Hardware-based video decoding alternatives for headless servers
Hardware-based video decoding alternatives for headless servers
I operate a Plex server in a closet and need an inexpensive way to decode newer video formats like HEVC. Looking for budget-friendly hardware solutions that don’t require a premium video card. Any suggestions or alternatives exist? Should there be affordable dedicated encode/decode devices suitable for general use, not just security cameras?
Nvidia Tesla is an older model. If you're not concerned about noise levels, that's fine. I've heard about people using Nvidia Quadro K2000, K2200, M2000, and P2000 in Plex servers—maybe one of those would suit you. The P2000 seems to be the top choice. However, if you prefer something more affordable, the Quadro K620 is a reasonable alternative.
I run a GTX 960 with 4GB of RAM and have managed 4 streams simultaneously without issues. I’m not sure about HEVC, but the chart here might be useful. https://www.elpamsoft.com/?p=Plex-Hardware-Transcoding
K620 lacks hardware decoding for HEVC (H.265). However, the assistance with the rubber ducky debug was appreciated. You can check a resource for hardware transcoding support per video card here: https://www.elpamsoft.com/?p=Plex-Hardware-Transcoding
Quadro P400s offer reasonable pricing on the used market and support NVENC for H.265. Nvidia provides detailed information about encoding and decoding features on their support page: https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encod...matrix-new. For more insights, check the Plex Hardware Transcoding guide: https://www.elpamsoft.com/?p=Plex-Hardware-Transcoding. If you're looking for savings, an older Tesla card can provide strong performance at a low cost—Tesla M40 models are essentially Maxwell Titan Xs and often available under $150 on US eBay.
It assisted in identifying the right person to reach out to about their old GPU.
It seems you need to stick strictly to the PCIe power supply. I don’t have any extra power available—it’s an old Dell tower I found for $50 at a thrift shop. The 4th generation i7 still performs well. A Quadro P400 might offer the best overall value for this setup. Added extra details on April 19, 2022 by TO_Techy.