Store the audio and video files on a local serverand have the option to play them on any device within the home or at a remote location, It is possible by correctly configuring our Raspberry Pi with the Plex tool.
The good news is that You don't need the latest version of mini computer to create a media server. Both the Raspberry Pi 1And of course, even the most recent models can be converted into multimedia centers without problems, although you should bear in mind that, due to their high resource consumption, Older models will become somewhat slow..
In this guide We'll take a walk through all the steps to install Plex on a Raspberry Pi.You will learn the minimum requirements you will need for everything to work smoothly, you will know the ideal way to configure it, and what other alternatives there are if you don't find that application suitable.
What is Plex and what is this tool used for on a Raspberry Pi?
Plex is an application that allows you to view multimedia contentso that you can have your Raspberry Pi on any other device. For this to be possible, You need to install Plex Media Server and have it running whenever you want to use the files. It also organizes all your digital content (videos, photos, and music) and encrypts remote connections with the Plex client.
The storage limit will be the one that has your Micro SD cardUSB flash drive or external hard drive. It's important to note that there are versions for virtually all platforms, including Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, macOS, chromecastPlayStation, Xbox consoles and SmartTVs. In summary, Plex is a useful toolwhich in many cases facilitates entertainment, especially when we don't want to watch them on a small screen but in the comfort of our TV.
What are the benefits of using Raspberry Pi as a Plex media server?
One of the benefits is that You won't have the hard drive space of your conventional computer taken up. with a large number of large files that you don't use frequently, such as movies, TV shows, or concerts. Second, You can access the files from anywhereWhether you're meeting up with friends or going on vacation to a faraway place, connecting to this media center will allow you to watch whatever you want from your mobile device.
Third, The Raspberry Pi board has low power consumption even if you leave it on for extended periods. It doesn't take up as much space as a conventional server, and its installation is simple. And as a fourth point, we add that They provide access to the GPIO, allowing for a quick connection and securely connect to other devices without major complications.
What do I need to install Plex on my Raspberry Pi? Essential requirements
Although it may work with most Raspberry Pi models, An excellent idea is to acquire a device that has good power and performance.The Pi 3 versions have increased the capacity of their processor, but these were surpassed by the Pi 4. It is advisable to review the technical specifications to conclude that Both the operating system and Plex will work together..
Review this list of resources you need to complete the installation:
- Having available a mouse, keyboard and monitor.
- Having a pendrive or external hard drive.
- Food original device or from a trusted brand.
- It is recommended to use Raspbian Lite (Raspberry Pi OS), which is a Linux distribution.
Learn step-by-step how to install and configure a Plex server on your Raspberry Pi mini computer from scratch
Installing the Plex application is simple, Just follow these steps and you'll reach the end without any problems. and keep your Raspberry Pi running optimally.
Go for it:
Update Raspberry Pi OS
The most convenient is have the Raspberry Pi operating system installed on the deviceIt's also a good idea to check for updates, as this will prevent system vulnerabilities and allow you to use the latest features. On the other hand, taking this step It will prevent your security from being compromised when you connect to the internet..
To update everything, enter the following code:
sudo apt-get update
Install and enable HTTPS transfer
The only way to access the downloaded installation files is through HTTPSbecause of the ARM architecture used by the Raspberry Pi These remain in the “dev2day” repositoryIn the most recent versions it comes by default, but to check, enter the following code:
sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https
Add the “dev2day” repository
To configure the repository “dev2day” As a registered source of the files, an encryption key is required.
To obtain the password, you must add the following command:
wget -O – https://dev2day.de/pms/dev2day-pms.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add –
By entering this code, you will see a key, and after obtaining it, you must add the "dev2day" repository to the package's source list:
echo «deb https://dev2day.de/pms/ jessie main» | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pms.list
Finally, to confirm the changes made, the package list must be updated:
sudo apt-get update
Install Plex Media Server
Once the above steps have been completed, you can begin inserting the Plex package installation onto the card:
sudo apt-get install -t jessie plexmediaserver
When prompted, press the button "Download" and the file will begin uploading to your computer.
Enable the permission
To have permissions in the Plex application settings on your Raspberry PiThe default user must be replaced with the administrator functions.
To do this, add the following command:
sudo nano /etc/default/plexmediaserver.prev
Next, a text document will appear where you must search for the phrase “PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_USER=plex”There, it will replace the last word “Plex” by word "Pi"Once you do that, press the key on the keyboard. “CTRL + X”, then "Y" And that's how the changes will be saved.
To verify everything, enter the following command:
sudo service plexmediaserver restart
Specify the static IP address
To establish a connection between the device and the Plex server, it is necessary to have a static IP addressThus, any device that wants to connect to the card will find it easily.
To configure this step, we first find out the current address with this command:
hostname –I
The result you getYou should write it down because you will be necessary later.
Now, enter the following command:
sudo nano /boot/cmdline.txt
Once you open the text document “cmdline.txt”, at the end add a line according to the shape “ip=IP address”After the symbol "="Enter the address you saved earlier. Save the changes.
Restart the Raspberry Pi
To see the changes and how the process is progressing, restart the card using the following command:
sudo reboot
With this, We guarantee that the Plex application has been installed. and it's ready to be used.
Add your files to the Plex library
We continue opening the web browser, once it loads we will enter this address:
http://your_IP_Address:32400/web/
In the first part, You are going to write the static IP address that you have selected. To log in, you will need to use a Google or Facebook account. Once logged in, the interface will appear, and you can use the option “Add Library” You will begin uploading the files.
Create a connection to your files
The files have already been uploaded and will be synchronized in a few minutes. Let's now view them from another device to verify that everything is in order.To grant permissions, go to the tab “Server” and once inside, press the option “Remote Access”.
Then click “Enable remote access” and wait until the server accepts the changes. To use it from any device, You need to have the Plex app installed. and register with the information you already used. This will give you access to the media library you uploaded.
List of the best Plex alternatives to easily turn your Raspberry Pi into a media server
If you're looking for an alternative to Plex, here are some other options you can consider that also work as media file managers:
emby
This application also lets us It allows us to categorize our multimedia library. by letting the computer act as a server and view the same files on other devices. One of the advantages is that it allows create a local network within the home or office where content can be shared. It has several plugins that can multiply the options.
Mezzmo
Although it only boots with the Android system, It also acts as a multimedia manager that works remotely.Once installed, all saved files appear. Aside from that, when connected to a device, Real-time transcoding ensures good image transmissionThere is a free version and a paid version.
stream
One striking aspect of this app is that its player is inspired by Netflix. Organize your files easily and navigate your entire collection intuitively.It features an episode browser that makes searching easy. It has a history of recently watched episodes and also allows you to resume playback where you left off.
Kodi
This application organizes and plays content with an interface that supports various audio, video, and photo formats. It is customized according to each person's tastes. and you can also change the way in which the available resources are managed. Kodi is one of the best options for this plate.
Comments are closed.