Server Version#: v1.13.9.5456
Player Version#: 7.7…7701 (eb613d3b)
My setup:
Plex server on 16 GB Shield using a 2 TB SSD as internal storage
Movie files up to 30 GB (MK4/MKV)
My goals:
Plex server on 16 GB Shield using 2 TB SSD (NTFS) as EXTERNAL storage.
Ability to unplug 2 TB SSD (NTFS) from shield on occasion and connect to my PC for transferring files.
My questions:
Can I have the external SSD formatted in NTFS instead of the Shield’s special formatting (so the PC can see the drive when I plug it in directly to the computer when transferring files)?
Will the large files have any issues with only 16 GB internal storage (Transcoding, etc.)?
I’m not really knowledgeable about types of formatting. I know that all of my other drives are NTFS so I figured i’d have them all the same. I thought there was some limitations with exFAT as well. I’m open to using any format that will allow me to accomplish my goals.
What format does the Shield use?
Is there a way to have my SSD formatted and configured as internal, yet still have my computer see it (and transfer to it) when it’s directly plugged into the PC?
I know that I can have the SSD set as external and run the Plex server. I assume that the external SSD doesn’t need to be set up as etx4 and can be formatted with exFAT or NTFS to host the Plex server? This would allow me to connect the SSD to the PC and have it be visable.
My main concern is that there’s only 16 GB of internal space for transcoding, etc and that may create other issues. Most files are in MKV/MP4 so I don’t believe transcoding would be necessary?
I’m trying to figure this out before I wipe and reformat my drive just to run into other issues later.
yes you can use an external ssd with NTFS, but this will not let you store any shield apps or plex data on it.
that depends on the available space that is left on the 16g internal storage after you install plex and any other apps/games, and after you scan your media library.
depending the amount of content you have, that 16 gig can get used up quickly. Make sure you have the video thumbnails/preview generation disabled.
otherwise, any disk used as INTERNAL shield storage you can only use with the shield and you should not ever disconnect it, consider it permanently installed.
Otherwise you risk corrupting your whole shield plex install if you remove it while running or boot without it.
I don’t like the idea of having my SSD permanently attached to the Shield.
I’m using the shield for media, not gaming so I only need Netflix, Amazon Video, Plex, YouTube and Spotify apps (maybe one or two others) which would probably be one GB worth. I’m sure all of those can fit on the 16 GB internal.
I assume that the few apps I need can stay on the internal drive, the Plex database can be placed on a normally formatted drive as external, and I would be able to unplug the drive without problems in order to connect to my PC when needed.
Does this sound correct?
My concern then becomes the remaining space and the other data requirements including processing/transcoding, etc. Would this become an issue?
perhaps but keep in mind that the system also uses the 16g.
hmm not sure this is accurate, I believe in order for the plex database and metadata it must be on an internally formatted storage, due to android permissions, drm and such.
I have the 500gig model, so I can’t tell you how much usable space is left on a default 16gig model, but I am sure you can find other posts about it, since it is only recently been made available to use an external drive as internal storage, and lack of space was a big problem for 16g devices.
The Plex data can be moved to an externally connected usb drive. This feature was added some time ago. You can unplug the drive and add it back without issue too, as long as you don’t do it while you are accessing your Shield PMS. There is always the risk of data corruption if you don’t eject the drive first.
Are you looking to unplug the drive just to move files around. You can access the drive while it’s connected to the Shield from your computer and just transfer files that way. It might be slower, depending on your network, but then you don’t have to worry about plugging/unplugging.
This is perfect! I just spent a lot on a 2 TB external SSD so I didn’t want it 100% dependent on the shield. The ext4 format and the corruption that would occur when disconnecting from the shield made it difficult to devote such an expensive drive to.
Although I mainly transfer files via WiFi have the option to bring the drive with me when travelling.
I assume I can map the external drive as a network drive and set it to be a download destination?
I have another post about the Shield with similar questions about the database – but one of those questions relates to what you just posted. If using external – does it need to be in the NVIDIA_SHIELD folder for write access? Of course - if you want to head over to the other post and take a gander at the other questions, I sure wouldn’t mind that either.
I’m running into a problem. I decided to try Plex on the external drive so reformatted the SSD as NTFS and connected it to the Shield TV.
The drive is listed in the Shield’s settings as removable storage.
I can access the drive over the network through file explorer on my PC.
The NVIDIA_SHIELD folder is present and I’ve added media to it over the network.
When I log into Plex it only lists “localhost” as the server (which I assume is not the external drive). No media is available.
The Plex client is not used to read files directly from a drive like this. You need to setup Plex Media Server first to see your media. Then the Plex client will access your media through the Plex Media Server.
My issue was that didn’t know how to set it up. The only way I figured it out was to perform a factory reset. Once the reset was complete I was provided with the options necessary to set up the PMS in the proper way.
I had everything set up but wasn’t able to transfer files over the network. I tried fixing that issue by turning off the “transfer files over local network”, rebooting the shield and then turning on “transfer files over local network”… it did not work this time. I then tried the same thing and at the same time rebooted my PC and router and I was finally able to see everything through file explorer.
But then I opened Plex only to see “localhost” was back and “SHIELD Android TV” is offline.
PMS has been updated
Plex Media Server is running v.1.14.0.5470
Storage location is my external SSD (which is what I want)
I feel like there is a special combination to unlock this problem but I am just guessing one number at a time. Is there anywhere I can chat online or talk to someone on the phone? Don’t get me wrong, I GREATLY appreciate the help here.
If you are seeing this, that means your server hasn’t loaded properly yet. Remember that the Shield is running Android and it is slow mounting external drives, so if you’ve rebooted your Shield, give it a few minutes before you try accessing PMS.
Also note that the Shield does not come with SMB support natively. That ability is added by PMS, so again after a reboot, give it a few minutes before trying to access the Shield over the network.
Unfortunately it’s been 9 hours and the server hasn’t properly loaded yet. Is there a specific sequence I should set this up with? It would be great if there was a comprehensive description of how to accomplish this. This isn’t rocket science but to me it feels like it is.
UPDATE: I cleared the cache of the PMS and then restarted it in the Shield settings by going to Settings>Apps>Plex Media Server. Once I reopened Plex it displayed “SHIELD Android TV Offline” and after a few minutes “localhost” returned. “SHIELD Android TV” has remained offline.
UPDATE 2: I rebooted the shield again and now the PMS is running and it shows the current server as “SHIELD Android TV” which is great BUT i’m unable to remotely access the drive to put any media on it which is not great.
UPDATE 3: Found that I no longer had the option to “Transfer files over network” so I manually updated
the PMS by:
On a PC or Mac, open up your web browser and go to: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb
The option was restored but I was still unable to connect. I tried the trick where you turn off “Transfer files over network”, reboot the Shield and then turn the “Transfer files over network” back on. Unfortunately, localhost was back and “SHIELD Android TV” was once again set to offline.
UPDATE 4: IT’S FINALLY WORKING! Honestly i’m not sure what exactly did it but I believe it was when I opened up a browser and typed in http://my local IP:32400/web. It then gave me the option to set up the server and the folders within. Now I also see Plex Media Server listed under This PC.
