The simple version is that it’s my own personal Netflix.
I have a significant collection of Blu-rays and DVDs which have been copied to my computer. Plex organizes that content and lets me watch it from anywhere.
Plex is a completely free service.
The host (me) obviously has to have a capable computer and storage space, and I paid for a Plex Pass to get some additional features, but otherwise Plex itself is free to use.
There is no charge to you for using my Plex.
NOTE: The company also offers their own ad-supported streaming content — this is completely separate from whatever might be hosted by individual server owners, but it’s still free.
All you need is a free Plex account and an internet-connected player device that can run the Plex app.
I recommend something like an Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, or an Onn Streaming Device, but whatever you have is probably fine.
I have a computer (“Server”) in my home holding files from my media collection. Plex runs on that server, gets information about the files (like titles, plot summaries, ratings, etc), and creates a streaming service from those libraries.
This just means I can watch what I want, when I want, without having to be home to get a disc off a shelf.
The Plex app on any player device (“Client”) understands that device’s capabilities: what file formats it supports, what its internet connection looks like, etc. Plex delivers media to that device in a format it can handle.
🟢 If the Client is 100% compatible with the source file, it will just stream the file exactly as-is. This is called Direct Play.
🟡 If the Client can’t handle something, the Server will convert the file to something the Client does support. This is called Transcoding — the content has to be re-created in realtime in a format your player can handle, which may result in some buffering.
Transcoding isn’t bad but obviously it’s better if Plex can just play the original file without having to convert anything.