New to Home Streaming - Help with Build

With recent home changes, my wife and I have decided to start the cord shaving process. We're not quite ready to fully drop our cable just yet, but cutting our bill in half is certainly within reach. Our plan is to still have Comcast internet and TV package, without having to rent their equipment. I also need to get a new NAS setup as the previous one is now gone (it was a gift and they took the MyCloud with them). I've spent literal days researching all there is to know and I think I've got a plan, but I want to confirm with the experienced players my plan will work and get some questions answered that I can't find on the interwebs. Our goal is to not have any subscriptions/fees since that would defeat the purpose of the project. I know I have a large learning curve ahead of me, but for me that is part of the fun!

Planned equipment/software:

HDHR Prime with CableCARD (already purchased)

Synology DS220+ w/ SSDs or spinners (Black Friday/Cyber Monday is approaching :D)

May or may not use Docker - depends on hive mind opinion

Backend/frontend - We've never used any of the available products so we plan to go with trial & error to see what works for us. For now, I'm thinking NextPVR backend with Kodi frontend. If we aren't fully satisfied, we'll look at TVHeadend, Emby, Plex, etc. Just trying to stay away from the subscription services if possible.

RPi 4 (when they can get it off the boat!) w/ LibreELEC or RetroPie (gotta have some fun too :D) - living room TV will have the RPi to get us started. As a separate project, I'm also working on eliminating "vampire energy" from the house so I plan to use the RPi as a sort of "smart device" to fully turn off the TV and peripherals when not in use.

Flirc remote USB - use existing Samsung remote to control Kodi on the RPi and a game controller (Wii, Xbox, etc.) for games if I go the RetroPie route

Chromecast - office and bedroom TVs have Chromecast sticks. Not sure how to seamlessly integrate these things, but I know at the very least I can mirror our phones if we have to. A RPi might come in the future depending on the clunkiness of this option. Least priority at this point.

Playstation - My BIL has a Playstation in his room. I haven't looked into how he can access media, but this is even less priority than the Chromecasts.

OK, now that the setup is done (sorry it was long), here are some questions I've had through my research. I have equipment specific setup questions, but I'll ask those on their own forums.

1. If I use the Synology NAS with Docker, do I install the BE/FE software on my RPi, the NAS, or Docker? Does the BE/FE get installed together on whichever device or separately, say BE on NAS & FE on RPi?
2. If I plan to use the RPi for other things (let's say controlling the TV power on/off, or making my own smart assistant using Alexa/Google, etc.) can I use one of the OSs I listed or should I use a "standard" OS like Noobs or OSMC?
3. Kodi free version has one day of EPG available. We have series recordings for various shows as well as specific sports teams. If I setup recordings for those series/teams, will the "system" update quickly enough to see that "my" show is airing and record it appropriately? Or is it better to get a few more days of info so the PVR can update the information and record? We don't check the schedule a couple of weeks out, we just watch what shows up based on our series recordings so I don't really need 2 or 3 weeks of guide to personally prepare (as long as the software does it's job).
4. If I do need a longer EPG for what I want to do is there a current *legal* free/open source option like XMLTV? Not trying to get into a subscription service like Schedules Direct.
5. Can I use multiple frontends and still have updated show info (i.e. where you left off in a recording, what's been watched, etc.). I'm thinking I might want Kodi in the living room, but Emby in the office/BR which I've read interfaces with the Chromecasts better/easier.
6. How much memory/storage would I need for the RPi assuming I want to run other stuff on it? Would 2GB memory with a 32GB class 10 card be enough? Should I get a 4GB model? Should I get a 64GB card?
7. For some basic home theater and file backup, would the DS220+ be enough for me or should I cry once and get the larger system, say a 420+ for more bays or the 720+ for more processing power and bay expandibility?
8. I don't mind splurging a little for SSDs instead of discs. Does this seem to be practical or does it not matter as much for my needs? I know they are more reliable, but does it provide any better performance, say a faster read/write rate so I have less chance of glitchy show watching?

I'm sure I have more, but this is already a lot. If you've made it this far I really appreciate any insight as this is the first time I've done anything like this. I've built computers before, but installing Windows is a whole lot easier when you insert a CD and just click a few buttons. I've setup my home network with my own (not rented) modem, router, and switch and ran CAT5E in the attic to most of the rooms. I don't mind spending a little extra but I don't want to spend unnecessarily and I definitely don't want to brick any of my new equipment.

Submitted by El_Jeffe24 | #Specialdealer Special Offer Online Shopping Store 2016