Server Version#:1.32.2.7002
Player Version#: Version 7.1 build 1 (Roku)
I have a situation where we vacation at a our remote cabin and the only internet is setting up our cell phone’s hot spot. Even the cell phone has only 1 to 2 bars, on a good day. I have setup a plex media server on an old laptop and in the past was able to setup a isolated network (laptop and Roku plugged into a router, and hard drives with movies plugged into the laptop) and everything worked OK. I know that does not help in a way because I am not providing version numbers for the player or the server, it was a couple of years ago. Anyway, it seems in order to get things working correctly I have to turn on my hot spot, connect the laptop to the internet, sign in to plex media server and then switch to the isolated network. However, often movies will not play because it seems the server is trying to get some information from the internet and because it is not online the video does not play.
The short version of this question is… how can I setup Plex media server to function totally offline? I use the Roku because that is what I have but would I be better just plugging in a NAS with Plex into the TV? Looking for any information to setup Plex Media Server in this remote location.
Unless Plex features such as playlists, watch history, and supporting multiple devices is really important, I honestly would not use Plex in that situation.
If you just want media on one TV, I would simply put the files on the laptop, plug the laptop into the AV system, and play the files with VLC or Kodi.
Even if I wanted watch history I’d just manually click “Watched” on those episodes and movies once I got home.
Thank you for your input. The one feature of using Plex is I do not have to navigate files and folders, the graphical interface is what I am looking for. Plus, I have WAY to many movies to fit on a laptop harddrive. That is why I was thinking some sort of NAS with plex server on it.
So far, the article from grhiner’s response has helped. Now I am just having issues with some files playing and some telling me the server can not “direct stream” other movies. This could be a laptop/resources issue or a file format issue. Tracking that one down.
This was/is very helpful, thank you. Aside from setting up the server to be on a local (offline) LAN I think the primary issue is being online to log the server/user in to Plex and then going offline. The Roku is seeing the server constantly now but I am having issues with some movies playing just fine and some coming back with a message that the app (on Roku) can not “direct play this item”. Usually I have to fiddle with the playback setting for the server, the movie itself or even restart the Roku to get it to work. I do not think it is a server/laptop issue because I can usually get the movie to play but rather a Roku issue.
I am using a Samsung smart TV so I will probably see if I can access the server VIA the TV app and see if I have the same problem.
All in all, the article did help me to get things setup so the Roku consistently sees the server. Now onto the next problem!
I understand, and if you gotta have Plex, you gotta have it. But also consider:
You are not limited to the laptop’s hard drive size. You could put a copy of your media onto a gigantic USB drive.
An app like Kodi has a GUI with remote control support so you can still enjoy a Plex-like experience.
There are a variety of streaming boxes which have reasonable player apps, such as Kodi, and which can also support attached USB storage.
I suppose another option is an Nvidia Shield TV. It’s an Android streaming box which can run both the Plex server and client at the same time. You can set it up so that all the Plex library files and metadata are stored on a USB drive; it can also see a NAS. Unfortunately the Shield has a reputation for being somewhat flaky as a server, but many people do use it with success. (What it definitely cannot do well is tone map HDR to SDR.)
Sounds like you are making progress with your preferred path though… Good luck!
