Jordan O'BrienPlex is hoping to revolutionise the media server market by ditching the server requirement – sort of. Currently to enjoy TV shows, music or movies using the Plex App, users need to have a local Plex server – requiring knowledge to set-up and manage, as well as costing money to run 24/7. With Plex Cloud users no longer need a local server and can upload all their content to the cloud.
Partnering with Amazon Drive, Plex Cloud offers users unlimited storage for media files while also hosting the complicated server in the cloud – meaning users can access their content from anywhere in the world using the Plex App even when there’s an electrical failure at home.
Users will need a Plex Pass to use the Plex Cloud functionality, which is priced at $39.99 per year, but will also need to pay a separate fee to Amazon for all the storage. Amazon Prime customers can take advantage of 5GB of free storage, but for media-hungry users, the unlimited storage for £55 a year is likely to be a better option.
Plex Cloud is just the latest push from the company to make media servers more powerful and easier than ever. In recent months Plex has also launched features such as Plex DVR, which allows users to record free digital broadcast channels and watch their favourite HD TV shows, movies, news and sports on any device, anywhere in the world.
The Plex Cloud feature is currently available in beta, with users invited to sign up.