STREAM VIDEOS FROM YOUR PC TO TV
It’s easier than ever
In this Workshop, we’ll explain how to turn your PC into a home media server using the brilliant free program Plex. This will let you stream films, TV shows, music and photos from your PC directly to your TV.
We’ll also show you how to access your files from another PC and remotely download photos to your phone or tablet.
STEP1
First, go to www.plex.tv, scroll down and click the Get Plex For Free button. You need to create an account using your Google, Facebook or email account. Once you’ve done that, close the pop-up window prompting you to sign up for a Plex Premium Pass and click the Download Plex Media Server button. Next, select Windows 1 , click the Download button 2 , then wait for the setup file to download 3
STEP2
Open the downloaded setup file, click Install, then Yes. Once that’s done, click the Launch button 1 . The program sits in your PC’S notification area, so double-click the Plex Media Server icon (the yellow arrowhead) in your PC’S system tray to open the Plex web page, where you need to log in. Click the Got It button, then close the window prompting you to sign up for Plex Premium Pass. Finally, name your server, then click Next.
STEP3
You now need to upload the folders containing your media files to Plex. Click the Add Library button, select the file type you want (films, TV programmes, music or photos), click Next, then click ‘Browse for Media Folder’ 1 . In the pop-up window that opens, navigate to the first folder, then click the Add Library button at the bottom. Repeat this process to add more folders. Once you’ve finished adding your folders 2 , click Add Library 3 .
STEP4
You’ll now see your files being uploaded to Plex in a panel at the bottom 1 . The process takes a while because Plex adds artwork, plot summaries and cast details to all your files. You can add more of your folders by clicking Add Library 2 . When the panel at the bottom disappears, click the Next button 3 , then click Done.
STEP5
You’ll now see all your media files have been arranged in sections 1 . Move your cursor to any thumbnail image 2 , then click the three dots that appear at the bottom of it to see a pop-up menu with several options 3 . In the Films section, for example, clicking a thumbnail displays handy information, including director, cast and any similar movies in your library. Now, click Settings 4 , then the Claim Server button on the right. Click Remote Access at the top left, then the Enable Remote Access button. Next, return to the main section, by clicking the top-left back button.
STEP6
Move your cursor to any thumbnail, then click the play button to watch or listen to it. Click anywhere on the screen to display the playback controls at the bottom 1 . Click the Settings button 2 to display a menu 3 that lets you change your video and audio quality and add subtitles (if available). You can stream the film/music track to your smart TV (or a TV with Chromecast) by clicking the Cast dropdown menu 4 , Cast 5 , selecting your TV/ Chromecast’s name, then clicking Yes. The video/music will now play via your TV.
STEP7
As long as your PC is switched on (Plex Media Server automatically runs in the background), you can access all your media files from another PC. Go to www.plex.tv/web on your other PC, then log into your account. You’ll now see a screen where you can access and play your media files. On your phone or tablet, you can download photos from your server via this website, by tapping to select the photo you want 1 , tapping the three dots 2 , then tapping Download 3 .
STEP8
Another way to access the media files on your server is by installing the Plex add-on in Kodi (until recently this feature required a Plex Premium Pass, which costs £3.99 a month or £31.99 a year). To install the latest version of Kodi (or to update your current version), go to www.kodi.tv/download, scroll to the bottom, click the Windows logo in the ‘Choose your weapon’ section, then click the Installer button beside Release. Open the downloaded setup file, then follow the instructions until you need to click Install. Once that’s done, tick Run Kodi 1 , then click Finish 2 to launch the program.
STEP9
Next, click Add-ons on the left of Kodi’s home screen, the package icon at the top left, ‘Install from repository’, then click ‘Video add-ons’. Now scroll down and select Plex 1 , click the Install button, then wait until you see the ‘Add-on installed’ notification 2 . Next, press the Esc button on your keyboard twice to return to Kodi’s home screen, click Add-ons on the left, then doubleclick the Plex add-on to open it. Finally, click Sign In, then log into your Plex account.
STEP 10
You’ll see buttons for all your 10 media file types 1 . Click the one you want. At the top right, you’ll see options to sort your files by name, release date, date added or date played. Use the search button 2 to find what you need, then play it within Kodi.
The Plex Premium Pass costs £3.99 a ● month or £31.99 a year and lets you access all media files on your server using the free Plex apps on Android and IOS. It also lets you sync files to your device (PC or mobile) to watch them when your server is offline. You can find more info at www.plex.tv/features.