Plex 095 Preview Release
From Plex
Plex 0.9.5 Preview Release
Plex 0.9.5 Preview Releases introduce many substantial changes compared to Plex 0.9.4. The information you need to install and understand these changes is included here. But please understand that this is, in fact, a PREVIEW RELEASE. The various apps are either all new or at least substantially changed, so it's probable that there will be some issues that weren't ferreted out during testing. So, just be aware of this "preview release" status. This Wiki will evolve, so be sure to check back here from time to time.
Guides
CNET's Quick Start Guide
CNET UK published a nice guide regarding the new 0.9.5 preview releases. In most respects, you can treat the article as a quick start guide. Obviously, it doesn't go into lots of details or anything and you'll still likely want to consult the rest of the information on this wiki page. However, it could be useful for folks just starting out.
Screencasts
The wiki's Screencasts page has several videos dedicated to the 0.9.5 preview releases.
What's the Difference Between the Versions Now?
The introduction of these Preview Releases might confuse the picture for some people. So, to explain where things stand:
Plex 0.9.4
This is an integrated release in the style of previous Mac OS X Plex releases - it contains the Plex 0.9.4 Mac OS X Desktop Client as well as the Plex Media Server. The client contains some improvements and fixes over the previous 0.9.3.x releases, but does not have many of the features and improvements of the 0.9.5 client such as myPlex support. The Plex Media Server included in the package is the same as the stand-alone Plex Media Server 0.9.5 detailed below.
1 Jan 2012: The Plex 0.9.4 release is delayed. It will be released shortly.
Plex 0.9.5 Desktop Client ("Laika")
This is a stand-alone desktop client, which is sometimes referred to by its codename: Laika. The client is available for both Mac OS X as well as Windows. It can be run without any local Plex Media Server and will still be able to access myPlex services or it can connect with a standard local Plex Media Server as normal.
Plex Media Server 0.9.5
This is a stand-alone application of the Plex Media Server. It supports publishing content via the myPlex service as well as other standard Plex Media Server features. It can be used to serve content to any Plex client, just like normal.
Plex Media Server 0.9.5
System Requirements
System requirements for Mac OS X and Windows can be found here.
Installation
Mac OS X
Plex Media Server v0.9.5 is now a stand-alone application that you download and copy to the Applications folder. Previously on Mac OS X, the Plex Media Server was included with the Plex client. Mac OS X installation instructions can be found here.
Windows
Windows installation instructions can be found here.
Notes
Mac OS X
Automatically Launching Plex Media Server
The stand-alone Plex Media Server preview release now includes an option to Open at Login, accessed from the OS X Menubar. Selecting this option will do two things:
- Add the Plex Media Server app to your OS X user's "Login Items"
- Stop any previously-installed pre-0.9.5 Plex Media Server versions from starting at login
Which version Plex Media Server should I use?
If you're trying Plex 0.9.5 out, or using a second generation Mobile Client (iOS or Android), you must upgrade the Plex Media Server to 0.9.5+.
Once you decide to use the Mac OS X Plex client permanently, make sure the Plex Media Server installed in the Applications folder is the one launched.
Updating Plex Media Server 0.9.5
Starting with Plex Media Server 0.9.5.2, the Sparkle auto-update functionality is included, which means that future releases will allow you to auto-update.
Plex Desktop Clients 0.9.5
System Requirements
Mac OS X
System requirements can be found here.
Note: Plex 0.9.5 Client for Mac OS X initially requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 Snow Leopard or newer. Subsequent releases may be Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard compatible.
Windows
Windows hardware recommendations come with a ‘Be Sensible’ statement. Many people run many many background applications and utilities without really knowing it on their Windows PCs. The following recommendations come with a ‘Be Sensible’ proviso. Don't:
- Run a virus scan when playing or transcoding media
- Run a game on a second monitor
- Have Photoshop open with a large image loaded
If you're unsure, open the Task Manager and ensure that the PC has:
- Low or no CPU usage
- At least 1GB free System RAM
- The disk is not working on a background scan/task
Minimum (HD Decoding, no transcoding for clients)
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- AMD X2 Dual Core processor
- 2GB RAM
- Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics card
Recommended (HD Decoding, transcoding duties)
- Intel Core i5 processor
- AMD Phenom processor
- 4GB RAM
- Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics card
OS Requirements/Recommendations
- Direct X 9.0c (installed with the Client)
- Windows XP (32 bit) SP3 (DirectX Video Acceleration 2 not supported)
- Windows Vista (32/64 bit) SP2
- Windows 7 (32/64 Bit) SP1
Installation
Mac OS X
To install the Plex 0.9.5 Client:
- Download the latest Preview Release from the downloads page
- Once downloaded and the disk image mounts, drag and drop the Plex icon to your Applications folder
Note: If you want to keep the old 0.9.4 Client, rename it to Plex_094 or similar before copying the new Plex to the folder. See the Note below regarding how to switch between Client versions.
Windows
To install the Plex 0.9.5 Client:
- Download the latest Preview Release from the downloads page.
- Once downloaded, double-click on the installation package to begin installing Plex.
- To start Plex find it somewhere under the Windows Start button in a Program Group called Plex Media Center, or via the desktop shortcut.
Note: For most users the offered default settings are sufficient, if not, change them accordingly.
Notes
Here is some information that may help you with Plex 0.9.5
Using the Mac OS X Plex 0.9.3.4 and 0.9.5 Clients together
The initial release of Plex 0.9.5 is a Preview Release - and that means you may want to keep both the 0.9.3.4 and the 0.9.5 Clients on hand. There are a couple of things that need to be done for the two versions to co-exist:
Re-name the Plex Client applications
As both applications are named Plex, you will need to rename one or both of them so they can exist in the Applications folder together. For example, rename them:
- Version 0.9.4: Plex_094
- Version 0.9.5: Plex_095
Choose which launches with and listens to your Remote
To control which of the 2 apps is launched with your remote, and which one responds to the remote:
- Launch the version you want to use
- Using the keyboard, chose Preferences > System > Input Devices
- Un-check and then check Always Running
This lets the current version seize control of the Remote.
Launch the Plex Client you want to use
If you have both versions installed, simply launch whichever one you want to use at any particular time. If you want to switch from, say, 0.9.5 to 0.9.3.4, just close the 0.9.5 client and launch the older one.
Can I launch the Plex Media Server from within the Plex Desktop Client?
Previously, the Plex for Mac OS X Client could automatically launch the Plex Media Server if it wasn't active. It is not currently possible to start or stop the Plex Media Server from within the 0.9.5 Client.
Remote Control .xml files
Remote Control .xml files are now distributed within the .app bundle on Mac OS X, or "Program Files" directory structure on Windows. If you want to modify the .xml files, it's important that you store your modified file in the external location as follows. If you don't, an update to the Plex app could over-write your modified .xml file.
To get the .xml file to modify:
Mac OS X
- Open the Applications folder
- Right-click the Plex app and choose Show Package Contents
- Navigate to Plex.app/Contents/Resources/Plex/system/keymaps
- Find the .xml file for your Remote and copy it to the Desktop
Windows Vista/7
- Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Center\system\keymaps
Windows XP C:\Program Files\Plex\Plex Media Center\system\keymaps
Find the .xml file for your Remote and copy it to the Desktop
Save the modified .xml file
After modifying the .xml file, save it to the external location as follows:
- Mac OS X ~/Library/Application Support/Plex/userdata/keymaps
- Vista/Windows 7: C:\Users\<your_user_name>\AppData\Local\Plex\userdata\keymaps
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<your_user_name>\Application Data\Plex\userdata\kepmaps
Enable Debug level Logging
Sometimes it's useful to enable debug-level logging. You should only do this if asked by one of the Plex Devs as it slows performance considerably. To Enable Debug Logging for Plex 0.9.5 Laika
- Create the following file in Text Edit or Notepad
- Mac OS X: ~/Library/Application Support/Plex/userdata/advancedsettings.xml
- Vista/Windows 7: C:\Users\<your_user_name>\AppData\Local\Plex\userdata\advancedsettings.xml
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<your_user_name>\Application Data\Plex\advancedsettings.xml
- Make the file Plain Text
- Add the following:
<advancedsettings> <loglevel>1</loglevel> </advancedsettings>
- Start Laika - note the addition of various [special] items in the log.
Plex 0.9.5 Compatible Skins
Our talented Skinner Community have updated a number of their skins for Plex 0.9.5. Check them out on the Plex 0.9.5 Skin page.
myPlex
Requirements
Router
Automatic configuration for myPlex requires a router that supports the following standards:
- NAT-PMP
- UPnP
Routers not supporting these standards require a manual port forward but NOT a static or DynDNS tracked external IP address. If you run multiple Plex Media Servers on the same network and manual ports are necessary, ensure that you choose different manual ports for them. Dual NAT environments (for example, you have an internet connection in an apartment that is supplied using a NAT router, and you install a second NAT router to attach additional devices on that network) are not supported. Tip: only use one of the routers as a NAT router
Internet Connection
myPlex lets you view media from Internet websites (Queue), from people who share their content with you (Shared Content), or you can view shared content on a mobile device. Each scenario has slightly different Internet connection requirements:
myPlex Queue
Viewing media that comes from an Internet website (Like Vimeo or YouTube) requires a reasonable Internet connection, at least 512kbps for downloads. Slower connections will take longer to download content, which may result in Buffering messages in the client.
There are 2 ends of Shared Content to consider: the Source and the Destination. The Source supplies the media, and the Destination views it. The requirements for smooth viewing is:
The Media Source
To smoothly transmit the media Source, an upload bandwidth of the following is required:
240p - 320kbps 320p - 720kbps 480p - 1500kbps 720p - 2000kbps 720p - 3000kbps 1080p - 8000kbps 1080p - 10000kbps 1080p - 12000kbps 1080p - 200000kbps
A lower available upload bandwidth will mean the viewer will experience pauses as the new block arrives. If the upload internet connection becomes very slow, playback may fail at the destination.
The Media Destination
The media destination requires at least the same bandwidth as the upload amounts quoted for the Source upload requirement, as well as some moderate upload bandwidth itself in order to communicate with the Plex Media Server. Slower connections can expect pauses as new blocks arrive.
Browser
To use the > Plex It! bookmarklet, it is important to be using the most recent version of the major browsers:
- Safari v5 or higher (Mac OS X or Windows)
- Firefox v7 or higher (Mac OS X or Windows)
- Google Chrome v14 or higher (Mac OS X or Windows)
- Other browsers may work but have not been tested
Installation
myPlex support is included in Plex Media Server 0.9.5. Client support is included in Plex desktop client 0.9.5 or higher (Mac OS X or Windows) or second generation Plex Mobile Clients (iOS or Android). No additional installation required.
Router Configuration
If your router supports the following protocols, no additional configuration should be required:
- NAT-PMP
- uPnP
Note: Some older routers that do support uPnP but not NAT-PMP may not work as expected. If your router doesn't work as expected or does not support the above protocols, set up a manual port-forward.
Setting up a Port Forward
Follow your router's instructions and set up a port forward as follows:
- Set the Plex Media Server computer with a static IP address
- Forward a port such as 32400 to that IP address
- If you will have multiple Plex Media Servers running on the network, you will need to forward a different port to each one
Configuration
Configuring myPlex consists of 3 steps:
Get a myPlex account
- Visit http://my.plexapp.com/
- Click the Join link and fill in the membership details
- Respond to the confirmation e-mail
- Return to my.plexapp.com and log into the new account
Configure the "> Plex It!" Bookmarklet
- Click the Queue tab
- Click Queue Help
- Locate the Plex It! bookmarklet, drag, and drop it to your browser's toolbar
Log into myPlex
myPlex allows you to access as well as publish content. For example, if you want to share your own media Sections with someone else, you need to log that Plex Media Server into myPlex. To view those Sections or your myPlex Queue, you need to log the Plex Client into the myPlex service.
Logging the Plex Media Server into myPlex
Logging the Plex Media Server into myPlex allows it to publish content via the myPlex service. This is not required in order for you to use myPlex from within a client. To log the Plex Media Server into the myPlex service:
- Open the Plex Media Server's Media Manager
- Open the Plex Media Server Preferences
- Choose the myPlex tab
- Click Sign-in and enter your details
- Click OK
The Plex Media Server logs into the myPlex service. If your router supports the necessary protocols, you should see a green dot appear shortly along with information that it successfully mapped a port. It should look similar to these. (Mac OS X Cocoa interface is left, WebUI on the right):
To enable publishing content to myPlex, you will need to enable the Publish server to myPlex checkbox.
If your router does not fully support the necessary protocols, you can attempt to follow the Router Configuration from above. Then enable the "Manually specify port" checkbox and enter the port that was forwarded.
Once the Plex Media Server is logged onto myPlex and it has a green light, its Sections can be published via the my.plexapp.com website service.
If there is a problem communicating with the myPlex service (it may be down, your router may not support automatically mapping an available port, or your router may not be correctly forwarding a manually specified) you will see a screen similar to this.
Logging a Plex Client into myPlex
Compatible Plex clients will let you log into myPlex via the client itself. For instance, the Plex 0.9.5 desktop client, iOS and Android second generation clients allow the user to sign into myPlex via their settings/preferences. Once you log into myPlex, the client will automatically display available myPlex content such as the Queue and Shared Content.
Plex Desktop Client To log the Plex 0.9.5 desktop client into myPlex:
- Launch the client
- Choose Preferences > System > myPlex
- Enter your username and password
- Choose the Sign In menu item to complete the sign in
The client logs into myPlex. Once logged in, the Queue and Shared Content will appear in the Home screen list.
Plex iOS Client To log the second generation iOS client into myPlex:
- Launch the iOS client
- Go to Settings
- Choose Sign in to myPlex
- Enter your username and password
- Choose Sign In to complete the sign in
Plex for Android To log the second generation Android client into myPlex:
- Launch the Android client
- Go to Settings
- Choose Account Settings under "Connect with myPlex"
- Enter your username and password
- Choose Sign In to complete the sign in
Note: If you don't have anything in your myPlex Queue, or haven't accepted an invitation to share a remote Plex Media Server's content, the Queue or Shared Content items won't appear.
myPlex lets you invite people to share your media. You can share specific or all of your media Sections. Before sharing your media, you should:
- Get a myPlex account
- Log your Plex Media Server onto the myPlex service as previously described
Note: If you have a plexapp.com forum account, you can use that username and password for myPlex. You must have logged into the forums once to activate the account.
Getting a myPlex account
You can get a free myPlex account by:
- Using your Plexapp.com forum account details
- Visit my.plexapp.com and register for an account there
Sharing your media
Once you have a myPlex account, and the Plex Media Server has been successfully logged into myPlex, you can share a Section with someone who is also a member of myPlex as follows:
- Visit my.plexapp.com
- Log into your account
- Click the Servers tab - you will see a list of my Media Servers
- Click the server name in the left-most list - the Server details are checked and loaded
- Click the Shared with link - the Section Sharing page loads
- Enter the myPlex e-mail address of the person you want to share with
- Choose wether to share All Sections or specific sections by checking or un-checking Share All Sections
- Click Share
An invitation e-mail is sent to your friend. People you've invited to share your media will only have access to Sections you've explicitly shared with them. To change access to Sections:
- Log into myPlex
- Click the Servers tab
- Click the Plex Media Server with the Share to change
Then:
You can control the sections you've shared with others using the my.plexapp.com website. To control the shared items:
- Visit my.plexapp.com
- Log into your account
- Click the Servers tab - you will see a list of my Media Servers
Cancel a pending Invitation
You can cancel an invitation that hasn't yet been accepted:
- Find the pending invitation to cancel
- Click Cancel to cancel the invitation
- The pending invitation is revoked and a message, Share successfully revoked. displayed
To change which Sections your guest has access to:
- In the list of shared items, click Edit for the Share to edit
- Select the Sections to share as follows:
- un-check Share all Sections to choose specific Sections to share
- Check Share all Sections to share all Sections
- Click Save to save the changes
Revoking Access
- Find the shared section to revoke
- Click Revoke for the share to revoke
- The share is revoked and a message, Share successfully revoked. displayed
You can accept an invitation to access shared media in 2 ways:
Accept an e-mail invitation
To receive an invitation to share someone's media Section:
- Get a myPlex account
- Share your myPlex account e-mail address with your friend
- Your friend will share their media on the myPlex website. This process will send you an e-mail
- Once you receive the e-mail invitation, click the Accept the invitation link in the e-mail
- Your friend's section is added to your list of myPlex Shared with me and their media will be available in the Plex Client
Accept an invitation from the myPlex website
You can accept an invitation to share someone's media by:
- Log into your my.plexapp.com account
- Click the Servers tab
- Note that there is an open invitation to Share someone's media
- Click Accept to accept the invitation or Refuse to refuse the invitation
The Section is added to your Shared with me list.
You can leave a shared Section by:
- Clicking the Plex Media Server name in your Shared with me list
- Click Leave this shared server
- Confirm you want to leave the share
You can re-join the share at any time, without needing a new invitation. To re-join a share:
- Log into your my.plexapp.com account
- Click the Servers tab
- Note that there is an open invitation to Share someone's media
- Click Accept to accept the invitation or Refuse to refuse the invitation
The Section is re-added to your Shared with me list.
Access to your media by people you've invited
Security
myPlex has the following security features:
- All communication between clients and myPlex is fully SSL encrypted.
- myPlex doesn’t store any information about your media (files, hashes, etc.)
- myPlex stores five thumbnails from each section (when it gets around to it) but no metadata about items in your library (beyond what you see).
- myPlex acts as a hub, connecting Plex clients and Plex servers, but it is not involved in any communication between client and server (beyond facilitating it).
- myPlex stores URLs and metadata for queued items (obviously), and your progress viewing the items.
- When clients sign into myPlex, they send OS type and version, client type and version, and a unique identifier (random UUID on most platforms).
Supported myPlex Sites
A multitude of websites are currently supported for use with the myPlex "> Plex It!" bookmarklet. See a full list on the Supported myPlex Sites page.
Plex 0.9.5 Desktop Client Compatible Skins
Our talented Skinner Community have updated a number of their skins for Plex 0.9.5. Check them out on the Plex 0.9.5 Skin page.