Server Version#: 1.14.1.5488
Player Version#: 3.87.2
Two basic questions I’m still confused about.
Does PLEX need an internet connection to tream a movie from the server via wifi to a firestick or AppleTV box in the house? If so, why? I can understnad if I want to stream to a client in another state, but in another room?
Part of this, if PLEX the company were to suddenly go belly up tomorrow, would all PLEX media servers stop working if their authentication servers went dark? If my server needs Internet access, my assumption is it is talkng to the servers at PLEX for some reason. If those servers die, what happens to us?
I heard some can watch without internet but is limited in some way. https://support.plex.tv/articles/200484903-internet-and-network-requirements/
Though, one thing missing from that page is if you can use Fast User Switching without switching from user to user. Meaning…What if I don’t switch between users and always log into one particular user every time. Have I confused you more? I know I am, lol!
I would think so. Or at least all the stuff that needs plex.tv to authenticate.
No, Plex does not require an internet connection to stream on LAN
The media server will sort-of work, assuming you already had connection to them
The big thing is auth, where plex servers are required. There is ways around this such as trusted IPs that are permitted to bypass auth. The downside of this is Plex home users don’t work properly when this is enabled, and can see each other’s content. Another alternative is enabling DLNA and using that if the internet goes out, but that also doesn’t have any auth system.
I would love to see an offline mode that still respects parental controls, but that seems impossible right now. Hope this helps.
Plex depends on online sources / databases to match your media – while offline you might be able to import stuff, but Plex won’t be able to assign the right metadata (posters, descriptions…).
