Yeah even with 5g on my phone ... I still have to transcode some OTA streams.
I think the updated video drivers may have helped, but only using the old transcoder option. CPU is still at 100%, but the GPU is about 50% (only 17% without the old transcoder setting), and seems to play without skipping. I'll see if that does it the next time I'm out of town.
BTW, I do want to reduce video quality when viewing away from home because I want to limit Hotspot data. My home upload speed is 25 Mbps.
BTW, thanks for the speedy replies--not expected. Over on the HDHomerun forums the responses are very slow, if at all.
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You should really think about getting a different server. Sounds like anything cheap would be an upgrade over what you have now
Yes, but other than this it's exactly what I need. A low power device with built in battery backup which takes up almost no space. But upgrading another computer and transferring that over is an option.
You should think about an intel nuc off of ebay or there was another option with something in the same type form factor that was pretty cheap. I cant remember the model though.
The old transcoder uses the exact same encoding system, so it should not produce different CPU utilization. Can you try turning off the old transcoder again and see how it performs?
It was a difference in GPU utilization, not CPU. And yes I just toggled it on and off and saw the difference again. But isn't more GPU utilization a good thing?
BTW, I'm no longer sure it's CPU utilization that is the problem. When I ran that test comskip was using a ton of CPU percentage and I could get smooth video.
One change I just made is moving from Windows Defender to Panda because I noted AVComparative tested WD and found it to be slow. It was taking up about 5-10 percent of CPU while remote viewing. Panda doesn't seem to take up any CPU during remote viewing.
Finally, is there a reason my remote viewing would be smoother using Channels for Android remotely than using the Chrome Browser on my home network? That seems odd.
That doesn't have a built in battery. I want to save my UPS power for my tuner, etc.
honestly it consumes so little anyway that it will probably not make much of a dent honestly.
but you say this:
One change I just made is moving from Windows Defender to Panda because I noted AVComparative tested WD and found it to be slow. It was taking up about 5-10 percent of CPU while remote viewing. Panda doesn't seem to take up any CPU during remote viewing.
You should seriously think about installing Ubuntu server, barebones, no Ubuntu Desktop with a gui. you will regain 20+% resources by not having to fool with AV and windows updates and crap like that.
Yes I should. I did install Ubuntu years ago and really didn't like it, but it would be perfect for this use. My only concern is the learning curve since I've forgotten basically everything.
The reason I asked about ChromeOS is I recently installed that on an even weaker old laptop and the difference was amazing. That though is more user friendly.
Its not bad once its set up its oretty much set and forget it. Also there are a bunch of youtube videos that can help. Plus a bunch of us here on the forum can assist you as well.
How much more would having the desktop version slow things down?
Not much at all my test machine resides on UBUNTU Desktop. My main server which is an I7 resides on UBUNTU Server.
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I think my tangential question may have been overlooked. Why would I get smoother video watching remotely using Channels for Android than watching over my home network using the Chrome browser? Assume my home network is faster than my phone's 5G connection.
Your Phone Hardware decoder is probably better than the Chrome Browser.
Based on that response I decided to check for the browser's settings, and hardware acceleration if available was checked. Unchecking the box fixed the issue.
Rather obviously I don't watch much on my browser! But that's due to seating comfort. 
Well, I have a simple solution. I'd thought I'd gone through my entire collection of computers, but forgot an 8th Generation i3 notebook I seldom use. The DVR netbook will serve the function of the little used i3 notebook, the main disadvantage being a smaller keyboard. Just have to switch over tomorrow when nothing will be recording. That will be easier than installing a new OS.
Not sure what the idle power draw is on the i3--the battery is only slightly larger.
Again, thanks for all your help.