Plex media server on ReadyNAS Ultra 4.

The_Garden_Snake wrote:
So if i convert my media to the correct format it should play ok? Even outside my LAN (as long as my connection is good enough)? When i play media on my LAN i usually have an laptop connected to my tv. This usually works fine. Even when playing HD movies. Would that be because the laptop is doing the transcoding?

I think you are confused on what transcoding is.

Transcoding is converting your media to (a) a lower bitrate, (b) a lower resolution, (c) a different compression method.

You need to transcode for two basic reasons. Either your player can't play the media (because it is beyond its spec), or your network can't carry the media to the player (because it is too high a bitrate).

If you are connecting your laptop to the TV using HDMI, there is no transcoding being done. The laptop is just playing the movie, and outputting to the TV.

You can convert the media off-line, using tools on your PC. Then store the converted copy on the NAS. That will certainly work on your NAS, but it takes more space to save media in multiple formats.

Or you can convert "on the fly", which is a feature of Plex. That often needs a fast CPU. It might work on the ultra, or it might not - it depends on exactly what you are transcoding from, and what you are transcoding to.

mdgm's advice is correct (as usual!). Try it first, if it doesn't work try installing plex on reasonably fast PC and see if it works better. When you say "lag", are you meaning that the video is stuttering/pausing, or that there is a delay before playback starts up?