{"id":179523,"date":"2021-02-16T16:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2021-02-16T16:00:57","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T13:00:57","slug":"everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"#Everything You Need to Set Up a Plex Server \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a294434d76fb\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a294434d76fb\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#A_Computer_to_Run_the_Plex_Media_Server\" >A Computer to Run the Plex Media Server<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Which_OS_Should_You_Use\" >Which OS Should You Use?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#What_Are_the_Plex_Hardware_Requirements\" >What Are the Plex Hardware Requirements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Which_Device_Should_You_Use_for_Plex\" >Which Device Should You Use for Plex?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Intel_NUC\" >Intel NUC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Synology_DiskStation_DS920\" >Synology DiskStation DS920+<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Storage_for_Your_Media_Library\" >Storage for Your Media Library<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Which_HDD_Should_You_Use_for_Media\" >Which HDD Should You Use for Media?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Should_You_Use_an_SSD_as_a_Boot_Drive\" >Should You Use an SSD as a Boot Drive?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#What_About_Backups\" >What About Backups?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Video_Files_to_Populate_Your_Library\" >Video Files to Populate Your Library<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Sourcing_Video_Files\" >Sourcing Video Files<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Ripping_DVDs_and_Blu-Ray_Discs\" >Ripping DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#What_Is_Transcoding\" >What Is Transcoding?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server-review-geek\/#Should_I_Pay_for_Plex_Pass\" >Should I Pay for Plex Pass?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#Everything You Need to Set Up a Plex Server \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-70675 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/b9717343f3cadc852fd55874e079befe\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/x4a47a0db-5.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.xIL5N8g4Z7.jpg\" alt=\"The Plex logo over an Intel NUC computer.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Plex, Intel\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Plex, Intel<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A Plex <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Media<\/a> Server makes it easy to stream or share your movie and music collection the same way that you stream Netflix or Hulu. No hassle, no fuss, just dump all your media in the server and stream it to any device. But setting up a Plex server is easier said than done, especially when there are so many different devices that can function as a Plex server.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to go through all the products that you need to set up a Plex server, including a lot of the optional stuff. But this is only a product guide. Those who need help setting up the Plex software should check out the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.plex.tv\/articles\/\">Plex support page<\/a> or read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/252261\/how-to-set-up-plex-and-watch-your-movies-on-any-device\/\">detailed Plex installation guide<\/a> at our sister site, How-To Geek.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Computer_to_Run_the_Plex_Media_Server\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_acomputertoruntheplexmediaserver\">A Computer to Run the Plex Media Server<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-70676 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/e6bcc06df9d14e56e9cfc45e238605ea\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/xfb5c81ed-5.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.L4WQlLmfUZ.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of the Intel NUC and NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Intel, NVIDIA\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Intel, NVIDIA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The most important component of your Plex server is the computer that manages your media files and runs the Plex software. This computer should be small and power efficient, as it requires a wired internet connection and will run 24\/7. Of course, you can save a lot of money turning any old PC or laptop into a Plex server, but such a machine will take up a lot of space and use a lot of power.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_OS_Should_You_Use\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_WhichOSShouldIUse\">Which OS Should You Use?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Plex works on Windows, Linux, macOS, and dedicated NAS systems like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-DiskStation-DS220j-Diskless-2-bay\/dp\/B0855LMP81\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Synology Diskstation<\/a>. Windows and macOS-based servers offer similar performance to Linux-based servers, so if you aren\u2019t comfortable with Linux, don\u2019t bother using it. That said, Linux is ideal because it requires little maintenance and is very power efficient. If you\u2019re familiar with Linux, try using a distro without a GUI to save computer resources and maximize performance.<\/p>\n<p>NAS solutions are a bit tricky. Some people use a NAS device to hold and manage media <em>alongside<\/em> their Plex server, while others run the entire operation, server and all, on a single NAS device. Consolidating everything into a NAS device makes your Plex server smaller and easier to manage, but NAS devices that are powerful enough to keep up with Plex\u2019s demands are a little expensive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Plex_Hardware_Requirements\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_WhatArethePlexHardwareRequirements\">What Are the Plex Hardware Requirements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You don\u2019t need much horsepower to run a Plex server. Any machine made in the last few years should fit the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.plex.tv\/articles\/200375666-plex-media-server-requirements\/\">Plex hardware requirements<\/a>, which call for an i3 processor and 2GB of RAM. Of course, you\u2019ll enjoy better performance on a more powerful system, and most Plex enthustiasts suggest using an i5 processor and 4GB of RAM (or better). A beefier system is ideal for 4K streaming, simultaneous multi-device streaming, or remote streaming outside of your home.<\/p>\n<p>These hardware requirements get a little fuzzy when you build a Plex server from a NAS device, a Raspberry Pi, or any other non-traditional solution. If you plan to run your Plex server on a NAS device, check the detailed <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1MfYoJkiwSqCXg8cm5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc\/edit#gid=1274624273\">Plex NAS compatibility spreadsheet<\/a> to find one that\u2019s powerful enough for your needs. Both the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/CanaKit-Raspberry-Basic-Kit-8GB\/dp\/B08DJ9MLHV\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Raspberry Pi 4<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/NVIDIA-Shield-Android-Streaming-Performance\/dp\/B07YP9FBMM\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">NVIDIA Shield TV Pro<\/a> can stream Plex in 4K, so stick to those products if you want a small, cheap, non-PC Plex server.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Device_Should_You_Use_for_Plex\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_WhichDeviceShouldIUseforPlex\">Which Device Should You Use for Plex?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re totally new to Plex, I suggest starting your journey with a small and cheap device like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/CanaKit-Raspberry-Basic-Kit-8GB\/dp\/B08DJ9MLHV\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Raspberry Pi 4<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/NVIDIA-Shield-Android-Streaming-Performance\/dp\/B07YP9FBMM\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">NVIDIA Shield TV Pro<\/a>. These devices are 4K-capable and extremely popular, so there are plenty of resources to help you set everything up. Plus, the Pi 4 and NVIDIA Shield TV Pro are very easy to repurpose or resell if you lose interest in Plex.<\/p>\n<p>A PC-based Plex server offers more flexibility and power than a Rasberry Pi, NVIDIA Shield, or NAS device, especially if said PC has upgradeable components. Again, you can use any PC that fits the Plex hardware requirements, but mini PCs like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Intel-NUC-Mainstream-Kit-NUC8i5BEK\/dp\/B07GX67SBM\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Intel NUC<\/a> are the gold standard thanks to their small footprint, power efficiency, and low price.<\/p>\n<p>Intel NUC devices don\u2019t come with RAM or an OS, which most enthusiasts prefer, as aftermarket RAM isn\u2019t that expensive and Linux operating systems are free. But if you aren\u2019t comfortable using Linux or shoving components into a motherboard, then pre-built Windows 10 devices like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Lenovo-ThinkCentre-Desktop-i5-6500T-Windows\/dp\/B07QGLC4FW\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Lenovo ThinkCentre<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fp%2F1VK-001E-40S92%3F&amp;key=204a528a336ede4177fff0d84a044482\">HP Prodesk<\/a> are probably your best bet.<\/p>\n<p>But what if you want to run everything off of a NAS device? While NAS devices don\u2019t have the horsepower or reusability of PCs, they\u2019re incredibly power efficient and can help you achieve a clean setup. Also, a NAS device makes it easy to back up multiple copies of your Plex library\u2014that\u2019s kinda what they\u2019re made for.<\/p>\n<p>If Plex endorses a NAS device in its <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1MfYoJkiwSqCXg8cm5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc\/edit#gid=1274624273\">compatibility spreadsheet<\/a>, then it should fulfill all your needs. I just have one quick tip\u2014don\u2019t buy a NAS device with only one or two drive bays. A NAS device with four or more drive bays, like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Synology-DiskStation-DS920-Diskless-4-bay\/dp\/B087Z34F3R\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Synology DiskStation DS920+<\/a>, can hold multiple copies of your media library, increasing security and maximizing the available space in your drives. Check out <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-us\/support\/RAID_calculator?\">Synology\u2019s RAID calculator<\/a> to see how a few extra drive bays can make your NAS-based Plex server a lot more useful.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07GX67SBM?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31t1tOf2GJL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \" style=\"margin-left:20px;\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for Intel NUC\" aria-label=\"Shop for Intel NUC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07GX67SBM?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intel_NUC\"><\/span>Intel NUC<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">The Intel NUC is a barebones mini-PC that&#8217;s perfect for Plex. Add some RAM, throw on your favorite Linux distro, and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\nNVIDIA Shield TV Pro<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07YP9FBMM?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31rhQ3TEZSL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B087Z34F3R?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31miC4cBCSL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-title \" style=\"margin-left:20px;\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shop for Synology DiskStation DS920+\" aria-label=\"Shop for Synology DiskStation DS920+\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B087Z34F3R?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synology_DiskStation_DS920\"><\/span>Synology DiskStation DS920+<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"product-features\">The four-bay Synology DiskStation DS920+ has enough horsepower to run a reliable Plex server, and can accommodate four drives for maximum storage and security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Storage_for_Your_Media_Library\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_StorageforYourMediaLibrary\">Storage for Your Media Library<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-70868 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/f8eb99e1b01287a8df86d4865bd2baf6\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/xf19c9085-2.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.xCXrMniuPc.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of the WD Red Plus 3.5-inch NAS HDD.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B008JJLXO6\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\" data-credittext=\"WD\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B008JJLXO6\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">WD<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Unless your chosen Plex server has a ton of onboard storage, you\u2019re gonna need an external drive to house your movies, shows, music, and other media files. Thankfully, you don\u2019t need an expensive SSD to handle this task. A cheaper HDD is fine for storing Plex media and won\u2019t impact the quality of your streaming.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_HDD_Should_You_Use_for_Media\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_WhichHDDShouldIUseforMedia\">Which HDD Should You Use for Media?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I suggest using a NAS hard drive like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B008JJLXO6\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">WD Red Plus<\/a> for your Plex setup (or any other server setup) because NAS HDDs run slower and therefore have a longer lifespan than regular HDDs. The reduced speed will not affect streaming quality, as the drive\u2019s only job is to retrieve media files for your Plex server.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, you\u2019ll also need an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sabrent-External-Lay-Flat-Docking-EC-DFLT\/dp\/B00LS5NFQ2\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">external drive enclosure<\/a> to connect this kind of HDD to your Plex server via USB (unless your server is a PC with open drive bays or a NAS device).<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t want to pay extra for a NAS HDD and external drive enclosure, you could use a consumer-grade external HDD like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Passport-Portable-External-Drive-Black\/dp\/B07VTGBWYH\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">WD Passport<\/a> instead. Just keep in mind that it\u2019ll die sooner and consume more power than a NAS HDD.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_You_Use_an_SSD_as_a_Boot_Drive\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ShouldIUseanSSDasaBootDrive\">Should You Use an SSD as a Boot Drive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While there\u2019s no reason to store your media on an SSD, there are benefits to using an SSD as your Plex Media Server system drive. Like any other computer, your Plex server will boot faster with an SSD system drive, and you should notice less lag while navigating its library. If you\u2019re using an old PC to power your Plex server, consider replacing its boot drive with a cheap, low-capacity SSD, such as the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Kingston-240GB-Solid-SA400S37-240G\/dp\/B01N5IB20Q\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Kingston A400<\/a>. (If you\u2019re using a Raspberry Pi or NVIDIA Shield device, don\u2019t worry about it, your device boots from flash storage).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_About_Backups\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_WhatAboutBackups\">What About Backups?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Remember, hard drives and SSDs don\u2019t last forever. If you can spare some cash, you might want to grab a backup drive for all your media files. You can set Windows to automatically back up content to this spare drive with the operating system\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/220986\/how-to-use-all-of-windows-10%E2%80%99s-backup-and-recovery-tools\/\">built-in backup tool<\/a>, or achieve the same results on Linux with <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/135533\/how-to-use-rsync-to-backup-your-data-on-linux\/\">rsync<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>NAS devices are purpose-built for RAID backups, and as I mentioned earlier, a NAS device with four drive bays is much more secure and provides more usable storage space than a device with just two drive bays. You should play with the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-us\/support\/RAID_calculator\">Synology RAID calculator<\/a> to find a setup that\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\nWD Red Plus Internal HDD<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B008JJLXO6?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41ELtDezxgL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Video_Files_to_Populate_Your_Library\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_VideoFilestoPopulateYourLibrary\">Video Files to Populate Your Library<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-70678 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/0749cbd726e35cd7677837d71679d6b0\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/x09dd8c26-5.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.2Kbjodfwv3.jpg\" alt=\"An MP4 file icon.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-vector\/media-file-movie-vector-icon-isolated-1408426487\" data-credittext=\"Rank Sol\/Shutterstock\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-vector\/media-file-movie-vector-icon-isolated-1408426487\">Rank Sol\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A Plex server is useless without a media library. In a perfect world, you could buy movies and shows from the Plex app and download them directly to your Plex media server. But we don\u2019t live in a perfect world, so you have to source your video files from a couple of DRM-free distributors, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs.<\/p>\n<p>Plex servers are a popular solution for streaming music, but because downloading and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/228172\/how-to-rip-audio-cds-to-your-pc-or-mac\/\">ripping music<\/a> is such an easy task , we aren\u2019t going to cover it here.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sourcing_Video_Files\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_SourcingVideoFiles\">Sourcing Video Files<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can\u2019t buy digital copies of movies for Plex. At least, not from major distributors like Apple and Vudu. These distributors lock their content behind DRM, making it impossible to play said files without permission from the distributor\u2019s network or playback software. You <em>can<\/em> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/291612\/how-to-remove-drm-from-itunes-movies-and-tv-shows\/\">remove the DRM<\/a> from most media files, but it\u2019s a pain in the butt. Plus, paying a company for DRM-protected files is frustrating, as the company clearly doesn\u2019t respect your right to own the things you pay for.<\/p>\n<p>The only notable platforms that sell DRM-free movies are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2Fondemand%2F&amp;key=204a528a336ede4177fff0d84a044482\">Vimeo on Demand<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/watch.drafthousefilms.com\/\">Drafthouse Films<\/a>, and some small <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=site%3A*.vhx.tv\">VHX-powered sites<\/a>. But these distributors mostly sell indie films, so you\u2019re gonna have to rip mainstream movies from DVDs and Blu-Rays. If you\u2019re looking for something that\u2019s in the public domain, you can probably download it for free on the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/movies\">Internet Archive<\/a>. Good luck finding DRM-free movie downloads anywhere else.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ripping_DVDs_and_Blu-Ray_Discs\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_RippingDVDsandBluRayDiscs\">Ripping DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ripping discs is the best way to legally fill your Plex library. DVDs and Blu-Ray discs are easy to find for cheap, especially if you hunt for sales on Facebook Marketplace or dig through the dusty shelves of your local Goodwill. And while sitting down to pull the movie from the disc is an annoying extra step, it\u2019s better than nothing.<\/p>\n<p>Unless your PC has a built-in disc drive, you\u2019ll need to buy <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Rioddas-External-Portable-Rewriter-Superdrive\/dp\/B07DLRG9VH\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">an external DVD drive<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/External-MthsTec-Blu-Ray-Optical-Compatible\/dp\/B07SZKNRF2\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">Blu-Ray drive<\/a> that plugs into your computer\u2019s USB port. Once that\u2019s plugged in, you need software to rip the movie from your discs. I suggest using HandBrake to preserve the quality of your ripped files. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/102886\/how-to-decrypt-dvds-with-hardbrake-so-you-can-rip-them\/\">Ripping DVDs with Handbrake<\/a> is pretty easy, but the process for ripping Blu-Rays can be a little complicated, so be sure to read our detailed <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/161498\/how-to-backup-your-dvd-and-blu-ray-movie-collection\/\">guide on ripping Blu-Ray discs<\/a> over at How-To Geek.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Transcoding\"><\/span>What Is Transcoding?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Media files are not universal, and some of the devices in your home are unable to play certain file formats. For this reason, Plex can transcode media on the fly, converting video files to a format that\u2019s suitable for their destination device. If your server has a CPU that fits the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/70552\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server\/#moka_anchor_WhatArethePlexHardwareRequirements\">Plex hardware requirements, then you shouldn\u2019t run into lag or transcoding buffer during normal use. That said, problems may arise if you stream to multiple devices that require video transcoding at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>If your Plex server doesn\u2019t have a lot of horsepower, you can avoid video transcoding entirely by converting all of your media files to MP4, which is the \u201cuniversal\u201d file format <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.plex.tv\/articles\/203810286-what-media-formats-are-supported\/\">reccomended by Plex<\/a>. Bear in mind that transcoding issues are rare during regular streaming, and for what it\u2019s worth, Plex enthusiasts suggest using the MKV file format to retain the quality of movies ripped from Blu-Ray.<\/p>\n<p>I should point out that the Plex Pass subscription unlocks an exclusive hardware transcoding setting, which utilizes your computer\u2019s GPU (as opposed to the CPU) to transcode video. Those who plan to do a ton of remote streaming, which requires video transcoding to reduce the stream\u2019s bandwidth, should consider using this hardware transcoding setting to take a load off their server\u2019s CPU. Integrated graphics in Intel chips is fine for this task, as are cheap graphics cards like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Gigabyte-GV-N1030OC-2GI-Nvidia-GeForce-Graphics\/dp\/B07646VQ6T\/?tag=reviewgeek-20\">GTX 1030<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\nRioddas External DVD Drive<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07DLRG9VH?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41RiUlU0YeL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-box\">\nMthsTec External Blu-Ray Drive<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-img\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07SZKNRF2?tag=reviewgeek-20\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button')\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41yZtHrJ2mL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_Pay_for_Plex_Pass\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ShouldIPayforPlexPass\">Should I Pay for Plex Pass?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-70679 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/7bcdc625574fb40f0a123c71e84c7da2\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/x8266e4bf-4.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.-Gi5umiPTH.jpg\" alt=\"An illustration of Plex Pass streaming media to three smartphones.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.plex.tv\/plex-pass\/\" data-credittext=\"Plex\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plex.tv\/plex-pass\/\">Plex<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Plex is free to download, but it isn\u2019t free to use. You either have to pay a one-time fee for each device registered with Plex, or pay a monthly fee for the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plex.tv\/plex-pass\/\">premium Plex Pass service<\/a>. But the benefit of Plex Pass isn\u2019t that you get to skip the device registration fee, it\u2019s that you unlock exclusive features like live TV and DVR, offline downloads for mobile devices, hardware transcoding, and optional content restrictions to keep your kids from seeing R-rated content on their Plex account.<\/p>\n<p>So, should you pay for Plex Pass? If you plan to stream to just one or two devices, the answer is probably no. But if you want to share your library with family and friends, then Plex Pass is essential. Hardware transcoding can take a huge load off your server, and Plex Pass\u2019 expanded functionality for families makes the service feel like a serious streaming platform.<\/p>\n<p>A month of Plex Pass is just $5, which is the same price that you usually pay to register a device with Plex. I think that it\u2019s worth giving the service a test run, even if you don\u2019t expect to use it all that much.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','1137093656460433');fbq('track','PageView');},3000);<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/70552\/everything-you-need-to-set-up-a-plex-server\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Everything You Need to Set Up a Plex Server \u2013 Review Geek&#8221; Plex, Intel A Plex Media Server makes it easy to stream or share your movie and music collection the same way that you stream Netflix or Hulu. No hassle, no fuss, just dump all your media in the server and stream it to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":179524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/thumbcache\/0\/0\/b9717343f3cadc852fd55874e079befe\/p\/uploads\/2021\/02\/x4a47a0db-5.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.xIL5N8g4Z7.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}