about half the cost of updating your HTPC and as @ChuckMountain has said the Vero 4K is a good product.

siross

Thanks guys, I think this is the way forward, it makes a lot of sense.

@techquest is that TerraMaster a good entry level NAS unit? Presumably the 4k transcoding efforts of the unit aren't necessary if the Vero 4K is doing all the heavy transcoding?

What drives would be a good budget option? I've read WD red are made for NAS but these are quite expensive.

Sloppy Bob

It doesn't do any transcoding as it will play the files natively and bitstream the audio.

Best way to buy WD Red drives on a budget is to buy either the WD My Book Duo or a MyCloud Duo and take the drives out it. It regularly comes up on Amazon offers.
I recently got the 20TB (2x10TB) which is for sale @ £560 for £330, so that's £165 per 10TB drive and they sell individually for £300 .

You don't have to run Red drives or any other "NAS" drive but I wouldn't buy new drives that weren't. If I had old drives sitting around I'd use them first but remember the NAS will format them when you add them.

siross

Nice one, thanks for that I'll have a look round for some deals.

ChuckMountain

Yes I am also after probably six drives for an upgrade and nearly bought the Amazon duo ones but timing was wrong for me.

If you are going two bay then drive choice is less important but the price difference between nas and non nas drives is not that much for just two.