I’ve been searching around quite a bit, including on the Forums, but more specifically all over the Plex site, FAQs and various articles & categories.
Having paid for a monthly Plex Pass, and having installed Plex on my Sony Bravia Android TV, and being able to watch live TV and movies -
My simple question is: Do I need additional equipment to record? ie: NVidia Shield (Pro), Homerun, etc. etc.
I just don’t see where or how to record, otherwise. (Again, I have no troubles viewing live TV and movies.)
I’m sure the answers are here in the Forums, and I always look before posting, to reduce posting duplicate topics already addressed and answered, but I just can’t see to find this one.
You can record over the air TV or clear QAM cable using a tuner card / network tuner (HD Homerun, etc). See the documentation for a list of supported tuners.
You will also need to install Plex Media Server on a PC/Mac/etc. Plex Media Server records and stores the programs.
You can then use the Plex app on your Sony TV, mobile phone, etc to watch the content you recorded.
Notes:
You cannot record DRM protected cable channels such as HBO, ESPN, etc.
Plex does not currently support ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) broadcasts. Specifically, Plex does not support the AC4 audio format. You can record the channels, but they will have no audio.
But what I see on this page (included in the link below) is causing me to wonder if i’m reading it wrong. If you look about 1/5th the way down, it shows a ‘red record button/icon’ in the top right corner.
Live TV / DVR requires a Plex Media Server, tuner, and Plex Pass.
The free, ad supported online media does not even require a Plex account. Stream all you want from watch.plex.tv. However, it cannot be recorded, even with a Plex account or a Plex Pass.
If I get an indoor or outdoor anntenna and receive OTA signals, do I need any additional hardware to record those signals?
Or is having an Android (Sony) TV, my Plex Pass, the Plex Media Server installed, and a storage device for content connected by USB - will that be enough?
I don’t need a Homerun or Nvidia Shield Pro, or other similar hardware recorder, etc, etc, correct?
You need Plex Media Server running on a PC or other supported system. You need a Plex Pass to enable the capability (licensing). You need a Plex client app on your TV, phone, etc to watch the recorded programs.
You also need a supported TV tuner, such as an HD Homerun.
The documentation lists supported tuners. Pick one that works in your geographic region (North America, Europe, etc) and that works with the platform where you run Plex Media Server (Windows, Mac, etc).
Plex Media Server controls the tuner, telling it what channel to tune and when.
The tuner sends the received program to Plex Media Server, where it is stored.
You then watch the program using the Plex app on your TV, phone, etc.
