BIG LAPTOP LIBRARIES: PLEX
If you’ve built a big media library on your computer, you can stream it to your
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and streams them to any device running the Plex app. It can act as a front-end
for streaming media services and record live TV with a USB tuner.
All major media streamers support Plex, along with many smart TV platforms.
It can even stream to your phone, tablet, or other compatible device outside
your house as long as your computer is on and connected to the internet. Plex is
available for free, but for more advanced features such as live TV and DVR, you
need the premium Plex Pass for $4.99 a month, $39.99 a year, or $119.99 for a
lifetime subscription.
Plex is very functional for media playback and streaming, even in its free form.
It doesn’t support screen mirroring, however; anything streamed to the Plex
app on your TV or media streamer must be registered through the server
software. That means no games. It also tops out at 1080p, so it can’t stream 4K.
Pros: Robust media format and service support. Accessible outside of the
home. Free, with optional premium subscription for advanced features.
Cons: Doesn’t support 4K. Doesn’t work with games.