Hey there, media maven. So you’ve got Plex set up and streaming your favourite shows and movies to all your devices. Nice work. But are you using Plex to its full potential? Plex has some powerful features that can take your viewing experience to the next level. We’re talking extras like live TV, web shows, podcasts, and a ton more. If you’re only using Plex as a basic media server, you’re missing out on a whole world of awesome. Read on to discover 10 Plex features you absolutely need to start using today to supercharge how you experience, organize, and enjoy your media. Your binge-watching and channel surfing habits will never be the same.
Table of Contents
Customize Your Library View
One of the best things about Plex is how customizable it is. You can tweak the interface to view your media library exactly how you want.
To start, check out the different view options under the “Library” menu. The default “Poster Wall” is great, but you may prefer the more minimal “List View” or the visually-focused “Grid View.” Play around with each to find what you like.
You can also filter your library by media type like movies, TV shows, music or photos. This makes it easy to find what you’re looking for if you have a large collection.
Organize your library with custom labels, collections and filters. For example, make a “Family Movies” collection, a “90s Music” label and a “Recently Added” filter. Plex will automatically populate these based on the metadata for your media.
One of my favourite customization features is the ability to manually match the metadata. If information is missing or incorrect for an item, you can search online databases to find the right details and images to complete the entry. This ensures your library is perfectly tailored to your needs.
With a few simple tweaks, you can make the Plex experience uniquely your own. A customized library view, filtered and organized just how you like it, makes enjoying your media simple and streamlined. Take the time to set it upright, and you’ll reap the benefits every time you access your Plex server. Your media, your way – that’s what Plex is all about.
Sync Your Media Across Devices
One of the best features of Plex is its ability to sync your media across all your devices. Whether you’re watching on your TV, phone, tablet or laptop, Plex keeps everything in sync so you can pick up right where you left off.
To enable sync, you’ll first need to install the Plex app on all the devices you want to use. Then, in your Plex account settings, turn on ‘Sync Media to Devices’. Choose which libraries and content types (movies, TV shows, music) you want to sync. Plex will automatically detect all the devices signed into your account and allow you to select the ones you want to sync with.
Once the sync is enabled, any media you add to your Plex libraries will be converted and optimized for playback on your selected devices. The content is then seamlessly synced in the background so it’s ready when you are. No more waiting for buffering or having to manually transfer files between devices.
Sync also keeps track of what you’ve already watched. So if you start an episode on your phone during your commute, you can finish it on the big screen when you get home – and Plex will resume playback right where you left off. How’s that for a frictionless media experience?
Sync is one of those features that, once you start using it, you won’t know how you lived without it. Why limit yourself to watching media in one place when you can enjoy it anywhere with Plex? Your content is everywhere.
Add Subtitles and Closed Captions
Adding subtitles and closed captions to your media library in Plex allows you and anyone else using your server to follow along with and understand the dialogue, especially in noisy environments or if someone has a hearing impairment.
Enable Subtitles and Captions
To turn on subtitles or closed captions in Plex, select the media item you want to watch, then click the “…” menu next to it. Choose “Subtitles and Captions” from the menu. Here you’ll see options to enable subtitles, closed captions, or both. Select your preference and the language you want, then start playing your media. The subtitles or captions will appear on the screen as the dialogue plays.
- Subtitles specifically translate or transcribe speech and other audio into text, usually in the same language.
- Closed captions also include descriptions of background noises, speaker identifications, and other auditory cues to provide more context for viewers.
Find and Download Subtitles
If subtitles or captions aren’t already included with your media, you can often find them on opensubtitles.org, subscene.com, or yifysubtitles.com. Download the .srt file and save it in the same folder as your movie or TV show with the exact same filename. Plex will automatically detect the subtitle file and allow you to turn it on.
You can also have Plex automatically search for and download subtitles for your library. Go to Settings > Server > Languages, and turn on “Download Subtitles Automatically”. Choose your preferred languages, and Plex will search for and download subtitles to match your media.
Enabling subtitles and closed captions in Plex provides an inclusive experience for all viewers and allows you to enjoy your media even in less-than-ideal situations. Take a few minutes to turn them on for your library, and you’ll be glad you did. Your users and your own viewing experience will be greatly enhanced.
Binge-Watch With Playlists
Binge-watching your favourite shows is one of the best parts of using Plex. Their playlist feature makes it easy to create customized viewing sessions tailored to your tastes.
Create Playlists
To make a playlist in Plex, simply:
- Select “Playlists” from the left sidebar menu.
- Click “Create Playlist”.
- Give your playlist a name and description.
- Search for movies, shows, episodes, or other media to add.
- Click “Add to Playlist” to add selections.
- Arrange the order of your playlist by dragging and dropping items.
- Click “Save” when done.
Your playlist will now appear on the Playlists page for you to enjoy! You can create as many playlists as you like to suit any mood or genre.
Share With Friends
One of the best parts of Plex playlists is being able to share them with friends and family. To share a playlist:
- Go to the Playlists page and select the playlist you want to share.
- Click the “Share” icon (it looks like an arrow pointing to the right).
- Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with. They’ll receive an email with a link to view your playlist.
- Choose whether to allow others to edit the playlist or just view it.
- Click “Share” and your selected users will be able to enjoy your playlist!
Sharing playlists is a great way to recommend shows or movies to friends, or collaborate on a group watch list. Your shared users don’t even need a Plex Pass to view and enjoy your playlists.
Plex playlists provide an easy way to organize your favourite media for perfect binge-watching sessions. So get cosy, grab some snacks, and enjoy a custom playlist for the ultimate streaming experience. Happy viewing!
Discover New Content With Recommendations
Plex’s recommendation engine helps you uncover new movies, TV shows, music, and more based on your viewing and listening habits. Let Plex suggest content you’re sure to love.
Tailored Recommendations
Plex provides personalized recommendations tailored to your unique tastes. The more you use Plex, the better it gets at recommending media you’ll enjoy.
- Plex analyzes the movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts you watch and listen to in order to suggest similar titles you might like.
- Recommendations span all of your media libraries so you can discover new favourite films, catch up on trending TV dramas, find workout playlists, or dive into intriguing podcasts.
Discover Hidden Gems
Plex helps you unearth hidden gems and rediscover forgotten favourites. You’ll find recommendations for:
- Classic films and cult classics from the past
- Critically-acclaimed TV shows you may have missed
- Up-and-coming new artists pushing the envelope of their genre
- Fascinating podcasts covering topics you’re passionate about
Tune Your Recommendations
Want to see more sci-fi and less rom-com? Prefer true crime podcasts over comedy? You can tune your recommendations to surface more of what you love.
- Rate movies, shows, music, and podcasts you’ve watched or listened to in order to refine your recommendations.
- The more you rate, the smarter Plex gets at suggesting content perfectly suited to your tastes.
Plex aims to surprise and delight you with new media discoveries tailored to your unique interests. Let Plex be your guide to a world of entertainment. Lean back and enjoy as Plex recommends hidden gems, rediscovered favourites, and new obsessions you never knew you needed in your life.
