Plex also provides a transcoding function which will stream content at a lower bitrate allowing for decent performance on slower data connections. Most importantly, I can access my media from anywhere on a range of devices: The Plex Web site allows streaming through your browser, a Windows 8 app is available for any Windows 8 system ($5), and a new Windows Phone 8 app is available ($0, for a limited time) which allows me to stream over my 3g or 4g data connection. Plex has the ability to constantly scan your libraries for changes and acts accordingly. I find that you don’t have to be particularly anal when it comes to naming conventions, but there are some general guidelines that you should follow when organizing your media. …assuming that you already have these files broken out on your server, which I did. Plex brilliantly identifies and categories media based on meta data captured in your files and marries that information with data downloaded from its servers. Its “libraries” manage my entire media collection: Music, Movies, TV Shows, Photos, and Home Movies.
I am REALLY impressed with Plex for a few reasons. I can now take advantage of the Plex service without the need for an additional running PC. After a bit more digging, I found a Thecus forum thread () with links to a beta version of said module.
I just so happen to be running a Thecus N4200 that has treated me well for the past 6 or 7 years. However, I was surprised to learn that Thecus was in the process of implementing a Plex Media Server module for use in their NAS devices. It peaked my interest as it seemed to offer audio and video streaming both on my local network and through mobile devices, but I didn’t want to rely on an always-on desktop to feed the stream. It was just a few weeks ago when I was introduced to Plex in a random blog post. But the Plex Media Server is putting an end to all that by creating my own personal media cloud. I can only enjoy a small fraction of that library when I am on the go. My old fashioned-ness seems especially egregious considering that my phone, a Nokia 920, is limited to just 32 gigs of data. In a time when a small monthly fee can get you access to stream countless audio files with Spotify and the like, I suppose it could seem a bit old fashioned to have an extensive MP3 library sitting in your living room.
I never thought I would be called “old fashioned” - at least, not THIS soon - but that’s pretty much what happened.
0 kommentar(er)
