Plex
{{Short description|Streaming service and media server}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Other uses|PLEX (disambiguation){{!}}PLEX}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Plex Inc.
| logo = Plex logo 2022.svg
| type = Private
| founded = {{Start date and age|2009|12}}
| founder = Elan Feingold, Cayce Ullman, Scott Olechowski
| location = Campbell, CA, U.S.
| key_people = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| Keith Valory | (president and CEO)}}
| industry =
| products = {{Plainlist|
- OTT platform
- Client–server software
|}}
| assets =
| equity =
| divisions =
| num_employees = ≈ 100 (2019)
| website = {{url|plex.tv}}
| footnotes =
}}
Plex Inc. is an American software company that runs its namesake over-the-top ad-supported streaming television service and develops media server software that lets users stream their personal media collections to their devices.{{Cite press release |title=Streaming Media Platform Plex Raises $50 Million in Growth Equity to Become the One-Stop-Shop for Movies and TV |date=2021-04-14 |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/04/14/2210024/34264/en/Streaming-Media-Platform-Plex-Raises-50-Million-in-Growth-Equity-to-Become-the-One-Stop-Shop-for-Movies-and-TV.html |language=en |last=Plex |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room}} The company is based in Campbell, California. Plex had 16 million streaming subscribers as of 2023.
History
Plex began as a freeware hobby project in December 2007 when developer Elan Feingold created a media center application for his Mac computer by porting the media player XBMC (since renamed Kodi) to Mac OS X. Around the same time, Cayce Ullman and Scott Olechowski{{mdash}}software executives who had recently sold their previous company to Cisco{{mdash}}were also looking to port XBMC to Mac OS X, and noticed Feingold's progress in the XBMC online forums. They contacted him and offered support and funding, and they formed a three-person team in January 2008.{{Cite web|title=Behind the App: The Story of Plex|url=https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-plex-1612601098|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=Lifehacker|date=July 30, 2014|language=en-us|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411070105/https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-plex-1612601098|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Scott Olechowski Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search|url=https://patents.justia.com/inventor/scott-olechowski|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=patents.justia.com|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706091157/https://patents.justia.com/inventor/scott-olechowski|url-status=live}}
The team released early versions of the port, called OSXBMC, intended for eventual full integration into Mac OS X. The developers continued collaborating with the Linux-based XBMC project until May 21, 2008. Due to different goals from the XBMC team, they forked the code that became Plex, and published it on GitHub. The OSXBMC code was kept roughly in sync with the upstream XBMC code. In July 2008, the project was renamed Plex, which the developers said was chosen because "it evokes 'cineplex' and the suffix means 'comprising a number of parts'".{{Cite web |date=2008-07-05 |title=Announcing Plex |url=https://www.plex.tv/ja/blog/announcing-plex/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Plex |language=en-US}}
In December 2009, Plex, Inc. was incorporated with Ullman as CEO (chief executive officer) and Feingold as chief technology officer (CTO).{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/23/20697751/piracy-plex-netflix-hulu-streaming-wars|title=Plex makes piracy just another streaming service|last=Stephen|first=Bijan|date=July 23, 2019|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106000606/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/23/20697751/piracy-plex-netflix-hulu-streaming-wars|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/1009120D:US|title=Plex, Inc. Company Profile - Bloomberg Markets|website=Bloomberg|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727170525/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/1009120D:US|url-status=live}} At that time, Plex had 130 apps, the most popular of which were viewers for iTunes movies trailers, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, MTV music videos, the BBC iPlayer and Vimeo. Feingold said Plex apps had been downloaded about one million times. Keith Valory became president and CEO in 2013.{{Cite web |title=Executive Bios |url=https://www.plex.tv/press/executive-bios/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Plex |language=en-US}}
{{As of|2016|July}}, Plex had 65 employees. In December 2019, Plex launched an ad-supported streaming service of movies and television shows from content sources including Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, MGM, Lionsgate, Regency Enterprises and Legendary Entertainment.{{Cite web|last=Salkowitz|first=Rob|title=With Warner Bros Partnership, Plex Looks To Flex Its Media Muscles|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2019/08/30/with-warner-bros-partnership--plex-looks-to-flex-its-media-muscles/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708133106/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2019/08/30/with-warner-bros-partnership--plex-looks-to-flex-its-media-muscles/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Plex partners with Lionsgate to expand its ad-supported video library|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/18/plex-partners-with-lionsgate-to-expand-its-ad-supported-video-library/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=TechCrunch|date=September 18, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708012554/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/18/plex-partners-with-lionsgate-to-expand-its-ad-supported-video-library/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Plex Is Making Itself Impossible to Ignore as a Go-To Streaming Service|url=https://gizmodo.com/plex-is-making-itself-impossible-to-ignore-as-a-go-to-s-1840884646|website=Gizmodo|date=January 8, 2020|language=en-us|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=May 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514093452/https://gizmodo.com/plex-is-making-itself-impossible-to-ignore-as-a-go-to-s-1840884646|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=The best ways to legally stream movies and TV for free|url=https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/free-movies-tv-shows-legal/|website=Popular Science|language=en|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402071952/https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/free-movies-tv-shows-legal/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=10 streaming services to help get you through self-isolation|url=https://www.newsweek.com/10-streaming-services-help-get-you-through-self-isolation-1493773|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=March 23, 2020|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413162559/https://www.newsweek.com/10-streaming-services-help-get-you-through-self-isolation-1493773|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Plex now streams cheap Tidal music subscriptions|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/29/18117564/tidal-plex-subscriptions-costs-less-together|last=Ricker|first=Thomas|date=November 29, 2018|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417181843/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/29/18117564/tidal-plex-subscriptions-costs-less-together|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Plex will stream free, ad-supported Warner Bros. movies and TV shows|url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/29/plex-free-warner-bros-movies-tv/|website=Engadget|date=August 29, 2019 |language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=September 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906075727/https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/29/plex-free-warner-bros-movies-tv/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Inside Plex's Quest to Become a One-Stop Shop for Digital Media|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/plex-avod-service-warner-bros-deal-inside-story-1203317271/|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=August 29, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203005534/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/plex-avod-service-warner-bros-deal-inside-story-1203317271/|url-status=live}} {{As of|August 2019}}, Plex had about 100 global employees.{{Cite web|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=August 29, 2019|title=Inside Plex's Quest to Become a One-Stop Shop for Digital Media|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/plex-avod-service-warner-bros-deal-inside-story-1203317271/|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422212305/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/plex-avod-service-warner-bros-deal-inside-story-1203317271/|url-status=live}}
In February 2024, Plex started offering films through Plex TV for rental.{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2024-02-08 |title=Plex, where people typically avoid Hollywood fees, now offers movie rentals |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/plex-where-people-typically-avoid-hollywood-fees-now-offers-movie-rentals/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |work=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}
Plex Media Server
{{Infobox software
| name = Plex Media Server
| logo =
| logo alt =
| logo caption =
| collapsible =
| author =
| developer =
| released = {{Start date and age|2008}}
| discontinued =
| latest release version = {{Latest stable software release/Plex Media Server}}
| latest preview date =
| programming language =
| operating system = {{Plainlist|
- Server:
macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Nvidia Shield TV, Synology Disk Manager, Netgear, QNAP, Unraid, Drobo, ASUStor, Thecus, Seagate, and Western Digital - Player:
iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Amazon Appstore, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Atari VCS, Chromecast, Fetch TV, Oculus Go, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos, Tizen, webOS, and Xbox}}
| size =
| language =
| language count = 43 (server)
| genre = Media server and player
| license = {{Plainlist|
| website = {{URL|https://plex.tv/}}
}}
Plex Media Server (PMS) is software that enables users to create a client–server for movies, television shows, and music. Free Plex accounts can share personal media libraries among a user's own collection of devices or with other users. Plex Media Server organizes movie and television content and adds posters, plot summaries, cast and crew lists, technical details, critical reviews, and subtitles. Plex Media Server is also capable of transcoding files if the codec is incompatible with the device playing the media.{{Cite web |title=Transcoding Media |url=https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250377-transcoding-media/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Plex Support |language=en-US}} Plex does not support DVD and Blu-ray disk images and menus.{{Cite web |title=Why are ISO, VIDEO_TS, and other Disk Image Formats Not Supported? |url=https://support.plex.tv/articles/201426506-why-are-iso-video-ts-and-other-disk-image-formats-not-supported/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Plex Support |language=en-US}} Plex Media Server can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, Docker, some NAS devices, some Netgear routers and the Nvidia Shield TV.{{cite web |title=Best Media Streaming Devices - Live streaming apps powered by Plex |url=https://www.plex.tv/apps/tvs-consoles/nvidia-shield/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117210653/https://www.plex.tv//apps-devices/ |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=August 22, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=How do I set up my Plex Media Server on my Nighthawk X10 R9000 router? |url=https://kb.netgear.com/31247/How-do-I-set-up-my-Plex-Media-Server-on-my-Nighthawk-X10-R9000-router |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=NETGEAR KB |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=frances |date=2023-09-18 |title=The Great Docker Migration |url=https://www.plex.tv/en-gb/blog/plex-pro-week-23-the-great-docker-migration/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Plex |language=en-gb}} For music content, it can automatically organize files by metadata tags such as title, artist, album, genre, year, and popularity.
File:Plex for Web interface.png
A Plex Media Server can function as a home theater PC and can stream content to Plex's front-end media player client applications that run on a myriad of devices and web browsers.{{Cite web |title=Plex Media Server {{!}} 2021 Plex Pass Cost, Pricing, Plans & Free Trial |url=https://cordcutting.com/services/plex/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206071657/https://cordcutting.com/services/plex/ |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=Cordcutting.com |date=October 15, 2016 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=What Is Plex? |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-plex |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411114042/https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-plex |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=PCMAG |language=en}} The media player applications are Plex, Plex Web App, Plexamp and Plex Dash, which provide a way for the user to manage and play content from a Plex server.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/16/media-software-maker-plex-launches-new-subscriber-only-apps-for-music-and-server-management/|title=Media software maker Plex launches new subscriber-only apps for music and server management|website=TechCrunch|date=April 16, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117210703/https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/16/media-software-maker-plex-launches-new-subscriber-only-apps-for-music-and-server-management/|url-status=live}}
Plex also offers Plex Pass, an optional paid-subscription service that adds additional features to its server software and player apps such as hardware accelerated video encoding, mobile synchronization, metadata fetching for music, multi-user support, parental controls, over-the-top live TV and DVR, trailers, extras, and cross-selling offers.{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2020 |title=What Is Plex Pass? 10 Features Worth Paying For In 2020 |url=https://androidpcreview.com/what-is-plex-pass/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414051843/https://androidpcreview.com/what-is-plex-pass/ |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=AndroidPCReview |language=en-US}} Remote streaming was a feature for free accounts until it was made exclusive to Plex Pass and Remote Watch Pass subscribers beginning April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2025-03-19 |title=Plex Pass is going up in price — and now you'll need it for remote playback |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/632631/plex-subscription-price-increase-remote-playback |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}
In 2016, Plex launched Plex Cloud for Plex Pass subscribers, which supported cloud-based servers. Plex's launch partner was Amazon, and the service was compatible with Amazon Cloud Drive.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2016-09-26 |title=Plex partners with Amazon to launch a hardware-free media server, Plex Cloud |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/26/plex-partners-with-amazon-to-launch-a-hardware-free-media-server-plex-cloud/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Users were critical of the service, noting that Amazon seemed to impose upload limits.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2016-12-02 |title=Amazon isn't playing nice with Plex's new cloud service |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/02/amazon-isnt-playing-nice-with-plexs-new-cloud-service/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} The service also supported OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive. The service was discontinued in November 2018 amid technical problems and concerns of copyright infringement.{{Cite web |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=2018-09-11 |title=Plex Shuts Down Its Cloud Service |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/plex-cloud-shutting-down-1202936840/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Plex Media Server has often been associated with copyright infringement. In 2019, The Verge headlined that Plex "makes piracy just another streaming service".
= Plex app =
Plex's front-end media player client applications run on multiple platforms including Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, PlayStation, Sonos, webOS, Windows and Xbox. Apps on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets required a one-time $5 activation fee to stream from a server until April 2025.{{Cite web |title=What is Plex Pass, anyway? |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/1803560/what-is-plex-pass-anyway.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=TechHive |language=en}} Plex's apps largely rely on the native video player and supported codecs of the streaming device's operating system. In 2018, Plex began rolling out the Enhanced Media Player based on mpv to support additional codecs on select devices.{{Cite web |last=Hollington |first=Jesse |date=2018-12-06 |title=Plex begins rolling out Enhanced Video Player in Apple TV and iOS apps |url=https://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/plex-begins-rolling-out-enhanced-video-player-in-apple-tv-and-ios-apps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209080246/http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/plex-begins-rolling-out-enhanced-video-player-in-apple-tv-and-ios-apps |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=iLounge |language=en-US}}
= Plexamp =
File:Screenshot of Plexamp interface being shown on a Linux desktop.pngPlexamp is an audio codec player that allows users to play music files on their Plex Media Server. Plexamp supports Windows, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Linux and Apple CarPlay. The core player is free to download and use with any Plex Media Server with music content. Features such as automatically generated recommendations, lyrics, autoplay and downloads are only available to Plex Pass subscribers. Plexamp does not support other music streaming services.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2023-07-18 |title=Plex's Winamp-inspired music player Plexamp is now free |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/18/plexs-winamp-inspired-music-player-plexamp-is-now-free/|access-date=2025-03-07 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}
Streaming media
In 2019, Plex introduced an ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) streaming service and free-to-stream live TV channels{{Cite web |last=Honorof |first=Marshall |date=April 26, 2020 |title=What is Plex? Everything you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/what-is-plex |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108221042/https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/what-is-plex |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |website=Tom's Guide |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=2019-12-04 |title=Plex launches its free movie and TV streaming service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/4/20995123/plex-free-movies-tv-streaming-service-now-available-ads |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}
Its content partners include Warner Bros. Television Studios,{{Cite web|title=Plex is launching its own ad-supported video service, starting with content from Warner Bros. TV|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/29/plex-is-launching-its-own-ad-supported-video-service-starting-with-content-from-warner-bros-tv/|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=TechCrunch|date=August 29, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117210700/https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/29/plex-is-launching-its-own-ad-supported-video-service-starting-with-content-from-warner-bros-tv/|url-status=live}} MGM, Lionsgate, Legendary, Crackle, Endemol Shine, Shout! Studios, Regency Enterprises, Kidoodle TV and A24.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=August 25, 2020|title=Atari VCS Will Offer Streaming Service Plex Following Game Console's November Launch|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/atari-vcs-videogame-console-plex-streaming-1203022196/|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227233031/https://deadline.com/2020/08/atari-vcs-videogame-console-plex-streaming-1203022196/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Harley |first=Nick |date=2022-07-13 |title=The Best A24 Movies Streaming on Plex in July |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-best-movies-streaming-plex-july-a-24/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}} Plex can also be used as a client for Tidal and hosts podcasts.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2018-11-29 |title=Plex teams with TIDAL to bring a discounted streaming music subscription to its media app |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/29/plex-teams-with-tidal-to-bring-a-discounted-streaming-music-subscription-to-its-media-app/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} In 2022, Plex added a "Discovery" feature which aggregates content from other streaming media sources.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Mitchell |date=2022-04-06 |title=Plex's latest beta features can help you navigate every streaming service you have |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/5/23012425/plex-discover-source-watchlist-cross-streaming-service-compatibility-beta |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} As of 2023, Plex had 16 million active monthly streaming users.{{Cite press release |last=Plex |title=Plex Closes Year with Billions of Minutes Watched; Doubles YOY Viewership |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plex-closes-year-with-billions-of-minutes-watched-doubles-yoy-viewership-301713824.html |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
In 2020, Plex announced that it would introduce a movie and television show rental marketplace.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2023-01-05 |title=Streamer Plex finally ready to launch a TV and movie rentals marketplace |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/05/streamer-plex-finally-ready-to-launch-a-tv-and-movie-rentals-marketplace/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Its movie rental service launched in February 2024.{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2024-02-08 |title=Plex, where people typically avoid Hollywood fees, now offers movie rentals |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/plex-where-people-typically-avoid-hollywood-fees-now-offers-movie-rentals/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}} The rental service was criticized for its inability to purchase rentals directly on Apple TV and Fire TV devices, limited selection, and video and audio quality limited to 1080p and 5.1 surround sound.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-08 |title=Plex is now in the movie rental business, with a catch or two |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/plex-movie-rentals/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Digital Trends |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=8 February 2024 |title=Plex launches a movie rental store – limited to 1080p, 5.1 surround |url=https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1707381163 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=FlatpanelsHD |language=en}}
See also
- JRiver Media Center
- Jellyfin, a fully open-source alternative to Plex
- Emby
- Kodi (software)
- Universal Media Server
- Self-hosting (web services)
- Comparison of DVR software packages
- Comparison of video player software
- Home theater PC
- List of video players (software)
- RasPlex, Plex for Raspberry Pi
References
{{reflist|refs=
}}
External links
- {{official website|https://plex.tv}}
{{Home theater PC (application software)}}
{{VOD services}}
Category:Android (operating system) software
Category:Internet television streaming services
Category:Online retailers of the United States
Category:Software companies of the United States
Category:Streaming media systems
Category:Subscription video on demand services
Category:Universal Windows Platform apps
Category:Windows media players