Software issues are usually the most irritating and hard to overcome, unless you have special wisdom. Countless tutorials online were created to help you. Last week we talked about how to fix slow startup on Windows and how to recover deleted files. We got a lot of good feedback as these issues are very common and very important to solve in a timely manner. Today we get more specific and address an issue with a Plex media online platform as it is rapidly gaining popularity.
- Drobo 5N2 Plex – Best Storage Capacity NAS. After developing two Network Attached Storages: the.
- Windows loads PLEX Media Server as a user process, so a user must be logged in to have it run. Linux runs PMS as a service, so PMS starts with the OS. Linux has SAMBA for CIFS/SMB access which provides excellent File System access to WIndows PCs. XRDP is very useful for remote access (via Remote Desktop).
Plex Operating System
According to the official Plex.tv support website, it is possible to move a Plex Media Server installation between two different operating systems. However, it is a complicated process that requires mapping the additional server settings from how they are stored in one operating system to the other. This is a procedure that is not officially supported by Plex.
With Plex, you can pinpoint exactly where your inventory came from, where it is, what it was used for, and where it went. Every single transaction and shop floor operation is traced and recorded as a transaction in the system. You can know precisely who was on the floor, at what time, performing which operation, and much more.
However, this article will cover the steps required to move your Plex media server from your Windows PC to a NAS or probably Linux operating system and preserve metadata, e.g., libraries, seen movies, playlists and so on.
Some of the steps you need to follow include:
- Installing Plex on the NAS/Linux
- Move the media files to NAS/Linux
- Deactivating some Plex features while migrating and stopping Plex
- Moving your metadata from %LOCALAPPDATA%Plex Media Server
- Launching Plex and Changing the media path
Plex Server System Requirements
Here is a detailed guide to migrating Plex from Windows to NAS/Linux
- Ensure that you close the plex media server from your task bar on your Windows machine.
- On your NAS machine, you need to change some settings; first you need to turn of scan your library periodically, next turn off empty trash.
- Ensure that you have copied your media from the external media to the NAS and the Plex server running on the NAS
- Ensure that you shut down the Plex server on the NAS. Go to the package center, select Plex and select stop.
- Delete these folders on your NAS device: Under Plex > Library > Application support > Plex Media server, then delete media, metadata, plug-in support, and plugin.
- Now you have to ensure that you can access that Plex directory from another computer on the network.
- Go to control panel > Plex file share click on edit, and under permission, ensure that the admin account has read and write access ticked.
Back on the windows
- While the Windows computer is connected to the NAS, go to your Plex directory on Windows, then Library > Application support > Plex media server
- Now copy the link for where Windows stores Plex Metadata; %LOCALAPPDATA%Plex Media Server and paste this link in your windows explorer address bar.
- The link should take you to a folder containing folders similar to the ones on the NAS machine.
- Now copy all the folder that you deleted from the NAS that is still on the Windows server and drag them over to the folder in this link: Library > Application support > Plex media server
- After the copying is done, you can reactivate the Plex server on the NAS and you should see all the libraries on the windows server now on the NAS server.
Back on the NAS
- Launch the Plex sever on the NAS.
- Then open Plex.tv on the NAS.
- However, the libraries still need to be repointed library by library because Windows and NAS devices store files in different ways.
- Go to manage library then click on
- Click on browse for a new folder.
- Navigate to the media server and to the movies folder then add that.
- Click save changes and you should see everything update.
- Add new folders for the music folders too.
This is the complete process of migrating your Plex server from Windows to Linux.
If you're a longtime reader of Cordcutting.com, you've probably noticed that we're fans of Plex. We've ranked it above competitors, showed you how to turn a Raspberry Pi into a Plex client (and, over on The Pi, how to turn one into a Plex server). But what is Plex, exactly? What does Plex do, and what makes it different from its competitors? And how much does Plex cost?
We'll answer all of these questions and more below in this new and updated version of our What is Plex? guide. Plex has added a host of new features since our last piece debuted two years ago, and the service has really cemented its place at the top of a competitive (and impressive) media server market. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Plex?
At its core, Plex is a media server application. That means that it turns local content into streamable content: if you have some videos, photos, and other media on a desktop computer but want to view them on your iPhone, Plex can help you do that. You set up a Plex server on one device and download client apps to a bunch of others, and just like that, media that was once limited to a single device is now available everywhere you go.
Plex is the industry leader in the media server space. It's the most established and feature-heavy of the media server applications, which is why we ranked it ahead of competitors like Emby and Serviio in our article on the best media server applications.
Plex is also a media center application – that is, a program that makes it easy to access your media. Plex acts as an organizer, content discovery tool, and portal to all of the content on your server – as well as to streamable content from outside of your personal collection. This latter feature comes courtesy of 'channels,' or in-program apps.
In this sense, Plex is a bit like competitor Kodi (which is a media center application, but not – at least out of the box – a media server) and even platforms associated with devices, such as Roku and Fire TV OS. But because Plex is also a media server, none of these are direct competitors – in fact, Plex even has apps and plugins for Roku, Fire TV, and Kodi, so you can use it within those systems.
Plex Channels
As mentioned, Plex offers channels that let you watch streaming content as well as your local stuff. The channels are created by volunteers, but Plex grants them official status, so Plex has largely avoided the piracy issues that have been such a headache for Kodi. There are channels for all kinds of streaming content, from Nickelodeon to South Park. There's no channels for the major streaming services, tragically – but since Plex has apps for other media center platforms like Roku, it's easy enough to enjoy both Plex and big-shot services like Netflix on the same device.
Plex's Platform Support
Here is a detailed guide to migrating Plex from Windows to NAS/Linux
- Ensure that you close the plex media server from your task bar on your Windows machine.
- On your NAS machine, you need to change some settings; first you need to turn of scan your library periodically, next turn off empty trash.
- Ensure that you have copied your media from the external media to the NAS and the Plex server running on the NAS
- Ensure that you shut down the Plex server on the NAS. Go to the package center, select Plex and select stop.
- Delete these folders on your NAS device: Under Plex > Library > Application support > Plex Media server, then delete media, metadata, plug-in support, and plugin.
- Now you have to ensure that you can access that Plex directory from another computer on the network.
- Go to control panel > Plex file share click on edit, and under permission, ensure that the admin account has read and write access ticked.
Back on the windows
- While the Windows computer is connected to the NAS, go to your Plex directory on Windows, then Library > Application support > Plex media server
- Now copy the link for where Windows stores Plex Metadata; %LOCALAPPDATA%Plex Media Server and paste this link in your windows explorer address bar.
- The link should take you to a folder containing folders similar to the ones on the NAS machine.
- Now copy all the folder that you deleted from the NAS that is still on the Windows server and drag them over to the folder in this link: Library > Application support > Plex media server
- After the copying is done, you can reactivate the Plex server on the NAS and you should see all the libraries on the windows server now on the NAS server.
Back on the NAS
- Launch the Plex sever on the NAS.
- Then open Plex.tv on the NAS.
- However, the libraries still need to be repointed library by library because Windows and NAS devices store files in different ways.
- Go to manage library then click on
- Click on browse for a new folder.
- Navigate to the media server and to the movies folder then add that.
- Click save changes and you should see everything update.
- Add new folders for the music folders too.
This is the complete process of migrating your Plex server from Windows to Linux.
If you're a longtime reader of Cordcutting.com, you've probably noticed that we're fans of Plex. We've ranked it above competitors, showed you how to turn a Raspberry Pi into a Plex client (and, over on The Pi, how to turn one into a Plex server). But what is Plex, exactly? What does Plex do, and what makes it different from its competitors? And how much does Plex cost?
We'll answer all of these questions and more below in this new and updated version of our What is Plex? guide. Plex has added a host of new features since our last piece debuted two years ago, and the service has really cemented its place at the top of a competitive (and impressive) media server market. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Plex?
At its core, Plex is a media server application. That means that it turns local content into streamable content: if you have some videos, photos, and other media on a desktop computer but want to view them on your iPhone, Plex can help you do that. You set up a Plex server on one device and download client apps to a bunch of others, and just like that, media that was once limited to a single device is now available everywhere you go.
Plex is the industry leader in the media server space. It's the most established and feature-heavy of the media server applications, which is why we ranked it ahead of competitors like Emby and Serviio in our article on the best media server applications.
Plex is also a media center application – that is, a program that makes it easy to access your media. Plex acts as an organizer, content discovery tool, and portal to all of the content on your server – as well as to streamable content from outside of your personal collection. This latter feature comes courtesy of 'channels,' or in-program apps.
In this sense, Plex is a bit like competitor Kodi (which is a media center application, but not – at least out of the box – a media server) and even platforms associated with devices, such as Roku and Fire TV OS. But because Plex is also a media server, none of these are direct competitors – in fact, Plex even has apps and plugins for Roku, Fire TV, and Kodi, so you can use it within those systems.
Plex Channels
As mentioned, Plex offers channels that let you watch streaming content as well as your local stuff. The channels are created by volunteers, but Plex grants them official status, so Plex has largely avoided the piracy issues that have been such a headache for Kodi. There are channels for all kinds of streaming content, from Nickelodeon to South Park. There's no channels for the major streaming services, tragically – but since Plex has apps for other media center platforms like Roku, it's easy enough to enjoy both Plex and big-shot services like Netflix on the same device.
Plex's Platform Support
Speaking of platform support, Plex excels there, too. Plex has accumulated a pretty robust list of supported devices and platforms. Among the highlights:
- Android TV (including Nvidia Shield)
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- Computers (there's a Windows app and an in-browser app that works on other operating systems, including Mac OS)
- Fire TV
- Kodi
- Mobile (Android, iOS, and Windows Phone)
- PlayStation 4
- Roku
- Xbox 360
Plex's Features
Plex handles a ton of different types of media, including video (movies and TV shows as well as personal videos), music, photos, and even live TV (more on this in a moment). Eclipse browser ide. This content can be streamed to any device running the Plex app, including devices outside of your home network.
Plex has grown its list of features a bit since the first iteration of our What is Plex? article. Among other things, they've added cloud storage. This means that your server can draw on content you add to one of several cloud storage services, rather than from a device of your own. While it's easy to use everything from a desktop to a Raspberry Pi as a Plex server, it's nice to use cloud storage instead and not have to worry about running a device 24/7. Plex supports Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Plex also supports live TV. Plex itself isn't how you'll get the live TV – you'll need an antenna and a digital tuner for that. But if you connect the antenna and tuner to the device running your Plex server, Plex can take that live TV and put it on your server, enabling you to watch live TV anywhere you go. For instance, you can connect an antenna to your desktop computer, run a Plex server on it, and watch live TV on your iPhone.
Better still, Plex allows you to record this content in a cloud DVR. That means it's easy to turn live over-the-air TV into on-demand streamable content.
Since over-the-air TV is free, of course, the only costs to worry about are the purchase prices of the antenna and tuner and the fee for Plex itself.
How Much Does Plex Cost?
Speaking of Plex's fees, here's how they work:
Plex has a free version, which offers the basic functionality you'll need to run a server in your home and watch your local content on a bunch of different devices. It's quite useful, but it's dwarfed by the premium version of Plex, called Plex Pass.
Plex Pass is, of course, a paid service. It will run you $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year. The annual plan is a better deal, and Plex die-hards can save still more by opting for the lifetime plan, which is $119.99.
The free version of Plex is perfectly serviceable, but the features that really put the competition to shame are mostly locked up behind the paywall. Live TV support, the cloud DVR, offline viewing, and integration with cloud services like Google Drive are all premium features. So are a host of minor perks, from lyrics for your music to special discount offers.
