Homelab/Media Setup

Big picture planning for the entirety

Why?

  • GPM is going away, and YTM is almost definitely going to be an experience I don't want to pay for. I also have a massive music library already and use GPM to play that music, so why not DIY?

  • Need a home TV/stereo setup anyway, prepping for Black Friday 4k TV deals (yeah I'm still using a 1080p TV, bite me)

  • Home network configuration is currently suboptimal. Using a Google Router, issues arise when trying to use separate SSIDs to partition IoT devices off, and there is next to no fine-grained management.

  • I want to run PiHole (or something similar) for my whole network instead of depending on browser extensions

  • I'm curious about trying to incorporate more "life management" things like grocy

  • De-google-ifying things as much as possible, e.g. using HomeAssistant, NextCloud, etc

  • I want to run Firecracker locally for funsies

  • I'm a masochist who will love/hate fiddling with every bit of this for the next bajillion years.

Devices

Going to need to buy quite a bit of stuff, unfortunately. Capitalism wins today. 💰

Sound

Controversial as it may be, I'm leaning Sonos. Having used a larger Sonos config in a previous work office, I'm pre-convinced on the ease of use and good (enough for me) sound. Sure there's other options and maybe they're cheaper, but I'm planning on going second hand as much as possible which looks like it'll make this setup cost about as much as anything else.

I've also already discovered (via said previous office setup) that Sonos is hackable. This is important. HomeAssistant integration, too.

  • Sonos Playbase - getting a killer deal on this, it is the beginning and will suffice for quite a while. $350

    • This not being Atmos might mean 4k content is going to be annoying/need remux to prevent 4k transcoding...

  • Sonos Five - I've heard these and they are QUITE nice sounding. There's twofer deals all over the place on these on craigslist etc that I'll eventually aim for. $500 or less for two

  • Sonos One SL - Two of these and the Playbase gives surround sound. I'm sure by the time I get to this there will be other options, which just means these will be even cheaper second hand. They'd also be great for various rooms in the house, though the regular One model with microphone might be better for other rooms... $100 or less per

  • Sonos Sub - Stretch goal on this. Damn it looks nice. Full 5.1 would also be nice. Price: $??? no one seems to sell these second hand no used subs because they released a new version that’s back ordered

Video

I don't know yet. Looking for something 4k in the 55"-70" range. Smart options would be good so I don't have to upgrade to a Series X too early (still on a launch edition Xbone so no 4k from it).

Not 100% on the best hardware option for 4k Plex, though I understand some smart TVs have good enough clients. I've read decent things about the Roku 4k. Plenty of time to consider.

I've had a nightmare of a time with casting so need to figure something out with that as well if the TV and/or the Plex player don't support it.

Price: $300-500

IoT

I don't have a huge lust for IoT, but there's some things I have/will be getting. I currently prefer Wyze since A) I have some Wyze stuff and it works well and B) Seattle based so if they steal my data I can just walk down and steal it back (/s)

  • Wyze Camera for keeping tabs on Bird own

  • Wyze plugs for some automation around Bird and terrarium lights own

  • Wyze Outdoor Camera to monitor the kayaks $50

  • Wyze Sense Motion for outdoor camera $6

  • Wyze Bulbs (maybe) $20/4

    • Possibly then go with Sense Contact $20/4

  • In summer, it would be nice to have some automation around humidifiers $??

Networking

The Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro seems to be recommended almost universally. It's pricey at $380 new but has all the features imaginable.

Why UDM Pro over UDM?

  • I'd rather go rack mounted in the end for everything on this list

  • Supports more Ubiquiti Applications (that I'm likely to use)

  • Has a drive bay (for camera recordings etc)

  • Comes super highly recommended

Downsides

  • Does not have PoE built in, will need to use a PoE switch own

  • Will need to purchase a rack < $100

  • Will need to find a location to put a small rack (6U)

  • Will require buying APs at $100 or less each used

    • possible I can use the Google WiFi as one as well (maybe).

Interesting Links

Storage

I'm hoping for 8-12TB in a NAS. I'm not super familiar with my options as far as NAS goes, so further research may change my choices.

I'm also pondering a DIY solution this has been revealed to be a generally terrible idea.

The Synology ds918 comes highly recommended. ~$400 used/refurbished

m2 nvme for cache < $100 new each, maybe need 2?

4x Seagate IronWolf 4TB $400+ new

Downsides

  • Good lord it's expensive, like $1k for the whole setup

  • Only supports up to 12TB drives (not a big deal)

  • Needs more RAM

  • Seriously good god that's expensive

Upsides

  • Can sub in for the compute portion below for media streaming

  • Claims to be capable of 4k 30fps transcoding

    • Plex forums support this claim

  • Upgradable RAM < $100

  • Expandable to 9 bays if you're feeling frisky $$$$

  • Most "issues" seem to stem from non-technical owners

Compute

Picocluster 3 $450 w/ boards, $200 w/o

Pros

  • I just wanna play with it

  • Got all the necessary bits right there

    • Self contained, don't need multiple power supplies or expensive PoE addons

    • Cluster management software (FOSS?)

  • Can start looking into the automation and personal cloud stuff

  • Could get just the case (or the 5 case) and slowly add boards

  • Some dust insurance

Cons

  • More expensive than just slowly gathering pi boards

  • Might not fit with everything else in a 6U rack?

I've got a pile of micro SD cards and adapters so can save a few dollars there.

Also have an i5 8GB Windows laptop lying around, as well as an i5 16GB 2012 Macbook Pro. I think I can get away without a NUC for quite a while between them.

Eventually, though...a NUC $500+

Power/PSU

...thinking, please wait....

Homelab Software

...thinking, please wait...

Links

Just some links to various relevant things

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