You’ve got all that media – photos, videos, recorded TV, music and more – scattered across your network, and now there’s a load of online media to tap into as well. How can you possibly keep on top of it all while making it possible to access your media while away from home on your portable device?
Plex is one possible solution. It allows you to share the media content – photos, music, video and recorded TV – from selected folders on the host computer as well as any network shares, but that’s not all. Plex also lets you tap into online content too, allowing your clients to access internet-hosted media like YouTube, NetFlix and more through the same interface. These are served via the use of special Plex PMS Plug-ins, some of which are included with the main download, while others are available for separate download and install.
Plex comes in two parts: this is the Media Server, which you need to install on the PC or Mac that’s hosting all the media content you wish to share. Note, previous Mac builds combined both media server and client in a single application – this is no longer the case from 0.9.5 onwards.
Setup is relatively simple, but easier on the Mac than Windows – visit the wiki for full instructions (click the 'Laika' link). Your library can be organised according to four types of content: TV shows, movies, pictures and music. Select which folders – network shares as well as folders – to make accessible, and they’ll be made available to your clients, complete with metadata that helps identify the content being played, including artist bios for music and movie descriptions for video.
Plex Media Server runs on your Mac, PC, or compatible NAS device and serves your media to all of your Plex clients including Plex-enabled mobile devices and 2011 LG Smart TVs. Screenshots User Reviews. Plex Media Server 1.13.8.5395 - Seamlessly connect your Plex clients with your local media. Download the latest versions of the best Mac apps at safe and trusted MacUpdate Download, install, or update Plex Media Server for Mac from MacUpdate.
Then all you need to do is install the client software and your library will be available for streaming on that Mac, PC or portable device. Get the Plex Media Center client for Windows and Mac, or Plex for Android and iOS mobile devices.
The Mac version is polished, reliable and well worth trying, but the Windows server still suffers from various glitches that make it harder to wholeheartedly recommend.
Plex 1.6.3.1009
Freeware
Access your Plex Media Server content from your PC or Mac
Plex 6.0
No Trial Available. Purchase Only
Access the content stored on your Plex media server direct from your iPhone, iPad or Android device.
Emby Server 4.0.0.2
Download Plex Media Server Utility For Windows
Open Source
Stream media from your PC to just about any device over your network
Emby for Android
No Trial Available. Purchase Only
Play back media from your Media Browser server on your Android mobile.
Media Browser for Windows 8 1.8
Trial Software
Play back media from your Media Browser server on your Windows 8 device.
Spotify 1.128
Freeware
Stream audio tracks from the Internet for free
MusicBee 3.3.7367
Freeware
Manage your entire music collection with one handy app
Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer 32.0.0.344
Freeware
Show and play Adobe Flash content through Internet Explorer
Adobe Flash Player for Other Browsers 32.0.0.344
Freeware
Show and play Adobe Flash content through Firefox, Opera or Safari
Plex Media Server
FastStone Image Viewer 7.5
Free, for personal-use only
Plex Media Player For Mac
View, edit and convert your image collection quickly and easily with this powerful tool