Tag: Plex

Plex HDR Hardware Tone Mapping Comes to Windows (sponsored post)

Plex recently rolled out a hardware tone mapping to the Windows version of the Plex media server. You can see it in action in my latest monthly sponsored Plex video.

Previously exclusive to Linux, this feature now allows Windows users with supported Intel processors to transcode HDR video to SDR with hardware acceleration, making it more accessible for out-of-home streaming on devices like phones and tablets. While the update brings much-needed capability to Windows, there are notable differences in how the feature is configured compared to its Linux counterpart.

To enable hardware tone mapping on Windows, users need at least a Tiger Lake processor or newer. This requirement contrasts with Linux, which supports older hardware, including Kaby Lake processors from 2016. The configuration process in Windows involves navigating to the hardware transcoder menu, where HDR tone mapping can be switched on if it isn’t already. Users can manually adjust settings for saturation, contrast, and brightness to optimize the output for different devices. These adjustments apply server-wide, affecting all transcoding sessions. While this manual configuration allows for flexibility, it also requires more effort from the user.

Linux simplifies the process with pre-baked algorithms for tone mapping. These presets eliminate the need for manual adjustments, allowing users to select an option that best suits their viewing devices. The detailed information about these algorithms is available in the support documentation provided by Plex.

In testing the Windows tone mapping feature, I used an HDR film and converted it to 720p HD. The hardware transcoder effectively handled the process, with CPU usage averaging around 27% and minimal memory impact. The output, however, was brighter than expected, contrary to Plex’s guidance about darker results.

For those with systems that include an NVIDIA GPU alongside an Intel or AMD processor, Windows users gain access to the same tone mapping algorithms as Linux, bypassing the need for manual configuration. Additionally, software-based tone mapping is an option, though it’s more resource-intensive and less efficient than hardware solutions.

For users focused on streaming full bit-rate media within the home, the tone mapping features are less critical. The Windows version of the Plex server reliably delivers video to devices like the NVIDIA Shield without the need for transcoding. However, for those who frequently transcode video for out-of-home use, the introduction of hardware tone mapping to Windows is a welcome addition. While it requires some manual effort, it now offers a somewhat viable alternative to Linux for handling HDR-to-SDR conversions.

Ultimately, this update broadens the options available to Plex users on Windows. While Linux remains the more streamlined and resource-efficient choice for extensive hardware transcoding, Windows users now get a more efficient solution HDR video transcoding.

Disclosure: This video was a paid sponsorship by Plex, however they did not review or approve this content before it was uploaded and all opinions are my own.

Plex Previews New User Interface (sponsored post)

Plex recently unveiled a preview of its new mobile user interface, a redesign that aims to enhance navigation and improve user experience. While still in beta, the new interface feels familiar and new at the same time. I took it out for a spin in my latest video.

The first thing I noticed was a quick-access watchlist button at the top of the screen and a redesigned user section offer streamlined control over profiles, subscriptions, and settings.

In the lower section users can now click the “library” button to get access to their Plex server or one that was shared from a friend. A significant shift lies in how users navigate their libraries – users can now select them from a drop down menu or by tapping the library button a second time. This is in place of the previous “hamburger menu” which required the user to “pin” different libraries to get quick access. Browsing and filtering options inside the library remain consistent with the prior interface.

The landing pages for movies and tv shows have also been redesigned. Users can now enjoy enhanced visuals, such as detailed logos and imagery, creating a cleaner and more immersive browsing experience. Actor pages and related content maintain familiar structures but will evolve further as the beta progresses.

Plex’s emphasis on its free live TV and on-demand movie offerings is evident in the addition of dedicated tabs for these features. These sections separate free content from personal libraries, improving organization. For users of the Plex DVR, antenna-based channels will return in future updates, ensuring no loss of functionality.

Notably absent from the new interface are photo and music management features. This shift is deliberate, as Plex transitions these functions to standalone apps: Plexamp for music and Plex Photos for images. These changes aim to streamline the core app while offering specialized platforms for other media types.

For those interested in the philosophy behind the redesign or wanting to try the beta, Plex has shared detailed resources on its blog and forums. These platforms also serve as hubs for feedback, enabling users to shape the future of the app.

As the beta evolves, it will be interesting to see how these updates are received and refined. Whether you’re a long-time Plex user or new to the platform, the changes mark a step toward a more intuitive and visually appealing experience.

This post was sponsored by Plex, however they did not review or approve what was posted before it was uploaded.

M4 Mac Mini as a Plex Server?

One of the most asked questions I received on my M4 Mac Mini review the other day was how well the Mac Mini performs as a Plex server. In my latest video, we put its Plex serving capabilities to the test and compare it to the lowest cost Plex server you can buy – a $150 GMKTec G3 with an N100 processor.

The tests included playing back a standard Blu-ray rip, a 4K Blu-ray file with HDR-to-SDR tone mapping, and an AV1 file, with all videos transcoding down to 720p at 4 Mbps.

The M4 Mac Mini, powered by Apple Silicon, performed consistently well, leveraging Apple’s native APIs for hardware transcoding. Its hardware encoders and decoders, now supporting AV1, resulted in similar CPU consumption to what we saw on the Intel N100 with Quicksync.

Both systems performed similarly in handling basic 1080p-to-720p transcoding, maintaining stability with minor spikes in usage. Both also handled AV1 transcoding in hardware thanks to AV1 being added to the M4 chip’s hardware acceleration. They even handled hardware tone mapping with the 4k Blu-Ray MKV, converting the HDR media to SDR while brining the 2160p resolution down to 720p.

In terms of resource consumption, the results were quite different. The Mac consumed around 1.3 GB of RAM for two simultaneous 4K tone mapping transcodes, while the Linux system operated with a lean 320 MB, making it much better suited for scaling up with multiple users. The Mac also had a good chunk of its 16GB of memory already in use for all of the background tasks Macs do.

But for casual transcoding tasks and/or having the Plex server be a secondary feature alongside its primary desktop functions, the Mac proved viable. But when scalability and efficiency come into play, the Linux-based Mini PC outshines it for far less money. The Linux system’s ability to handle more users with minimal memory overhead and its compatibility with Docker make it a robust option for dedicated Plex server setups.

Plex Adds Social User Reviews for TV and Movies

In this month’s sponsored Plex video, the spotlight is on a new feature that allows users to write reviews for TV shows and movies and have them viewable by friends on the Plex platform. The reviews show up ahead of the critic reviews that Plex sources from Rotten Tomatoes.

For TV shows you can rate and review entire series, individual seasons, or specific episodes. Currently reviewers have the option to make the reviews visible only to yourself, only to friends, or expand things a bit by allowing friends of friends to see them. For more information on how social features work on Plex, check out my Discover Together video from a little while back.

Plex also allows for spoiler-tagged reviews. When marked, the spoilers are blurred out, protecting other viewers who haven’t seen the content yet. It’s a useful addition for those who want to discuss plot twists or endings without ruining the experience for others.

The new feature should now be enabled across most of the platforms Plex supports. This includes Android mobile and TV, Apple TV and iOS, Roku and Fire TV. If you’re not seeing it enabled be sure to make sure your app version is up to date. More information can be found on this Plex support page.

For those budding reviewers who want a wider audience, Plex is beta-testing a feature that allows select users’ reviews to be seen by the entire Plex community. If you’re interested in contributing as a critic, Plex has an application form up where you can submit your information.

Disclosure: This video was sponsored by Plex, however they did not review or approve it before it was uploaded.

Plex Pass New Quality of Life Features (sponsored post)

For this month’s sponsored Plex video we take a look at a few several minor yet useful features for its Plex Pass subscribers that might enhance the overall user experience. While these features may not seem groundbreaking, they can offer a more tailored and convenient viewing experience. Take a look in my latest video.

One of the new features, “Rewind on Resume,” is designed for those moments when you’re interrupted mid-viewing. Instead of resuming exactly where you left off, this feature allows the video to rewind a specified number of seconds, helping you remember what was happening before you paused. This could be particularly useful for those who, like many of us, find themselves frequently interrupted by daily life.

Another feature adds player controls for the “Skip Intro” and “Skip Credits” options that were previously only set at the server level. Users can choose to have intros and credits skipped automatically, manually, or not at all, depending on their preference. This is especially convenient for binge-watchers who want to skip past the end credits of a concluding episode and the intro credits on the subsequent one.

For those who utilize Plex’s DVR feature, there’s an option to automatically skip commercials during playback. However, this only applies to content recorded via the DVR and not to manually added other content. This feature, like the skip intro and credits options, can be customized to the user’s preference, allowing for automatic skipping or manual control.

Of note – the skip features are not yet available on every Plex player. Unfortunately Apple devices do not have these player-level controls at the time of this post.

Another little feature will provide some help for those of us who often fall asleep in front of the TV. Called the “Passout Protection” feature, this setting allows the user to set a time limit after which the playback will stop. This can be set for one to three hours, with a prompt asking if you’re still watching before the playback stops. Alternatively, this prompt can be disabled for those who prefer uninterrupted viewing.

Lastly, Plex has enhanced its music player, Plexamp, with a feature called “Mix Builder.” This allows users to create playlists based on selected artists or albums. Unlike some other Plexamp features that can take you on a musical journey, this feature lets users curate their own listening experience by locking the playlist onto specific artists or albums.

While these features may not revolutionize your Plex experience, they do offer small improvements that can make using the service more enjoyable. For those with a Plex Pass and compatible devices, exploring these options might reveal some valuable enhancements to your media consumption habits.

Disclaimer: This post & video was sponsored by Plex but they did not review or approve the content before it was posted.

How to Install Plex on Linux the Easy Way! (sponsored post)

Installing Plex on Linux is easier than you might think, even on a low-cost mini PC like the GMKtec G3 with its Intel N100 processor (compensated affiliate link). The goal of this tutorial is to set up the Plex Media Server without diving into complex command lines, making it accessible even for those not well-versed in Linux.

I chose Ubuntu 24.04 which is known for its user-friendly setup. I installed Ubuntu on a MSATA M.2 SSD inside the G3, allowing me to dual boot between Windows and Linux. My Windows installation is on the G3’s other M.2 slot’s NVME drive.

For this example I have an external USB SSD attached with two movies and a season of a television show for demonstration purposes. I suggest formatting the drive in the exFAT format which will simplify access permissions.

The installation process, guided by a thorough online tutorial, involves using a USB drive to boot and install the OS. Once set up, the desktop environment is ready for use, with an app center to facilitate installing additional software like Plex.

To install Plex, I accessed the app center, searched for Plex Media Server, and installed it with a click. After logging into my Plex account and naming the server, it was time to add media libraries. The process involves pointing Plex to the appropriate folders on the external drive where my media is stored. This setup is straightforward, similar to what one would experience on Windows.

Hardware transcoding is a notable feature that works efficiently on Linux. Unlike Windows, Linux supports hardware HDR to SDR tone mapping, significantly improving performance when trying to transcode large HDR 4k Blu Ray files to much smaller streams for remote viewing.

Testing with a 4K HDR movie and a TV show episode simultaneously, the mini PC handled the transcoding with ease, utilizing less than 35% of system resources. By contrast, the Windows version of the Plex media server ground to a halt when the 4k movie began transcoding due to its hardware transcoder not accelerating the tone mapping process. On Windows only Nvidia GPUs are supported right now for hardware tone mapping.

Updating the system and Plex server is managed through the app center, ensuring the software remains current. I also detailed in the video how to back up the installation by navigating to the Plex data stored in var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/.

Personally I’ve found Docker to be the best way to manage Plex on Linux as it makes the installation easier to backup and migrate. But Docker does bring with it more installation complexity. In the future we might take unRAID out for a spin that integrates Docker in a very user friendly way. Stay tuned!

Disclosure: This was a paid sponsorship by Plex. However they did not review or approve this video before it was uploaded and all opinions are my own.

Plex Server on the Cheap! Intel N100 Mini PCs are a great choice.

In my latest sponsored Plex video, we look at using a very inexpensive Intel N100 based GMKtek G3 Mini PC as a Plex server. Despite being a budget device, its performance, particularly with hardware transcoding, is impressive.

You can see my initial review of this particular PC here.

I began by installing the Windows version of Plex Media Server on the mini PC since it comes pre-installed with Windows and the Windows installation process is the simplest.

The Intel N100 processor, part of Intel’s Alder Lake series, features QuickSync technology, which enables hardware accelerated video decoding and encoding. This is important for users who plan to stream content outside their home network. QuickSync compresses videos into lower bitrate files on the fly, facilitating smoother playback over varying network conditions. Additionally, the chip’s capability to handle multiple video formats makes it a versatile choice for media servers.

Hardware transcoding requires a Plex Pass (compensated affiliate link). You can learn more about hardware transcoding in this video. If you are just direct playing the files from your Plex server inside the home the hardware transcoding (and Plex Pass) aren’t necessary. You’ll be able to spin things up for free.

In my real-world testing, I demonstrated the mini PC’s ability to handle multiple simultaneous hardware transcodes efficiently. For instance, a 4K VP9 encoded video from Netflix and a Blu-ray MKV file were both transcoded without significant CPU load, maintaining around 20-25% usage. Even with five concurrent transcodes, including various formats like VP9, H.264 and a 10-bit HEVC, the CPU usage only reached about 35%.

However, the mini PC encounters limitations with 4K HDR Blu-ray MKVs when playing back on non-SDR displays. Windows does not support hardware-based HDR tone mapping, forcing the CPU to handle this task, resulting in poor playback performance. Hardware tone mapping does work on Quicksync equipped processors on Linux operating systems, however. I explored this in another video using the same N100 hardware. It works great!

Despite these limitations, an Intel Alder LAke N100 mini PC is an excellent choice for most Plex users looking for a budget solution with low power consumption.

Disclosure: This video was sponsored by Plex however they did not review or approve the video before it was uploaded.

Plex Now Has Hundreds of Free Channels – Here’s how to navigate them (sponsored post)

Plex, well-known for its media server capabilities, has now ventured into providing over 600 free advertiser supported television (FAST) channels in the U.S., with a total of 1,100 channels globally. These free channels are accessible on various platforms, including mobile and and TV devices, without the need for a dedicated Plex server.

In my latest video we take a look at how to navigate all of these choices.

Plex’s interface is structured to help viewers quickly narrow down their choices. The channel guide offers an initial glimpse of all available channels, and further efficiencies are found through category filters like “Hit TV” or genres such as crime and sports. There is also a “featured” section where Plex showcases some of the heavy hitters on the platform like the NFL’s free channel which was recently added.

Plex’s universal search feature will also surface content that is playing live in addition to on-demand offerings.

Moreover, Plex integrates local over-the-air TV channels if a user has a Plex Pass and a network TV tuner, allowing for a blend of local and streaming content. This feature enriches the user’s viewing options, providing a seamless integration of local and global content on a single platform.

Viewers can personalize their viewing experience by adding channels to their “favorites,” making them easily accessible upon each return to the service. These preferences sync across all devices connected to the viewer’s Plex account, ensuring a consistent setup regardless of the device used.

New channels are being added all the time. Plex has a helpful search tool set up on their website that can give you a breakdown about what’s available in your particular market.

Disclosure: this post and video was sponsored by Plex, however they did not review or approve this content before it was uploaded.

Serving Plex Media to Legacy Devices via DLNA

In this month’s sponsored Plex video, I explore an older feature of Plex that connects your media to legacy devices like old TVs and media players through Plex’s support for DLNA. This makes it possible to browse and consume media from your Plex server while making use of all of the metadata stored in your Plex libraries.

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) was established in 2003 by a group of technology companies aiming to create a standardized framework for sharing digital media across devices. DLNA has been widely adopted by manufacturers and software developers in the decades since.

The process begins with enabling the DLNA server function within the Plex web app’s server settings. Once activated, the Plex server can communicate with any DLNA-compatible device on the network, making it discoverable to a wide range of electronics, regardless of their manufacture date.

I conducted a demonstration using DLNA Browser on a Windows laptop to mimic the experience on a TV or audio device. The interface presented options to explore video, music, or photo libraries stored on the Plex server. One key point is that DLNA does not incorporate authentication, which means all shared media on the Plex server becomes accessible to anyone on the same network.

For video playback, Plex’s DLNA server allows browsing by key metadata points like genres, directors, actors, etc. You can of course also just browse media alphabetically and even dive into the folders stored on your server. The server will assign playback history to the main user on the server but will not store playback progress.

The music playback functionality through DLNA stands out, especially for high-quality audio files. Modern audio devices that don’t have support for a Plex client, including my home theater receiver, can access and play lossless audio files directly from the Plex server, complete with album art and metadata. This feature is particularly valuable for audiophiles with extensive digital music libraries. Unlike video playback history is not stored, however.

Despite its benefits, DLNA integration isn’t without challenges. Older devices may struggle with newer media formats, requiring manual configuration for transcoding—a process that ensures media compatibility but may demand a more technical setup.

DLNA is not just limited to legacy devices either. One viewer wrote in to tell me they use it with their Meta Quest headset to access their media. Many modern televisions will also pick up your Plex media server and present it within the native TV interface too.

Plex’s DLNA feature can bridge between past and present technology, offering a practical solution for extending the life of older devices through access to modern digital media libraries.

Plex Launches Movie Rental Feature

My latest monthly sponsored Plex video takes a look at Plex’s new movie rental feature that allows users to rent and watch popular films without having to leave the Plex interface.

Rentals can be found in a new tab that’s been added to Plex’s free movies and TV shows section. Here, a variety of films are available for rent, distinct from the platform’s ad-supported content. You will also find rentals integrated into Plex’s universal search and watchlist features. Users who prefer not to see rental options in their search results can adjust their settings to exclude them.

The rental process within Plex is straightforward. Upon selecting a movie, users have a 30-day window to commence viewing. Once the movie is started, there is a 48-hour period to complete it.

After renting a movie, it appears on the user’s Plex home page and will also be at the top of the rental tab. Rentals will be integrated with the rest of the media accessible to the viewer. Users will also receive email notifications reminding them to watch the film before it expires.

A notable feature of Plex’s rental service is the capability to view rented movies across different devices, maintaining continuity in the play location. But there is currently no offline viewing option and rentals can only be played back on one device at a time. At the moment rentals are limited to 1080p only with 5.1 channel surround sound.

The pricing structure for rentals varies. Older movies generally cost around $3.99, newer releases are priced at $5.99. I noticed a few rentals available for movies currently in theaters that are priced higher.

Currently, the rental feature is only available in the United States, with plans for future expansion to other regions. As the feature evolves I’ll post some updates. You can also keep track of changes on Plex’s support pages.

Disclosure: This video was a paid sponsorship from Plex. However they did not review or approve this before it was uploaded.

Plex Updates Search (sponsored post)

In my latest sponsored Plex video, I explore the latest updates to Plex’s search feature, changes that significantly enhance the user experience for those navigating through their extensive media libraries. You can watch the video here!

The primary change in Plex’s search functionality the ability to customize what is being searched. Users can now filter their searches to specific servers, excluding content from other sources if desired. For example, a search for “Ghostbusters” will yield results from the user’s server, Plex’s on-demand features, and external sources. However, with the new search filters, users can narrow down these results to display only the movies available on their server if they choose.

Another notable improvement is the ability to search for content based on specific actors. Typing an actor’s name, like Mark Hamill, brings up a detailed list of their work available in the user’s media libraries and on Plex if desired. This feature extends to genre searches as well, allowing users to explore categories like sci-fi across their own libraries and Plex’s on-demand offerings.

Plex has also integrated the watchlist feature into search, which allows users to add content right from the search results. Additionally, because Plex now indexes content from various other services, users can also search and add content to the watchlist that’s on streaming services they may be subscribed to.

The search settings are remembered on each client, meaning if a user sets their preferences on one device, these preferences will be retained the next time they log into Plex on that device. These new search features are now live on the web along with TV and mobile apps.

Plex Dash 2.0 Adds More Server Configuration Options (sponsored post)

In my latest monthly sponsored Plex video, I explore the latest update of Plex Dash, an app that allows users to manage their Plex server from a smartphone. This update brings a bunch of new features, enhancing the app’s functionality and user experience. The app is free and available to those who have a Plex Pass subscription.

If you need a Plex Pass, — Plex is having a Black Friday sale for 25% off a lifetime Plex Pass. You can find it here (compensated affiliate link) – use code FUZZYFRIDAY to get the discount. The code is valid through November 28th at 7:59 AM UTC.

Plex Dash, available on both iPhone and Android, initially served as a monitoring tool for Plex servers. The update, however, extends its capabilities to server administration, previously only accessible via a web browser. This development is particularly beneficial for those who need to manage their servers remotely.

As before you can monitor servers in real time to see what media is currently being played back and what kinds of transcoding processes are taking place. This new version of the app expands some of these metrics to include tasks the server might be doing in the background along with enhanced charts to monitor CPU, RAM and network performance.

Plex Dash has also expanded its library administration capabilities. Users can now adjust library settings directly from the app. Server settings can also be adjusted through Plex Dash, with most options from the web interface now available in the app. However, settings for remote access still require the web interface.

A notable new feature is the ability to browse server logs in real-time and download them for later review. This functionality is particularly useful for troubleshooting and monitoring server activities.

While the update significantly enhances Plex Dash’s capabilities, there is still room for improvement. For instance, the ability to edit metadata directly from the app is currently limited to just changing thumbnails. Expanding this feature to include full metadata editing would be a valuable addition for users who manage extensive libraries.

The updated Plex Dash app is a robust tool for managing Plex servers on the go. Its enhanced features bring a level of convenience and efficiency, especially for users who frequently need to administer their servers remotely. As the app continues to evolve, it will likely become an even more indispensable tool for Plex server administrators.

Disclosure: This video was part of my monthly sponsorship from Plex. However they did not review or approve the video before it was uploaded.

Tutorial: Accessing Your Plex Server on a Personal VPN Like Tailscale

In my latest sponsored Plex video, I delved into accessing a Plex server through a personal VPN like Tailscale. This curiosity was sparked by Apple’s recent update that allows the use of VPN clients on the Apple TV hardware natively, eliminating the need for any special hacks or tricks. Native VPN support is not exclusive to Apple TV and extends to several Android TV devices as well.

The motivation behind using a personal VPN for Plex is simple: added security. For someone like me, who only shares the Plex server with myself, there’s no need to expose the server to the Internet. One of the advantages of Tailscale is that it works without exposing any ports on my router to the outside world.

In the video I demo an Apple TV connecting to a Synology NAS located about 10 miles away at my mom’s house. This NAS, securely locked behind a router with no open ports, is inaccessible to the outside world but it is running the Tailscale VPN client.

Once connected through my Tailscale network, the Plex server, which was previously inaccessible, became available. The experience was smooth, with a Blu-ray MKV file playing at 19 megabits per second over the internet without any transcoding. My mother has Frontier’s 500 megabit symmetrical fiber optic service at her house which worked seamlessly.

Tailscale offers the advantage of limiting access to specific devices. For instance, I can choose to share only my Plex server with others without exposing the entire local network. Tailscale is free for up to 100 devices, making it a cost-effective solution for most users.

Personal VPN clients like Tailscale are also available on mobile devices, providing the same seamless experience on the go. The compatibility with TV boxes makes it easier to take your Plex server off the public internet without losing functionality. It works well with Android TV, and while it’s doable on Fire TV, it may require sideloading. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Roku at the moment.

Personal VPNs are an option worth considering for Plex servers, especially for people who don’t share their Plex server with many people. It offers control and peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your content wherever you are while keeping everything locked safely behind your firewall.

Disclosure: This video was sponsored by Plex but they did not review or approve it before it was uploaded.

Running Plex in a Docker Container on Synology is Super Easy

Over the last couple of months I’ve been playing around with a bunch of self-hosted projects using Docker containers on my Synology NAS. In my most recent sponsored video for Plex, we take a look at spinning up a Plex server inside a container using Synology’s new Container Manager on DSM 7.2.

One might wonder, why use Docker when you can simply install Plex from the Synology package center? The answer lies in the flexibility and advantages Docker offers. Docker containers provide backup and migration opportunities that are more straightforward than other methods. They also offer a level of isolation, enhancing security. In the case of Synology specifically, the Docker versions tend to get updated more frequently, ensuring you always have the latest features.

Before diving in, ensure your Synology NAS is compatible with Docker. Synology’s website has a list of compatible devices that work with their Container Manager. If you are a Plex Pass holder and want to enable hardware transcoding you’ll also need to ensure your Synology NAS is running with an Intel processor that’s compatible with QuickSync video encoding. You can learn more about video transcoding in another video I made on that topic.

My video will take you step by step through the installation process by using a Docker Compose file to configure the container. If you’d like to see the one I’m using you can download it here.

Setting up Plex on Synology NAS using Docker was one of the more straightforward Docker projects I’ve undertaken. The process is efficient, and the benefits, especially in terms of backup and migration, make it worth considering for your next install.

Plexamp Headless Allows Lossless Audio Streaming to Speakers, Audio Systems from a Raspberry Pi

In my latest monthly sponsored Plex video, we take a look at using an interesting official Plexamp client designed for the Raspberry Pi.

They call it “headless” as it’s designed to work on a Raspberry Pi that can be booted up and set aside to drive audio into a speaker or audio system. Once configured the Pi player will appear in the casting players menu alongside Chromecast devices.

The big difference between using the headless Raspberry Pi player versus a Chromecast is that the audio is not compressed for output – meaning your Raspberry Pi can pull high quality FLAC audio directly from the server yet behave exactly like a Chromecast would.

And because Raspberry Pis support high quality digital to analog converters (or DACs) you can achieve some really nice audio output once you have everything set up properly.

The installation process is a little involved but not terribly difficult. Your Pi needs to be running a 64 bit operating system and have Node.JS 16 or higher installed. There are some good instructions on the official Plex forum post to get things started and I followed these instructions for getting Node.JS working.

In the video I step through an installation from the beginning so you can see each step executed visually.

While this is definitely an enthusiast use case it’s nice to see that Plex is still focusing on the types of things media nerds like us want to do with their personal media servers!

Plex Update: Plexamp Now Free for Everyone

In this month’s sponsored Plex video I share the news that Plex’s awesome music player PlexAmp is now free for everyone! Before it was available to Plex Pass subscribers only.

While some features remain exclusive to the Plex Pass, most features are now accessible to everyone. If you’re already using the Plex app on the free tier to listen to music, I’d highly recommend switching to Plexamp especially if you have a large personal music library.

For those unfamiliar, Plexamp requires a connection to a Plex personal media server. This could be your own server or one shared with you by a friend. The app also integrates with the Tidal music service.

Plexamp supports most of the popular music formats out there including large lossless FLAC audio files. I’ve been on a personal mission to store all my CDs from the ’90s in lossless Flac format on my Plex server. The audio quality is significantly better than the compressed tracks on other platforms.

One of the standout features of Plexamp is its focus on music discovery. It’s designed to help you find and enjoy tracks from your library that you might have forgotten about. There’s a unique “stations” feature that lets you listen to the oldest tracks in your library and then progresses to newer ones. There are also mood-based and decade-based stations, allowing you to tailor your listening experience based on your current mood or nostalgia.

The app displays a visualization of the song’s waveform, and you can jump to different parts of the track with ease. There are also some cool visualizations that sync with the music, adding a visual element to your auditory experience.

However, there are some limitations on the free tier. For instance, offline playback isn’t available, meaning you need to be online to use Plexamp. Some advanced features, like the artist mix builder, are also locked behind the Plex Pass. But the free version does offer a lot, including the ability to transcode audio, which is especially useful if you’re trying to save on bandwidth while streaming on the go.

Plexamp is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. The Android and iOS versions work with Android Auto and Carplay respectively. There’s also a “headless” version for the Raspberry Pi, which I’ll delve into in a future post. And for those who want to cast their music, the free tier allows you to send audio to any Chromecast-compatible device.

If you haven’t played around with Plexamp yet, give it a try!

New Plex Feature: Discover Together

Our monthly sponsored Plex video for June focuses in on a new social sharing feature called Discover Together. This feature, currently in beta, allows users to share their watchlist and viewing history with friends.

The Discover Together feature is currently available to Plex Pass subscribers, but once activated, it extends to all friends connected to your Plex account – even those on the free tier. Upon activation, users are greeted with a landing page explaining the new feature and providing privacy options. By default, all information is set to private, and users can choose to share their watch history, watchlist and ratings with friends.

Your personal profile keeps track of how many movies, shows, and episodes you’ve watched since joining Plex. It also displays your recent watch history, watch list, and ratings. This information is then shared with friends.

The Friends tab displays all your Plex friends, and you can click on each friend to view their profile. The Activity feed shows what everyone is watching in real time, and shows what media is trending among your friends.

One of the fun aspects of Discover Together is the ability to send messages to friends about specific episodes or movies. For instance, if you’re watching an episode of Star Trek Picard and notice a friend has watched it too, you can send them a message to discuss the episode. This is especially helpful if a television show has a huge spoiler and you want to talk about it – you’ll know which of your friends has seen it!

The feature works on TVs, phones, and the web interface and offers a similar interface on each platform.

For those interested in automations, Plex now offers the ability to set up RSS feeds for your watch list and your friends’ watch lists. This can be found in the account settings under the watch list section.

Plex’s Discover Together feature provides an efficient way to share and discover content with friends. It’s a robust tool that extends beyond your Plex server, indexing content from various streaming services. It’s a feature I look forward to exploring more in the coming weeks.

Plex Amp Sonic Sage Adds ChatGPT AI Music Recommendations

In my latest video I dive into the world of AI-powered music discovery with the Plex Amp player and its new “Sonic Sage” feature. Sonic Sage uses ChatGPT to deliver playlist recommendations.

Here’s how it works: Sonic Sage interfaces with OpenAI’s GPT model. To get it running, you’ll need an API key from the OpenAI platform. There is a small cost for using this key but I’ve found it to be minimal. So far I’ve only racked up about 5 cents of cost for well over 20 queries.

Once you’ve enabled Sonic Sage, it lives right inside the search icon on your Plex Amp app. ChatGPT uses your queries to generate music recommendations. You can ask it for anything, from general genres to very specific prompts. For example, you could ask for “high energy, lesser-known female rockers from the last 20 years”, and Sonic Sage will whip up a playlist to match.

The AI’s recommendations are based on how you word your prompts. While it’s not perfect at always getting things right, it does a pretty solid job of delivering great music to match what you’re looking for. The only drawback I’ve noticed so far is that these AI-generated playlists can’t be saved, but I’m sure this could change in the future.

This feature works best with a very large personal library or with Tidal, a subscription music service that integrates with Plex and Plex Amp. Tidal costs $8.99 a month if you subscribe through Plex and delivers all of its music as CD quality lossless FLAC audio. I covered the Tidal integration in a previous video.

In my view, Sonic Sage adds an interesting new dimension to Plex Amp’s already awesome music discovery capabilities.

Turn Your Lights On and Off with Plex Webhooks

For this month’s sponsored Plex video, I delved into the webhooks feature that’s part of your Plex Pass subscription.

Webhooks fire off data to a specified URL when specific events happen on your Plex server, such as adding new content, pausing, or playing media. Some of the applications that can listen for these webhooks include IFTTT, Zapier, Home Assistant and Homebridge.

Although it might be slightly complicated to set up, once you have it figured out it can do some cool stuff. In the video I demonstrate how I connected my Plex server with Homebridge, allowing my lights to turn on and off automatically based on hitting the play and pause button.

I also slightly modified some code in the Homebridge Plex plugin I was using to look for a Plex “scrobble” event that fires off whenever the credits are reached or 90% of the content is played. This will turn my lights on right when the end credits start rolling most of the time!

Overall, webhooks in Plex open up a world of possibilities for integrating your Plex server with your smart home system. While it may be complicated to set up initially, the end result is a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.

Plex Adds End Credit Detection to the Plex Media Server

My monthly sponsored Plex video this month does a deep dive into the new Plex end credit detection feature. You can watch it here.

On TV devices the end credits will zoom out into a small box and Plex will present some additional content options to watch next. Clicking the remote will return the end credits to full screen if you want to watch them in full.

End credit detection will also know when content appears after the credits finish rolling. In that instance you’ll have the option to click “skip credits” and be brought directly to the post credit scene.

Credit detection is CPU intensive so you may want to have this take place during your server’s maintenance window. Plex has set up a cloud database to speed the process along, so if your file is in the database your server will download the credits location from Plex vs. having to run a full analysis. Your Plex server will also trigger a “watched” flag that fires off right when the end credits begin.

See more, including configuration options, in the video! Thanks to Plex for their long standing support of the channel!