Weekly Advice / No Stupid Questions Post

This is part of a weekly series of Plex Advice threads for novices and pros alike to ask questions, give advice, troubleshoot, and share knowledge and resources! Please be polite and helpful to beginners just getting started out, and we want to be as welcoming as we can to newcomers to this community.

Common subjects can include:

  • Plex Media Server setup
  • System requirements and advice buying components
  • Advice choosing the operating system that’s right for you
    • Getting started with a new operating system (eg. Linux, macOS, etc.)
  • Advanced setup and configuration
  • Help with PMS add-ons:
    • Docker
    • VPN advice
    • Setup / configuration of the *arr family of apps (Sonarr, Radarr, etc.)

Anyone who posts good starter guides, FAQs, and/or wikis may get their links added to the sidebar so the rest of the community can benefit!

Cheers!

Useful Resources

  • SiriusCyberneticsEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Does Plex need users to install / setup security things for streaming safely over the internet? I see this discussed a lot on Jellyfin forums. But the setup is too complicated for me.

    I’ve also just started using Plexamp. Am considering the lifetime subscription to get bit perfect playback.

    • Sharmat@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      No, you don’t need a VPN If you open the port that plex uses. Then users can just log on their accounts and it should pull everything!

      Edit for accuracy.

      • SiriusCyberneticsEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Oh, so I should do some Googling and find some options. I do have a VPN service but I don’t usually keep it on.

        • Sharmat@beehaw.orgEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Nvm, I misread your question. Using a VPN is only necessary if your server is behind a CGNAT or your ISP disallows you to open ports manually.

          • SiriusCyberneticsEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            I mean, Jellyfin people are always talking about reverse proxies and whatnot. That’s what I’ve been assuming isn’t necessary for Plex. I’m under the impression Plex is safer by default.