Guide to Dedicated Plex Servers

A dedicated Plex server is the perfect solution for anyone who enjoys digital media. If you currently have or would like to accumulate an extensive library of music, movies, streaming content, etc., Plex servers are for you.

Plex dedicated servers could be the future of dedicated servers. Provides all-in-one, easy-to-use storage for large media libraries. Plex technology lets you store, categorize, and access these files from one place.

Users can categorize and search unlimited music, movie, and image files through Plex’s client-based platform. Also, with the latest update, Plex servers can now support podcasts and live streaming content. Plex lets content lovers everywhere, from movie buffs to podcasting superfans, enjoy their entire media collection anytime, anywhere.

If you think a Plex server is right for your media library, there are several pre-built options available. However, some technology enthusiasts may want to try their hand at building a dedicated Plex media server. If this sounds like you, there are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself before starting the process.

• How many users will be accessing the server at the same time?
• Do you want to access your media library remotely or from a location near your server (that is, access your home library)?
• What type of device are you using to access your server (smart TV, mobile app, game console, Roku, Google Chromecast, etc.)?

Before you start building a dedicated Plex server, you need to consider the specifications you need. Consider the amount of storage, processing, and bandwidth you need to accommodate the size of your media library and viewing habits.

There’s no universal solution for Plex servers, so if you plan to build your own server, you’ll need to spend extra time planning the resources you’ll need. One thing you can be sure of is that you will need a separate dedicated computer or device to host your Plex server, run the server software, and host your entire media library files.

Dedicated servers are usually the best option, but the good news is that there are several server leasing options available. This option costs a little more, but guarantees near 100% uptime and provides 24/7 access to your media library.

Some might say that a dedicated Plex server is only for the tech-savvy. But in today’s media streaming era, anyone can benefit from setting up their own Plex server for media storage.

Virtually no one uses CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs anymore. Most people rely on at least one streaming service to consume content. With so many of his favorite shows on multiple platforms, who wouldn’t want to be able to access them all in one place?

Of course, the type and configuration of your Plex server will vary greatly from user to user. Those who are more technically minded may want something they can tinker with and customize. On the other hand, families looking to improve their Friday night TV viewing may want something more user-friendly. Enter her pre-built Plex server.

Many movie and media fans may not have the coding or computer knowledge to build and customize their own Plex server. They will prefer pre-built options that they can start using right out of the box. If this sounds like you and you’re considering a pre-built Plex setup, here are some pros and cons to consider.

Display table

Here you can choose from five of the most popular pre-built Plex servers.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the most powerful Plex options on the market. Standard onboard memory can transcode multiple formats of media at once, and users can easily add memory via memory peripherals like her USB drive or his SD card.

Shield TV Pro also supports direct streaming of multiple media such as streaming TV, music, and even games and emulator platforms. Its feature-rich design makes it perfect as a dedicated Plex device or a comprehensive streaming platform. The choice is yours.

Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M75q Gen 2 comes in two models with processing power from 4 to 8 cores and processing speeds from 3.20 GHz to 4.60 GHz, with plenty of storage capacity. Base level storage starts at 500 GB HDD and up to 512 GB SSD for your library, allowing you to hold as many TV shows, movies, and other media as you like.

If that’s not enough, the M75q Gen 2 also comes with a variety of peripheral ports to accommodate additional storage and accessories. The device has three USB 3.2 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and one USB-C 3.2 port.

Another attractive feature of the ThinkCentre M75q Gen 2 is its size. It’s not called Tiny for nothing. Its compactness makes it a perfect fit for most TV setups. This allows you to connect directly or place it elsewhere in your home and connect remotely.

The Raspberry Pi 4 is essentially a mini PC. It looks like a small motherboard and can perform most tasks that a traditional PC can.

One downside to the Pi 4 is that it requires some technical knowledge, but there are plenty of forums and YouTube videos to help you along your journey. If you want to store your Plex server elsewhere and stream it remotely, the Raspberry Pi 4 may not be for you. However, if a direct connection works well, there are no more economical options than the Raspberry Pi 4.

Intel’s NUC Mini PC is also an affordable option for those who need a Plex server. This product is licensed to ASUS and the latest generation will be sold as his ASUS ExpertCenter (PN or PB series).

The Intel-powered ExpertCenter PN is available in three models: PN42, PN64, and PN64-E1. The 64-E1 is the most advanced, featuring a 13th generation Intel processor, quad display, 4K resolution, and NVMe SSD storage. This unit is primarily intended for commercial applications such as hospitals, digital signage, retail stores, and offices.

ASUS’ other series, PB, is suitable for conference rooms, digital signage, retail kiosks, and office computing. PB offers 8 GB of memory and 6 GB SSD storage. It also features AMD graphics and supports Windows 7 Professional, 8 Pro, 8.1 Pro, and 10 Pro.

A NAS (Network Attached Storage) box is another powerful option for hosting a dedicated Plex server. These devices are a bit more sophisticated than traditional pre-built options, as they are designed to allow you to build RAID arrays from multiple hard drives. If you have a large media library and are worried about losing files, this feature may be for you.

The box’s RAID array consists of multiple hard drives, so if one array fails, you won’t lose any files in your library. In theory, a NAS box can accommodate enough hard drives to provide tens of terabytes of storage capacity. Plus, your NAS box is always online, so you don’t have to worry about powering up your Plex server.

Naturally, all these technologies come at a cost. NAS boxes are one of the more expensive off-the-shelf options, with some large systems costing around $1,000 USD. This machine also requires a NAS-specific storage drive to handle heavy server workloads. But if media is a big part of your life, the expense may be worth it.

Once your NAS box is configured and online, it can accommodate a virtually unlimited media library. More sophisticated NAS boxes can handle hardware video transcoding for serious video enthusiasts. If you want to use this method, we recommend checking out Synology or QNAP devices.

If you want to store an extensive media library or get all your streaming services in one place, a dedicated Plex server could be the perfect solution. However, the first step is finding the right hosting solution for the Plex platform.