Plex 101 - What is Plex? Plex Media Server Explained in Plain English - NAS and PC
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Sign up for a free Plex account - bitly.com/PlexAf1 (affilate link) - Following my review of the Seagate Personal Cloud and its new Plex Media Server app, a lot of folks wrote in asking what Plex was all about! Subscribe for more! lon.tv/s
In this video I explain what Plex Media Server is, show how it works, and talk about some of the things you should think about doing to get the most out of it. I also explain how you can connect a computer running the Plex Server to a Network Attached Storage device or NAS like the WD My Cloud, Seagate Personal Cloud, Synology, and others.
Plex allows you to watch your media files anywhere - both in the home and over the Internet. The server software is smart enough to know what the target device is and will convert media on the fly to work with just about anything. Plex apps run on just about every mobile and computing platform out there.
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I don't know how many times searching for random crap I've ended up on this channel....lol thank goodness at least someone in the interwebs makes videos for clown fools like me.
It's got to be said Lon, I've started watching a few of your videos lately and they are almost flawless. I was trying to work out what would be best for me, either a Roku and Plex or a WD Smart TV Media Player. Found out exactly what I wanted and more. Also, you talk in a way that most people can understand without being too obvious for the techy's amongst us. Keep up the good work, Lon!
Your video is extremely helpful for a 71 year old gal who is slightly savvy about stuff like this. So thank you. I just can't figure out how to get my movies from my cloud home to plex. I'll get there. You talk pretty fast for an old lady however. Big THANKS for the video.
Good video, Lon! It's pretty complex for a beginner/101 video but I think you explained the ideal setup for maintaining a Plex server at home.
I have just got plex,and a NAS,for the first time,and found it hard going,you helped me no end Thank you,would like you to explain a bit more about cloud,otherwise from a little grey haired surfer,watching and listening to you,cheered me up no end,knowing I had made the right decisions, :)
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What is PLEX was helpful for me because I need to buy a computer. Considering the type of server based on what I will be using it for was something I had not yet thought much about. This was a first view and I am sure I will come back to it again once I begin to get more familiar with the terminology. Thank you for the broad perspective of usage of the devices involved.
Hi Lon just wanted to say thank you for your videos- watched some Plex and NAS reviews and feel ready to dive in. Just wanted to let you know they're a great help and I appreciate them.
Plex with Sync sound like the way to go. Play my media from anywhere on my phone or tablet.
Great vid.
Lon, you are a "Man Among Men"! All of your reviews and tutorials are always straight forward and excellent. Those of us out here that like to tinker with this stuff thank you. Kudos! Keep up the good work.
Great video, im 13 and family is always watching movies and im basically their IT person so i think i'll start using plex and some leftover hdd's i have!
l Jadon l
[app search] KODI
Jadon has
I wouldn't want to have computer running all the time to act as server. If you have NAS drive and windows shares, do you need plex?
what is amazing is how Plex client reaches the server almost universally , how ? and why there's no VPN or network file sharing software that works the same way without the need for Public IP ? anyone knows how ?
dyndns my guess
@@ALpHAEx no , It is way smarter than dyndns
THANK YOU!! Just what I needed to understand about the setup. A colleague turned me onto Plex as a media streaming solution and I have a Seagate NAS and a number of devices I want to use to access movies.
Can you record cable TV channels with a HD Prime cable card device? Do the cable TV channels display in a grid view, not a view as if each program recorded is a DVD? Can you start watching the recorded cable TV programs before the recording completes, and skip TV commercial blocks? Does Plex insert any commercials into you recorded TV or ripped DVD content when you are playing back that media? Can Plex automatically “mark” the TV commercial blocks and automatically skip the TV commercial blocks like SageTV with Comskip? I’ve been using SageTV DVR software for over 10 years and I am thinking about switching to Plex.
Lon, useful guide to Plex. Making use of a powerful PC is the ideal way to get this running.
Nope, pc take 100W, nas server take 5W
Again, a great video. One strange thing I noted, when using the Plex interface, if I choose "TV Shows" for library type, the videos aren't recognized. I needed to use "Movies", and then choose the folder (with TV shows). I wonder how Plex makes the distinction, and why it wouldn't recognize these shows as 'tv'.
Thanks for this video. It helped a lot. I would understand better if there were several hardware diagrams of alternative setups. For example, can a fast computer with lots of storage act as both the media storage device and the Plex server? Also, you showed examples of videos, but what about audio playlists? Does Plex client software let you view and search for media files? Can it create and play playlists? It would be nice to see the audio features of the Plex system demonstrated.
If you have a nas running freeNas you can actually run the plex server strait from the nas as a standalone system.
What about security? Some of the NAS systems promote access from the Internet without port-forwarding. Can you take advantage of that option if you are hosting on a computer and just storing on a NAS?
Lon, really liked your take on this. I have used PLEX for awhile and it is always refreshing to find little snippets that get missed.
One question I do have that would be nice to do a video on is, what is out in the market place that can control PLEX over Wifi (Not IR) and use an iPad as the device. I am using Hipporemote Pro at the moment, but would really like to know if other are out there.
So you need physical storage for Plex? It doesn't have cloud hosting itself?
I like the idea of Plex. I downloaded it last year but never used it much. When I saw this I thought I would try again. After two solid days of messing with it I think I finally got it to play episodic TV shows stored on the WDmycloud by getting the naming sequence correct. Tonight I was looking through ROKU and saw the Media Player. Within seconds I was playing the same media I had struggled with on Plex for days. I'm sure Plex can do some things ROKU cannot but this is all I was wanting...streaming media to my TV.
I just discovered Plex watching your videos, thx
Good vid. I use the old Windows Media Center on my Windows 7 machine. Looking to upgrade and use a Synology NAS for storage and media. Now I understand what plex is. Thanks!
Lon. i have a few questions. what do you use to rip your Blu-ray DVDs? what's the average file size when you're done ripping? when you're done are you using the vob file or mkv, or some other container?
This should help! ruclips.net/video/9uW6XhU9aNA/видео.html
You exactly answered the questions I had. My main issue was that my Synology DS213+ is not powerful enough to transcode on the fly, so I wasn't sure if I had any other option. Having the Plex Media Server on a separate, more powerful computer sounds like the answer for me. Should I uninstall the Plex "app" on the Synology? No need to have that service running, right?
I noticed the playback at the end with the video of the dog seemed very choppy. Is playback like this across the Plex server always like this? I would really like to see a clip of more than 10 seconds that shows the playback quality.
***** Got it, thanks for the reply!
Thanks Lon! This clarifies everything about plex!
Nice video. I have tons of DVDs in my collection and Plex might be a great solution. What was the name of the product you use (like best) to 'rip' DVDs to a hard drive?
When i play a video that normally has black bars on top and bottom, is stretched vertically...........
Thanks for giving me the idea for not needing a NAS and just getting an external storage drive. I have a HTPC I-5 Quad Core with 16GB RAMM & SSD W10Pro should be enough power to run a Plex server.
So this doesn’t make sense unless you buy the discs? Otherwise everything is streamed/cloud based
Do you follow-up your 101 courses with 201s, and higher level online courses?
Hey, Lon!
Nice video and informative as always. Quick question about PLEX: does it uses DLNA to transmit the videos from the server to the clients?
Thank you for getting back too me, yes they are on the same Network. I even tried too manually putting in my IP address, and that did not work. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
what about on an airplane? do you have to download to device through the storage before limitted cell phone usage?
Is there any videos showing how to set up Plex and Seagate cloud together, adding files and such?
Thank you
Hi lon - great video but I'm slightly confused - I have a 4tb my cloud from which I can view any of my media on my smartphone/tablet anywhere and I can also stream to a my smart tv - why do I need plex??
Good video. One question... With the blue ray DVDs you convert to mkv , roughly what is the average size of those files?
Thanks for the great explanation. I have encountered your videos before but this one was the icying on the cake for me to sub. New fan!
What about Cinavia? Does Plex by-pass this restriction on blu-ray disks?
So, Plex is basically a media player that is a Swiss Army Knife for playback format? Plex doesn't come with any content (I.E. Tv shows, Movies, Music...) preloaded on it. It will only have access to what you add to it after installation. Is that correct?
This app is great just bought a smart tv and streams straight from my laptop
Lon, very helpful. Thank you. A question I have is if I install Plex on my 1019+ do I need to "import" my music and photos or can I link to the files already on my 1019+?
Yeah I got a Nvidia shield its a whole mother world with all the apps that make a device more powerful
It's a great thing to not have to pay for unwanted stuff and why many people are choosing to go Android box there is a learning curve with all of it kodi and plex sound great once past let ing the system and the uses
Thank you
I HAVE a PROBLEM WITH myCLOUd. when I put a movie in mycloud and i sit down to watch the film after 20 minutes or maybe less mycloud disconnects. What should I do?
Hey Lon I want to watch my KODI from my SAMSUNG TABLET S4 or SAMSUNG s7 Edge on my EPSON 2045 CAN I do that using Plex?
That's a nice utility for video content creators, but with disks fading away I don't see much use for it in the future. DRM is a big problem and most likely it will not change any time soon.
hi how you configure the wd my cloud mirror with the plex to use the computer like you do in the video how is the configure because i dont see wd my cloud mirror in the plex thank you
This has really shown me how much Plex has got some interesting possibilities. I'm really struggling to get Plex to actually stream the music that's stored on my pc on to my phone though, and it's driving me up the wall
I have seen a lot of videos on Plex, but this is the only, only video I kind of understand!! Thank you! Now, I would just like to play my photos, photos on SD cards and homemade DVDs on this device? Also, I'd like to watch and record live TV? Can I use this device for the things I have listed? Please help? Thank you!
Recommended minimum specs for a plex server? I have desktops, but I don't want to leave them always on because of their power usage.
so i can setup my 8tb of tv shows on my computer with plex and use it at another address on a firestick with my account and access all of my 8tb of shows?
i have a short question: how do you keep your 8tb on your pc? 3x 3tb hard drives?
nope just the one,anyway ive given up on plex
is 8 TB too much these days ?? i have 3 x 8tb in raid-0 mode (24tb) in my pc since 8 months
Hi there, I have a windows 10 laptop and a my cloud home which I have successfully installed through my TV. I have also loaded Movies which work through my Tv , Photos which are displayed on my TV however my plex will not in any way pick up my music folder or my music video folder I hope you can help me as it's very frustrating.
Hi Lon I enjoyed your explanation of Plex but I have a couple of questions. If Plex adds meta data that is not correct for the file I have is there a way to over ride the Plex or at least delete the data Plex added?
If you put Plex on your computer rather than you NAS doesn't that mean you need your computer running whenever you want to access media from other devices?
If I am not happy with the Plex after installing it can it be easily deleted without affecting the archived files it was using while installed. In other words is Plex non destructive in its setup and use of stored files?
Thanks for your help
Sure answer below:
1. Yes you can change the metadata, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/jf7QYc6ju9k/видео.html
2. Yes computer needs to run 24/7 but Plex cloud is an option: ruclips.net/video/Z78WBvaPGe4/видео.html
3. Yes you can uninstall Plex without using the media files
Two questions: Could you explain to me how to make plexaccount and how do I start watching movies and tv shows and also do I add Roku to my plex account?
Great video! I've been thinking about doing something like this with my network!
I'm pretty new to all this so please bear with me. I purchased a WD PR4100 as a NAS for Plex, which is attached to my home network. I went to rip my first DVD to the NAS,(using HandBrake), and was unable to select the destination as the NAS. Therefore, I ripped the DVD to my desktop Win10 computer. NOW WHAT? I can't seem to find a way to transfer that ripped file to the NAS. I thought about physically unplugging the NAS (it's in another room), and hard lining it to the PC, but that doesn't seem to be the way it should be done. Can anyone help?
So if I plan on using Plex on my own WiFi network 90% of the time, do you think a Seagate Personal Cloud will get the job done as my server?
I have a Sony DLU-Ray disk player & youtube is hooked up from there PLEASE tell me how to connect this Or Can I ???
Awesome video, very informative. Have you tried Rasplex on your Raspberry Pi 2? From what I've heard it is the best Plex client.
Hey Lon, Awesome 101 on Plex Servers... Really glad to hear the WD EX2100 now has Plex. I haven't bought mine yet. Doing a full car audio re & re first, ;) As usual Keep Up the GREAT Channel. Respect!
For some reason my plex plugin on my freenas, keep turning its self off... How do i prevent this?
I have some questions about this. I just bought a wd my cloud pr2100, was running a few single disc hd to store my media and run it thru my mac mini. Now i was never able to access my media if i wasn't on my home network. Now id rather keep it on running thru the mini like you said here to use a computer to do all the work... is there a special way to set this up. i do pay for the membership with plex bc as of now all i do is download the media to my iPad and take it on the go.
I was just about to buy a WD TV streamer off Ebay because my Roku doesn't play all my files. But I was hesitant to buy because of all the negative reviews I've read. Now I'm glad I didn't. I just installed this and I think my problems (so far) have been solved. My only question is can you change the home screen? I would like to start with a folder view or basically anything other than what's available and what I just watched. Is that possible?
Hi Lon, I have over 600+ videos ripped in original format ( VBO ) stored on a NAS. can Plex play these files to my Smart TV. Thanks Jamie ( been watching them via Windows 7 Media Centre until now )
Can you use a WD Purple Surveillance drive? I have a 3TB one but have plenty of room for storage. Would prefer to not buy a NAS and a red HDD for now.
Really helpful video.
Is there a cheap mini pc that you would recommend to use the plex server?
David. V I use an Intel NUC with an i5 processor. Bought it used for about $256 and spent another $90 for RAM and SSD. For storage I use a $130 5TB USB 3.0 drive.
David. V I use an Intel NUC with an i5 processor. Bought it used for about $256 and spent another $90 for RAM and SSD. For storage I use a $130 5TB USB 3.0 drive.
Hi. I have WD My-cloud and would like to know easiest way of uploading my blu-ray's collection onto it, so that I can share on my network ??
How do you Rip a BlueRay DVD onto the QNAP device with a MaBook Pro? My QNAP is a few months old, and still trying to learn how to transfer Movies into it.
Hi Lon , can you do a video on how to connect plex server to Apple TV
Thanks for the intro! Keep 'em coming! I am going to have to give Plex a try...
Still confused. The Blue rays are ripped to another PC with network, so it's not explained, are they streamed from the other PC (ie that computer needs to be on and running), or are they ripped to the cloud to access?
Why would you have a PC on at all times just in case you want to stream a movie? It doesn't seem feasible.
Hi Lon, will transcoding ever be required when sending a movie to a dnla client over LAN, as plex is dnla also? Thank you so much
Great video! Do you consult for Plex Mycloud NAS setup?
Lon, I'm about to buy a NAS. It has Media Streaming. What's the difference between media streaming and plex ?
Does plex use media streaming on the NAS ?
SO does the computer attached to the Plex server and the NAS need to be dedicated to this function? And it looks like it needs to stay on all the time, so some low-power PC would seem ideal, or could it maybe wake-on-demand (from the Plex server)?
OH, I think I just realized that the Plex media server is an app that runs on the computer; I think I realize now that it isn't a separate device, right?
do u have a deeper dive in WD wireless pro and Plex?
Does your PC have to remain on all the time in order to view video files if you are using it as the Plex media server?
I've used Twonky before ... and PLEX sounds like it works the same way. Is this the case, and , is it betgter than Twonky ... because there were/are shortcomings?
I wanted to know if you could do a tutorial on how you rip your Blu-rays and DVDs with handbrake I've been searching for the proper settings but I wanted to know what you prefer,I want to be able to steam via Wi-Fi to my nexus player with Kodi, or through plex. Preferably in at least 720p with surround sound 5.1
What program do you use to rip your blu-rays? I would like to use copies or digital rips so my kids don't scratch up the movies so bad I have to repurchase. Copy guard doesn't seem any easier to over ride. Even cloning disc images seem to have copy guard limitations.. I just want to "archive" stuff I've already purchased.
***** thank you so much. I'll look into it. I was also told about DVD fab's free HD decripter, but I guess the free part of the application is limited. I am really glad I found your channel! I have learned a lot on my on, but your videos have helped my fill in a lot of blank spaces! Thanx again!
question to the public do i need a fast CPU or a good video card for the PLEX?
Hi, I have plex server on Windows 10 PC and the content stores on my WD NAS. I watch through a Roku4 on my SamsungUHDTV. My problem is despite having the NAS permanently mapped as Z: the Roku4 keeps losing connection to it and the content libraries keep showing "unavailable". It's not a massive concern because I can go down to the basement and fire up the server and sort of 'refresh' plex by launching it and playing the material. But it is super annoying to have to keep doing that. Is there a permanent solution to this problem?
Just out of curiosity... Do you rip tv shows on DVDs ? I have a number of series I'd like to rip on pc, but each episode takes about 1 gig for each episode. I have got them ripped to pc (same size as dvd), and then used handbrake (MP4), but they are still large size.
My media server is plex that I stream to Apple TV 2, or iPad.
My account is paid but it's saying not connected to server? What do I need to do to get it to work thanks
Basically I'm trying to have the same set up you do but the WD my cloud is not showing up as an option on the Plex side when adding in the library/folder. Is there something I have to activate first in order for it to show up on the Plex ?dashboard. Thanks.
Leonel Mondragon make sure that you have mounted your preferred folders as virtual drives on your PC . This allows PLEX to establish a path to your media.
Hello, can I use my Android box for this service? Also, can I watch it on devices and does it play and record live TV? Thanks
Can I just add a few WD Reds in a raid configuration to my gaming pc to make a plex server? As long as that pc is hooked up to my network and is on, I could stream from it through plex right?
is it like netflix or is it a site that allows u to upload the movies/music/pics from yur pc to it?
I click on play and there's a "lock" sign. It says, "You can control devices for free. To play on a device, that's $4.99." That doesn't sound much like free.
Lon, how does setting up the Roku works. I would like to watch cable channels without having to pay for the local cable or the networks access such as CBS.
+Lon Seidman I cut the cable and only have OTA TV. I did purchased the HD HomeRun box, but after speaking to my provider in my area, they claimed not supporting this type of equipment, so I returned it.
nice review ;-) u pretty much cover everything after i acquired my hardware haha :)
last time chromebox dual boot, also plex now running on hp microserver flawlessly.
So if I want to just stream my media from my media server anywhere in the house that option is free. Firetv will not charge me for the app
Looking to make my own media server using WD My Cloud Mirror and Plex's service. Do I need to have a computer running all the time with it or is the WD My Cloud Mirror sufficient?
+Lon Seidman Thanks for your help! I love your videos! I returned the WD My Cloud Mirror and purchased a 2011 Mac Mini with a i7 Quad Core and checked its CPU on Passmark.com. I plan to use an old 3TB external for the storage. Hoping that works?
I received a promo email from Western digital saying that My Cloud now supports plex. Do you still recommend using a computer as a server? Or just the NAS?
Lon - thanks for the great explanation.
Hello can you make a video of how to connect a Netgear to Plex server please i've tried finding videos on how to do it and it doesn't explain very well The router I have is a Netgear WNR 1000 v2
I thought you could play iTunes library using the iTunes channel on plex??
Will plex run as well and smoothly on a Synology NAS as you explained it does on your WD Clouds?