Mini pc as server

[sgar75]

Hi there, i am new to Nextpvr, just managed to install server on my main Aio Dell pc to able to record and using a dedicated android tv box as client with Kodi addon for live tv and set recording and all seams working fine however i would like to get a dedicated mini pc instead to free my main pc, any cheap recommendations? Also using postprocessing comskip does need lots of resources? Thanks. Luca.

[mvallevand]

The cheapest solutions are probably refurbished PC's. The NUC style Intel N95, N100 and even N5xx sub $200 PC's are all really good for Linux or Windows, they are worth the small amount over an N3xx. models.

CPU is not important for direct play Kodi clients on Android but you probably want more CPU with h/w transcoding if you use the Web client at all, and if want to use UI clients that use thumbnails, they can be useful. I am not a RPi fanboy but for a server if your needs are not heavy they are OK too.

If you want to use the server as a client things like noise and size are factors as well as the potential aesthetics of an octopus of USB devices. Disk storage is probably more important then CPU. You need to decide if you want to use internal tuners and internal HDD, SSD or NVMe storage. HDDs are cheap so use bigger drivers rather than thinking of saving space by transcoding. Some NUC style devices limit the internal drive size. Of course external USB drives and network drives are also possible.

Comskip does use CPU but faster disk also play a big role in the speed and the impact on server resources. If you only use Kodi definitely turn off thumbnail and timing file generation.

If you run Windows and not Linux you can reduce power usage because it can sleep when not being used and have Kodi issue the WOL for playback.

Martin

[sgar75]

Thanks for the info, i definitely not doing any web client nor transcoding, i guess some issues only with comskip.