New to Plex - what do I need to get started with Live TV & DVR?

General Discussions
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I am very interested in learning more about PLEX – Mainly what PLEX can do for me and what I need (Software/Hardware) to get started. I mainly want the product for live TV/DVR function - I am already using OTA TV with a “Digital Stream” DVR that does not organize my [DVR’d] shows in any sort of logical fashion.

Question 1. If I buy the SiliconDust HDHR5-4US HDHomeRun CONNECT Quatro 4-Tuner and sign-up for PLEX plus will this allow me to use my OTA antenna to not only watch, but also record (DVR) all the live shows available OTA in my area?

Question 2. If the answer to question 1 is “YES” – then where will my DVR’d shows (Content) be stored? Does the HDHomeRun CONNECT Quatro 4-Tuner have it’s own storage or will I need to purchase an additional storage device.

Also - can I run the “Plex Media Server” from my windows 10 laptop. (Intel Core i&-5500U CPU @ 2.40GHz)

Basically what I am asking – Since I already have the Antenna (and I assume my current [digital stream] tuner/DVR is not compatible – what do I need to purchase to use PLEX as my main media source for my DVR / Live TV services (and storage)?

Please do not provide me with a link - I have read all the links but I’m still not sure what it is I exactly need.

I thank you in advance

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1 - Yes
2 - It gets stored on a computer hard drive
3 - Yes you can run Plex on that, you will need about 1Gig per half hour for recorded DVR content.

After that is said and done you need something to watch this with i.e. a smart TV with the Plex App or other Plex clients.

If you are starting from scratch I would strongly suggest you get all your devices with hardwired connections like a smart tv as opposed to something like an amazon fire stick and make sure the client can direct play the DVR content you plan to record. As you are new some of this may not make sense so feel free to ask questions and search the internets.

Also Live TV and DVR are still fairly new so it is still being fine tuned and does have some problems from time to time but has been getting better and more stable.

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nokdim:

Thanks - I think I get what you are saying for the most part. I do already have a Smart TV (Visio) but I’m not sure if it has or I can install the Plex App - what do you mean by “other Plex clients”?

I have cut the cord for nearly 4 years - I’ve been using a Digital OTA antenna that feeds in to a Digital Stream DVR to record shows - but that interface sucks as it is difficult to schedule recordings and then each recording is NOT identified by name, just a date and time it was recorded. The DVR also acts as my tuner & storage space and there is no subscription fees - so it’s free and you get what you pay for I guess.

A couple of other questions:

  1. With PLEX DVR scheduling can I program the DVR to record all NCIS (for example) - and then any time NCIS airs it will get recorded?
    a. Or is more like I have to ask the DVR to record CBS on Tuesday at 7:00 for NCIS? The problem with is many times the networks change their programming.

  2. Although I am not a big fan of using up storage on my laptop for recorded DVR shows I guess I will. BUT, does the laptop need to be on while I am accessing recorded shows? Or can it be in sleep mode?

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Vizio I think has a Plex app so you might want to check it’s app store.

Other clients are any device that can install the Plex app and you can even use the web at plex.tv/web from any PC to watch your content.

All recordings show up as a library item with a nice image and show poster as well as season and episode numbers.

  1. You can search for show X and it will find when that show is on and record for you. You can even say only new airing of NCIS and not repeats or both.

  2. Your machine needs to be on and running to record and it needs to be on to watch them as well.

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Thanks again

I do have an old tower PC that has windows 10 and is no longer used. It also has a ton of storage space (I think 2 TB). I wonder if I could use that as “my PLEX media server” or NAS persay. Just wipe it clean (except the OS) and just use it as my DVR storage. Ummm? Only problem is I would have to leave it on 24/7 right?

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That would work…

It doesn’t have to be on 24 7 but when you want to watch something you will have to wait for it to boot up.

And since computers are not the most stable things I prefer to keep it running so I don’t have to mess with it.
You can try powering on and off but I suspect you will have issues from time to time.