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In May 2017, Plex announced that it was going to start offering live TV channels to its users. The news adds another string to the software's already impressive bow.
But who is eligible for the service? How can it be accessed? What will be available? And how does it compare to other similar apps and services? Here's everything you need to know about the new Plex Live TV service.
First, the good news. Almost anyone in the world can use Plex Live TV. The service is available in North America, South America, all of Europe and the Caribbean, as well as Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, China, Indonesia and most of the Middle East.
The bad news? Plex Live TV is not available to people without a Plex subscription (meaning anyone using the free version of the app).
Dubbed “Plex Pass,” the premium service offers users three billing methods. A three-month pass (the shortest available) is $14.99, a one-year subscription is $39.99, and a lifetime pass will set you back $119.99.
Of course, a Plex Pass offers more than just live TV. You'll also get mobile sync, cloud sync, lyrics for your music, multi-user support, parental controls and much more besides.
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In practice, the available channels will vary drastically depending on the location of the world. Some countries have many OTA channels while others only have a couple.
However, if you're based in the US or UK, the channel selection is very impressive. Americans can enjoy ABC, FOX, NBC, PBS and CBS, while Brits can tune in to BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and a variety of other music channels.
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You can check what's available in your area using this tool on the Plex website.
Live TV is just one part of Plex's new offering. The other part is a DVR function. The DVR has been in beta testing since late 2016, but the latest announcement has seen it exit beta and gain a host of new features in the process.
The DVR is based on Plex's built-in program guide feature. It will allow you to easily search for shows and find content to watch 5 Ways to Find Good Movies or TV Shows to Watch Next on Netflix 5 Ways to Find Good Movies or TV Shows to Watch Next on Netflix Netflix knows exactly what you want to watch. But its recommendations section is not always helpful. Get great recommendations with these apps and sites on what to watch next. Read more . You will be able to record movies, individual episodes, complete series, news, documentaries and sporting events..
Anything you record is instantly integrated with your existing media libraries, and will be available on all your devices at the same time. DVR is now also available in all Plex apps; previously you had to set up and manage recordings through the web application.
Because the recordings are saved locally, either on your hard drive or NAS (Network Attached Storage) drive 7 Reasons to use a NAS for data storage and backup 7 Reasons to use a NAS for data storage and backup security External hard drives are excellent for data storage. but there are many more benefits to using a network attached drive instead. Here you have everything you need to know. Read More This differentiates the feature from some of its competitors like Sling TV and YouTube TV, both of which have space and time restrictions.
While the DVR feature is now out of beta, the recent announcement marks the start of the beta cycle for live TV.
As such, some features are still missing. For users, the most annoying of these is the lack of support for time-shifting live TV. There is no way to pause, go forward or go back. However, Plex has plans to add these features, and they should start rolling out soon.
And so to the all-important question:how on Earth do you use the service? Let's break it down.
At the moment, the number of devices is limited. In fact, unless you have an Android TV system (such as a set-top box or smart TV), or an Apple iOS device, you won't be able to use the service.
But don't despair, Plex has assured users that more devices will be online soon. Scott Olechowski, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Plex, said that Apple TV and Android mobile support will be available by summer 2017, with more fans to come after then.
Using Plex Live TV isn't as simple as activating the app and locating the channel you want to watch. You will also need to purchase a digital TV antenna and a TV tuner.
It's a quirk of both the way the Plex app works and the way the company has decided to implement the feature. You are receiving content that is already viewable in your geographic location, and Plex has not signed contracts with network providers or show creators.
The digital antenna can only receives and displays television signals that are literally in the air around you. That's why there is no way to hack channel lists using VPNs and others.
If you're not sure which tuner to buy, check out the popular HDHomeRun. It works with Windows, Linux, Nvidia Shield, OS X and NAS systems, and is compatible with signals from all over the world.
Plex isn't the first app to offer a local TV service. There are a few other ways to get your fix on Sling TV vs. DirecTV Now vs. PlayStation Vue:How do they compare? SlingTV vs. DirecTV Now vs. PlayStation Vue:How do they compare? In this article, you'll learn the differences between the three major OTT Internet TV streaming services:Sling TV, DirecTV Now, and PlayStation Vue. Read More
It's still early days for Plex Live TV, but the initial signs are encouraging. Plex is keeping quiet about long-term plans for the service, but it's clear the company expects it to become a major selling point in its bid to attract new users.
How impressed are you with the ad? Could you see yourself setting up the Live TV feature or do you think it is too complicated? Do you prefer to pay a small subscription fee to one of the paid services like YouTube TV or Sling TV?
