Is PLEX the All-time Best Free Streaming Service?

Craig does a deep dive on Plex, the free streaming service that lets you not only stream live and on-demand TV shows and movies, but also let's you upload your own media so that you can watch it on the big screen. Plex is basically a combination of Tubi, Pluto TV, and your own custom streaming service.

0:00 - What is Plex?
2:14 - How to add your media to Plex
4:15 - Live TV and on-demand shows and movies
5:32 - Web shows, podcasts, and music
6:40 - What do I like about Plex?
8:10 - Is Plex Premium worth it?

------------

[silviopoggi]

I purchased the lifetime pass several years ago and have found the service to be awesome. I use virtually every aspect of the service and really appreciate that the Plex team is constantly upgrading and adding to the app. If you have live television that you wish to record, the skip commercials feature is amazing. We have a multi generational home and being able to record Mom's over the air "stuff" and play back without commercials is fantastic. One of the best purchases I have made!

[goldcd]

Just to elaborate on a few of the points touched on (as I think they're pretty sweet).

The DVR functionality requires something on your network like a Silicon Dust Homerun (plug aerial into one side, it streams out the video onto your network).
Plex picks up on this and gives you standard TV guide, series record, TV pause etc. Everything that say a Tivo would - but mixes this in with your own files.

Handles transcoding of files - if you've got a 4K film on your server with Atmos sound - but watching it say on your phone it lets you stream it a lower resolution with stereo sound.
Useful if you're out and about and paying for your data usage.

Sync to phone has some intelligence in it. Say you're watching a series, you can set it up to sync and transcode just the next 5 unwatched episodes to your phone.
If you had episodes 1-5 on your phone, then you watched 1 & 2 one night, you'll find 3-7 are stored on your phone - no streaming required.

Plex server doesn't have to run on a PC. A relatively cheap way of having it "always on" is to use an nVidia Shield - it's an awesome streaming client, but plug in some USB drives and it's a plex media server.
If you're willing to spend a bit more, Plex runs really well from a NAS (Intel based ones support hardware transcoding).
If you're an eye-patch-wearer - then radarr & sonarr are very handy apps you can also run on your PC or NAS to auto-magically build your media library.

[paulolson]

I've barely touched the surface of Plex and, wow, this was THE BEST overall explanation I have come across. No wonder Craig Is Always Right. Very, very good job, sir.

[JamesJimmyMcGill]

Bought a lifetime Plex pass a handful of months ago and I am absolutely loving it. I have a Roku set up on my television so I can workout and do work in our family's living room. Very nice stuff.

[silviopoggi]

Hey Lorne, to answer your question
Not sure I can offer many meaningful insights but my reasons for the lifetime pass are pretty simple and boil down to two:
We live in a rural area where there is no cable nor internet service other than satellite. We tried several of the satellite dish program services as well but didn’t like the packages and wound up erecting a high end TV antenna on a tower that allows us to get over the air programming from somewhere. After adding a 4 tuner Homerun to our system, I found the DVR app (with the auto commercial skip) worth the lifetime pass all on its own and the live TV is pretty awesome. Different age groups, different channel users
The second reason is a personal one – I believe that if I’m using some service created by other’s hard work, I should compensate them… I really appreciate the constant upgrading and additional services added at no additional cost.

[Richie]

Organizing content and library at one place, PLEX is an incredible way to stream on TV or PC.

[garion]

Found Plex back in 2016 and bought a WD PR4100 NAS server. Ripped every DVD & BD we owned and it works Great! Very easy to setup and maintain b/c PLEX maintains BIN files you d/l for every update.

[tonyvalenti]

Great review! Plex is the best media server out there. Definitely worth the Premium Lifetime. You can catch it on sale throughout the year. Often around $70-$80. One thing I think was worth mentioning is Plex’s transcoding on the fly. The ability to have a high resolution video transcode down for a slower mobile device is great. In addition the ability to access your library remotely, even over cellular is awesome. Lastly one other nice thing is your Home Screen is customizable. You can delete things that you are not interested in seeing. I agree, you have nothing to lose by trying it free. 👍🏻👍🏻

[LivingMidnight]

I tried a few things on my Nas before Plex but Plex just worked so much better, quicker and simpler than my other attempts. Love it.

[frankov_]

All the Music stuff works on your own music as well. Sweet Fades is life changing 😁

[joeklamut]

I’m new to the streaming world. I totally enjoy your videos and tips. I find your instructions very easy to follow. Your opinions are usually right also. I’m a new subscriber to your channel and want to say thank you and keep them coming Merry Christmas Craig 🎄

[blueliner_inpa]

If there is a better introduction to Plex out on YouTube, I have not found it because this guy does a great job explaining the basics. All I can say is Great Job!

[crinzeldavis]

Nothing better than Plex. I have a Plex Linux Server with all my Jazz music, and all my Videos.

[larrysatterlee]

Just added Plex to my TCL Roku tv! Thanks for this review!

[gubbu]

Official Plex Guru and cord cutter of 3 years reporting.... I can attest that Plex has changed my life. well over 10000 movies 20000 songs and ALL of the documents I have ever saved over a lifetime in my personal collection which are accessible from anywhere all the time.... Dont even know how i lived before free/live tv are just bells and whistles for me, but I understand very vital for most users... Adding my own iptv to Plex is the last frontier, and i know coming very soon, at that point, PLEX will officially be the top app, period.

[lymarie]

Just found Plex on my Roku, so happy to find the ovation channel again. 💞 Also found wonderful German content, which I have never had. So a new language to learn.

[juliegunter]

My first time seeing your video and it definitely won't be my last. You have good information and explain the subjects great.

[desiganpillay]

I love PLEX. Been using it for years now.

[thegood]

Have you covered the best Blu-Ray ripper that can preserve 4k/UHD?

[akashs]

Bro, what is plex for android activation???
Is this applicable for Firestick too?
Plex for Firestick activation?? Is anything like that?
So we can't watch our stuffs in firetv unless we activate the plex?