Hardware recommendation

Currently I use a HP Mini desk running at 2.6 quad core for channels and a 6 core for my plex server. I'd like to drop the channels computer to save some money if i can on electricity or is it best to keep it how i have it? all content is saved on a 500gig ssd thats external. So far channels has saved me so much money on box rental and dvr costs, but there's always more to be gained. So as a whole should i try to switch and if so what to? Nvidia shield or ??

If you're already running a server for Plex maybe it makes sense to run Channels on there too.

do you think it can handle the load between the two? Never thought of that but i worry about over load on it...

I don't know how much you use Plex and what kind of content it has etc, but you can check the CPU usage and see what it is normally like.

hmmm good idea...i can back it up and try it on there...i usually use the plex for movies and as a backup recorder for over the air content for the wife in case my other cpu goes down...

I run Plex and Channels on the same machine (and older 5th gen Core i3). I also use it for my UniFi controller and UNMS, and Home Assistant. While I have 8GB of RAM, usage rarely jumps above 1.5-2GB.

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Thank you all...so the channels server is running an I5-6500T quad core at 2.5 gig...i think its 5th gen...its also got the highest ram at 16gig...with a 1tb SSD

That's plenty. (And a 6th gen processor, as indicated by the first digit of the model number.) I would recommend keeping the recordings on an external spinning disk hard drive. I've never had an issue with the machine not being enough for serving video files or recording TV.

Thank you all. I'm going to shift my plex server over and see what happens when i go to the gym and remotely play a movie and try and record using channels...

TIL

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I had to look that one up. TIL = Today I Learned.

From my machines,

  • Current Channels server, i3-5010U – 5th Gen Core processor
  • Current laptop, i5-8250U – 8th Gen Core processor
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Very True..every day is a learning experience and today i learned about intel processors...;o)

Thought about starting a new thread but figured I should post in an old one.

I'm thinking about jumping into a diy security system / home automation, and figured it should probably run channels too. Have all that stuff on one machine. I'm still on the research part of this, so if I'm off base with this, or just plain stupid please say so.

I was thinking MotionEye for the security system (max 2 outdoor cams and a doorbell, the doorbell and one cam will be near each other, so maybe just 2 cams, unless having the doorbell is something I need), and Home Assistant to build the routines / automations. Honestly I don't know what I need, I never jumped into the smart stuff, cause I figured people will try to hack my home and cut the stove on, unlock the doors, set off the fire alarm, and raise up the heat. Have a nice message telling me to go F myself.

I was thinking an older NUC (off eBay) with Ubuntu and docker. Run everything in containers. MotionEye, Home Assistant, Channels, Pluto, and Stirr. missing anything? And since I'm going the docker route, this could all run on a NAS as well, but I think I want the more power from a NUC. The goal is headless, with VNC.

The extent of the smart stuff here so far is an ecobee 3 lite, a nest detect (the smoke alarm), a eufy vacuum, and a litter robot. Once I get this all setup, I'll start adding more smart stuff, I'll probably change out all the outlets so I can control dumb stuff.

Any suggestions?

I heard good things about https://blakeblackshear.github.io/frigate/ (from @jnewland)

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That's exactly what I'm looking for. All I need the cameras to do is motion detection, and record during motion. 4k Poe cams are cheap enough I'll probably go with some type of that.

So I'm guessing the most cpu intensive stuff will be the motion processing, and channels remote viewing. Think a 5th or 6th gen i5 nuc will handle all that without issues?

This is tempting...

But this would be more practical

Heads up if you buy the NUC 9. Update the firmware ASAP, especially if you plan to run Linux. The unit I got was nothing but trouble until I upgraded the firmware. WiFi and Bluetooth barely worked. Once it was upgraded, it's quite an amazing machine.

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