Convert your openSUSE system into a media server with Plex

openSUSE is getting better and better with each release. I am running 12.3 on a test machine and I would call it the most beautiful and polished looking Linux system out of the box. openSUSE is more than just serious work, you can turn it into a powerful media server to stream your music, movies and photos to your tablets, smartphones, TVs and other PCs. There are many media server applications available – some open source and some non-free. If you are looking for an extremely polished app with a lot of features, then Plex is an ideal solution as it is a partially open source app.

Plex not only allows you to stream your own data, but also offers 3rd party content through free channels which can be added from the web interface. Plex can transcode videos on fly so you don’t have to worry about the formats of videos.

How to install Plex in openSUSE

Download Plex from this link (choose the rpm version) and install it using install/remove or with the terminal by running this command:

sudo zypper install /PATH_TO_PLEX.rpm

Once installed, start Plex by running this command:

sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.service

You should run this command so that Plex starts with the system boots

sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver.service

Once Plex starts fire up a browser (Firefox or Chrome) and open this location:

localhost:32400/web/index.html

Note: Make sure that Firewall is not blocking this port. Chances are that openSUSE’s Firewall will be blocking this port. Don’t forget port forwarding for TCP and UDP ports 32400.

You will be greeted by glossy Plex screen, click next and give your server a name so that you can identify it over the network.

Add Media

You can add purchased movies, TV shows or other home made videos, music and images to Plex which can be streamed over the local network. To add media folders to Plex, click on the Add Section button, choose the media type you want to add, browse the folder where content is stored and then click ‘Add the folder’. Repeat the same step for different media type.

Once folders are added you will see the thumbnails for data. You can also install channels that Plex offers which includes Apple trailers, NPR as well as TED Talks.

The next windows offers the option to create an account with Plex which will allow you to stream your content to your mobile devices when you are outside your local network.

Now you are all set to access your media from the network connected devices. You can now watch this content from other systems by installing any Plex on other such systems. You can install the official Plex app or any other DLNA client on your Android device. If you have a smart TV, you can access your openSUSE/Plex media server with the built-in app.

Keep one thing in mind, every time you add new content to the folders do visit the Plex Media Center go to that content section and ‘refresh’ it so Plex knows about the newly added content.

Re-posted from Muktware.