Introduction #
Expersys TMS is designed to manage cinema screen devices, schedule playlists, transfer content, and monitor system statuses. To ensure optimal performance, stability, and future scalability, specific hardware specifications are recommended for TMS server deployment.
Depending on operational size, performance expectations, and whether you subscribe to Expersys TMS Cloud, hardware requirements can slightly differ.
Minimum Hardware Requirements #
For basic TMS operations handling up to 10 screens:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| CPU | Quad-core processor, 3GHz or higher |
| OS Storage | 250GB HDD |
| Data Storage | 2TB x4 HDD (RAID recommended) or NAS solution |
| Display | 1280 x 1024 minimum resolution |
| Peripherals | 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports |
✅ This setup is suitable for smaller multiplex operations with basic ingest and scheduling needs.
Recommended Hardware Specifications #
For better scalability and smoother operations managing 20+ screens:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 or higher |
| CPU | Intel Scalable Xeon 12 Core / 24 Thread @ 2.1GHz+ (Turbo 3.3GHz) |
| OS Storage | 2 x 240GB SSDs in RAID 1 |
| Data Storage | 4TB x4 HDD or larger (internal RAID or external NAS) |
| Network | 2 x 1Gbps Ethernet ports, 1 x 10Gbps Fiber (optional for Media transfers) |
| Display | 1280 x 1024 or higher |
✅ This setup ensures fast ingest speeds, concurrent device monitoring, and supports future expansion like integrating additional auditoriums or centralizing logs.
Network Requirements (Summary) #
- Management Network: 100Mb/s to 1Gb/s (CAT5e or CAT6 cabling)
- Media Network: 10Gb/s recommended (Fiber optic or CAT6A cabling)
Separation of Management and Media networks is highly recommended for performance stability.
Optional Storage: Synology NAS DS923+ as Local TMS #
For cinema sites that prefer a compact, efficient setup without deploying a full rack server, the Synology DS923+ NAS can be used as the TMS hardware platform.
Supported via Expersys TMS Cloud Subscription, this configuration allows:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Install Expersys TMS Cloud Agent onto DS923+ |
| Control | Manage Ingests, Playlists, Scheduling, and Device Monitoring remotely |
| Storage | DS923+ offers internal RAID support up to 4 drives (expandable) |
| Performance | Ideal for up to 8–12 screens, depending on NAS configuration |
| Advantages | Lower power consumption, compact size, cost-effective |
Important:
- Ensure the DS923+ has 10GbE NIC expansion card installed if you plan heavy media transfer.
- Recommended to use Enterprise-grade NAS HDDs (Seagate IronWolf Pro, WD Red Pro) for better performance and longevity.
✅ Use Case:
- Sites requiring minimal maintenance footprint
- Single location sites
- Small to medium multiplexes
If you have any questions please contact our support team.