How to connect PLEX media server in LAN only?

Plex Media Server
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1

I wish to set up a friend with his own PLEX system to be accessible in a LAN only. He has an internet connection, but it is so slow (5 mbs) that it is useless. He connects to TV through Direct TV satellite dish. The PLEX system will only be to run media from his PC to a stereo system in his house. He has a TV near the stereo. I am not yet sure whether his TV is a “Smart TV” or not, but I could attach a Roku Stick to it.

How would I connect the PLEX system on his PC to the stereo system and/or the TV.

He has wifi in the house, but its speed is slow, no doubt due to the terrible internet connection. I am thinking the wifi could work well for internal LAN only uses.

Your thoughts?

2

Do not enable remote access in the server settings, and don’t poke a hole in the home firewall. You have to go out of your way to share Plex, it isn’t automatic.

3

Plex Media Server will use the Internet connection to download metadata, perform user authorization, etc.

Streaming from a local Plex Media Server to a local Plex client will not use any Internet bandwidth.

The speed (or lack thereof) of the Internet connection does not impact streaming within the local network.

Set it up like you would any other Plex installation.

Plex Media Server with a wired gigabit Ethernet connection to the local network.

Plex clients, such as a Roku stick, SmartTV, etc, connected via WiFi or wired Ethernet depending on location, WiFi signal strength, etc.

How the audio is routed to the stereo system depends on its capabilities.

See if there is any existing connection between the TV and the audio system.

It the stereo system has HDMI inputs, you could potentially connect a streaming stick to the stereo system.

Streaming Stick ← HDMI → Audio System ← HDMI → TV

If not, you could route the audio from the TV to the stereo via optical fiber or other connections.

Streaming stick ← HDMI → TV ← optical/coax/etc → Audio System

4

Just to confirm the correct connections, I will have the PC connected to the modem with an ethernet cable. Then, I will connect the TV to the WiFi router built into the modem be either:
(a) another ethernet cable or (b) WiFi signal to a Roku Stick plugged into the TV. Does that sound right?

As for the internet access, I really do not need to download metadata. Nor will I have any “guests” invited to have access to this media server–if only because the internet connection is SO TERRIBLE.

5

Plex puts a lot of work into things you want to disable, like metadata lookup and remote streaming. Maybe some other way to play your videos might be better?

If you can connect the PC to the TV you can use any other player program like VLC. Just get a cheap wireless keyboard and there’s your remote. If you want a better TV GUI, there’s Kodi.

6

Yes. Wired Ethernet is the preferred connection for Plex servers.

You can use WiFi for the TV or the Roku.

Wired works too, of course, so use whatever is easiest.

Plex needs Internet access to match the movies to their correct names, download cover art, lists of actors & their pictures, etc.

It does not matter if the Internet connection is relatively slow. The process happens in the background and does not consume much bandwidth.

Suggest you leave the tasks enabled, at least initially. If it causes problems, then you can disable some of the tasks (in Scheduled Tasks).

7

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