Question Making a Video Server - Plex?

[mmitsch]

I have a lot of old DVD's and wanted to consider moving them to a PC / Server which I can then be able to watch from a smart tv.

I really don't know much about this stuff but I have heard that there is a way to install something called PLEX on a PC and that I may be able to do this?

Can somebody give me a push in the right direction? Hoping this is all possible.

 

[Lutfij]

Can somebody give me a push in the right direction?
Pretty much any kind of system can be build to serve your purpose, though your instance, it'd probably be more along the lines of NAS(Network Attached Storage) and you have multiple large capacity HDD's hooked up to it, provided my understanding of alot of DVD's is akin to what my friend has which is like a walk-in closet. I'm not kidding. Also, my DVD collection resides in a suitcase like portfolio, for conserving space = I live in a small apartment and space is a premium where I'm located.

On a side note, I actually built an HTPC for one of my friends and he had all of his movies stored onto his HDD, while the HTIB setup was wired to his motherboard's S/PDIF connection for 5.1 surround. So it's not just visually that you can cater to your setup, you can also think about an acoustical setup as well.

What sort of a budget do you have to work around?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can somebody give me a push in the right direction? Hoping this is all possible.

You'll have to install Plex server on computer with media library.
Then configure Plex server, so it knows, where to look for media files.

And you'll have to install Plex client on device you want to watch content on.
So - TV needs to be a smart device with Plex client installed.

Installation

Preparation Before You Begin Before you begin installing Plex Media Server, it’s strongly recommended that you check that your media...

support.plex.tv

 

[punkncat]

Plex is really easy, I mean like you will nod your head at how much overthinking for it to be that easy.

Address the concerns mentioned in post 2 about where all this is going to reside and access.

I will suggest this out of my own poor decision making. When you digitize all those disks pack them away in a box with a desiccant pack and put them somewhere cool and dry. Getting rid of them afterward will be regretful. I know.

 

[USAFRet]

Also be cognizant of the limitations of the file types Plex will work with.

The vast majority of my video library is ISO files, direct from the DVD.
Plex does not work with those, so no Plex for me.

What media formats are supported on Smart TVs?

General Media Support Tip!: This article is about our Smart TV app. It does not apply to the Plex app...

support.plex.tv

What is Plex?

An Introduction What Media and Devices Work What else can Plex help you do? An Introduction Plex gives you one...

support.plex.tv

 

[punkncat]

@USAFRet This is a good point to bring. Windows default players don't even have the capability to rip a DVD any longer, so far as I can tell, so this would be something to watch for using a third party program that may default to that.
I have far more understanding about the size of your storage repositories now as well.

 

[USAFRet]

@USAFRet This is a good point to bring. Windows default players don't even have the capability to rip a DVD any longer, so far as I can tell, so this would be something to watch for using a third party program that may default to that.
I have far more understanding about the size of your storage repositories now as well.

The ISO is a direct representation of the original DVD.

It preserves the menu, and all that other jazz.

 

[punkncat]

The ISO is a direct representation of the original DVD.

It preserves the menu, and all that other jazz.

In relation to burning another disk, probably a worthwhile feature. In relation to placing into a Plex Media server it is extraneous. Plex will pull up deets if you set it that way and no need for a menu with that service.

I like Plex. Not really sure how they have managed to avoid being lumped in with the so called "pirate" services given the overall functionality, or at least what it used to have. I quit using it some years ago mostly as I had it stood up and just less and less did I use it. I opted to swap the space it used over to other things, less overhead, and use my streaming services almost exclusively these days. I have even been surprised at the content that TY offers "free" to subscribers these days. Some real gems over there.

I think my favorite aspect about keeping one repository is for when the internet goes down or storm action (which has been quite lively this year). It is always good to have something to turn on even if you have seen it a hundred times.

 

[USAFRet]

Plex will pull up deets if you set it that way and no need for a menu with that service.

No, the Plex server will not even see an ISO, much less play it.

I've tried.

Converting ISO, Video_TS, and Other Disk Image Formats

Plex does not support the use of ISO, IMG, Video_TS, BDMV, or other “disk image” formats. If you wish to...

support.plex.tv

"Plex does not support the use of ISO, IMG, Video_TS, BDMV, or other “disk image” formats."

 

[punkncat]

I am aware of that. What I mean to say is that the media service associated with Plex will pull up a detail screen that can include inserts, previews, subs, all that stuff if you set it to do so and reserve space for it. I am clear that it will not read an .iso.