Dedicated Win10 Server, Win10 File Server or Unraid Docker for Channels DVR?

Channels DVR Server
#1

I am trying to reduce the number of computers running in my home by possibly consolidating a file server and the Channels DVR. I presently have an Unraid file server (running no dockers or VMs), a Windows 10 + Stablebit Drivepool file server and a Win10 Channels DVR Server. Can someone recommend whether I keep things the same (dedicated Channels Server) or move Channels to either the Win10 file server or Unraid Docker?

Although the file servers normally don't get heavy traffic, I am concerned that if someone were to perform large file transfers or a PC backup while shows are recording or being watched (either via TVEverywhere or HDHR), then that would cause issues with the video streaming or recording. Is there any way to prioritize the DVR processes/packets over others?

All servers have gigabit ethernet. I am also wondering if there are any hidden issues with the docker vs running a windows version of Channels (easier updates, maintenance, etc.). Would there be any way to pass through a dedicated NIC to the Unraid Channels Docker to separate DVR network traffic from file accesses?

The Unraid is currently running on a Pentium G3220, the Channels server on a core i3 4340 and the Win10 server has a core i3 4370. If I consolidate, then the Unraid server will upgrade to the core i3 4340. Thanks in advance for any insights.

#2

I am using channels DVR on a Win Server 2019 with 64gb ram and dual xeon processors and I still had problems with glitches and dropouts. I ended up finding that drivepool does not like sustained writes and access, in order to reduce those glitches I removed the dvr drive from the pool and it improved substantially. My system also runs a Emby server, and a Home assistant VM running under hyper v.

So my only suggestion is to avoid your dvr storage being a part of a pooled drive.

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#3

I've only been using Channels DVR for a short time, but I'm running on my Open Media Vault server running as a Docker container alongside my other containers (Home Assistant, MotionEye, Node Red, Pluto TV for channels, and others). I've replaced my SageTV Docker with Channels DVR and I could not be happier. Have not noticed any problems or hiccups. I'm using Amazon Fire Sticks on the TVs as the main clients. I don't have a lot of concurrent watching but when I do there is still no problem.

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#4

I may be helpful on this point :slight_smile:

I moved from the now defunct FlexRAID software to stablebit on win 8.1 then 10 - i had storage that was at least 4-10 drives that entire time - main reason for usage was plex and continues to be

In 2019 i made the transition to Unraid - I will not say moving the files to unraid was easy - but it was well worth the time

I have much much much less maintenance and more reliability using containers vs natively installed programs on windows. You don't get weird interactions nor do you get issues with programs losing their storage

I would highly recommend moving to unraid and using containers - I would combine all of your devices into one - i previously had one unraid machine that did storage and one that did containers and it was kind of a huge pita

#5

To help i run a rather ancient e5-1620v3 and i have multiple plex server, a channels server, homeassistant, multiple channel containers, xteve, and on and on running

I would think that an i3-4370 is too old to do this properly though - i used to run an i5-3570k and i wouldn't use that for anything today

I also run a p2000 for the transcoding duties - in a lower cpu powered server it takes a lot of pressure off the cpu so it can better handle everything else and keeps transcoding in multiple containers and processes to realtime

#6

Thanks for the replies - I also have an old i5-3570K, but have decided to not use any Intel hardware that doesn't have both VT-x and VT-d features for Dockers/VMs - Unfortunately today, while working on the servers, I found out my Windows 10 Channels DVR hard drive was failing, so, in the short term I have moved Channels to the Win 10 server (on a non drivepool drive) but long term, after some learning and a motherboard upgrade, I am going to try moving to the Unraid server - I'll probably keep the 2nd Win10 server for a while because it has a bunch of hard drives with different sizes - that's kind of an issue with Unraid - it seems to make sense to not have a large differential between the Parity Drive size and the array data drives