The files might show up if you point Plex toward the folder where they live, but Plex won't be able to play them. We'll give you a quick guide here, but for more information, consult Plex's help files.īefore you begin, remember that any DRM-locked content you've purchased from iTunes won't work with Plex. Plex does a good job of identifying and cataloging your media all on its own, but it still needs a little help from you.

Plex Media Player apps for any devices you wish to use.

One or more large hard drives, internal, external, or network-connected, to store your media.

Most Macs will clear these hurdles easily my 2012 Mac mini runs Plex like a champ.

An always-on, Internet-connected Mac running Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks or later, with an Intel Core i3 processor or faster, and 2GB of RAM or more.

To set Plex up as a basic media server, you'll need: But for this guide, we'll focus on getting it running on a Mac. Plex Media Server can run on Macs, Windows, or Linux computers, a sufficiently powerful NAS drive, even one model of Netgear router. For obvious anti-piracy reasons, you can view or listen to, but not download, another user's media files. You can invite Plex-using friends to share and stream your media, and vice versa you only need to know their email address or Plex username. If for whatever reason you want multiple Plex servers on a single network, Plex is cool with that, too. That same computer can also run a player app, as can any other devices you connect to your server. You only need one computer running Plex Media Server. Most apps are free iOS apps cost $5 unless you're a Plex Pass subscriber. You can play Plex media through your web browser or native apps for Mac OS, AppleTV, and iOS, among many many other devices. Plex's media player apps provide the front end, playing all that media for your enjoyment.

Plex Media Server handles the back end, working behind the scenes on your server of choice to keep track of your media, convert it on the fly to streaming-friendly formats, and pipe it to you over your home network or the Internet. Emby, a media server with live TV and DVR support.

Channels, which streams and records live TV.The Kodi media server (which can work with Plex, too).Plex is one of many Mac media server and/or DVR solutions. Plugins that streamed web video from major networks' sites, among other add-ons.Cloud-based storage for your media library.An optional add-on subscription to the TIDAL streaming music serviceīut it's gotten rid of a few features it previously offered:.A no-extra-charge streaming service, with movies and TV shows from Sony, Paramount, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM, Legendary, and more.Plex has also branched out into more Internet-based services:

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