I have been researching the possiblity of a direction server connection to a smart tv with the plex app. My father in law has zero internet connectivity, so normal streaming apps do not work. I have created my own plex server, but it will not work for him with no internet. Mayne the solution exists but i am not searching the correct words or phrases.
Is it possible to directly connect the server pc to the tv and use the App to stream the local files, in essence working as a streaming app?
Not possible. Suggest you investigate other options.
At some point Plex needs an Internet connection. It can work for awhile without one, but at some point Internet connectivity is needed.
Specific to the Plex SmartTV apps (LG, Samsung, etc), the full app is not stored on the TV. The TV holds a “loader” application. When the TV is powered on, the loader app downloads the full app from the Internet.
You can get around some limitations by bypassing authorization or running the server as unclaimed, but that only goes so far.
See this How To article. It has additional information.
Plex is not the right choice if there is zero Internet connectivity. There are workarounds and such, but at the end of the day, you’re pounding a square peg into a round hole.
Some other ideas, but no guarantees if they will work or not:
DLNA: If the TV has a DLNA app you can run a DLNA server on a PC. Windows has one built in. Your Linux distro might as well. There are many others available for free on the Internet.
Attach external drive to TV: If the TV has a USB port and a built in video player.
VLC? It works with DLNA servers, probably with a USB drive as well. It would be an alternative user interface to whatever the TV has. Maybe hotspot the TV off your phone to download it.
Kodi? I have not used Kodi in years and never w/o Internet. No idea if it would work.
