PC Media Centre - Plex

[joshleb]

Evening all,

I'm looking at burning all my DVDs to a new HDD I'm going to get.

Then when it comes to playing them, what's the best interface way so when the computer is connected to the TV I can scroll through?

I'm not looking at creating a server or anything, the PC will just be connected to watch.

I've seen Plex has a way of showing all the DVD covers, is it the best still even if I don't want the server capabilities?

Any other advice or recommendations?

Cheers

[The_Jackal]

Good old folders and thumbnails in Windows Explorer will do the job fine.
Unless you are a glutton for OCD organizing punishment, keep it simple.

[h0b0]

I realise you said you do not want to set up a server but it is very simple to set up Plex as a media server. So easy that it will take a couple of minutes one time instead of having to connect the PC each time you want to watch a video. Installing plex too organize your files is half the battle. If you already have a fire stick then the app is very good.

[shed driver]

I've got Plex running on a Seagate NAS. I put all my films onto the NAS and let Plex do the indexing and download all the covers and metadata. No problems at all, although a low powered NAS needs the films in .mp4 format.

SD.

[h0b0]

To be clear though, you do not need to buy a NAS or server You can run it from your PC. There is no complicated configuration to set up.

[SBDJ]

If it's just the one TV connected directly to the PC I'd probably use Kodi, if only for a more TV-suitable interface and metadata handling.

I personally use Emby to stream to all our devices, and have a HDHomeRun connected up too to allow easy freeview recording too.

[James_N]

h0b0 said:

To be clear though, you do not need to buy a NAS or server You can run it from your PC. There is no complicated configuration to set up.

This is what i did. Old intel core 2 duo PC in the spare room, shoved a load of old hard drives in it that i had lying around, and installed plex! Keeps the kids happy during lockdown anyway!

[Penelope Stopit]

Video Hub App has proven to be very good

There's a free version limited to 50 videos per hub and it only costs $5 for the full unlimited version of which most of the developers profit goes to charity

Best thing about it is that it doesn't dial out

Put it on the PC and away you go

https://videohubapp.com/en/

Edited by Penelope Stopit on Thursday 1st October 22:08