NAS vs RasPi for Pluto M3U Channels Plex M3U Channels

Channels DVR Server
#1

My Nvidia Shield TV Pro gave up and died so rather than replace it or wait for the next gen or another Android box looking where to run the DVR Server next
NAS $400+/-
RasPi5 $150+/-
Have GTVWCC, FireSticks and Stream4K Dongles on TVs around the house

-I don't have any library of stored movies or TV saved on a hard drive

-Looking to continue the Watch Live/DVR option for Antenna OTA TV plus Cable TVE (Did this on Nvidia Shield Pro, now temp on my laptop)

-Now want to add M3U channels and Create a a Guide Collection to Watch/DVR the Live Channels from Pluto/Plex Live Channels

Does Tubi Live Channels or other free live services do M3U?

Not quite sure how to do it but have been perusing the directions and looks doable at my skill level

Could a Rasberry Pi5 with an External Hard Drive do all this if only bought for this purpose or do I need to get a NAS for the M3U stuff

Do I need an NAS to accomplish this or will the Pi do it?
Even if I can't do the M3U on RasPi- Is the Pi with an External Hard Drive as good as my previous Nvidia Shield Pro with External Hard Drive as a DVR Server?

Thanks for your help!

#2

No.
Look for an n95/n100 Beelink on Amazon. They run from $120-$160 depending on current coupons. This is probably the best deal atm N100 but next week you might find an n95 for $110

Ditch the windows and install Ubuntu(server if you know Linux or desktop if you are a Linux novice) and use your external hard drive if you need more storage than the Beelink has. Here is a useful thread for that. Beelink Ubuntu

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#3

If you don't know Linux, Windows will run channels server just fine. I agree with Rice recommendation for mini PC.

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#4

Fantastic Thanks for the recommendations! I will go this direction. Have played with Linux before and have a few programmer friends well versed in it.

Thanks again,

Mark

#5

Perfect thanks for the recommendation!

#6

Hadn't been back in awhile but wanted to update.

I purchased a Beelink N100 16GB Ram 500GB SSD and run my Channels DVR through there and adding Pluto M3U works awesome. Experimenting with PlayOn Home version on the Beelink as well.

Running everything on the Windows software it came with for now.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

#7

Good Choice has enough fast USB 3.2 Ports if you ever want to add more storage for the DVR.

#8

Is there a USB 3.2 hard drive enclosure y'all would recommend to work with the Bee Link?

#9

I usually look for the ones that Support UASP

Amazon.com: SABRENT USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Docking Station for 2.5" or 3.5"' HDD, SSD [Support UASP] (EC-UBLB) : Electronics

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#10

I got one of these recently

EDIT: Going to return this one. It doesn't turn on by default after power loss.

#11

here is a 4 bay one not enclosed ...

Amazon.com: SABRENT Docking Station SSD/External Hard Disk/HDD 2.5/3.5 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 1, 4 Slots for SSD/HDD, with Power Supply and Fan, for SATA SSD/HDD, with 4 Separate ON/Off switches (DS-U3B4) : Electronics

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