How i got Plex Media Server to work, and how i use it

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Ok this took a lot of work.


Step1: Download the PlexMediaServer for QNAP intel NAS just released by Elan the Plex developer. THIS IS BETA, treat it as such.

Give this a try, built with Debian 4 ~
http://www.plexapp.com/elan/PlexMediaSe ... n4.tar.bz2

Step2: Follow Maverick's instructions on how to install the PMS linux onto the QNAP. (this only works for intel cpu sorry)

Installation PMS server for QNAP:

First of all.

THANK YOU ELAN and your crew for the excellent help on getting this PMS working for the QNAP!!!



*** Start your favourite SSH or Telnet tool (like terminal,putty, fugu etc) ***

1) Download the main installation file on your QNAP: http://www.plexapp.com/elan/PlexMediaSe ... n4.tar.bz2
2) Use the command bzunzip and tar for unpacking the file
3) Command: ipkg install avahi (you need to have optware as a QPKG installed)
3) Edit the start.sh with the full path towards your installation:

SCRIPT=/share/your/location/start.sh

4) Symlink the file ./Library in your QNAP /root folder towards a place where it can write its directories/data.

Command: ln -s /share/your/PMS/location/username ./Library

command: ll gives you something like this in return:
Library -> /share/your/PMS/location/username

5) Error(s) to overcome:

./Plex Media Server: error while loading shared libraries: libssp.so.0: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Thanks to user iXô on the PLEX forum to resolve this:

Download this file somewhere, http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optwa ... 5_i686.ipk

decompress it :

Command: tar xvzf gcc_4.2.1-5_i686.ipk

It will report 3 files,

decompress data.tar.gz :

Command: tar xvzf data.tar.gz

In the unpacked folder opt/lib/ you have to copy libssp.so.0.0.0 to root folder of pms for linux as libssp.so.0

6) Go to your PMS folder on your QNAP and execute the start.sh (try adding '&' in last line of the start.sh) --> Thanks CeeKee!

example start.sh:

#!/bin/sh
SCRIPT=/share/your/location/start.sh
SCRIPTPATH=`dirname ${SCRIPT}`
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="${SCRIPTPATH}"
export PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_MAX_PLUGIN_PROCS=6
ulimit -s 3000
./Plex\ Media\ Server &


Try http://your-QNAP-IPaddress:32400/manage and DANCE (and if you do Dance upload it on YouTube lol)

Mav3r1ck
Streamotica

Step3: Go to your router and make sure to port forward 32400 for your QNAP.


Step4: Access the Plex Media Manager using this url

Code: Select all

http://YOUR URL OR LAN IP:32400/manage/

Step5: go to security PMS manager and change ur username and password to secure it. Then you can now start adding videos.

When adding videos you need to add it using a manual entry, as you cannot apparently browse from the pull down to add your shares. Hopefully that gets fixed.

Also another thing, add parent directories, not child directories as it may not properly catalog your videos as i found out.

Anyway this is an example manual entry i added for my videos

Code: Select all

\share\MD0_DATA\Videos

Once done hit the update/refresh and it will begin updating the PMS library with your video files.



Step6: Plex requires a client in order to play the media files. The PMS only hosts, and the PMS manager only can configure it, but not open files to watch. So the solution is to install a PMS client on either a IPAD, Iphone, Android tablet, LG HDTV, or even a MAC Laptop/desktop.

unfortunately windows does not have an official client at this time *sad smiley face

Good news is, there are unofficial plex clients for windows available

Hi Kton,

while patiently waiting for an official Windows Client you could take a look at the below two options comming from the very active Plex community:

Plex Client for Win32 Alpha and PlexBMC Plugin

-hkeylm

The one i preferred using was PlexBMC, because the other option requires videolanplayer which i hate



Step7: download the PleXBMC Stable Release - Version 1.8.6. onto your desktop.
https://github.com/hippojay/plugin.video.plexbmc

Step8: download Erlis's PleXBMC Repository addon onto your desktop
http://erlandssson.nu/repository.plexbm ... -1.0.0.zip

Step8: download XBMC Windows version from http://xbmc.org

Once XBMC is installed, start the program up, then go to

Systems > Add-ons > Install from Zip File

So browse for that PleXBMC zip file to install it.

Next, browse for the PleXBMC repository addon and install that as well. This repository addon allows you to download addons specific for PleXBMC. So when you go to get addons, you will now see an option for downloading addons specifically for PleXBMC. So that is what this repository addon do. So don't confuse this with the actual PleXBMC addon :}

Anyway, once done go to

Systems > Add-ons > Enabled Add-ons > Video Add-ons > PleXbmc > Click configure


In General you want to set your Plex Media server hostname as "YOUR QNAP LAN IP" without the quotes. You don't have to put the port, as it will auto add the default Plex port for you when you attempt to connect.

In authentication, put your username and password.



once that is all done, go to Videos > Video Add-ons > PleXBMC (All your content from Plex media server on the QNAP will then be found here)


Now you can browse your files and play them




Enjoy

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Here is a youtube demonstration i made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGNHIgmuOgw

[onlyalex]

Nice to see you got it working. When i watch your youtube video i start to wonder. Is there any real benefit from running the media server on the nas compared to running xbmc and connect with smb to a share? This way you let xbmc index and scrape the library... Is it cool, sure. Does it provide any other functionality than is not already in place when you have an xbmc computer?

Btw nice video, battlestar galactica is a classic

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Nice to see you got it working. When i watch your youtube video i start to wonder. Is there any real benefit from running the media server on the nas compared to running xbmc and connect with smb to a share? This way you let xbmc index and scrape the library... Is it cool, sure. Does it provide any other functionality than is not already in place when you have an xbmc computer?

Btw nice video, battlestar galactica is a classic

honestly i think mpc-hc + CCCP codec pack is the ideal video player in terms of best video quality. I'm not too familiar with what xbmc and plex use

During my checking if i recall correctly, some of the videos, the subtitle effects for some anime were not shown. This is why i said mpc-hc and cccp is ideal since it's setup to play 99.9% of all anime with their fancy sub effects etc.

But for say ipad, android, iphone, and even streaming to the hdtv, a PMS solution may be nice

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Some alternative skins


http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/top ... frontseat/


https://github.com/jaaps/skin.frontseat


http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/top ... fic-skins/

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Make sure that bonjour and transcoding is disabled in order for PleXBMC to work.

Bonjour enabled i couldn't connect to my qnap

Transcoding enabled i couldn't play my video files

[wakkedoff]

This seems awesome. Any chance on getting directions and software for Apple users.
Thanks.

.:wakko:.

[wakkedoff]

I lost you here.


3) Edit the start.sh with the full path towards your installation:

SCRIPT=/share/your/location/start.sh


.:wakko:.

[internaut19]

Or you can just install the QPKG

Cristian.

[zelda]

Hello,

so far as I've installed the Plex Media on my TS-459 I could run the manager and do some video/musik file settings.

My only problem I get with the video plugin plexbmc.

Installing the plugin via the add ZIP file, is running well. Then I see the add with also the right version, BUT after clicking on it....I'm getting the failure message:

ERROR: Script failed


What can I try to do, getting this plug to run well


Would be glad to get any hints where to look for that bug....

[zelda]

After I have updated the Firmware of my NAS to Version 3.5 last days, the XBMC is now working very well

[Zappcola]

Hi there..
I think im suffering the same problem as Zelda, I used the QPKG and then added a folder to plex.
when I open XBMC and choose to view the plex folder it shows as empty, if i change the bonjour setting to 'off' rather that assisted then I get a script error..
Anyone have any answers?

Edit: im running FW 3.5.1 on my TS-239 Pro II+