Plex and OpenPHT question

Dev Community Apps & Creations
1

I am new to Plex, so please excuse the beginner questions. I am on a Windows 10 desktop. I have downloaded Plex and it is currently accessing all my media files. I also want to set up a PVR program so I don’t have to buy more hardware. Will OpenPHT allow me to use Plex as a PVR? If so, how do I install it.? I have downloaded 1.8.0 and unzipped it. Now what do I do?

2

Plex is a client/server system. You download PMS (Plex Media Server) for your server hardware and it access and serves up your media files. You then download and install specific client software.

From your post I’m thinking you are using a Windows 10 desktop as your PMS. What box/hardware do you have connected to your TV? Download the client for that box. Generally the client application takes over control of the device so you can’t run anything else while it is running.

You can’t run both the server and client on the same hardware (Although you can run a web browser on the same machine). That is not what Plex is for. If you want to do that then Kodi is what you are looking for.

Perhaps if you told us your hardware setup and what you actually want to do we could advise on the best solution.

Oh, forgot to mention. The Plex DVR software runs on the server. You need to have a Plex Pass to use it.

3

Thank you for your response. I have PMS on my Windows 10 desktop. I also have the Plex app on my Samsung smart TV. I can access my desktop media files via wifi on the TV. I have no other hardware attached right now.

If I understand what you’re saying, I need some sort of box attached to the TV in order to run PVR software. If that’s correct, what kind of box would I need? I currently have TiVo, but I want to get rid of it and eliminate the monthly cost. Is there a box that would run a PVR program that would not require a subscription? By the way, I have Roku XD which is not connected to the TV.

4

@Valdhor said:
You can’t run both the server and client on the same hardware (Although you can run a web browser on the same machine). That is not what Plex is for. If you want to do that then Kodi is what you are looking for.

Actually you can run both server and client on the same hardware, I do it all the time since my server is also one of the clients (connected to a not so smart TV). And still it makes sense for me to use Plex instead of Kodi because when I’m using other clients Plex serves me whatever I need ;D

5

@rosweed You can start here for your DVR questions: https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/205778607-DVR

6

Thanks everybody.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like:

  1. I have to buy the Plex recommended box.
  2. I have to then attach the box to my computer.
  3. The PVR will use my computer hard drive for storage and I will be able to use the guide to program the PVR to record upcoming programs.

Are all three items correct? Will I be able to access the PVR guide and controls on my TV?

7
  1. Yes. Something like an HD Home Run
  2. Not necessarily. Some boxes connect via ethernet to your network.
  3. yes.