Some basic questions

Channels DVR Server
#1

So I got remote access working so my parents can watch my DVR stuff. AWESOME by the way thank you so much. That brings me to my first question.
I use a raspi 4b+ 4gb Ram as my server with 2tb External HD. I have gigabit internet and its wired into router.

A. I use it and my parents use it, would it overload it or bottleneck it if my sister in another location uses it too? is there a limit?
B. Is there a limit to how many cable subscriptions I can have logged in to it? Like Locast, Dish, and Youtube TV (live)?
C.. To build off that, are there profiles like netflix or Hulu and Amazon have?
D. What determines if its too much like my RAM or my internet speed, so how many shows can record at once on it?
E. Im looking to expand my storage what, using a raspi, I want a HD that has an alternate power source, any suggestions? does a NAS HD work good for this?

#2

Your rpi can probably only transcode 1 stream at a time. This is the most limiting factor to remote access.

#3

Would an actual computer work better then?

#4

For transcoding yes... but you need something pretty high end if you are regularly doing more than a couple 1080p simultaneously. I hear the Mac Mini M1 would do more than 4 simultaneously... but I don't know first hand, I don't have one.

#5

I have a Dell server so if need be ill use that. Any idea on other questions?

#6

bottleneck is the number of transcodes your server can do simultaneously. You may be able to get more if you lower the quality.

no. if you have a subscription for it and the dvr supports it, you can add it. Can also add services that don't require subscription, such a Pluto TV, using the m3u feature.

no

bottleneck here is disk I/O.... ie: how fast your drive can write all these high-bitrate recordings simultaneously.

Fastest interface for to connect to the rpi is USB3. So get a large, fast, usb3 drive.

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#7

Not sure about that. My 2012 Mac Mini I've seen doing 12 recordings simultaneously, streaming to several Apple TVs, and processing commercials, and I'm just using USB3 drives. I wouldn't think a half dozen people watching would cause more disk load.

#8

If he has gigabit internet up and down (like fios) then transcoding shouldn't be needed.

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#9

I was thinking it was remote viewing through a web browser... which will always transcode. If not a web browser, If he has gigabit up/down and his sister has this also... and his parents... and they are all using AppleTVs with his Channels account, maybe it could work... It may still need to transcode though for some circumstances.

#10

Well, it could be any number of bottlenecks. But say you got 2 HDHR Quatros. That gonna give you 8 high-bitrate streams. This still won't come close to maxing out a gigabit network connection. You can then add some TVE streams... these are low bitrate, won't come close to maxing out a gigabit internet connection. So that bottleneck is unlikely. If you look at the load averages on your server, the majority of it is I/O wait due to drive access, comskip, processing guides and recordings.
And all of this uses minimal RAM and CPU.
I'm not saying hitting any bottleneck is common, but I think the I/O wait is gonna be above a watchable level before gigabit network becomes saturated.

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#11

I have 2 HDHR Quatrros and multiple TVE streams, and so I have the exact scenario you are describing. Remember that each streaming box will only have a single stream. Much of the load for me is in recording, and that is all on the local network. So if you had 2 or 3 streams going outbound, I don't know that it would overload anything. But you do need sufficient ISP and especially upstream bandwidth that is uncapped, or you'd have a problem. I have uncapped gigabit. I've not ever tried to do remote viewing but am tempted to give it a try with a couple of my adult children. I could setup a streaming box and give it to them and I'm sure they'd be happy to give it a try. I just don't have the time right now to do it.

#12

Yes the other parties have 300 or better internet and its not web browsing its thru the channels dvr app. I'm using a 2tb usb3.0 HD now for the server/storage. All are not recorded shows prob won't be any TVE

#13

Must say with only my raspi 4b+ 4gb ram and usb3.0 extended HD im pumped all 3 people can watch recorded shows at once. Such an easy and cheap set up ill probably get more storage sooner than later like a 8tb

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#14

In the Apple TV Client you can set ORIGINAL in the Stream Quality. With Gigabit Internet you want to stop transcoding if you can. Also, it would good if your streams were MPEG4 instead of MPEG2 if possible.

#15

We tried YTTV after Uverse and before Channels, and the idea of unlimited DVR is what resulted in me recording so much stuff. Drive space is cheap so I just set everything to record that I think I might want to watch, so we can commercial skip all the time.

#16

Well now that this can work for my parents and sister I'm sure like 5 shows a day will be recorded but did what you did and just started recording anything interesting. 2tb isn't going to be enough tho lol

#17

Every time I have ever used the remote viewing on an Apple TV, I was either at a hotel or an Airbnb... basically was taking my ATV with me for a temporary stay somewhere. All of the main channels I watch are high-bitrate mpeg2 Baltimore OTA... ranging from 10-20 mbps per channel. Even with gigabit at my home, I have never been at any hotel or temporary stay location where I was able to remote view without transcoding. It's just something to keep in mind if your channels are high-bitrate. I wouldn't count on original quality working 100% of the time.