Is Plex still a thing?

[ChrisD.]

Quick question to the network experts (but don't get too techie pls!).

I've always forwarded a port on my router for Plex to be accessible by others or myself when away from home. Most recently when I changed ISPs about 9 months ago, I added the ports in the new router they gave me.

My setup is very basic, Windows PC running Plex Media Server connected to ISP router, No CG-NAT, but the IP can sometimes change when router is restarted (like twice in the last 9 months it's changed).

Are people saying the port forwarding is no longer needed for the person hosting the Plex server if they have Plex Pass, or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?


rp2000

If you don't port forward there's a few options:

• Use Plex Relay fallback. This is the default behaviour, note that bitrate using Plex Relay is limited
• If you own a domain then you can set up Cloudflare Secure Tunnels
• Use Tailscale or another VPN solution. This doesn't work so well if family members/friends are using your Plex server

I wouldn't recommended opening ports at the best of times, but in this new AI threat landscape I'd strongly recommend no-one has any open ports.

 

[Semple]

You’d have thought most that are bothered using this kind of tech, would have decent branded tvs/devices.

Actually most decent branded TVs are pretty terrible at playing back with their native supported apps. WebOS I'm finding has a really poor experience, which means buying another device to plug into the TV in order to get a great viewing experience.

 

[rp2000]

If you don't port forward there's a few options:

• Use Plex Relay fallback. This is the default behaviour, note that bitrate using Plex Relay is limited
• If you own a domain then you can set up Cloudflare Secure Tunnels
• Use Tailscale or another VPN solution. This doesn't work so well if family members/friends are using your Plex server

I wouldn't recommended opening ports at the best of times, but in this new AI threat landscape I'd strongly recommend no-one has any open ports.

Many thanks.

I never knew about this Plex Relay. I just read about it and it's a good solution for low bitrate stuff. Most of my stuff is very high bitrate anyway. The other 2 suggestions are overkill for my very basic setup, I just assumed most people accessing remotely were port forwarding like me!

I will leave it as it is for now, forwarded ports on routers for 2 decades, not had any real issues, never felt the need to use a VPN either apart from a couple of one off visits to blocked websites over the years! Also costs nothing


rp2000

 

[wigster]

Has anyone jumped ship to jellyfin? I'm needing to get something better to put the Jellyfin server on, my laptop isn't upto the job. What NUC do you use?

 

[ChrisD.]

Many thanks.

I never knew about this Plex Relay. I just read about it and it's a good solution for low bitrate stuff. Most of my stuff is very high bitrate anyway. The other 2 suggestions are overkill for my very basic setup, I just assumed most people accessing remotely were port forwarding like me!

I will leave it as it is for now, forwarded ports on routers for 2 decades, not had any real issues, never felt the need to use a VPN either apart from a couple of one off visits to blocked websites over the years! Also costs nothing


rp2000

Fair enough, but again I just want to reiterate fort forwarding especially in the new AI space we find ourselves in should be avoided where possible. Just ensure you keep Plex up to date.

It doesn't cost much at all to run a domain (from about a fiver a year), and it would take half a day with a little AI help for someone without any experience to create a Traefik container plus cloudflared. You get extra benefit, for example if you have any other home based services you can put it behind Traefik and you never have to worry about self signed certs again or port forwarding again. If you can setup Plex, you can setup some basic containers.

 

[Begbie]

Has anyone jumped ship to jellyfin? I'm needing to get something better to put the Jellyfin server on, my laptop isn't upto the job. What NUC do you use?

I have mostly, has some drawbacks. Had to use a different player to solve some micro stuttering and sometimes I can't push subtitles on. Which can be fixed, just not got round to it.

I'm just using a hp elite desk.

 

[wigster]

I have mostly, has some drawbacks. Had to use a different player to solve some micro stuttering and sometimes I can't push subtitles on. Which can be fixed, just not got round to it.

I'm just using a hp elite desk.

My laptop is getting sluggish it was brilliant as it was cheap energy, but now I'm looking to see what I need to get so I can leave it plugged in, I couldn't do that with the laptop.

 

[malachi]

Has anyone jumped ship to jellyfin? I'm needing to get something better to put the Jellyfin server on, my laptop isn't upto the job. What NUC do you use?

Yep, did 2 years ago.

I have it running on my Ubuntu VM, hosted on Proxmox. I have no performance issues due to the host being beefy.

But plenty of AMD powered mini PCs you can use designed for this.

 

[rp2000]

Fair enough, but again I just want to reiterate fort forwarding especially in the new AI space we find ourselves in should be avoided where possible. Just ensure you keep Plex up to date.

It doesn't cost much at all to run a domain (from about a fiver a year), and it would take half a day with a little AI help for someone without any experience to create a Traefik container plus cloudflared. You get extra benefit, for example if you have any other home based services you can put it behind Traefik and you never have to worry about self signed certs again or port forwarding again. If you can setup Plex, you can setup some basic containers.

It's not about the cost or complexity, neither would be an issue for me. If someone want's to use AI to somehow sneak through my routers open ports and delete my Plex Library and/or Windows installation, they are welcome. I'm more likely to get run over by a bus. And trust me, I've never worried about self signed certs in my life, and I suspect I never will

I do keep the Plex up to date though (mainly cos the little yellow upgrade available icon is quite annoying!)


rp2000

 

[wigster]

Yep, did 2 years ago.

I have it running on my Ubuntu VM, hosted on Proxmox. I have no performance issues due to the host being beefy.

But plenty of AMD powered mini PCs you can use designed for this.

I was thinking something cost effective so Windows Intel NUCK, AMD isn't good for transcoding.

 

[Begbie]

It's not about the cost or complexity, neither would be an issue for me. If someone want's to use AI to somehow sneak through my routers open ports and delete my Plex Library and/or Windows installation, they are welcome. I'm more likely to get run over by a bus. And trust me, I've never worried about self signed certs in my life, and I suspect I never will

I do keep the Plex up to date though (mainly cos the little yellow upgrade available icon is quite annoying!)


rp2000

I opened ports and my unraid sever was deleted within 3 days :/

Most likely I opened the wrong one messing around though.

 

[Begbie]

I was thinking something cost effective so Windows Intel NUCK, AMD isn't good for transcoding.

I've had no issues with massive video files on my £100 HP.

The only issue is probably adding more than the 2 hdds I have in at the moment.