Plex User Access Control
Discussion
Having just inherited a freebie NowTV box from the in-laws I want to put it to some use by running Plex Server on my Microserver and streaming my home media to it.
The install of the server went fine but what I can't fathom out is if/how you set up any kind of user access control for the media on the Plex Server?
I'm an IT geek and can usually fathom out most things but Plex has me a little err PerPlex'd! I've got loads of kids stuff which I'd like the kids to be able to browse and select themselves, but I'd like to prevent them accidentally skipping to an episode of Breaking Bad or Dexter that me and the missus watch once they're in bed.
I was expecting to see some kind of user control when setting up the folders, but zilch. Having read some forum posts I think I need to sign up for the paid for service which seems crazy, but I can't find any clear documentation on how if I pay some cash, it all knits together in terms of contolling access to locally presented media. Do I set up a Premium account for myself which is logged into the server, then another (premium, free?) Plex account for the kids and leave that logged in on the client? If I do that, where is the user access set as I see nowhere in the current free version where that might be done?
Cheers
The install of the server went fine but what I can't fathom out is if/how you set up any kind of user access control for the media on the Plex Server?
I'm an IT geek and can usually fathom out most things but Plex has me a little err PerPlex'd! I've got loads of kids stuff which I'd like the kids to be able to browse and select themselves, but I'd like to prevent them accidentally skipping to an episode of Breaking Bad or Dexter that me and the missus watch once they're in bed.
I was expecting to see some kind of user control when setting up the folders, but zilch. Having read some forum posts I think I need to sign up for the paid for service which seems crazy, but I can't find any clear documentation on how if I pay some cash, it all knits together in terms of contolling access to locally presented media. Do I set up a Premium account for myself which is logged into the server, then another (premium, free?) Plex account for the kids and leave that logged in on the client? If I do that, where is the user access set as I see nowhere in the current free version where that might be done?
Cheers
Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 4th February 20:54
i believe you have to be a plex pass member to get the version of plex media server that has parental controls. i read about it a while ago, and apparently the restrictions are all done server side with one account.
there is a free way of doing it, and if you are handy with computers is relatively straight forward:
https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/65625-my-pa...
it outlines a method of having two plex servers running. this method can be played around with to an extent where you should be able to get it working how you want to.
there is a free way of doing it, and if you are handy with computers is relatively straight forward:
https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/65625-my-pa...
it outlines a method of having two plex servers running. this method can be played around with to an extent where you should be able to get it working how you want to.
Edited by shielsy on Wednesday 5th February 16:19
indeed, but having 2 virtual servers would allow you to use each servers firewall to block access from certain IP addresses.
for example, server 1 has a plex media server pointing at your entire collection. on this server you could use the built in firewall (windows or otherwise) to only allow your device in.
server 2 also has a plex media server running but is only pointing at a kids directory. this server is accessible by anyone.
for example, server 1 has a plex media server pointing at your entire collection. on this server you could use the built in firewall (windows or otherwise) to only allow your device in.
server 2 also has a plex media server running but is only pointing at a kids directory. this server is accessible by anyone.
Yup that would work if I had a separate kids device but I want selective access from one device in the living room, so a kids only profile and a password protected parent profile that can access everything.
I ended up buying a $4 monthly pass just to see if I could get it working, with the Rarflix plugin set up with two plex profiles (one premium, one free) I could use the premium account logged in on the server with media shared to the free account so the free account only saw the kids stuff, but to be honest having played with it a little more i can't really see why Plex is rated so highly, it's certainly not worth me paying for it given that I'm not going to use the remote connectivity functionality, the front end is OK but the server app seems to be a major resource hog that causes pauses in client playback if my home server is doing anything else at the same time, and that's not even HD content.
Planning on giving Media Browser 3 a whirl tonight as I found thats also side-loadable onto the NowTV
I ended up buying a $4 monthly pass just to see if I could get it working, with the Rarflix plugin set up with two plex profiles (one premium, one free) I could use the premium account logged in on the server with media shared to the free account so the free account only saw the kids stuff, but to be honest having played with it a little more i can't really see why Plex is rated so highly, it's certainly not worth me paying for it given that I'm not going to use the remote connectivity functionality, the front end is OK but the server app seems to be a major resource hog that causes pauses in client playback if my home server is doing anything else at the same time, and that's not even HD content.
Planning on giving Media Browser 3 a whirl tonight as I found thats also side-loadable onto the NowTV
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