Having been around for more than 10 years, Plex now supports almost every streaming device under the sun – from streamers like the Roku, to Smart TVs, to mobile phones, gaming consoles, and the list goes on and on. The main part of Plex, the “server”, needs to be installed on your desktop computer (or laptop, or even a network-attached drive) – and then, all the other compatible devices in your house – that are connected to the same WiFi network and have a Plex app installed – can pull the content from that server and play it for you. You end up with a screen that looks similar to a Netflix or VOD screen – rows of films and TV programmes, sometimes even with their appropriate posters and thumbnails, just waiting for you to then stream and play. Plex is a media management service that takes all these video files on your computer – and organises them into a content library.
So yes, there are manual ways to transfer a media file directly to your device – but if you have lots and lots of these files from old DVDs – things can start to get messy. Then, once the content from your DVD/tapes sits as files on your computer – you need a way to watch it on your TV (or smartphone, or tablet). For VHS tapes, you would need a VHS to DVD converter. First, you would need to transform your media into digital files – so, for a DVD, you would usually need a computer and ripping software like Handbrake.
The trouble is, that no one wants to sit and switch discs these days (that is, if you even still have a DVD player, not to mention a video player), so our old content just collects dust, even though we often paid hundreds or even thousands of pounds for it. Those of us over a certain age, might still have shelves filled with films and box-sets of TV programmes, either on DVD, Blu-ray or even dusty VHS tapes.
You want to stream a movie or a specific TV programme? It’s right there on the screen, waiting for you.īut things aren’t as easy when you’re dealing with old-school media, such as your DVD collection. With TV being dominated today by streaming services (or media recorders and VOD services from the pay-TV cable companies like Sky), we’re used to our content being available to us at the press of a button.
Plex Pass Review – Is It Worth The Money?.