• Price sensitive
• Simple needs
• Light remote streaming
• Additional software hosting

• Easy management
• Massive media libraries
• Redundant storage in case of failure
• Light remote streaming

• Familiarity of macOS operating system
• Heavy remote streaming
• Powering media for multiple homes
• Additional software hosting

These are a low cost option (~$129) with plenty of RAM (8GB) and transcoding power to handle a lot of TV watching.

With a faster CPU than a NAS, commercial detection and other tasks will be faster. Their healthy amount of RAM makes them a suitable option when needing to host additional software like some Channels community projects.

They excel at remote streaming and are a perfect option for most TV watchers.

These are a higher cost option (~$400) with generally less RAM (2GB) but infinite amount of storage and backup options for those that never want to run out of space or remove media from their library.

Intel CPU based NAS system are suggested to ensure hardware transcoding support for reliable streaming while away from home.

NAS devices are the perfect Always On Computers, as they were designed to work all on their own without the need for a mouse, keyboard, or display since they are managed through your web browser.

TV Everywhere support can vary depending on provider when using native NAS packages. Running Channels DVR Server via Docker on these systems can provide better results.

NAS systems from Synology and QNAP are generally suggested. Please review our Channels DVR Server installers page to review which NAS devices are supported.

These are at the highest cost option ($599) but are perfect for those most comfortable with Macs.

Their insanely fast CPUs excel at commercial detection and their base level of RAM (16GB) make them suitable hosts for additional software you may need to run.

Hardware transcoding is a stand out with this option, as their M series chips' media engine is top notch and allows for multiple transcodes at a time without breaking a sweat.