What hardware actually works well for the DVR?

Channels DVR Server
#15

OS: I've run a home lab for a few years, Linux and Windows (2016), used mostly for streaming and storage server services. I agree with VTTOM, Linux (I also use Ubuntu, free) has been rock solid. IMHO keep the server that is running Channels as slim as possible. I don't install add ons/apps, use command line for config and WinSCP/FTP client for file transfers. Unless an app/package/add on is needed to run Channels, I don't install it.
VM: I'm a believer in virtualizing. Troubleshooting, backups, reinstalls, restarts, alternate access. I run everything in a virtualized environment. For me VMWare ESXI has proven to be rock solid. (I hear Linux has some built in virtualizing options but I have not used it). ESXI takes very little of the CPU, ram and disk space to run. VMWare has a feature limited free version I use.
Hardware: I look for used servers that are selling on the cheap (or that rare super sale for new). You want a solid CPU(tougher to expand CPU). Other than that it just needs good expansion capability. You add ram and disk drives as it becomes needed. I was able to score fairly barebones Dell T30s on the cheap (had to be patient and wait for right deal). I populated the second RAM bank when it became needed. I've added 2 hard drives since I bought them (t has room for 4 hard drives). (note, T30s aren't officially supported on ESXI but I haven't had issue even when updating the Bios).

I don't know which was is cheaper but it probably is cheaper to go with a NUC or NAS. But i prefer the expansion capability and better flexibility of a server that can utilize VMs.

#16

Separate power supply or USB power HDD?

#17

Thank you for everyone's input. Based on use cases mention that would tax a ShieldTV I'm no where near that. I am seeing issues with just one recording task running while watching one recording on a single device not using transcoding. I just went and got a different HDD that is self powered (switched from WD My Passport to My Book. Transferring files now and then will attempt to break it and see what happens.

Previously I was running the DVR on a MiBox3 with an external HDD on USB 2.0 and it was able to handle ~6 recordings while watching 3 with minimal issues. I'm hoping the HDD fixes this. If not I will probably just get one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/ACEPC-Celeron-Computer-Graphics-Ethernet/dp/B07KSV7XZY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=micro+pc&qid=1608354529&s=electronics&sr=1-4

And then rip the casing off my My Passport and stick it in there.

#18

Is it a 3.5in desktop HDD inside? or is it one of those smaller 2.5in portable My Passport drives.

Note that many of the portable 2.5in My Passports are not SATA drives inside but instead WD uses a PCB board that is direct to USB on the hard drive itself, making it impossible to use in a normal computer via sata.

#19

Separate.

#20

Ok it hasn't been running for long (~20minutes), but am now using a powered 3.5" HDD. Currently recording 8 shows (4 OTA, 4 TVE) and watching recordings on 3 devices (the ShieldTV and 2 Chromecasts). I am not getting any stuttering or buffering errors in the log. :crossed_fingers:

3 Likes
#21

Sorry GettMatt, this might not be relevant to you, but it might just help someone else:-
2019 iMac desktop with an external 1TB USB 3 HDD drive works well, even when running comskip on 2 channels at the same time (CPU load ~45% - 3.6 Quad-Core i3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD). The only issue is that I need to be logged in, but "Sleep" seems to wake-up when a recording starts...

#22

I'm running an old dell pc with an i5 sandy bridge processor. 8 GB of ram 128ssd and 10TB nas drive. Windows 10

I also put a Nvidia P2000 in the pc to be able to hardware transcode more than 1 stream at a time.

This setup is simple and very easy to set up and maintain.

#23

I have mine running on the Synology DS418play and never had any problems. I set my mom up with a 2012 MacMini as her server which also works great.

1 Like
#24

I have mine running on a Synology DS1019+ and it has 0 issues working for our family of 5.

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#25

The Raspberry Pi setup is (for me) the absolute best. A dedicated little $100 setup that works flawlessly. I was running my whole setup off my Synology NAS but wanted to lighten the load. I couldn't believe the Pi could handle it but figured for the cost, I'd try. Seriously one of the best investments I've made. The Pi is housed in a Flirc case and is feeding a 2TB WD USB3 drive. It has not had one issue and is as fast (or faster) than my NAS. Amazing.

2 Likes
#26

It would be interesting to compare how the Pi compares with an old (2012 in my case) Mac Mini that a lot of people seem to use for Channels. I'm up to 3 external 10TB drives now and have a lot of recordings going.

#27

Off subject but I would like to know what the heck you are recording!

#28

I think he's a Moving Image (Video) Archivist. He's got a ways to go to catchup with The Internet Archive's 45+ Petabytes.

Figured I should add this so it doesn't seem off-topic. I run Channels DVR Server on two Synology NAS's.

1 Like
#29

I'm treating it similar to YTTV as "unlimited" DVR. All the series we watch I just set to All-All passes so I always have commercial skip available. I'm also building a library of movies. And for some older series that aren't aired anymore I'm building them up. I've pruned a few that I realize we aren't going to watch. My thinking is that if we eventually get rid of some of the paid services for a while, that we'll have a good library of content to watch. Its pretty inexpensive and just requires a little manual copying of content from one drive to the other.

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#30

I thought I could run the Channels DVR app on my NAS (MyCloud) but the performance was terrible. I ended up using the NAS for just that - a NAS. I run the Channels app on a dedicated mini-PC running Win10Pro. I set that up months ago and it runs just great.

The learning curve on all this was significant but once setup, I am off cable, and off TiVo. I have an HDHomeRun as one of my sources. My guess is that I spent less that $600 for all the hoopla to get this setup, but I am saving on cable and TiVo monthly charges so these initial costs will paid back quickly.

BTW, none of this is particularly difficult, but discovering and learning the details can be trying.

#31

Keep in mind that the 2012 Mac mini can only run MacOS up to 10.15 (Catalina), so at some point in the not too distant future, updates and security fixes are going to be deprecated for that machine. Those looking to go the Mac mini route should probably only consider 2014 or newer machines. I just picked up a 2014 mini with 8GB and a 1TB HDD for about $300.

#32

This. Not only is my Synology running great with four users, but it's running Plex flawlessly as well. Synology is very well supported and a great choice for an always-on media server.

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#33

True, but the 2012 Mac Mini is still getting updates on the 2 versions prior to Catalina, so it will be some time before its dropped entirely. I just upgraded to Mojave last week so I could run Docker. My reason for mentioning 2012 is that if it will run on the cheapest 2012 model, then anything newer should be fine. I already had this one and wasn't using it. If I was going to buy one, I think your advise is good. Unfortunately these old Macs carry high resale value compared to old PCs.

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#34

I have a 2012 MAC Mini also, with High Sierra, and all im running is PLEX and the Channels DVR software. Ive never sat down to load the system down, but i can stream PLEX to 2 or 3 tv's and record from Channels DVR with no issues. The MAC Mini is a real workhorse, even as it ages. Seldom ever gives me issues.