I really want to get started.

I have a big library of files on a HDD. I will run it off my home computer, and it will be exclusively for my home network.

Question 1: Is it fine to run my desktop computer as a server and a client? I don’t actually know how Plex works yet, so I may be describing it wrong. Currently I watch things on my Desktop Computer. I want to continue this but through Plex instead of just using VLC. If I do add more clients, only one will be viewing at a time. I do have a Raspberry Pi available, but was hoping to use it as a client at a later time instead of a server,

Question 2: Can I scan my media folder in Plex to get started, and then later rescan my Plex library after I rename files? I haven’t reorganised all my files yet, a lot of them should be fine but I don’t have time to do it all now. Some of them I may never bother renaming or reorganising. I don’t mind Plex having to do all the posters and stuff again.

Question 3: What does Plex do for the re-encoding? I think I read that Plex encodes the video files. Does this create new files on the HHD? My drive is pretty full. I don’t have enough space for duplicates in another codec. Does this process replace the files? Will I have to have my Plex drive only contain converted videos? Is there a process to encode from my storage drive to my Plex drive without disturbing my storgate drive? Space is at a premium and I don’t want to risk Plex altering my media on my storage drive.

Thank you.

  • thadah@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Hi!

    To answer your first question, yes, you absolutely can use your desktop computer as server and client at the same time. Just bear in mind you’ll need to have it powered on 24/7 to have access from other clients, be it locally or from outside.

    Plex has multiple options to scan the library when changes have been detected and does a sweep of the whole library at intervals you set it up. You can also trigger a library scan manually if you want. Don’t worry about changing names, it will detect and move around the library without any trouble.

    About the encoding part, Plex encodes the stream that is being sent to the client, if necessary. There’s the possibility of creating “optimized” files that would take up space in your HDD, but re-encoding streams so that the client can play the files won’t take space AFAIK.

    I hope this answers your concerns, cheers!