Setting up your Plex server is a largely automated process, and getting a stream set up on the other end is usually as simple as downloading the free app for your chosen platform, be it a smart TV, web browser, Xbox One, PlayStation, or Apple TV. Or, if you leave your PC on 24/7 you can use that too. Plex can be set up on any hard drive, ideally, a NAS (network-attached storage device), but since I already use a web server to store my media collection I can install Plex on the server. Plex is possibly the most popular media server software out there, as it offers an easy setup and a highly flexible system for managing different types of media libraries. Menus don’t handle large media collections well (depends on connection quality).Many features require a subscription or lifetime pass.Provide cover art, music videos, trailers, and more.What Are the Best Home Media Server Softwares of 2023? So whether you want to streamline your home theater, reorganize your business media, or house a semi-legal collection of DVD-ripped movies, check out the best home media servers below. Just add a wireless media keyboard and you can turn any PC into a home theater.Īnd though some incorporate streaming services, these options are best suited for those who already have a strong media collection and want to enjoy it in a curated manner. These services are basically HTTP servers with a dedicated user interface and feature set that is meant to manage media libraries.

And while there isn’t one perfect networked media solution for everyone, physical media enthusiasts and file sharers alike will find a happy medium in a dedicated media server and the right home media server software. Many have grown dissatisfied with the limited streaming options of subscription services like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

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