When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Your options are: Movies, TV Shows, Music, Photos, or Other Videos. and our While it once seemed like a gimmick, co-watching content online is now a much-in-demand activity. An Apple TV 4K, for instance, only plays video files encoded in H.264, or MPEG-4, using the .m4v, .mp4, and .mov formats. Related Page: Video Preview Thumbnails. There's no way to . To vote if this article was helpful, please sign in with your plex account. Mobile sync: A must-have for commuters, this feature lets you wirelessly keep copies of your favorite media on your phone for offline playback. You've already provided feedback for this article, thank you for helping us improve our articles. Plex Media Library. If you would like to completely reset your sidebar navigation and home screen configuration, this can be done by: Selecting this option will direct you back to the Plex Web Setup screen, where you will be prompted to select a server, media providers, and customize your navigation sidebar. window.videoEmbeds = window.videoEmbeds || []; Kodis interface is beautiful and functional out of the box, but its also highly customizable with downloadable skins. (Available when using the Last.fm agent.). There are several useful tricks and tools buried in the Plex server application's settings that can help you keep things organized and the content flowing. Click, Once youve added all the source folders for this library, click, Enable the main setting under Settings > Server > Library. : If adding a new library to an existing server, you may need to restart a client/player app to pick up the new library. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram. Plex is simple-to-use software that brings together all your different types of media, and it also is pretty easy to install. Both will scan and organize your media for you, download covers and descriptions, and present it in an eye-catching manner. Open ports on Plex with PureVPN's Port forwarding Add-on If you have access to multiple Plex Media Servers, you will then be prompted to select a preferred server as well as the initial sources to display in the Navigation Sidebar. If you pin the Playlists to the home page, they do get arranged like the Continue Watching row, where the last one you used is first. To create a library, launch the Plex Web App then: Tip! Plex is a different kind of streaming service. It will also prioritize streaming services that you are subscribed to, with free options listed before any paid or rental options. If you'd rather stream from a single local server to numerous local or remote devices, Plex is the better choice. 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Install the app. Note, this will create a separate video file that will exist on your server. Alternatively, you can run some combination of the two since there's an official Plex add-on available for Kodi. Read More: The best streaming services to replace your cable. Plex has always given you the ability to customize your library, but today we're rolling out an update for iOS and Android that gives you even more control over your overall experience. Plex Arcade will initially feature a 30-game selection of Atari's library of 2600 and 7800 console games, including titles like Centipede, Missile Command, Lunar Lander, Food Fight, and Gravitar. Plex allows you to add a single library to multiple folders, a handy way to add movies across several hard drives. He's been writing technology explainers and how-tos since 2020, but he's tinkering with computers and other tech since childhood. Step 3: Then, configure your Plex Media Server to respond to those remote access requests. Step 1: First, you'll need to configure your modem to send remote access requests to your router if they are not the same device. Choose the basic type of media this library represents. If you have a device that lacks a dedicated client app Plex includes DLNA/UPnP streaming which expands streaming capabilities to a huge number of devices that support the standard (particularly older smart TVs). 2015 Shield TV, 2015 Shield TV Pro, and 2019 Shield TV Pro but not the 2019 Shield TV. Cookie Notice The media server will scan your library and scrape relevant cover images, descriptions, ratings, and more. 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Click Next, add the folders with the media files. If you have more than one streaming service, you know how frustrating it can be to find something good to watch. Select Libraries under the Manage section of the settings menu. Google's Music Services Explained, How to Use Discord to Stream Jackbox Games With Your Friends. Cinema Trailers, Extras, & Related Albums, Direct Play, Direct Stream, Transcoding Overview, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information / Opt-out of Targeted Advertising, Ensure that the correct Plex Media Server is selected within the settings menu, Select Libraries under the Manage section of the settings menu, Choose the library type from the selection, Name the library and choose the language to use for information gathered from the internet. Kodi is an endpoint for your media that needs to run on a device thats connected directly to your main TV (or projector). Though Kodi doesnt use a separate server and client structure, you can still stream your library around the house by enabling DLNA/UPnP streaming within your Kodi settings. Kodi doesnt come with any media and youll instead need to add libraries for music, movies, TV shows, and photos. Both Plex and Kodi broadly support the same types of media, enjoying excellent compatibility with most major video and audio formats. Plex works well if you want to set up a server that isnt plugged into your main TV. This can include the title, release year, cast list, description, trailers, and movie poster for the movie. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. For each Plex user you invite, you can choose which server (if you have more than one) and which libraries (movies, TV, etc.) Additionally, there isnt a customer support option, so if you run into any issues, theres nobody to help with troubleshooting, so you have to figure it out on your own. Its a versatile application that includes free streaming content, syncs across your devices with a simple login, and has relatively few limitations, like the shortlist of incompatible file types. That sounds great, but transcoding isn't without its downsides. Plex's search function brings in results from across your streaming services and ones you don't subscribe to as well. If you are considering installing Kodi, we recommend looking over our Kodi explainer to learn how to safeguard against cyberattacks or any other potential problem that might occur with third-party add-ons. You candownload and install Plex Media Serveron a large number of devices, including desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD) andnetwork-attached storage drives. In the main Plex screen (Home icon on the top left), click "+" next to "LIBRARIES". There are two images that will show up in your librarythe poster for the movie/episode, and a background image that will appear in some apps. You should see your movies, music, and any other media you added during setup beginning to populate, along with their respective poster or album art. If you find one particularly troublesome user on your server hogging the bandwidth, you can check your server's dashboard to see who's causing it and maybe politely ask them to ease off a touch. For example, if you want a 720p version of a movie that can be streamed even over crappy hotel Wi-Fi, then you can create one before you leave on your trip. Beyond that, there are several useful tricks and tools you can find buried in the server application's settings that can help you keep things organized, make sure your computer runs well while it's in use, and even protect you from anyone who might try to peek into your stream. Cookie Notice The obvious way to deal with this problem is to make sure your Plex server is running on a really robust computer. If youre not a fan of maintaining a highly connected, centrally managed media library that clients stream from, then Kodi is for you. Unfortunately, many of the most popular titles for these consoles, like Pac Man, Space Invaders, Joust, and Donkey Kong are not among the available games at launch. Thank you for helping us improve our articles! To choose which source you wish to view/access, you simply choose from the navigation sidebar if the item has been pinned to your sidebar (if the source has not been pinned, it can be found by selecting More from the sidebar). Youll first need to set some general information for the library. Related Page: Library Navigate to /mnt/unionfs/Media/Movies, and then click the "ADD" button. Sign up for Tips & Tricks newsletter for expert advice to get the most out of your technology. Typically, users group them by movies and TV shows, but you can divide them up however you want. Your subscription has been confirmed. Looks like you already left that comment. Plex Pass provides unhindered access to streaming via mobile apps, hardware transcoding, local downloads, themes, additional users, the ability to use Plex as a DVR, local Plexamp offline music listening, lyrics, and more. You will see the new Discover section in the menu on the left side of the Plex home . How to watch local channels on your Roku device, How to use Netflixs secret category codes to find what you want to watch, Plex Arcade brings classic Atari console titles to your TV for $5 per month. Step 4: Any user in the session can pause, start, fast forward, or reward the content. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Plex Pass can be bought on a monthly ($5), annual ($40), or lifetime ($120) basis, and it entitles you to the following features: Live TV plus DVR: If you have an HD antenna and a compatible OTA receiver, you can watch and record live TV from within Plex. This is how it can tell the difference between Aladdin (1992) and Aladdin (2019) and give each the proper artwork. You may need to restart the app if you both just accepted the friend request. Many popular NAS devices, such as QNAP, Synology, Netgear, Drobo, and. For the Plex Media Server, you will need to pick a device on which to install and run it. Step 3: A Watch Together session will now appear on the top of your app's home screen. Step 2: Click the Settings icon to get more settings options. Keep an eye on your inbox! Choose the Scanner to use with your library. As a standalone experience, you can stream Plex Free Movies and TV from the web using just your browser and a free Plex account. Determine whether or not the Cinema Trailers feature will be available and active for this library. Scanners analyze the folder structure and filename of your content for information about that particular item. When scanning this library, base the content matching only off of the embedded metadata tags (e.g. Plex is designed to make it simple to manage and browse your library. The best thing you can do to make sure your Plex library looks good is to name and organize your files in a way that Plex likes. The individual files should then be named with the show name, plus SXXEYY, where "XX" is the season number and "YY" is the episode number. When you find a movie or TV show that you want to stream, just select one of your streaming services from the list under Watch from these locations. These allow you to access your Plex library and browse information about what youre watching (like movie descriptions and ratings) using the signature Plex UI. Step 4: The Plex Media Server will automatically scan all of the directories you identified during the setup process, and you can choose how often it scans those locations for changes. 1. Thank you for helping us improve our articles! He writes on everything from Windows to Linux and from cord-cutting to generating art with AI. Tip! Most of the time it works as intended, but every once in a while you may find a movie that's missing its poster art, has been misidentified, or references the wrong video file. For TV shows, things get a little more complicated. When available, those popular tracks are displayed on the artists page. Step 2: The web app is your main way of configuring the Plex server, but it also doubles as a way to look at your library and play your files on your computer. Naming schemes depend on what type of media you're naming. Those with Dolby Atmos home theater systems may want to read our how to know if youre getting Dolby Atmos sound guide, as it contains some considerations for Plex users who want to ensure they get Dolby Atmos support. Step 3: You can store your movies, music, and other files anywhere you like, in as many different folders or hard drives (both locally or on network shares) and Plex will keep everything organized. Click on the Settings icon in top-right corner of the Plex web interface. If the file youre trying to play doesnt correspond to one of those file types, the Plex server will need to transcode it into one of the formats that the Apple TV 4K understands. Plex says the new Discover section and other features will be available on Roku, Apple TV+, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, iOS and Android mobile devices, smart TVs, game consoles, and at www.plex.tv. Its really just meant as a way to check that the file will indeed play. Lastly, Kodi is a completely free and open-source solution. Open app.plex.tv and click the "Activity" button in the top right corner of the interfaceif an update is available, it will tell you so. Fortunately, Plex also gives you the tools you need to dive into your library and clean it up. Want quick access to your playlists? Get a Plex Pass: http://lon.tv/plexpass (affiliate link) - For this month's sponsored Plex post we take a deep dive into the Plex mobile app and find ways to. You can adjust the order of pinned content while editing the sidebar. Plex covers all the major players, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and many of the smaller, niche services, too, so you should have no problem adding your favorites. Jellyfin is one such free and open-source streaming solution thats worth a look. It takes a bit of fiddling to get this set up correctly because youll need to adjust your routers firewall settings, but once its configured, youll be able to use the Plex client on your phone or tablet to stream your personal media library from anywhere in the world including live TV and recorded shows, if you have that enabled. Does anyone know of a way to pin specific media to the home screen? Do you subscribe to a number of streaming services? The streaming service conveniently allows users to search by general categories, but if you want to get even more specific, there's a trick to help you out. Plex adds a new artwork-centric option to its visual experience By Simon Cohen August 19, 2021 Plex, the company that gives folks a way to easily manage and access their personal library of. But there are some important differences that you can use to guide your decision. Lastly, Kodi is completely free and open source. These days, the cost of even the most basic provider plans is enough to stir any stomach. The library will keep track of what youve watched and organize content by season. If you cant access the new Plex features, check out our list of the best streaming devices for any budget. And while the selection is nothing like what youd find on a paid service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, there are some great B-movies, Hollywood classics, and hidden gems to be discovered. Use Code EEROINSTALL, The best streaming services to replace your cable, the best streaming devices for any budget, Disney Plus Day Announced with Special Deals and New IMAX Mode, YouTube TV Now Supports 4K, Offline Downloads, and More, Low-Cost Ways To Save Money on Your Electricity Bills, How to Make Your Ring Video Doorbell Battery Last Longer, The Best Free Apps for Your Fire TV Stick. To create a library, launch the Plex Web App then: Click to open the settings menu Ensure that the correct Plex Media Server is selected within the settings menu Select Libraries under the Manage section of the settings menu Click Add Library Choose the library type from the selection Downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux Desktop, Direct Play, Direct Stream, Transcoding Overview, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information / Opt-out of Targeted Advertising. Intel CPUs Might Give up the i After 14 Years, Windows 11 Has More Widgets Improvements on the Way, WordTsar Is Reviving the 80s WordStar Writing Experience, 2023 LifeSavvy Media. If you have a Tidal subscription, you can add it to Plex. You have to click in to the library to view it's full contents. Best shows on Netflix You can see what these users are watching in real time, as well as being able to see a history of what theyve watched, within the Activity Dashboard for your server. Plex Pass currently costs $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 for a lifetime subscription. Summary: These short descriptions can give you an idea of what a movie or episode is about. You should now be familiar with how to use Plex. The default Agent is automatically selected when you create the library but you can change it by clicking the dropdown and selecting the one you want. The Poster tab here will let you pick which thumbnail and background image you'd like to use. He's invested in the Apple ecosystem, with experience covering Macs, iPhones, and iPads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf. Your media is stored on and streamed to devices you control, and traffic is encrypted along the way. support page that discusses the minimum requirements, how to know if youre getting Dolby Atmos sound guide, Simply download the appropriate installer, How to watch Amazon Prime Video on your Chromecast, How to build the ultimate Zoom setup for all your Thanksgiving video calls, Plex adds a new artwork-centric option to its visual experience, Plex now lets you skip the credits on movies and TV shows, The best places to watch free movies online, Locast shutters operations heres how to keep watching your local channels, You can now watch Peacock on all Fire TV devices, ahead of Tokyo Games, How to connect Alexa to your home speakers. Upcoming concert information can be gathered from Last.fm. However, theres one small catch: Plex has a preference for how different file types are named. Though Plex is free to download, some features require Plex Pass or a one-time fee. If you do the above correctly, scanning your media with Plex should automatically result in a well-organized library of accurate metadata. And if that isn't enough, Plex also operates its own ad-supported, free streaming video service known as Plex Free Movies and TV, which can be accessed alongside your personal media, as well as live TV and DVR features you can access with the Plex Pass subscription. Keep an eye on your inbox! Doing so has two big advantages: First, Plex can automatically transcode any music files that Sonos cant play like hi-res FLAC files so you can enjoy your full music library. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. If you only plan to watch one video at a time and youre not planning to share your Plex library with other users, an inexpensive NAS or a Shield TV might do the trick.