Plex Media Server how to use? Configuring Plex Media Server

As it turns out, many users, first acquainted with the principles of DLNA, almost do not know how to use Plex Media Server - a universal program that can not only play media files from most of today's known devices, but also perform online broadcasts using any type of connection . Consider all the issues associated with this, for example, the topic "Plex Media Server: how to use after installation and pre-configuration." It should be noted immediately that the server configuration here occupies a dominant position, so you have to take this into account.

Plex Media Server: Preliminary acquaintance

First, let's determine what the Plex Media Server software package really is. How to use it, will be told a little later, but for now let us dwell on its most important features.

First, like any other DLNA client, it allows you to broadcast video, audio or graphic material from a laptop or stationary computer terminal directly to a set-top box with a resolution exceeding the standard parameters of the above devices.

In addition, the program has the undeniable advantages that, regardless of the original signal, it seems to pull up data on the reproduced films or audio albums from the Internet. This is akin to how standard ID3 tags work. But, if information is prescribed in them initially, then it is really loaded from the World Wide Web, adding, in addition to the description, many more interesting facts. But now it's not about that.

In addition to all this, a virtual physical server can serve as even a platform for connecting other devices or users to it to view the "shared" content. In other words, in the Plex Media Server program, the setup can sometimes be limited to adding new users that have access to it, or creating shared folders for simultaneous viewing. But here the P2P technologies enter into operation by the type of peer- to -peer networks, when from other terminals the file is uploaded to the registered computers on the network (in this case on the server). They are sometimes able to exchange information among themselves (provided that the appropriate settings are set).

Installing the Plex Media Server client

But all this while the theory was. Let's move on to practice. First we need to download and install the Plex Media Server package. Setting up the installation, as a rule, does not cause any special complaints. The most important thing here is to set up the executable installation file (Setup.exe) on behalf of the Administrator with Windows 7 or higher installed.

Then everything is simple. It is necessary to follow the instructions of the installation program, as usual, choose the location of the installation, etc. But here comes the most interesting moment.

Initial actions for registration, so that later there were no problems

Of course, you can install the package, in general, without much difficulty (they, unfortunately, will arise much later). So it's better to immediately register on the official website of the program and advise to do this to all users who are going to connect to such a server in the future (without registration it will be impossible).

So, go to the official resource plex.tv, create an account and follow the instructions. Actually, nothing complicated, the procedure looks like an ordinary routine. Further - more interesting.

The prerequisite is that the "native" firewall (Windows Firewall) does not block the program. To do this, create a new rule in the security mode settings and add port 32400 to it. In some cases, it may be necessary to transfer this port on the router.

The first launch of the Plex Media Server application

The program seems to be installed, but now it needs to be started. What is the frustration of the user when nothing happens when you double-click on a shortcut on an application? What happened?

It's okay! The point is that at the end of the installation, the application integrates its process into the background services and is activated. The use of Plex Media Server has already begun! To invoke (unfold) the program, you need to use the icon in the system tray (on systems like Windows 8 or 10 it can be hidden.) Click on the up arrow to display it.

Plex Media Server: Is it worth changing the default settings?

So, before us the main window of the program. How to use the settings, we now know. First, let's see what we have on the screen. The first thing that surprises almost all uninitiated users, so it's just that the application itself opens, oddly enough, in the browser window! For many, this is a shock.

Wait, do not panic. We look at the settings: the main language is Russian, Russian subtitles, video stream is automatic, etc. In principle, you do not need to change anything initially. A more fine tuning will be considered later.

Plex Media Server how to use (LG, Samsung and other Smart-panel models)?

To use the program in combination with TV panels, you first need to create a library on the desired terminal. We select, for example, the data type "Movies", click the continuation button, and then we search for folders in the section specified in the search.

If you are currently actively connected to the Internet, all the video files will be added a description found on the World Wide Web. At this stage it remains to select the files stored on the hard disk and simply add them to the library. There remains one more "chip": you need to share the "stolen", so that everyone else can see the content on the network. To do this, use the button as a gear. That's all for now.

Now about the panels. For example, on Samsung-modifications that support this technology, you first need to press the red button of the console, and then create a new user develop with an arbitrary password. Next, enter the IP server when you press the blue button on the remote, and then prescribe 109.91.176.102. Again, press the blue key and go to the synchronization section.

Now we turn off and re-enable the panel and enter SmartHub again - the Plex widget should appear here. If it is not, you need to do the procedure again. If he is a network, you can rejoice. After that it will be possible to install some additional plug-ins that will help make the work with the server easier.

Plex Media Server: How to use Chromecast and IMAC?

As for Chromecast, the technology is basically nothing much different. However, it is more designed for mobile devices that need to be synchronized with high-resolution panels. In particular, this applies to Samsung products. Describe the connection in detail there is no sense, because all the subtleties can be found in the attached instructions of any device.

How to use Plex Media Server on IMAC? Actually, the connection to "apple" computers, or rather, from them to other devices, is reduced only to the fact that the operating system is not using Windows, but Mac OS X.

Yet the actions are similar to all that was described above.

Advantages and disadvantages

The biggest problem, which, by the way, is a great advantage, is that the user who is not registered on the official resource can not use the services of connection to the server, even if he has an official version of the installed Plex Media Server client.

How to use? Yes, just register and get access rights from its creator. That's all.

Conclusion

Of course, the very question on the topic "Plex Media Server: how to use the program?" Only the above recommendations is not limited. This, rather, some general advice. When entering the application itself, there are many settings that you can change, depending on your own preferences (for example, add serials to the folder of the same name or create an exclusively musical collection). With all this, even with the initial default settings, when you add files or folders to specific sections, taking into account the pulling of information from the Internet, you can even achieve automatic systematization or, if you want, cataloging all that relates to the multimedia category, it does not matter, this Information on the computer or on the Internet. Mobile devices were not considered for the simple reason that the client being installed can directly connect to Smart TVs or prefixes of the 2013 release and later automatically.