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New Install. Where's PLEX?
I'm trying not to panic, but one of the main reasons I just purchased a ReadyNAS was to run a PLEX server. In my prepurchase research I had read many posts about people using PLEX on their ReadyNAS....
At plex.tv/downloads you download Plex Media Server choosing the NETGEAR Intel 6.x Package. You then go to the Apps tab of the ReadyNAS web admin GUI, click on the Upload button and browse for the .deb file you just downloaded.
Fear not. Netgear use to include Plex in their app listings but there were sometimes issues with which version was the most up to date. You can go to the Plex website and do a search for the proper Plex version for Netgear and do a manual install. I have it running on my RN314 with no issues but also prfeviously has it running on an RN526X.
Hope that helps.
regards,
David
Thanks for the reassuring, quick response. Since I'm actually completely new to using PLEX, maybe you'd know the answer to a couple questions I have?
1. What is the advantage of having PLEX installed on your NAS as opposed to just having PLEX installed on a network computer that then accesses your NAS video folder?
2. If you stream an HD movie from your NAS to a smart phone or other device, can PLEX or the NAS transcode on the fly if the device doesn't have adequate bandwidth or needs a lower resolution video stream?
Thanks again.
In response to your questions:
1. What is the advantage of having PLEX installed on your NAS as opposed to just having PLEX installed on a network computer that then accesses your NAS video folder?
The advantage to installing Plex on your ReadyNAS is that your computer does not have to be on all the time. With Plex running on your server, your content will always be available. In addition, other people can have access to the content without accessing your computer.
2. If you stream an HD movie from your NAS to a smart phone or other device, can PLEX or the NAS transcode on the fly if the device doesn't have adequate bandwidth or needs a lower resolution video stream?
Although I use Plex I am far from an expert on how it works. That said, Plex does handle transcoding of media as long as your hardware can support it. I think that with your 626X, you should have no trouble with transcoding. Also, Plex needs extra hard disk space to temporarily store the transcoded files so you need to make sure you have sufficient space to support the transcoded files.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Davi
FWIW, I've chosen to run a windows application server, with the media stored on the NAS. The NAS data volume is mapped to a PC drive letter.
My reasons are
- Often native Windows applications are more capable than their Linux equivalents (and in some cases linux versions are not available are all). Though that is not the case with plex, the Linux version has the same features as the Windows version.
- The NAS memory is limited (though more than enough for file serving)
- Sometimes installed NAS applications block your ability to update the NAS firmware.
- Separating the two functions makes it simpler to upgrade either to newer platforms.
This is not to say that it's a bad idea to run plex and other apps on the NAS. Just that there is a tradeoff, and it's reasonable to choose not to.
dschwartzer wrote:
With Plex running on your server, your content will always be available. In addition, other people can have access to the content without accessing your computer.
It is true that you need to keep a PC application server running 24x7 if you want your content to be always available.
I don't get the last sentence - there's no difference in remote access to plex. One way or another remote users are accessing the plex server, whether it runs on a dedicated application server or on the NAS itself.
dschwartzer wrote:
Also, Plex needs extra hard disk space to temporarily store the transcoded files so you need to make sure you have sufficient space to support the transcoded files.
The RN600 series has no difficulty transcoding HD, but it will have trouble transcoding 4K. So will most PCs.
Plex can transcode on-the-fly, so any extra disk space is inconsequential. It can also do off-line conversion (creating a lower quality but smaller file for streaming), which of course will take disk space.
Personally I run Plex Media Server on my NAS. It works great for me.
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