It’s quite challenging to run a NAS streaming movies over a 100 Mbps connection.
It’s quite challenging to run a NAS streaming movies over a 100 Mbps connection.
I understand you're questioning why such a basic question shows up here. Honestly, I’m prepared for that (theoretical limits are around 12.5 MB/s, which is enough to handle even a decent local server). Still, I’m interested in what it’s really like if someone faced something similar. I’ve got existing components—an 8-port switch—and I’m considering an old laptop with a large HDD that could store enough movies for a family. My goal is to see how much worse performance would be. For clarity, I won’t aim for gigabit speeds; I’d prefer a faster switch if it fits my budget. Right now I’m financially constrained, so I wouldn’t invest in a better switch just for the sake of speed. I also dislike wireless internet due to latency issues, so I’d opt for a wired connection once the OpenWRT router is available. I plan to use an Android STB with OpenWRT and a decent consumer router later, since it would be more affordable for my current specs (about 1 GB RAM, 8 GB ROM, microSD). The 12.5 MB/s should not become a problem because the average internet speed here is only 4 MB/s.
It varies with the bitrate, but most films stay below 100 megabits. You should be able to watch several movies simultaneously on a 100 megabit connection. A gig switch costs around $15, which isn't too high.
Well, 720p uploads are roughly 4-10 Mbps, while 1080p videos typically use 10-15 Mbps on average, with occasional spikes up to 40 Mbps. A nas should manage 2-3 viewers at once. Honestly, a 5-port gigabit switch costs around $10 and includes free shipping. You didn't mention the location, so I guess it's some remote area or spot, but still...
It's good to know it would still function properly. The bitrates for movies are quite reasonable—no need for gigabit speeds or expecting ultra-fast downloads. At 32 Mbps with a 40 ping, it's more than sufficient for my needs, especially compared to the slow speeds I experienced before. Compared to ten years ago, streaming a 7 GB file without leaving my laptop is a huge improvement. Although some standards are still slow, especially in certain regions, it meets my requirements and remains adequate. Indonesia's size means coverage is a challenge, but it's manageable. If I really need it, I'd definitely try to get it. However, right now it's just a side project since the NAS isn't a top concern. My main focus is on having a stable wired connection with minimal latency. Of course, using FE for data transfer isn't ideal.
According to the records, the highest theoretical data rate for a UHD BD remux is 144mbps. In practice, they rarely reach this when balancing quality against playback time on a disc. For a standard BD, the official limit is around 54mbps, meaning even a high-end version won't exceed 100mbps networking capabilities.
My parents are watching live TV using Plex, each stream at 4 Mbps, which totals 8 Mbps. This is for 480p or 720p videos—perfectly fine. But if you attempt the highest quality 4K Bluray streams, you might run into a limit. I’ve heard that premium 4K Bluray streams through Plex can exceed 100 Mbps. If your content is only 1080p or lower, you shouldn’t face any problems.