¶ Setting Up Plex Media Server
¶ Table of Contents
- What is Plex?
- Quick Start Guide
- Getting Started with Plex
- Device-Specific Setup Instructions
- Customizing Your Experience
- Finding Content
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- FAQ
- Need Help?
¶ What is Plex? 🎬
Plex is a media streaming platform that has two main components:
-
Plex Media Server also known as Imnita Mediaverse - This is what I run from my home. I've been maintaining this server as a hobby since 2016, hosting my personal collection of movies, TV shows, and music. Everything you watch streams directly from my house to yours.
-
Plex App - This is the application developed by Plex Inc. that you'll install on your devices to access my media server. While Plex (the company) offers their own free ad-supported content, our setup focuses on my personal media collection.
When you use our Plex system, you're connecting to my personal media server through Plex's application. Unlike commercial streaming services, this is a hobby project - there's no data collection, no advertisements (unless you enable Plex's free content), and no subscription fees.
Think of it as a personal library that I've digitized and made available to friends and family rather than a commercial service like Netflix.
¶ Quick Start Guide ⚡
For returning users who just need a reminder:
- Download the Plex app on your device
- Sign in with your Plex account
- Select Imnita Mediaverse from your servers
- ⚠️ Check your Quality Settings (set to Maximum)
- Turn off Plex's free content in settings
¶ Getting Started with Plex 🚀
¶ Step 1: Create a Plex Account 📝
Difficulty: Easy
Before you can access the media server, you'll need a free Plex account:
- Visit plex.tv/sign-up
- Enter your email address and create a password
- Verify your email address by clicking the link they send you
¶ Step 2: Download the Plex App 📱
Difficulty: Easy
Download Plex for your preferred device:
-
Smartphones/Tablets:
-
Computers:
-
Streaming Devices: (Recommended for best experience)
- Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.
- Search for "Plex" in your device's app store
💡 Important Tip: For the best streaming experience, we recommend using a dedicated streaming device (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.) rather than just your TV's built-in apps. This typically provides better performance and fewer buffering issues.
¶ Step 3: Sign In to Your Plex Account 🔑
Difficulty: Easy
Open the Plex app on your device and sign in with the account you created in Step 1.
¶ Step 4: First-Time Setup - Choosing the Correct Source 🔍
Difficulty: Medium
When you first log in to Plex, you may see multiple server options:
- Look for and select "Imnita Mediaverse" from the available servers
- This is the main media server with all the content
¶ Step 5: Setting Up Your Pinned Sources ⭐
Difficulty: Medium
For the best experience, make sure these libraries are pinned (checked):
- Watchlist
- Cinema Central (Movies library)
- Anime Sanctuary (Anime library)
- Televerse (TV Shows library)
- Music Vault (Music library)
- Playlists
You can safely uncheck any other options as they are Plex's free ad-supported content.
¶ ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Adjusting Video Quality ⚠️
Difficulty: Medium
By default, Plex sets your quality to 720p, which isn't optimal. Here's how to improve it:
- In the Plex app, go to Settings (gear icon ⚙️)
- Find "Quality" settings
- For good internet connections: Set to "Maximum" or at least 8Mbps 1080p
- For slower connections: Choose a lower setting like 4Mbps 720p
💡 Why This Matters: Setting the correct quality ensures you get the best possible viewing experience. The default 720p setting often doesn't show the true quality of the content available.
¶ Step 6: Mobile Device Note - One-Time Fee 💰
Difficulty: Easy
If you're using the Plex app on a mobile device (phone or tablet):
- Plex requires a one-time fee to unlock watching for more than a minute
- Free Alternative: You can use your device's web browser and visit plex.imnita.net/web instead to avoid this fee
¶ Step 7: Connect to Our Plex Server 🔗
Difficulty: Easy
To access our shared media library, you'll need an invitation:
¶ Option 1: Using an Invite Link
- You'll receive an invite link that looks like: https://invite.imnita.net/i/DDOVQP
- Click the link and follow the on-screen instructions
- The website will connect your Plex account to the Imnita Mediaverse server
¶ Option 2: Using an Invite Code
- You'll receive an invite code (e.g., DDOVQP)
- Visit invite.imnita.net
- Enter your invite code in the provided field
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your account
¶ Need an Invitation?
- Ask me in person for an invite code or link
- Or email imnitaservers@gmail.com to request access
The invite system will guide you through the process of linking your Plex account to the Imnita Mediaverse server.
¶ Device-Specific Setup Instructions 📲
Below are setup instructions for popular devices. For each device, I've included basic steps to get you started, plus a link to detailed guides with screenshots if you need additional help.
¶ Roku Setup
Difficulty: Easy
- On your Roku, go to the Channel Store
- Search for "Plex" and select it
- Select "Add Channel" to install Plex
- Once installed, open the Plex app
- Choose "Sign In" and follow the on-screen instructions
- When prompted, go to plex.tv/link on your computer or phone
- Enter the code shown on your TV screen
- After signing in, select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed Roku Setup Guide with Screenshots
¶ Amazon Fire TV/Firestick
Difficulty: Easy
- From the Fire TV home screen, go to the search option
- Search for "Plex" and select it from the results
- Select "Download" or "Get" to install the app
- Once installed, open the Plex app
- Choose "Sign In"
- Either sign in with your username/password or use the link code method
- After signing in, select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed Fire TV Setup Guide with Screenshots
¶ Apple TV
Difficulty: Easy
- On your Apple TV, go to the App Store
- Search for "Plex" and select it
- Click "Get" to download and install
- Once installed, open the Plex app
- Select "Sign In"
- When prompted, go to plex.tv/link on your computer or phone
- Enter the code shown on your TV screen
- After signing in, select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed Apple TV Setup Guide with Screenshots
¶ Smart TV (LG WebOS)
Difficulty: Medium
- Go to your TV's app store
- Search for "Plex" and install it
- Open the Plex app
- Sign in with your Plex account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
- Note: TV apps often have performance issues. For a better experience, consider using a dedicated streaming device.
📚 Detailed LG WebOS TV Setup Guide with Screenshots
¶ Android TV
Difficulty: Easy
- From your Android TV home screen, go to the Google Play Store
- Search for "Plex" and select it
- Click "Install" to download the app
- Once installed, open the Plex app
- Sign in with your Plex account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed Android TV Setup Guide with Screenshots
¶ Game Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
Difficulty: Easy
- Go to the console's store (PlayStation Store or Xbox Store)
- Search for "Plex" and download it
- Launch the app after installation
- Sign in with your Plex account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed PlayStation Setup Guide | Detailed Xbox Setup Guide
¶ Windows/Mac Computers
Difficulty: Easy
- Download Plex from plex.tv/downloads
- Install the application on your computer
- Launch Plex and sign in with your account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed Windows/Mac Setup Guide
¶ Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
Difficulty: Easy
⚠️ Note about Mobile Apps: Plex requires a one-time $5 activation fee for mobile devices to watch content for more than 1 minute. This is paid directly to Plex within the app. Once activated for your account, all devices of the same type (iOS or Android) will be unlocked.
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Download Plex from the App Store
- Open the app and sign in with your Plex account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
Android:
- Download Plex from the Google Play Store
- Open the app and sign in with your Plex account
- Select "Imnita Mediaverse" from available servers
📚 Detailed iOS Setup Guide | Detailed Android Setup Guide
¶ Web Browser
Difficulty: Easy
You can also access Plex through any web browser:
- Go to plex.imnita.net/web
- Sign in with your Plex account
- The Imnita Mediaverse content will be displayed
📚 Detailed Plex Web Player Guide
¶ Understanding Transcoding and Quality Settings ⚙️
Why quality settings matter:
By default, Plex sets your quality to 720p, which isn't optimal. Here's why:
- Transcoding (converting video to a lower quality) affects picture quality and puts load on the server
- Direct Play (streaming without conversion) provides faster loading, better quality, and less server strain
- Higher quality settings enable you to see every pixel as intended
For the best experience, adjust your quality settings on each device using the guides above.
💡 Tip: If you experience buffering with maximum quality, try lowering to the next quality level down until you find the sweet spot for your internet connection.
¶ Customizing Your Experience ⚙️
¶ Hiding Plex's Free Content 🚫
Difficulty: Easy
To focus only on our shared library and hide Plex's ad-supported content:
- In the Plex app, go to Settings (look for the gear icon ⚙️)
- Look for "Online Media Sources" or similar option
- Turn OFF all options like "Free Movies & TV", "Web Shows", etc.
- Now when you open Plex, you'll only see our shared content
¶ Finding Content 🔎
¶ Exploring Our Libraries 📚
The Imnita Mediaverse includes several specialized libraries:
- Cinema Central - Our comprehensive movie collection
- Televerse - TV shows from around the world
- Anime Sanctuary - Dedicated anime content
- Music Vault - Music collection
¶ Creating Watchlists 📋
Difficulty: Easy
To save content for later:
- Browse or search for a movie or show you're interested in
- Click on the poster
- Click the "Add to Watchlist" button (usually looks like a bookmark or plus icon)
- Access your Watchlist anytime from the home screen or sidebar
¶ Creating Playlists 🎵
Difficulty: Medium
For custom content collections:
- Find a movie, episode, or song you want in your playlist
- Click the three dots menu (⋮) or "More" option
- Select "Add to Playlist"
- Choose an existing playlist or create a new one
- Access your playlists from the sidebar or home screen
¶ Continue Watching ▶️
Plex automatically keeps track of what you're watching - look for the "Continue Watching" section on your home screen to pick up where you left off.
¶ Subtitles and Audio 🔤
Difficulty: Easy
Good news! The server has a tool running in the background that automatically selects the appropriate subtitles and audio tracks based on your viewing habits. The system learns from the content you watch and will select your preferred language automatically.
To manually adjust subtitles or audio during playback:
- While playing content, look for the subtitle/audio icon (typically looks like a speech bubble or sound icon)
- Select your preferred subtitle language or audio track
- The system will remember your preferences for future content
¶ Requesting New Content 🎬
To request new movies or TV shows:
- Visit overseerr.imnita.net
- Sign in with your Plex account
- Search for the content you want
- Click the "Request" button
- See our Overseerr Guide for more details
¶ Troubleshooting Common Issues 🛠️
¶ Buffering or Playback Issues ⏳
If videos keep stopping or buffering:
- ✅ Try lowering the video quality in settings
- ✅ Check your internet connection speed
- ✅ Important: TV built-in apps often have buffering issues. For a better experience, use a dedicated streaming device like Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast.
¶ Can't See the Server ❓
If you can't see our Plex server:
- ✅ Make sure you're signed in with the correct account
- ✅ Make sure you've selected "Imnita Mediaverse" from the server list
- ✅ Check if the server is online on our status page
- ✅ Contact me for assistance
¶ App Crashing 💥
If the Plex app keeps crashing:
- ✅ Update the app to the latest version
- ✅ Restart your device
- ✅ Reinstall the app if problems persist
¶ FAQ ❓
¶ Why is this free?
Because it is my hobby that I am able to share with close friends and family. I enjoy collecting and organizing media content, and sharing it makes the hobby more rewarding.
¶ Can I add movies and TV shows to the Plex?
Yes! You can visit overseerr.imnita.net and login with your Plex credentials to request content.
¶ When does a new movie or TV show become available?
Usually when the content is released for digital streaming, as that is when content will look the best. In most cases, this is a few months after theatrical release for movies, or shortly after airing for TV shows.
¶ What can I do if content is incorrect, broken or anything else that is not right?
Report it as an issue in overseerr.imnita.net by finding the title and clicking the caution-looking button.
¶ Why does streaming sometimes buffer or stop?
If you are streaming directly through just the TV's built-in app, unfortunately this might be the issue. Try using a streaming device like a Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV for a better experience.
¶ Can I download content to watch offline?
By default no you cannot, but if you would like to, always ask me and I can grant the permission.
¶ How do I find content I've already started watching?
Plex should show it to you on your home page via the "Continue Watching" section.
¶ What devices work best with your Plex server?
As long as you're not using just the TV's built-in software and are using any sort of external device with streaming capabilities that can download Plex from its store, you should have a great experience.
¶ Is there a limit to how many people can watch at once?
No, there is not. I do not have a problem with account sharing. If you want to add someone you know onto the server, let me know and I might consider it (remember this is not free for me as the host).
¶ Plex Glossary 📚
- Server - The computer hosting media files (in this case, my Imnita Mediaverse)
- Client - The device you use to watch content (phone, TV, etc.)
- Library - A collection of specific media types (movies, TV shows, etc.)
- Transcoding - Converting media to a compatible format for your device
- Direct Play - Playing media without conversion (best performance)
- Watchlist - Your personal list of content you want to watch later
¶ Need Help? 📞
If you're having trouble that isn't covered here, please email me at imnitaservers@gmail.com.
¶ Server Status 📊
You can always check if the Plex server is online by visiting help.imnita.net/status