How many users can simultaneously connect to PLEX?

Plex Media Server
1

Hello to everyone

In the same small area we live 5 families and we have a community wireless network for the use of electronic alarms, communication with security guards, etc. .
The system has enough bandwidth and we want to install PLEX media server on a PC with a very robust CPU and through the wireless network share the contents, especially movies among all of us.

We are 30 people between adults and young people.

Is it possible to use one PLEX media server account for all family members on the same PC? In the worst case scenario, could all 30 people connect at the same time? Would it depend on PLEX or on the PC?

Thanks

2

Hi,
the issue you may run into is Trancoding and having a system that could handle 30 streams.

Advice:

  1. Select hardware for clients that will provide a broad range of file compatibility.
  2. Avoid 4K files and Titles with 7.1 Channel audio, DTS audio
  3. Collect only file types that will provide good compatibility to your hardware.

Now for myself, I have selected mkv or mp4 as favourite file containers. Audio: AAC, AC3. This may not be your case, but is only a example to avoid Transcoding by the Server.

Another Question would be, is that 30 separate streams or 30 persons on lesser Plex clients. Example: 10 Clients with 30 viewers.

3

Thanks

I understand, I think I should configure and restrict the bandwidth to each client so that the server is not saturated, right?
It is better for me to consider the worst case scenario, i.e. 30 people watching 30 different streams simultaneously.

Also I am not clear if I could use a single account for all 30 clients or should I create additional accounts?

What would be the best solution?

4

This only helps if the network bandwidth is saturated.
However, if your files all have higher bitrates, then the server has to transcode during playback to bring the datarate down to what you have set as maximum.
Which then can easily overload the CPU of the server, so this way you will never achieve 30 simultaneous sessions.

Each home should use its own plex user account.
Otherwise you will get chaos. i.e. one user will watch a video and this “playback” progress/status will show for every other user.

You should seek legal counsel. What you have in mind might be illegal, as it affects copyright.

5

thanks

I understand, you are right.

The idea was not to have to spend on several servers as far as possible,. For example : in one house live 5 people, but in another 10, then a server for the first house would be underutilized.

So up to how many users could simultaneously use a CPU? and what specifications should it have in that case?

6

This question cannot be answered, I’m afraid. There are too many variables.

7

ok, I understand.

I guess I’d better do the test

Thank you very much for your help

8

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