Streaming video with the mini

[nyfirefy11]

Hey! I just got a new 2010 mini to use for some web development, as well as a media streamer for my tv.

I want to be able to stream standard and HD mkv/h.264 video from either the internal HD, external HD, or my server.

Obviously, the internal HD should work well...my question is, would it be faster to stream from an external HD or my server? The server and mini are wired into the network via Gbit ethernet, and the external would be USB (or it could be FW800 if that would make a difference).

I'm going to use Plex as the front-end.

Any thoughts?
Thx!

 

[Wavell]

Hey! I just got a new 2010 mini to use for some web development, as well as a media streamer for my tv.

I want to be able to stream standard and HD mkv/h.264 video from either the internal HD, external HD, or my server.

Obviously, the internal HD should work well...my question is, would it be faster to stream from an external HD or my server? The server and mini are wired into the network via Gbit ethernet, and the external would be USB (or it could be FW800 if that would make a difference).

I'm going to use Plex as the front-end.

Any thoughts?
Thx!

Hi,
In my experience it will only be as fast as the slowest link in the chain. If you're hosting your media files on an external HDD (for example) then the slowest link will probably be the connectivity between the HDD and whatever machine will be streaming the media (in your case, USB most likely). Either way, whatever you choose to elect [given your existing setup], then I don't foresee any issues streaming at least 1080p, however you choose to do it.

I stream 1080p media via a mac mini and a firewired DRobo (external HDD array) with no issues