Data

Tools

Indexes

Applications

Experiments

Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

https://github.com/bdevans/plexberry

Scripts and guides to setting up a plex media server on a Raspberry Pi.
https://github.com/bdevans/plexberry

Last synced: 5 months ago
JSON representation

Scripts and guides to setting up a plex media server on a Raspberry Pi.

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

          
Plexberry

=========



[![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-BSD%203--Clause-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause)



A guide to setting up a plex media server on a Raspberry Pi.



This is a collection of ideas and notes (largely adapted from [element14.com](https://www.element14.com/community/community/raspberry-pi/raspberrypi_projects/blog/2016/03/11/a-more-powerful-plex-media-server-using-raspberry-pi-3) and [htpcguides.com](https://www.htpcguides.com/install-plex-media-server-raspberry-pi-3-image/)) for installing and configuring plex on a Raspberry Pi 3. Use at your own risk!



The accompanying script `setup_plex.sh` is designed to install and configure plex on a Raspberry Pi installed with Raspbian.



## Useful commands



* To fully update the system (including firmware):

	```

	sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade && sudo rpi-update

	sudo apt-get autoremove && sudo apt-get clean && sudo reboot

	```



* Check attached disks

	`lsblk`



* Backup or transfer media with [rsync](https://www.computerhope.com/unix/rsync.htm)

	```rsync [options] SOURCE DESTINATION```



* For uploading e.g.:

	```rsync -rtvhP ~/Music pi@plexberry.local:/mnt/library/```

	

* Spaces in the folder names:

	```rsync -rtvhP ~/TV/Series3 pi@plexberry.local:"/mnt/library/TV/Arrested\ Development/"```



* For backup:

	```rsync -avhP /mnt/library user@nas.local:/mnt/backup/```



* Expand SD Filesystem and Overclock

	```

	raspi-config

	reboot

	```



* Optional WiFi tools

	```

	apt-get install firmware-linux-nonfree wireless-tools wpasupplicant -y

	```



## Useful general guides

* https://www.htpcguides.com/install-plex-media-server-raspberry-pi-3-image/

* https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-plex-server/

* https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/41z6ff/raspberry_pi2_as_a_pms_tutorial_and_infos_inside/

* https://www.htpcguides.com/arm-pi-media-server-installer-images-download-page/

* https://github.com/alexandregz/awesome-raspberrypi/blob/master/README.md



## Building the plex server



### Hardware



* Boards - the guide assumes you are using a Raspberry Pi 3 but here are some others to consider:

   * Benchamrks and comparison 

	  - [Benchmarks of nine boards](http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=raspberry-pi-3&num=1)

	  - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-prebuilt-diy-nas-solutions-plex-server/ 

	  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_single-board_computers 

	  - (Passmark > 2000 for 1080p transcoding https://www.cpubenchmark.net) 

	  - https://beebom.com/best-raspberry-pi-3-alternatives/

   * [Raspberry Pi 3](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/#buy-now-modal)

   * [Rock64](https://www.pine64.org/?page_id=7147)

   * [ODROID-C2](https://www.odroid.co.uk/odroid-c2-cat/hardkernel-odroid-c2-board)

   * [ODROID-XU4Q](https://www.odroid.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=813)

   * [Banana Pi M3](http://www.banana-pi.org/m3.html)

   * [Intel NUC](https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/products/boards-kits/nuc.html)

   * [nVidia Shield Pro](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/)

   * [Orange Pi](http://www.orangepi.org/orangepiplus2/)

   * [NanoPC-T3](http://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69&product_id=123)

   * [PixiePro](https://store.treats4geeks.com/index.php/pixiepro-27.html)

   * [HummingBoard](https://www.solid-run.com/)

   * [UDOO x86 Ultra](https://shop.udoo.org/eu/x86/udoo-x86-ultra.html?___from_store=eu&popup=no)

* SD Cards: http://elinux.org/RPi_SD_cards

* USB hubs: http://elinux.org/RPi_Powered_USB_Hubs



### Install an OS



* Raspbian (Recommended)

    - https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/

    - e.g. using [macOS](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/mac.md)

    - `diskutil list`

    - `diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk2`

    - `sudo dd bs=1m if=~/Downloads/2016-05-27-raspbian-jessie.img of=/dev/rdisk2`

	- Expand SD Filesystem, Overclock and optionally Boot to Desktop

		```

		raspi-config

		reboot

		```

	- Fully update the system (including firmware):

		```

		sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade && sudo rpi-update

		sudo apt-get autoremove && sudo apt-get clean && sudo reboot

		```



* Ready-made images

   - https://github.com/igorpecovnik/Debian-micro-home-server

   - http://www.htpcguides.com/arm-pi-media-server-installer-images-download-page/

   - http://www.htpcguides.com/raspberry-pi-2-home-media-server-installer-image/



* Try MINIBIAN for a minimal OS.

    - http://minibianpi.wordpress.com/

    - https://sourceforge.net/projects/minibian/

    - http://www.htpcguides.com/lightweight-raspbian-distro-minibian-initial-setup/

	1. Install utilities

		```

		apt-get update

		apt-get install nano sudo rpi-update raspi-config usbutils dosfstools -y

		apt-get remove initramfs-tools -y

		```

	2. Expand SD Filesystem, Overclock and optionally Boot to Desktop

		```

		raspi-config

		reboot

		```

	3. Update Raspberry Pi Firmware

		```

		rpi-update

		reboot

		```

	4. Update the packages and distribution

		```

		apt-get upgrade -y

		apt-get dist-upgrade -y

		```

	5. Optional WiFi tools

		`apt-get install firmware-linux-nonfree wireless-tools wpasupplicant -y`

	6. Add the user

		```

		adduser pi

		usermod -a -G sudo pi

		```

	7. Optional install GUI then enable boot to desktop

		```

		sudo apt-get install lxde -y

		sudo raspi-config

		```

	8. Clean the packages

		`sudo apt-get clean`

	9. Change the password

		`passwd`



### Setup ssh keys for passwordless login

* [Guide](https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/how-to-set-up-ssh-keys-on-linux-unix/) to create and install keys. 

* See also [here](https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/create-ssh-config-file-on-linux-unix/) for setting up shortcuts (with options) for remote server access. 



### Install Plex server

* Edit then run `setup_plex.sh` (edit for the attached hard disk type)

* Set static IP address and change hostname

* [Manual installation (deprecated)](http://www.htpcguides.com/install-plex-media-server-raspberry-pi-2-3-manually/)



### Setup transcoding

* You should set Plex to use your external hard drive for temporary transcoding data after you have mounted your drives properly.

* Click the settings icon in the top right, Click Server and then Transcoder in the left pane.

* Make sure SHOW ADVANCED is enabled underneath Server.

* Scroll down to Transcoder temporary directory and set your USB external drive’s mount path (e.g. `/mnt/usbstorage` not `/dev/sda1`)

* Scroll down further and hit Save Changes



### [Mount a harddisk](https://devtidbits.com/2013/03/21/using-usb-external-hard-disk-flash-drives-with-to-your-raspberry-pi/)

* http://www.htpcguides.com/properly-mount-usb-storage-raspberry-pi/

* http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/05/how-to-mount-a-usb-flash-disk-on-the-raspberry-pi/

* https://devtidbits.com/2013/03/21/using-usb-external-hard-disk-flash-drives-with-to-your-raspberry-pi/

* https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=38429

   ```

   dmesg

   ls -l /dev/disk/by-uuid/

   sudo blkid

   sudo fdisk -l

   cat /proc/mounts

   ```

* Test fstab

   ```

   sudo mount -a

   mount_disk.sh sda1 ext4 library

   ```

* Get format automatically? library is optional

* Move cache to external harddisk



* Backup media with `rsync [options] SOURCE DESTINATION`

   ```rsync -arvhP /mnt/backup/Music /mnt/library/```



### Setup a TV tuner

* Client

	* http://kodi.wiki/view/PVR

	* https://linuxtv.org

	DVB-T

	* https://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/DVB-T_USB_Devices

	* https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=18838

	dmesg | grep dvb-usb

	* http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/support/support_all.html?prod=30

* Plex server

	* https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/139628/plex-and-tv-tuners

	* https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/2zhap7/plex_and_ota_tuners/

	* HDHomerun https://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/ using the HDHR View Plugin (requires Plex Pass)

	* https://tvheadend.org

		- https://tvheadend.org/projects/tvheadend/wiki/AptRepository

	* http://www.mumudvb.net wget http://www.mumudvb.net/release/mumudvb_2-1_armhf.deb

	* https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi

	* http://dvblogic.com/en/dvblink/



### Move

a) transcoding cache and

b) metadata: /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Metadata/

to Harddisk before adding folders

* Click the settings icon in the top right, Click Server and then Transcoder in the left pane.

* Make sure SHOW ADVANCED is enabled underneath Server.

* Scroll down to Transcoder temporary directory and set your USB external drive’s mount path (e.g. /mnt/usbstorage not /dev/sda1)

* Scroll down further and hit Save Changes

* https://smyl.es/how-to-move-plex-metadata-and-index-data-to-new-driver-andor-directory-location/



### Open http://ip.address:32400/web and add media folders.

To manually start the plex server:

`sudo bash /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/start.sh &`



### Test

Backup existing images with dd

* Web player

* Client player e.g. RasPlex, Kodi, OSMC, LIBREELEC, OpenELEC

* Script to set up plex client on Kodi

	- http://www.htpcbeginner.com/kodi-and-plex-integration-with-plexbmc-addon/

	- https://github.com/hippojay/plugin.video.plexbmc/releases



### Build a download hub

http://www.alphr.com/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-2/1000043/raspberry-pi-2-18-of-the-best-projects-you-can-try-with-the



### Set up backups

* Mirror hard disk with scheduled rsync

* Back up SD card with scheduled dd



### Set DHCP reservation (internal) and configure dynamic dns (external)

* http://www.htpcguides.com/nag-free-dynamic-dns-raspberry-pi/

* https://www.dnsdynamic.org/api.php



### [Setup handbrake to automatically transcode files offline](https://github.com/sladebaumann/raspberry-plex)

* https://www.rapidseedbox.com/kb/beginners-guide-handbrake

* https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1335697/#Comment_1335697

* https://b3n.org/automatic-ripping-machine/

* https://github.com/mummybot/convert-videos-for-plex

* https://github.com/mdhiggins/sickbeard_mp4_automator



### [Rip DVDs to Plex](https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/5l8owa/question_best_practice_for_ripping_owned_dvds_to/)

* Handbreak (lossy ~1GB)

* MakeMKV (lossless ~4-8GB)



### Re-rip CDs to FLAC (FFmpeg, lossless audio) 

* Exact Audio Copy https://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper.htm 

* http://tmkk.undo.jp/xld/index_e.html



### Install HTPC Manager: http://htpc.io/

* http://www.htpcguides.com/install-htpc-manager-banana-pi-with-bananian/

Supports:

   * Kodi

   * Sick Beard - periodic TV show downloading

   * SABnzbd - usenet downloading

   * CouchPotato - feature length video downloading

   * Transmission - bittorrent client

   * Python

* Install

	```

	sudo apt-get install build-essential git python-imaging python-dev python-setuptools python-pip python-cherrypy vnstat smartmontools -y

	sudo pip install psutil

	sudo git clone https://github.com/Hellowlol/HTPC-Manager /opt/HTPCManager

	sudo chown -R pi:pi /opt/HTPCManager

	python /opt/HTPCManager/Htpc.py --daemon

	```

* Start at boot

	```

	sudo cp /opt/HTPCManager/initd /etc/init.d/htpcmanager

	sudo nano /etc/init.d/htpcmanager

	>> APP_PATH=/opt/HTPCManager

	sudo chmod +x /etc/init.d/htpcmanager

	sudo update-rc.d htpcmanager defaults

	```

* Access: http://ip.address:8085



### Setup Dynamic DNS

* https://www.duckdns.org/install.jsp

* https://www.dynu.com/en-US/

* https://www.duiadns.net/personal-account

* https://www.clearos.com/products/purchase/clearos-marketplace-apps/cloud/Dynamic_DNS



### Other useful services

* vsftpd

* NFS

* Samba

* nginx for reverse proxy: http://www.htpcguides.com/?s=reverse+proxy



### [Heatsink for Raspberry Pi](https://www.amazon.co.uk/GorillaPi-Raspberry-aluminium-Significant-Advantage/dp/B01FY9196K)



Plex Clients and Supported Media Formats

========================================



See [here](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/203810286-What-media-formats-are-supported-) for a list of supported media formats and support from built-in TV clients. 



Ideally videos should be **MP4** containers with **H.264** (or H.265) video encoding and **AAC** audio encoding. 



* RasPlex

    - http://www.rasplex.com/get-started/download-rasplex.html

    - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easiest-raspberry-pi-media-centre-rasplex/

* Kodi

    - http://mymediaexperience.com/raspberry-pi-xbmc-with-raspbmc/

    - http://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Install_Kodi_on_Raspberry_Pi

    - https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99866

Script to set up plex client on Kodi

    - http://www.htpcbeginner.com/kodi-and-plex-integration-with-plexbmc-addon/

    - https://github.com/hippojay/plugin.video.plexbmc/releases

* OSMC

    - https://osmc.tv/about/

* LIBREELEC

* OpenELEC

    - http://www.htpcbeginner.com/openelec-vs-osmc-raspberry-pi/2/



Honourable mentions

===================



Some other media servers/organisers to consider include:

* MediaPortal (Includes TV recording, Windows only) http://www.team-mediaportal.com

* MythTV https://www.mythtv.org (also has a plugin for Kodi)

* Emby (clone of plex)

* https://github.com/RasPlex/OpenPHT (Fork of RasPlex)