I am still not entirely sure what transcoding is to be honest. I understand what it supposedly does, but I have no idea if either my NAS or the TV is doing it and when.
I ditched this idea anyway though. It's a shame, but if it wouldn't work too well with FreeNAS, what can I do. And since it's apparently the best software out there, I am not interested in scouting for alternatives.
Transcoding is the action of changing the video/audio/resolution format/codec of a video file when the original format (stored on your NAS for instance) cannot be played natively by the device you're streaming to. This operation is a little CPU intensive. As a rule of thumb, consider about 2000 of Passmark score to transcode a 1080p file.
Media servers (such as Plex) are popular among NAS users and since you never specified how you wanted to use your NAS (which should be really clearly stated), I assumed you may want to host a media server as well.
Yes, the shipping is a bunny, and on top of that it seems like there are no used boards available either. All of the Supermicro boards I found on Ebay were brand new, which sucks (and I kind of settled on X11SSM-F, which is not exactly super old too, but I just don't feel like old sockets).
edit: Noone seems to be selling any of this used over here. It's not like Ebay is full of it either. I guess people are holding onto the server hardware for a LONG time before they let it go.
The Supermicro X11SSM-F is a great board, very popular among FreeNAS users (I am seriously considering it myself). But it is a recent board. Few chances you'll find it second hand for cheap. Look at X9 or X10 boards from Supermicro. They have been popular and many people still use them today. Check
@Ericloewe hardware guide (
@Chris Moore signature -> Useful Links) if you haven't already. Also, you probably need to do some more reading about FreeNAS, the hardware and storage strategies, check the forum resources section and check again
@Chris Moore signature, he has done a great job gathering everything.
Also,
check this shop, they're in Bavaria, not too fare from Czech Republic after all! They have lot's of great hardware and their prices are pretty decent.
FWIW, I'm considering the
X10SDV-2C-7TP4F from Supermicro. 2x10Gbit SFP+ support on board, relatively low power consumption, high potential clock speed for SMB happiness, IPMI on board, LSI 16-channel SAS controller, 2xSATADOM ports, one m.2 port at PCIe 3.0x4 and one SATA m.2 port at PCIe 2.0x1. Seems like a pretty ideal SoHo rig.
Those Mini-ITX boards embedding those Xeon D and those 10Gbit controllers are pure dope! They are pricey though :-/
Just wanted to chime in here with my build. Check my sig.
I love it. So compact and yet so productive. Those AsRock boards are hard to find at reasonable prices here in Europe though :-( They're more expensive than µATX boards with similar (or more) features and I can't find any second-hand on Ebay at reasonable prices.[/QUOTE]
Sorry, I feel like an idiot now.
Those "ports" use some power by themselves?
Also on the site you linked, I can't find anything with RJ45 but one product that cost $200. That certainly isn't something I'd buy.
SFP+ is used widely in the industry to plug optical transceivers that translate some electronic signals into optical signals (and reversely) blasted in optical fibers. As
@Constantin mentioned it, we're talking campus/factory/hospital grade infrastructure here. Then again, I don't know exactly what you're trying to achieve with your NAS but I'm ready to bet that you won't need optical technology.
SFP+ is great because the 10GBe optical transceivers out there (used OEM or new generic) are really inexpensive and connecting long distances via fiber is relatively simple; just keep track of what type fiber and transceivers you’re using.
Every person who is not familiar with fiber optics technology and may consider going optical in its network should read that last recommendation slowly, many times. Signed: some guy whose employer renovate existing optical LAN.
