I have a friend with whom I would like to share my Plex library. He has a PS3, which of course can be used as a Plex client. My question is: does he also have to run a local version of Plex Media Server on his computer? Or is there a way to just install the PS3 client and be limited to sharing my library, without running Plex Media Server?
Your friend does not need to install his own Plex Media Server.
He just needs a free plex account and have you share your library with him.
Your friend does not need to install his own Plex Media Server.
He just needs a free plex account and have you share your library with him.
Great! I should've asked earlier: how does one go about installing Plex for PS3? I have it on my own PS3, but for the life of me I can't remember how it got there (it's not my primary Plex player, obviously!).
To my knowledge there's no native Plex client for the PS3.
I'd love to be wrong about that, but it seems unlikely considering Sony's current position on having consoles able to play user-supplied media files.
(Guess why the PS4 doesn't even have DLNA support...)
There is a Plex addon for the homebrew media player 'ShowTime' that can be used on jailbroken PS3 systems.
This works reasonably well for access to my PMS server, but I'm not sure if it can handle a remote login for shared content.
It's also rather primitive, at least in the version I have, as it shows no posters and no thumbnails in navigating the library.
I think it lost some abilities in one of the updates of the Plex server API.
The only plex access method I know of that works for all PS3 systems is to access PMS as a DLNA server, using the built-in DLNA client of the PS3.
But that can only work with a local server, since DLNA access does not extend over the internet. (Might work if you and your friend share a VPN LAN.)
The Web browser of the PS3 is able to use the old Plex/Web client still built into the PMS servers, but it can only navigate the library and/or play music, but attempts to play video always fail due to missing Flash player and missing HLS support. (either one would suffice, but this browser has neither)
Best regards: dlanor
+dlanor is correct, I wasn't really thinking about the client (PS3) you listed.
Your friend is better off finding another client to use plex with.
Maybe a refurbished Roku
To my knowledge there's no native Plex client for the PS3.
The only plex access method I know of that works for all PS3 systems is to access PMS as a DLNA server, using the built-in DLNA client of the PS3.
But that can only work with a local server, since DLNA access does not extend over the internet. (Might work if you and your friend share a VPN LAN.)
OK, it must be the DLNA connection that's allowing me to see Plex in my PS3 media bar (I have entry called "Plex Media Server: Mac mini"). Thanks for the info, I have a much better grasp of the situation now.
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