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Just don't expect to transcode 4K content. The Raspberry Pi is probably the best solution.
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The web is full of users looking for advice on the best cheap device to use as a Plex media server in hotels and offices. However, the Raspberry Pi also has some massive upsides, the most notable of which is portability. That's well short of Plex's recommended requirements for the Media Server app: an Intel Core i3 processor and at least 2GB of RAM. The Raspberry Pi 3 uses a 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and 1GB of RAM.

The Raspberry Pi 2 has a 900 MHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU along with 1GB of RAM. The most notable downside is the lack of CPU power. Raspberry Pi devices have some very unique advantages and disadvantages when you're using them with the Plex Media Server app. Some complain about insufficient space for streaming in 4K, while others say thumbnail generation chews through the memory. Several users have reported that this device is unsuitable for very large libraries. Unfortunately, the Nvidia Shield has one potential drawback. You don't need to move your library onto the Nvidia Shield itself.
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Nvidia has entered into a unique partnership with Plex, and the devices can act as Plex media servers.Īnd because both the regular Nvidia Shield and the Pro version both have USB ports, you can easily connect an external hard drive which contains all your movies and TV shows and stream the contents.

There is, however, one exception: the Nvidia Shield.
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Plex hasn't been able to use Android devices as media servers since the demise of the Plex Media Center app a few years ago. You can see some of the best devices available in our list of the best pre-built and DIY Plex media servers. Sure, they're not going to fit in your pocket, but they are easy to mount behind a TV or in a TV stand.ĭozens of mini PCs are available across a wide range of specs and price points. Mini PCs also strike a nice blend between size and portability. These benefits include lower power consumption, lower costs if you're buying a new device, and, frequently, lower noise. They have a few important benefits over regular desktops. Mini PCs are often overlooked as potential Plex media servers. You don't want to be in the middle of working on an important document only for your fan to kick in because your wife and kids are all watching Plex on different screens. The same caveat about using your primary machine applies, however. If you're expecting several people to access your Plex media server at the same time, it is probably the best solution. Even a mid-spec desktop computer will comfortably be able to handle everything Plex can throw at it. The most significant benefit of using a desktop is power. If you're using an old laptop, make sure you buy a cooling stand. Overheating could quickly become an issue. It's not recommended to run Plex on your main laptop. However, if you've got a semi-old device lying around, it's worth considering. If there isn't enough available, your server is going to struggle to transcode videos and will be unable to handle simultaneous users.Īs such, ancient, underpowered laptops might not be suitable. One of the most important things needed by the Plex Media Server is CPU power. Plex Media Player is available on everything from Amazon Alexa to Oculus Go. There's also a unique Android TV version.
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Plex Media Server is available for free on Windows, Mac, Linux, NAS drives, and Docker. The device on which you're running the Plex Media Server app needs a) to have access to all of your videos, and b) to be running 24/7.

The Plex Media Server is responsible for accessing your videos and sending them to the Plex Media Player apps on other devices. There's the Plex Media Server app and the Plex Media Player app. In this article we run you through some of the options and list the pros and cons of each device. But what are the best devices to use as a Plex media server? To get the system up and running, you need to designate at least one of your devices as the server. If you own an extensive collection of movies, TV shows, and music and want to access it on all of your devices, Plex is one of the best solutions.
