I thought you guys might like to see this thing I built.
youtube.com/watch?v=qnhh3kuhYrY&ab_channel=JimmyKimo
This looks nice!
Small question: Do you have some form of Plex client (maybe OpenPHT?) onboard to play out media via the onboard HDMI as well, or does it assume network streaming only?
Good Question, I have never tried the HDMI port on the PI, but I will tonight and let you know what happens.
Rasplex/OpenPHT is an embedded version, meaning it has it’s own OS and filesystem as part of the compiled release, and not an installer. So you wouldn’t be able to run them both on the same unit.
Nice portability though. How long does the powerbank last during streaming?
I got over 16 hours with 1 stream continuously
You’re doing it wrong… you forgot to use duct tape. 
Specs and model information from @ucjb 's YouTube post for folks with less technical acumen who may want to try it themselves.
PI 3 with minibian jesse image 2TB 2.5" usb drive and an Easyacc 26000 mAh battery with 4 usb smart charging ports and flashlight. The battery will drive one stream for over 16 hours. The PI creates its own private wifi network and also will connect to the internet via the ethernet port. It will support 4+(MP4) streams simultaneously. The drive has over 1,000 movies stored on it.
Can anyone break this down a bit more for me?
So, I think a linux OS is installed (in this instance minibian or I would imagine Rasbian would work) and a special ARM compilation of the Plex Media Server is installed and set up. Media is connected via USB and libraries created in the Plex server.
How does this RPi3 server propagate the wifi network for clients to connect? I am assuming that the server doesn’t require any connection to the Internet.
Very cool project. I will build one just to play with.
To create the wifi network install isc-dhcp-server and hostapd. When the PI is hardwired it will connect to internet, assuming the wire has internet access. This is a useful link
nice build
If you want something to work as a server and as a client you might better go the kodi way
The main reason for the plex and pi was to use it solely for the purpose of a headless server.
@ucjb - I’ve just asked the below question on your YT channel for the greater public to see, but would like to ask it here too:
Tell me, as I have never used a Raspberry Pi as a Plex Server, only as a player using RasPlex. How does the PMS-Pi handle transcoding of formats that it or the client aren’t natively able to handle? As in the Pi natively handles x264 content, etc. If I had a RasPlex or iOS device as the player (client) and the file being played had to be transcoded for proper smooth playback, does the RPi PMS handle this well??
You can’t transcode with a Raspberry. Therefore usage as a Plex server must be limited to direct play clients only.
