home theater, cord cutting, video streaming, a/v tech, and more!

Postby **DigitalGypsy66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:44 am

This could probably go in the IT thread, but I'm looking at a low power and quiet Windows PC to run my Plex Server and "software related to acquiring films, TV shows, and MP3s."

This, with a larger HDD, should be more than enough horsepower, right?

I don't have multiple people streaming at the same time, and the majority of its use will be over our home LAN.

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:55 am

I would find something with a much newer generation CPU, preferably an i7. Make sure that it supports Intel Quick Sync Video. Just Google the CPU name and check out Intel's spec chart, like this one: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en ... 0-ghz.html

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:56 am

And it might be worth searching https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/ for the CPU for more info on what others have done.

Postby **dodint** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:58 am

Sounds like he came for an answer and you gave him homework.

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:59 am

I prefer to look at it as guidance...

Postby **nocera** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:14 am

The price of NFL Sunday Ticket is absolutely ludicrous. I just got an email for the new "low price" of just two payments of $74.99. I have been able to easily find every game online and airplay it to my TV. Sure, it's not as convenient as changing the channel, but I'll put a little bit of work in to save $150.

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:16 am

That reminds me, I bet my bill for Center Ice is coming soon...

Postby **nocera** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:17 am

That reminds me, I bet my bill for Center Ice is coming soon...

You're a smart guy. Why do you pay for that? Is it the convenience?

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:18 am

That reminds me, I bet my bill for Center Ice is coming soon...
You're a smart guy. Why do you pay for that? Is it the convenience?

Yes. I hate having to rely on finding a good stream, having it high quality, and then not drop. So I'm paying purely for convenience.

Postby **willeyeam** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:19 am

Postby **nocera** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:19 am

That reminds me, I bet my bill for Center Ice is coming soon...
You're a smart guy. Why do you pay for that? Is it the convenience?
Yes. I hate having to rely on finding a good stream, having it high quality, and then not drop. So I'm paying purely for convenience.

Sounds like you're using the wrong sites.

Postby **NTP66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:29 am

Perhaps, but it's not worth the effort to me. Plus I can flip between games easily.

Postby **DigitalGypsy66** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:33 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Prodesk-400 ... SwS79fckJN

This one was recommended by the Plex subreddit. Can get one for $90, and people were adding a PCIe NVME adapter and doing a lot more with it than I would do with it (20 transcodes!) And it has Intel Quick Sync Video feature.

Postby **Ad@m** » Fri Nov 20, 2020 10:08 am

I'll be getting that 12 PRO Max for sure.

Have you purchased it yet?

Postby **Morkle** » Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:44 pm

I'll be getting that 12 PRO Max for sure.
Have you purchased it yet?

oops, so I stayed with the 12 Pro. Love it.

Postby **tjand72** » Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:31 pm

Does anyone have experience with non-ISP VOIP options like Ooma, Magic Jack, etc.? I'm looking to get a "landline" for emergencies, but I'll be damned if I'm paying Comcast whatever it is they charge.

Postby **dodint** » Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:34 pm

Blah, the phone I bought on Fi last week is now half off. Lame.

Postby **NTP66** » Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:42 pm

Does anyone have experience with non-ISP VOIP options like Ooma, Magic Jack, etc.? I'm looking to get a "landline" for emergencies, but I'll be damned if I'm paying Comcast whatever it is they charge.

I don't know how helpful this is, but before I got a better deal with VOIP through FiOS, I was on Vonage for over a decade. They were terrific, and I'd go back again if I needed to.

Postby **eddy** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 8:33 am

Blah, the phone I bought on Fi last week is now half off. Lame.

You have 30 days to send the phone back. I would just contact them and they should hook you up with a price difference. If not, cancel and purchase the new one at half off

Postby **nocera** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:33 am

Comcast Prepares to Screw Over Millions With Data Caps in 2021
https://gizmodo.com/comcast-prepares-to ... MZjxvO-qS4

Postby **NTP66** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:40 am

That's been a long time coming. Thank the FCC and their incompetent and corrupt leadership.

Postby **nocera** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:42 am

So Comcast took too long to implement it, and since Ajit Pai is likely gone soon that means the FCC can put a stop to it? Comcast lol.

Also, I don't have Comcast but seriously **** Comcast.

Postby **NTP66** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:47 am

They can. Will they? Broadband internet is no longer a commodity, and shouldn't be treated as such. There's also the issue of monopolies that they simply don't care about (unless your name is Microsoft or Google).

Postby **eddy** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:48 am

I don't think I've gone over 800gb/month this year, so if I can stay at that during a quarantine, I should be fine. I still hate it though

Postby **Viva la Ben** » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:48 am

I’m extremely luck to live in an area with access to Verizon Fios. I’ve been internet only for over 5 years.
Fios doesn’t have a data cap. All of the streaming services and gaming would blow out 1.2gigs a month.