Update 12/18/19: $89.99 price is back when you gift it.
The Offer
- Plex is offering a lifetime pass for $89.99
The Fine Print
- This will only work for new users
Our Verdict
This used to be the lowest price ever, but earlier this year they offered it for $74.99. You can view the difference in features by clicking here. Plex is basically a media server solution, very useful for streaming purposes. Check the features to see if the upgraded version makes sense or not. Will be interesting to see if they offer the $74.99 deal again or not.
Sorry if a stupid question… but I don’t understand how this works. What does Plex do that Apple TV cannot do?
Thanks.
Plex is a software solution for managing/streaming files that you have saved locally. Apple TV is moreso a box for accessing various streaming services like Netflix or Disney+.
I use my computer as a DVR to record (or watch live) OTA TV through Windows Media Center then play it on my TV through an old Xbox 360. I think PLEX is more similar to that than Apple TV or Chromecast but I haven’t really explored it as the system works for us and is free.
It streams your content from your media library on your computer, rather than whatever libraries are available through appletv.
PLEX is a client/server based media app system. so.. let’s say you host a Plex server on your home computer, you can then access that media from any device that works with the Plex client app (nvidia shield, pc, laptop, cell phone, xbox, smartTV devices like firetv, roku, many others)
i’ve been using it for years, they had a $75 lifetime sub a few months ago so i jumped on that
Plex is a clever little system that is more designed to stream your personal files(movies, tv shows , videos, music, photos etc) verses streaming content from providers like what apple tv does. You simply install the first piece of plex ( server) on the system where you have all your data stored. ( this can be a dedicated nas or just a pc). The 2nd piece, the client which is an app can be installed on a ton of devices; phones, tablets, tvs, roku, even on apple tv I think there is a plex app. Once this is setup, you can stream your files even on the go. In addition, it has a nice way to invite family and friends to share your library with.
If you don’t know, you probably don’t need it
True, but you never know when people are simply trying to understand what other people use things for so they can decide whether it’s worth investing time of their own into learning more about it.
Unless you have a library of digital media that you want to stream to devices, you don’t need this.