Plex 101 - What is Plex? Plex Media Server Explained in Plain English - NAS and PC

In this video I explain what Plex Media Server is, show how it works, and talk about some of the things you should think about doing to get the most out of it. I also explain how you can connect a computer running the Plex Server to a Network Attached Storage device or NAS like the WD My Cloud, Seagate Personal Cloud, Synology, and others.

Plex allows you to watch your media files anywhere - both in the home and over the Internet. The server software is smart enough to know what the target device is and will convert media on the fly to work with just about anything. Plex apps run on just about every mobile and computing platform out there.

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[lukkedavies]

It's got to be said Lon, I've started watching a few of your videos lately and they are almost flawless. I was trying to work out what would be best for me, either a Roku and Plex or a WD Smart TV Media Player. Found out exactly what I wanted and more. Also, you talk in a way that most people can understand without being too obvious for the techy's amongst us. Keep up the good work, Lon!

[heybriaan]

Good video, Lon! It's pretty complex for a beginner/101 video but I think you explained the ideal setup for maintaining a Plex server at home.

[jamesmaclaine]

Lon, you are a "Man Among Men"! All of your reviews and tutorials are always straight forward and excellent. Those of us out here that like to tinker with this stuff thank you. Kudos! Keep up the good work.

[aramis]

Hi Lon just wanted to say thank you for your videos- watched some Plex and NAS reviews and feel ready to dive in. Just wanted to let you know they're a great help and I appreciate them.

[FoxxFire]

I don't know how many times searching for random crap I've ended up on this channel....lol thank goodness at least someone in the interwebs makes videos for clown fools like me.

[MofongoColao]

Thanks for the great explanation. I have encountered your videos before but this one was the icying on the cake for me to sub. New fan!

[DJLOUIE]

Plex with Sync sound like the way to go. Play my media from anywhere on my phone or tablet.

Great vid.

[baldeepbirak]

Lon, useful guide to Plex. Making use of a powerful PC is the ideal way to get this running.

[janarcher]

THANK YOU!! Just what I needed to understand about the setup. A colleague turned me onto Plex as a media streaming solution and I have a Seagate NAS and a number of devices I want to use to access movies.

[patriciaostwald]

What is PLEX was helpful for me because I need to buy a computer. Considering the type of server based on what I will be using it for was something I had not yet thought much about. This was a first view and I am sure I will come back to it again once I begin to get more familiar with the terminology. Thank you for the broad perspective of usage of the devices involved.

[kingshands]

nice review ;-) u pretty much cover everything after i acquired my hardware haha :)
last time chromebox dual boot, also plex now running on hp microserver flawlessly.

[keemz]

This app is great just bought a smart tv and streams straight from my laptop

[Dondeath]

Great video! I've been thinking about doing something like this with my network!

[Thepriest]

Good vid. I use the old Windows Media Center on my Windows 7 machine. Looking to upgrade and use a Synology NAS for storage and media. Now I understand what plex is. Thanks!

[mdrubicon]

Your video is extremely helpful for a 71 year old gal who is slightly savvy about stuff like this. So thank you. I just can't figure out how to get my movies from my cloud home to plex. I'll get there. You talk pretty fast for an old lady however. Big THANKS for the video.

[martinhanna]

I have just got plex, and a NAS, for the first time, and found it hard going, you helped me no end Thank you, would like you to explain a bit more about cloud, otherwise from a little grey haired surfer, watching and listening to you, cheered me up no end, knowing I had made the right decisions, :)

[ThePallones]

Thanks for the intro!  Keep 'em coming!  I am going to have to give Plex a try...

[alphavirginis]

Lon - thanks for the great explanation.

[rodrigopfs]

Hey, Lon!
Nice video and informative as always. Quick question about PLEX: does it uses DLNA to transmit the videos from the server to the clients?

[mikee]

Lon, really liked your take on this. I have used PLEX for awhile and it is always refreshing to find little snippets that get missed. 

One question I do have that would be nice to do a video on is, what is out in the market place that can control PLEX over Wifi (Not IR) and use an iPad as the device. I am using Hipporemote Pro at the moment, but would really like to know if other are out there.