I apologize for the multipart question but they are related. Just started testing Plex. Before I move forward I have some questions to make sure it will work for my environment going forward. We have been known to lose internet for days, especially during snowfall.
- Internet down
I’ve read a little bit about signing out the Plex media server and adding the netmask to the server (List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth) for local network access in case the internet is down. For a local network that would be something like 192.168.0.0/24, added to that list correct?
Am I understanding these steps correctly to be able to use Plex if no internet access? I know some clients require internet access, such as Tivo.
- Clients
Related to above, are there clients other than web and Plex Home Theatre on a windows pc that can access without internet? Purposely, I’m looking for a client device to add to HDMI Non-Smart TV’s that can access plex locally, with or without active internet connection.
Are there any of these clients that will hook up to HDMI for the non-smart TV’s that don’t require some sort of extra subscription/internet access to the provider, i.e. Roku etc.
Thank you.
bbaker
Both answers are related. Plex only needs internet to authenticate users. So you have a few options.
1 - Don’t sign in your server or your clients, ever. Nothing to authenticate, so no internet needed,
2 - Sing in both the server and clients when you do have internet. Each will retain a cache of the authentications so when you lose internet, the clients and server will continue to work. You cannot do things like change users or add a new device, but existing pre-authenticated devices will continue to work. Excluding a few device that require internet to even function.
Only the mobile apps require a fee to activate the app. Plex Media Player is in Plex Pass Preview mode currently so you will need a subscription to use it. All other Plex clients are free to use.
@bbaker73 said:
Related to above, are there clients other than web and Plex Home Theatre on a windows pc that can access without internet? Purposely, I’m looking for a client device to add to HDMI Non-Smart TV’s that can access plex locally, with or without active internet connection.
A device to ‘smarten up’ an old TV without internet reliance would be a
Raspberry Pi3 (running Rasplex) [for TV up to ‘FullHD’ / 1080p]
Odroid C2 (running OpenPHT ) [for 4K / HEVC compatibility]
Just make sure your old TV supports HDMI-CEC, or you’ll have to adapt an extra remote control onto the device.
Although it is possible to run both devices wirelessly, it is recommended to connect them up with ethernet network wires to your router/home network.
Rasplex and OpenPHT are basically the same software, so they will look identically.
There is a version for Windows PC available too.
Thank you both. In regards to the Raspberry Pi3, that is new to me and interesting. Are there any how to’s etc you can point me to to ease the learning curve of building/setting one up from scratch as a machine and/or configuring to use as a client device?
@bbaker73 said:
Thank you both. In regards to the Raspberry Pi3, that is new to me and interesting. Are there any how to’s etc you can point me to to ease the learning curve of building/setting one up from scratch as a machine and/or configuring to use as a client device?
Just follow the link I set above. It will lead you to the appropriate forum. The threads at the top contain all the download infos and HowTo’s. There are friendly people in there to help you with the initial steps (which by the way are not very demanding)
I added users in hopes of restricting libraries only to find they cannot access my music playlists. In a pickle here of which one is more important as seems there is not a workaround at this point. My reason for stating is, if I’m in this Home mode with multiple users, will this affect being able to sign out and access on the local lan without internet access? I’m thinking until playlists are shareable, I might need to add an additional Plex server just for restricted libraries?
