With the rise of on-demand content, it’s easy to forget the value of creating your own local media library. But having control over your own content can be incredibly liberating, especially when it comes to streaming to multiple devices.
Plex is a suite of software apps that allows you to create your own personal streaming service, complete with a vast library of movies, shows, and music. The Plex basics are all free, with a subscription that offers additional features like streaming outside your local Wi-Fi network, offline downloads, and more customization controls.
Setting Up a Plex Server
You don’t need any local media to use Plex, but you do need to create a media server on your computer. You can use a Windows or Mac computer, and the Plex Media Server software is free to download.
Follow the instructions on screen to set up the software, and register for a free Plex account if you haven’t already done so. This will give you access to the web-based interface where you can pick the files you want to make available, and split them into libraries like Music and Movies.
Click Browse For Media Folder to tell Plex which folders all your media files are stored in, and the software will get to work organizing your content. If you’re adding a lot of content at once, it may take some time for everything to be properly organized.
Connecting to Plex
Once you have your media server set up, you can start streaming your content to other devices. You’ll need to leave your media server computer turned on and the Plex media server app running, as the streaming quality will vary based on your home internet and the quality of the signal you’re getting on your other device.
Streaming Options
- Official apps for Android and iOS, Playstation and Xbox consoles, and streaming boxes like Apple TV 4K and Google TV Streamer
- Sign-in to your Plex account on any device to access your library
- Easy-to-use interface across all platforms
- Access to free movies and shows, as well as your own library
You can launch the Plex app on any device, and you’ll be prompted to sign into your account. This connects the app to the media server you’ve already created, and you’ll have access to your movies, shows, and music.
Customizing Your Plex Experience
With Plex, you can customize your experience by creating a watchlist of what you want to watch next, or marking items as watched or unwatched. You can also use online databases to match the content you’ve added to your libraries, and get plenty of information about the movies, shows, and music in your libraries as you browse around.
Advanced Features
- Streaming outside your local Wi-Fi network
- Offline downloads
- More customization controls
Plex is an excellent option for anyone looking to create their own personal streaming service, complete with a vast library of movies, shows, and music.
