Plex Media Server 1.19.1.2645
Description
Plex Media Server: The Ultimate Solution for Your Media Needs
Are you tired of juggling multiple media players and devices to access your favorite movies, TV shows, music, and photos? Do you wish there was a way to centralize your media library and stream it seamlessly across all your devices? Look no further than Plex Media Server – the ultimate solution for your media needs.
Plex Media Server is a powerful software application that connects all of your local and online media in one place. With Plex, you can easily manage and organize your entire media collection, including movies, TV shows, music albums, photos, home videos, podcasts, web shows, news feeds – you name it. Whether you have a massive collection or just a few files scattered across different devices and platforms (Windows/Mac/Linux/NAS), Plex makes it easy to access everything from one unified interface.
But that's not all. Plex also offers advanced features such as transcoding (converting video/audio formats on-the-fly), remote access (streaming over the internet), sharing (inviting friends/family to view or contribute to your library), parental controls (restricting content based on ratings/labels), automatic metadata retrieval (fetching descriptions/covers/cast/crew info from various sources), smart playlists (creating dynamic lists based on criteria like genre/year/rating/actor/director/etc.), recommendations (suggesting similar content based on what you've watched/listened before), live TV/DVR support (recording/watching broadcast channels with compatible hardware/software) – the list goes on.
So how does Plex work? It's simple. First, download and install the free server software onto any device that will act as the hub for your media library. This could be a desktop computer running Windows/Mac/Linux or a network-attached storage device from brands like Synology/QNAP/Western Digital/Netgear/Buffalo/Asustor/NAS4Free/OpenMediaVault/etc. Once installed/configured with login credentials/port forwarding/firewall exceptions if needed), the server will scan all connected drives/folders for compatible files (.mp4/.mkv/.avi/.mov/.wmv/.flv/.mp3/.aac/etc.) and add them to its database along with relevant metadata such as title/year/description/artwork/ratings/tags/etc.
Next step is installing client apps onto any device where you want to watch/listen/view/share/stream/download/upload content from/to/from the server. This could be anything from smartphones/tablets/laptops/desktops running iOS/Android/macOS/Windows/Linux/Browser operating systems; smart TVs/media players/game consoles running Roku/FireTV/ShieldTV/Tivo/Xbox/Sony/Samsung/LG/Panasonic/Vizio operating systems; even voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can control playback via voice commands if enabled). Once signed in with same account used for server setup, the client app will automatically discover/connect/authenticate with nearby servers using Bonjour protocol or manual IP address/port entry if needed).
Now comes the fun part – exploring what Plex has to offer! You can browse/search/filter/sort through thousands of titles in various categories such as Movies/Tv Shows/Music Videos/Home Videos/Podcasts/Web Shows/Newscasts/Live TV/DVR/Library Sections etc., create custom collections/playlists/favorites/shares/tracks/channels/subscriptions etc., adjust playback settings like quality/resolution/subtitles/audio tracks/speed/volume/bookmarks etc., cast/stream/download/upload/share content between different clients/devices/users/groups via Chromecast/AirPlay/DLNA/Sync/Camera Upload/Sharing Hub features respectively.
For example, let's say you want watch an episode of Game Of Thrones while traveling abroad without internet connection. No problem! Just download it beforehand onto mobile app using offline sync feature when connected at home/hotel/cafe/library/train/plane/bus/car/wifi hotspot etc.. Then enjoy seamless playback without buffering/stuttering/lagging thanks optimized transcoding engine which adapts video/audio quality according bandwidth/storage/cpu constraints available at destination device.
Or maybe you want listen some jazz tunes while cooking dinner. Easy peasy! Just ask Alexa-enabled speaker play Jazz playlist created earlier by selecting songs/artists/composers/tags/themes/moods/tempo/instruments/time period etc.. Then groove along without lifting finger thanks voice recognition technology which understands natural language commands spoken English.
Or perhaps someone else wants join viewing party remotely but doesn't have same movie file downloaded yet. No worries! Just share link generated by Watch Together feature within chat window integrated into web/mobile app. Then synchronize playback start time/chat messages/reactions/emoticons between participants regardless their location/device/platform/language/culture/background thanks WebRTC technology which enables peer-to-peer communication encrypted end-to-end security protocols.
The possibilities are endless with Plex Media Server! Whether need entertainment distraction during long commute/workout/coffee break/waiting room line; educational enrichment while studying/researching/exploring new topics/hobbies/passions; social interaction bonding moments family/friends/community around shared interests/values/goals; professional development learning opportunities career advancement/network building/expertise sharing; personal growth self-reflection/self-expression/self-improvement/self-care goals - there something everyone here!
So why wait? Download now start enjoying benefits today!
Review
Plex is media-playing software that can stream a file from one device to another over your local network. The base product is available for free on Windows without ads. Or you can subscribe to the Plex Pass, which adds features such as DVR recording, syncing files to mobile devices, and coordinating with cloud storage services to stream media from the cloud to your device.
Pros
The base version is very capable: If you just want to stream a video from your computer to your TV or a mobile device, the free version of Plex doesn't put up many roadblocks. It will encourage you to create a Plex account, but you can ignore that and just tell it to scan your PC for media to share locally. You can also create and manually add other folders, and Plex will add integrate that media and track those folders for future changes.
Plex is everywhere: You need a Plex app on both ends of your stream, so it needs to be available on a variety of platforms for everything to go smoothly. Thankfully, it's one of the most widely distributed apps on the planet: You can get it for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, game consoles, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. It's not free on every one of these platforms, but the price tag is less than you'd pay for a deli sandwich and helps to fund future development.
Easily scales to your environment: If you're trying to stream media over a spotty Wi-Fi connection, you can tell Plex to reduce the quality level, which reduces the network speed that you need for smooth playback. Or, if you have a fast and reliable connection, you can scale back those network optimizations and keep the video looking as good as possible.
Cons
Adding media to your library can take a while: Your media library is easier to visually scan if you're using cover art instead of navigating by file name. Plex can also provide the year of release, the names of actors and directors, and other parameters for sorting and searching more easily. The flip side is that this added functionality requires processing time. If you have a sizeable amount of MP3s and whatnot, be prepared to do something else to occupy your time until Plex is ready to stream it all.
Bottom Line
While you can use VLC media player (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) to stream media over a local network, Plex provides a much friendlier way to do that. And it has a proper media collection interface and better tools for handling different network speeds.
Full spec
Publisher | Plexapp |
Publisher site | http://www.plexapp.tv/ |
Release date | 2020-04-23 |
Date added | 2020-04-23 |
Category | MP3 & Audio Software |
Sub category | Music Management Software |
Version | 1.19.1.2645 |
Os requirements | Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
Requirements | Direct X 9.0c |
Price | Free |
Downloads per week | 60 |
Total downloads | 123816 |
Comments:
I've been using Plex Media Server for a few months now and it's been fantastic! It's easy to set up and manage my music library. Highly recommend it!
I agree, Jonathan! Plex Media Server has made organizing and accessing my music collection so much easier. No more searching through folders!
I've been using Plex for a while and it's great, but sometimes the playback can be a bit glitchy. Anyone else experiencing this issue?
I've had similar issues with playback, Mark. It doesn't happen frequently, but when it does, it can disrupt the experience.
Mark, I occasionally experience playback issues as well. It's not a deal-breaker, but it would be great if Plex could address this.
Mark, I haven't personally encountered any playback issues with Plex. It might be worth checking your network or device settings.
Hi Mark, I've also noticed occasional playback issues with Plex. It doesn't happen often, but it can be frustrating when it does.
Plex Media Server has been a game-changer for me! It's so convenient to have all my music accessible from any device. Love it!
Agreed, Alicia! Being able to stream my music library to my phone or tablet is incredibly convenient. Plex is a must-have for music lovers!
I'm thinking of trying out Plex Media Server for my music collection. Can anyone speak to its compatibility with different audio file formats?
Elena, Plex supports a wide range of audio file formats, including MP3, FLAC, and AAC. I've had no issues playing my library in various formats.
Elena, I've had the same experience as Melissa. Plex handles different audio formats seamlessly, so you shouldn't have any compatibility problems.
Plex Media Server is a versatile software. It's not just for music management but also for organizing and streaming videos. Highly recommended!
I didn't realize Plex is also great for organizing videos. Thanks for sharing, Michael! I'll definitely explore that feature.
Plex's video management is indeed impressive, Michael. It's a comprehensive media server that covers all aspects of entertainment.
Thanks, Jonathan and Melissa! That's good to know. I'll give Plex a shot for my music library.
Has anyone tried the mobile app for Plex? I'm curious how well it works for remote access to my music library.
I use the mobile app, Oliver, and it works seamlessly. I have access to my music wherever I go, and the app has a user-friendly interface.
Oliver, I've been using the Plex mobile app for a long time, and it's been reliable for remote access. Definitely worth trying!
I'm new to Plex Media Server. Can someone explain how it handles album artwork? Does it automatically fetch the artwork for music files?
Sophie, Plex does a great job of fetching album artwork automatically. It adds a visual touch to your music library. Very convenient!
I can confirm what Michael said, Sophie. Plex is excellent at fetching album artwork, creating a visually appealing music browsing experience.
Definitely, Sophie! Plex automatically pulls album artwork, making your music collection visually appealing and easy to navigate.
I've been using Plex for a while now, and it has been an absolute game-changer. It's so much easier to manage my music library!
Emily, I couldn't agree more! Plex has made organizing and accessing my music collection a breeze. It's a must-have software!
Can Plex be used to stream music to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home?
Jessica, yes, you can stream music from Plex to devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home. It's a great way to enjoy your music throughout your home.
I can confirm what Melissa said, Jessica. Plex integrates well with smart speakers, providing a seamless music streaming experience.
Plex Media Server has been one of the best investments for my music library. It's made my life so much easier!
I completely agree, David. Plex has transformed the way I manage and enjoy my music collection. I can't imagine going back.
I've been using Plex Media Server for years, and while I've experienced some playback issues, they have improved with updates. Overall, a solid software.
Michael, thanks for sharing your experience with Plex playback issues. It's good to know that updates have made improvements in that area.
I love how Plex Media Server allows me to create playlists and enjoy continuous music without interruptions. Great for parties!
Sophie, Plex automatically fetches album artwork using various online sources. It saves a lot of time and enhances the visual aspect of your music collection.
That's right, Oliver! Plex uses metadata to retrieve album artwork, ensuring your music library looks polished and professional.
Sophie, I'm glad you mentioned that! Plex's playlist feature is fantastic. It's so easy to create custom playlists and curate the perfect music selection.
Thanks, Jonathan and Sarah, for sharing your experiences with playback issues. I'll keep that in mind when using Plex.
You're welcome, Oliver! Despite the occasional hiccups, Plex is still a great choice for managing and streaming your music library.
Plex Media Server's user interface is sleek and intuitive. It's easy to navigate through my music collection and find what I'm looking for.
Absolutely, David! Plex's user interface is one of its standout features. It makes browsing and playing music a delightful experience.
Completely agree with you, Melissa! Plex's user interface is clean, visually appealing, and user-friendly. It's a pleasure to use.
David, I couldn't agree more. Plex has made managing and enjoying my music collection so much more efficient and enjoyable!
Sarah, I'm on the same page! Plex has transformed the way I interact with my music library. It's a game-changer!
Emily, I hope Plex addresses the playback issues soon. It's an otherwise excellent software that offers great features for music management.
Thank you, Jonathan! Plex's user interface is definitely a standout. It sets the software apart from other music management options.
Absolutely, Jonathan! Despite some minor playback issues, Plex is still my go-to software for music organization and streaming.
Thank you, Melissa and Jonathan, for clarifying! I'm excited to try using Plex with my smart speakers. It'll enhance my listening experience.
Melissa and Jonathan, thank you for your feedback on the Plex mobile app. I'll give it a try for remote access to my music library.
Thanks for the responses, everyone! It seems like I might be an isolated case with the playback issues. I'll try troubleshooting my setup.
Emily and Ashley, your positive experiences with Plex Media Server are convincing! I'll definitely give it a try for my music library.