If you own a lot of media Content such as videos, images, movies, etc, & have this Content scattered across various devices you own, perhaps it’s time to consider setting up a media server on your computer. This will help you organize your library & access your Content from any device at any time.
If this sounds good to you, an obvious choice is Plex Media Server, which you can download & install on either your main computer, or a device (like an old computer you have lying around). In this article we will tell you how to set up your own server with Plex.
The advantages are plenty, so we’ll explore them in a bit more depth below.
Installing your server
First, let’s take a look at installing your own server.
1. Navigate to Plex.tv & find a download package for your computer, or compliant devices. Options include:
Windows, Mac, Linux, NVIDIA SHIELD, Netgear Nighthawk X10 router or a compatible NAS device.
2. Sign up for a Plex account using your email address, Facebook or Google account.
3. Download the software.
4. Click install & follow the prompts.
Accessing your Content
The 1st thing to note is that Plex is not a computer environment program, the software stores your media for you, but to access Content you need to use the Plex Web App or an app on your smartphone or Tablet.
For the Web app you can use any major browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Also, Plex offers a wide array of apps for smart-devices (Android, IOS, Windows). Plex is also accessible on most smart TVs, TV streaming devices & gaming consoles, such as Xbox1.
Setting up your media library
Types of libraries available: Movies, TV shows, music, photos, other Videos.
Setting up libraries in Plex is essential for an organized media interface.
1. In the app you’ve selected, choose the type of library you want to create, from the options offered.
2. Name your library.
3. Choose your language (this will enable the app to add cool metadata to your files, such as information on actors in a movie, of the singer of a song).
4. Navigate to the folder/folders you want to include.
5. Load Content.
Plex services
Plex offers a free service & a paid ‘Pass’. The premium Pass is charged monthly, annually or as a ‘lifetime’ service(on a sliding cost scale).
The advantages of owning a Plex Pass include :
1. Option to access new features before the crowd.
2. Access media files on mobile apps offline.
3. Generate lyrics while playing your music, as well as album cover art & other interesting metadata.
4. Enjoy movie trailers, to select movies.
5. Discount on Tidal premium, which offers over 60 million songs, & tons of music videos.
6. Gain a dashboard view that offers statistics for your server — who’s playing what, how many visitors you’ve had to your libraries & so on.
7. Auto tagging of photos, photo album creation, creation of timeline selections. Creation of ‘memories’, based on photos featuring friends & family.
8. View existing playback sessions.
The benefits of organizing your media files & operating your own media server have been laid out for you so that you can decide whether or not this is something you’d like to do.
