An always-on, Internet-connected Mac running Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks or later, with an Intel Core i3 processor or faster, and 2GB of RAM or more.

To set Plex up as a basic media server, you'll need: (opens in new tab) But for this guide, we'll focus on getting it running on a Mac. Plex Media Server can run on Macs, Windows, or Linux computers, a sufficiently powerful NAS drive (opens in new tab), even one model of Netgear router. For obvious anti-piracy reasons, you can view or listen to, but not download, another user's media files. You can invite Plex-using friends to share and stream your media, and vice versa you only need to know their email address or Plex username. If for whatever reason you want multiple Plex servers on a single network, Plex is cool with that, too.

That same computer can also run a player app, as can any other devices you connect to your server. You only need one computer running Plex Media Server. Most apps are free iOS apps cost $5 unless you're a Plex Pass subscriber. You can play Plex media through your web browser or native apps for Mac OS, AppleTV, and iOS (opens in new tab), among many many other devices. Plex's media player apps provide the front end, playing all that media for your enjoyment.

Plex Media Server handles the back end, working behind the scenes on your server of choice to keep track of your media, convert it on the fly to streaming-friendly formats, and pipe it to you over your home network or the Internet.

Emby, a media server with live TV and DVR support.

Channels, which streams and records live TV.

The Kodi media server (which can work with Plex (opens in new tab), too).

Plex is one of many Mac media server and/or DVR solutions.

Plugins that streamed web video from major networks' sites, among other add-ons.

Cloud-based storage for your media library.

Best place to install plex media server