As it turns out, many users who are first acquainted with the principles of DLNA work have almost no idea how to use Plex Media Server - a universal program that can not only play media files from most devices known today, but also carry out online broadcasts using any type of connection . Consider all issues related to this, for example, the topic "Plex Media Server: how to use after installation and pre-configuration." It should be noted right away that server configuration is in the forefront here, so this should be treated with understanding.
Plex Media Server: Introductory Introduction
To get started, let's decide what the Plex Media Server software package actually is. How to use it, it will be said a little later, but for now let us dwell on its most important capabilities.
Firstly, 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 that exceeds the standard parameters of the above devices.
In addition, the program has undeniable advantages, consisting in the fact that, regardless of the source signal, it kind of pulls up data on playing films or audio albums from the Internet. This is akin to how standard ID3 tags work. But, if information is written in them initially, then here it really is loaded from the World Wide Web, adding, in addition to the description, many more interesting facts. But now is not about that.
On top of that, such a virtual-physical server can even serve as a platform for connecting other devices or users to it for viewing “shared” content. In other words, in Plex Media Server, the setup can sometimes be limited to adding new users who have access to it, or creating shared folders for viewing at the same time. But here P2P technologies come into effect as peer- to -peer networks, when from one terminal having a file in its full (integral) form, distribution is made to download to other computers registered on the network (in this case, on the server). They are sometimes able to exchange information with each other (provided that the appropriate settings are specified).
Installing the Plex Media Server Client
But this was all theory so far. 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 particular complaints. The most important thing here is to set the launch of the installation executable file (Setup.exe) on behalf of the Administrator on installed Windows 7 and higher systems.
Then everything is simple. You need to follow the instructions of the installation program, as usual, select the installation location, etc. But here comes the most interesting moment.
Initial registration steps so that there are no problems later
Of course, you can install the package, in general, without much difficulty (unfortunately, they will arise much later). So it’s better to immediately register on the official website of the program and advise all users who are going to connect to such a server in the future to do this (without registration, it will be simply impossible).
So, we go to the official resource plex.tv, create an account and follow the instructions. Actually, nothing complicated, the procedure looks like an ordinary routine. More interesting.
A prerequisite is that the "native" Windows firewall (firewall) does not block the program. To do this, create a new rule in the settings for enhanced security and add port 32400 there. In some cases, it may be necessary to forward this port on the router.
First launch of Plex Media Server
The program seems to be installed, but now it needs to be launched. What a disappointment of the user, when nothing happens when you double-click on the shortcut to the application! What happened?
It's okay! The fact is that after the installation is complete, the application integrates its process into the work of background services and is activated. Use of Plex Media Server has already begun! To call (expand) the program, you need to use the icon in the system tray (in systems like Windows 8 or 10 it can be hidden. To display it, use the click on the up arrow).
Plex Media Server: is it worth changing the default settings?
So, before us is the main window of the program. How to use the settings, we now find out. First, let's see what we have on the screen. The first thing that surprises almost all uninitiated users is that the application itself opens, oddly enough, in a browser window! For many, this causes shock.
Wait, no need to panic. We look at the settings: the main language is Russian, subtitles are Russian, the video stream is automatic, etc. In principle, there is no need to change anything here initially. More fine tuning will be considered a little later.
Plex Media Server how to use (LG, Samsung and other models of Smart-panels)?
To use the program in combination with television panels, you first need to create a library on the desired terminal. For example, select the “Movies” data type, press the continue button, and then set the search for folders in the section indicated in the search.
If an Internet connection is currently active, the description found on the World Wide Web will be added to all video files. At this stage, it remains to select the files stored on the hard drive and simply add them to the library. There remains one more “trick”: you need to share the “loot” so that everyone else can see the content on the network. To do this, use the button in the form of 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 on the remote control, and then create a new develop user with an arbitrary password. Next, enter the IP server when you click the blue button on the remote, and then prescribe 109.91.176.102. Press the blue key again and go to the synchronization section.
Now we turn the panel off and on again and enter SmartHub again - here the Plex widget should appear. If 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 plugins that will help make working with the server easier.
Plex Media Server: how to use Chromecast and IMAC?
As for Chromecast, the technology is basically no different. However, it is more designed for mobile devices, which should be synchronized with high-resolution panels. In particular, this applies to Samsung products. It makes no sense to describe the connection in detail, since all the details can be read in the attached instructions of any device.
How to use Plex Media Server on IMAC? Actually, connecting to "apple" computers, or rather, from them to other devices, boils down to the fact that Mac OS X is used as the operating system.
Nevertheless, the actions are similar to all that was described above.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main problem, which, by the way, is a great advantage, is that a user who is not registered on the official resource cannot use the services of connecting to the server, even if he has the 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 question itself on the topic "Plex Media Server: how to use the program?" only the recommendations are not limited. These are, rather, some general advice. When you enter the application itself, there are many settings that you can change, depending on your own preferences (for example, add series to the folder of the same name or create only a music collection). With all this, even when using the initial default settings, when adding files or folders to certain sections, taking into account the pulling of information from the Internet, you can even automatically organize or, if you want, catalog everything that belongs to the multimedia category, no matter this information on a computer or on the Internet. Mobile devices were not considered for the simple reason that the installed client can directly connect to Smart TVs or set-top boxes of 2013 and later automatically.