I have ripped most of my DVDs and BluRays and they now live on my NAS. Locally I watch them using Kodi on a Raspberry Pi, or simply through my smart tv.

But I also want to be able to watch them on the go. Kodi has a web interface but that's mainly for using it as a remote control. You can watch movies remotely in a web browser with Kodi, but since it doesn't do any transcoding, if your web browser doesn't have the proper codecs (like, most) you are not able to play the movie. And subtitles, skipping forwards/backwards, surround audio, all don't work.

So yesterday I installed PLEX Media Server on a Raspberry Pi 4. I was under the impression that would allow me to do what I want. I did not create a Plex account. And although I can watch my movies locally from a computer in the same network, I can't figure out how to watch them over the internet.

I have forwarded an external port to the Plex port. When I connect to it (from the internet), I get a message saying that the Plex server resides on my computer and it wants me to log in using Facebook, Google, Email or a Plex account. If I do, I'm presented with a whole bunch of movies and other media, none which resides on my network.

So am I not understanding correctly what Plex does? Can I get it to do what I want? Simply view my own media over the internet?

I have Plex and im pretty sure to do remote you have to have an account and plex pass.

Edit: i remember now it was to unlock some app features is why i did it not for remote.

[This message has been edited by skywurz (edited 03-01-2022).]

In order to use Plex via an app on Android/IOS, you have to have the Plex Pass, which is a paid service.
You can buy lifetime (I have it) which pays for itself in about two years, or you can subscribe.

You can access Plex via web browser without having to have a Plex Pass by hitting it at your external IP, but you do need a Plex account if you want to do so in a secure manner.
Otherwise, you can just do a standard port forwarding rule to your internal Plex server's IP and Port (usually 32400).

In Plex Media Server, click the wrench on the top right (Settings). On the left under your server, choose the Remote Access menu item.
On the right side, choose to show Advanced settings.
Confirm your port, as selected.
Then configure a port forward in your router to the Plex server.

[This message has been edited by Synthesis (edited 03-01-2022).]

quote Originally posted by Synthesis: You can access Plex via web browser without having to have a Plex Pass by hitting it at your external IP, but you do need a Plex account if you want to do so in a secure manner. Otherwise, you can just do a standard port forwarding rule to your internal Plex server's IP and Port (usually 32400).

Which is exactly what I had done. I had forwarded a port n my router to the rPi's port 32400. When I connect to my external IP (at the forwarded port), I get a Plex screen which asks me to login. I cannot bypass the login screen and when I login (with facebook for example) I get movies/shows/other media that are not mine.

Hi Cliff, I think your own server may be 'hidden' in favor of Plex's own content which is what you are seeing. Do you see your server at all on the sidebar on the left after you are logged in? At the bottom of the sidebar there is a 'More >' button, is your server in there?

Hey greenturnedblue, welcome to the forum!

The only thing I see in the sidebar is this:

Hey thanks haha. I don't think the issue is very complicated with port forwarding or anything like that. I remember having this problem setting up my own server several years ago but I don't really remember what the fix was. What device are you trying to watch on? I don't think it is linked with the server on your rPi. Try logging out of both, and logging back in with the exact same username and password

I think the root of the issue is because you are not signed in to any account on your server