Are you tired of switching between multiple devices to watch your favorite TV shows and movies? Do you want to access live TV channels from anywhere in the world? Look no further than Plex, a popular media server software that allows you to stream live TV, movies, and TV shows to any device connected to the internet. In this article, we will show you how to stream live TV on Plex, including the hardware and software requirements, setup process, and troubleshooting tips.
Hardware Requirements
Before you can start streaming live TV on Plex, you need to have the right hardware. Here are the minimum requirements:
- A computer or NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device with a strong processor and enough storage space to hold your media files.
- A TV tuner card or a digital video recorder (DVR) that can capture live TV signals.
- A stable internet connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps.
- A device to stream live TV to, such as a smart TV, Roku, Chromecast, or mobile device.
TV Tuner Cards
A TV tuner card is a hardware device that captures live TV signals and sends them to your computer or NAS device. There are several types of TV tuner cards available, including:
- ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) tuners: These tuners capture over-the-air (OTA) TV signals in the United States and Canada.
- DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial) tuners: These tuners capture OTA TV signals in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world.
- CableCARD tuners: These tuners capture live TV signals from cable providers in the United States.
Some popular TV tuner cards include:
- Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250
- SiliconDust HDHomeRun
- AVerMedia AVerTV Volar Hybrid Q
Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)
A DVR is a device that captures live TV signals and records them to a hard drive or other storage device. Some popular DVRs include:
- TiVo
- Dish Network Hopper
- DirecTV Genie
Software Requirements
In addition to the hardware requirements, you also need to have the right software to stream live TV on Plex. Here are the minimum requirements:
- Plex Media Server software: This software runs on your computer or NAS device and manages your media files.
- Plex client software: This software runs on your device and allows you to stream live TV and other media files from your Plex server.
Plex Media Server Software
Plex Media Server software is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and NAS devices. To install the software, follow these steps:
- Download the Plex Media Server software from the Plex website.
- Install the software on your computer or NAS device.
- Launch the software and follow the setup wizard to configure your server.
Plex Client Software
Plex client software is available for a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, Roku, Chromecast, and mobile devices. To install the software, follow these steps:
- Download the Plex client software from the app store on your device.
- Install the software and launch it.
- Sign in to your Plex account to access your media files.
Setup Process
Once you have the hardware and software requirements in place, you can start setting up your Plex server to stream live TV. Here are the steps:
Configure Your TV Tuner Card or DVR
- Connect your TV tuner card or DVR to your computer or NAS device.
- Install the drivers for your TV tuner card or DVR.
- Configure the settings for your TV tuner card or DVR to capture live TV signals.
Configure Your Plex Server
- Launch the Plex Media Server software and sign in to your account.
- Click on the “Settings” icon and select “Live TV & DVR” from the menu.
- Follow the setup wizard to configure your TV tuner card or DVR and set up your live TV channels.
Configure Your Plex Client
- Launch the Plex client software on your device.
- Sign in to your Plex account to access your media files.
- Click on the “Live TV” tab to access your live TV channels.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues while setting up your Plex server to stream live TV, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your internet connection: Make sure your internet connection is stable and fast enough to stream live TV.
- Check your TV tuner card or DVR settings: Make sure your TV tuner card or DVR is configured correctly to capture live TV signals.
- Check your Plex server settings: Make sure your Plex server is configured correctly to stream live TV channels.
- Check for software updates: Make sure your Plex server and client software are up to date.
Conclusion
Streaming live TV on Plex is a great way to access your favorite TV shows and movies from anywhere in the world. With the right hardware and software requirements in place, you can set up your Plex server to stream live TV channels to any device connected to the internet. By following the setup process and troubleshooting tips outlined in this article, you can enjoy live TV streaming on Plex with ease.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Plex server:
- Use a VPN to access geo-restricted content: If you want to access live TV channels from other countries, you can use a VPN to mask your IP address and access geo-restricted content.
- Use a DVR to record live TV shows: If you want to record live TV shows, you can use a DVR to capture and store them on your Plex server.
- Use a media player to stream live TV to multiple devices: If you want to stream live TV to multiple devices at the same time, you can use a media player like Kodi or Emby to stream live TV channels to multiple devices.
By following these tips and tricks, you can get the most out of your Plex server and enjoy live TV streaming from anywhere in the world.
What is Plex and how does it work?
Plex is a popular media server software that allows users to organize, stream, and share their media content, including live TV, movies, TV shows, music, and photos. It works by connecting to a user’s media library, which can be stored on a local device or in the cloud, and making it accessible on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
To use Plex, users need to set up a Plex server on their device, which can be a computer, NAS device, or even some smart TVs. The server software is free to download and use, and it can be configured to connect to various media sources, including local files, online streaming services, and live TV tuners. Once the server is set up, users can access their media library on any device with a Plex client app, which is available on a wide range of platforms.
What equipment do I need to stream live TV on Plex?
To stream live TV on Plex, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment. First, you’ll need a Plex server device, which can be a computer, NAS device, or some smart TVs. You’ll also need a live TV tuner, which is a device that connects to your antenna or cable subscription and captures live TV signals. There are several types of live TV tuners available, including USB tuners, network tuners, and internal tuners.
In addition to the server device and live TV tuner, you’ll also need an antenna or cable subscription to receive live TV signals. You’ll also need a stable internet connection to stream live TV to your devices. Finally, you’ll need a device with a Plex client app to watch live TV, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smart TV.
How do I set up live TV on Plex?
Setting up live TV on Plex is a relatively straightforward process. First, you’ll need to connect your live TV tuner to your Plex server device and install the necessary software. Then, you’ll need to configure the tuner settings in the Plex web app, which includes selecting the tuner device, choosing the channel lineup, and setting up the DVR (digital video recorder) options.
Once the tuner is set up, you can access live TV in the Plex web app or on any device with a Plex client app. You can browse the channel guide, watch live TV, and even record shows using the DVR feature. Plex also supports features like pause and rewind live TV, as well as the ability to watch live TV on multiple devices at the same time.
Can I record live TV on Plex?
Yes, Plex supports recording live TV using the DVR feature. To use the DVR feature, you’ll need to set up a live TV tuner and configure the DVR settings in the Plex web app. Once the DVR is set up, you can record live TV shows and movies, and even schedule recordings in advance.
Plex’s DVR feature also supports features like pause and rewind live TV, as well as the ability to watch recorded shows on any device with a Plex client app. You can also manage your recorded shows in the Plex web app, including deleting shows, editing show titles, and even exporting shows to other devices.
How much does it cost to stream live TV on Plex?
Plex offers a free version of its software, which includes basic features like media organization and streaming. However, to access live TV and DVR features, you’ll need to upgrade to a Plex Pass subscription, which costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year.
In addition to the Plex Pass subscription, you may also need to pay for a live TV tuner device, which can range in price from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the type and quality of the device. You’ll also need to pay for an antenna or cable subscription to receive live TV signals.
Is streaming live TV on Plex legal?
Streaming live TV on Plex is generally legal, as long as you have the necessary permissions and subscriptions to access the content. In the US, for example, you can use an antenna to receive over-the-air TV signals, which are free and legal to watch.
However, if you’re using a cable subscription to access live TV, you may need to check with your cable provider to ensure that you’re allowed to stream live TV using a third-party service like Plex. Additionally, some live TV channels may not be available on Plex due to licensing restrictions.
What are the benefits of streaming live TV on Plex?
Streaming live TV on Plex offers several benefits, including the ability to watch live TV on any device with a Plex client app, as well as the ability to record live TV shows and movies using the DVR feature. Plex also supports features like pause and rewind live TV, as well as the ability to watch live TV on multiple devices at the same time.
Another benefit of streaming live TV on Plex is that it allows you to consolidate all your media content in one place, including live TV, movies, TV shows, music, and photos. This makes it easy to find and watch the content you want, without having to switch between different apps or devices.