Which server to choose for home?

Question

Video

Greetings.
I am doing home repairs, I want to install a server at home.
The following is required:
1. Recently discovered Plex in conjunction with Apple TV. I want to install Plex on the server to broadcast series and movies on TV
2. Video surveillance. Video hard disk recording.
Preferably the smallest case size.
What to take? how much RAM, what processor, do you need a video card?
A separate question - if apple tv is connected to a computer via ethernet, will it see the server? Or just via wifi?
Thanks

Answer 1

I will answer in order.
What to take?
There are 2 options here:
1) Choose something ready-made like Synology or Qnap.
2) Collect the iron yourself.
In the first case, everything will be assembled neatly, beautifully and compactly. The app stores will have apps that are ready to install and optimized for the system. But the upgrade is not provided or is very limited, and the price tag is very high.
In the second case, you will have to select the hardware and software yourself, focusing on the budget, needs and your knowledge. The price can range from "practically for nothing, from what was in the closet" to "for that kind of money you could buy something branded", it all depends on the requirements for performance, noise, design, etc.
How to decide on the characteristics?
When choosing a hardware configuration, first of all, you need to understand the set of functions that you want to receive from the server.
If you only need a plex and an apple tv, then a simple atom with passive cooling will suffice. Quiet and not expensive. In this case, the operative is not particularly affordable, so you should not skimp, but it makes no sense to take a lot. 4 GB just right.
If you like high quality video or the server will have to decode the stream to several devices, then it's better to add a video card. The advantage of self-assembly is that you can collect everything without it, and then add it if you feel the need for it.
WiFi or Wire?
In such a case, always prefer wire. For the system, it does not matter on what medium information is transmitted - only its characteristics are important. Noise immunity, throughput, delays. In all cases, a quality wire wins. In addition, if you lay a wire, and then decide to switch to wi-fi, you can easily do it. With wi-fi, switching to wire requires a lot of effort to neatly lay the wire over the repair, which is not always possible.

Answer 2

If you need the smallest case, then you need a mini-ITX form factor with a normal socket, for example 1151 (for example, ASRock H110M-ITX / AC), put i3 there (boxed, so as not to look for a cooler of the right size) 4GB for plex should be enough ( better 8). case (for example, AeroCool CS-101) will have to look for everything to fit. hdd for 2-3tb.