如果您已经厌倦了在流媒体服务之间切换(switching between streaming services)以确切地找出您当时想观看的内容，那么可能是时候构建自己的媒体服务器了。
在所有可能的媒体服务器中，Plex是将所有节目、电影、播客和音乐存放在一个易于访问的地方的最简单方法。根据您设置Plex服务器的方式，您甚至可以在家中流式传输您的内容，无论您身在何处。
Plex服务器最好的部分是它不需要专用机器来运行，但通常最好留出一个特定的Plex服务器硬件设备专门用于该目的。关键是确保机器能够处理你扔给它的任何东西。
Plex 服务器要求(Plex Server Requirements)
Plex服务器比其他任何东西都更依赖CPU 。在流式传输视频时，它需要大量的处理能力来对视频进行转码，如果您在视频中添加字幕(add subtitles)和其他附加内容，则需要更多的处理能力。
Plex官方推荐Intel Core i3 或更快的处理器作为最低处理器，但通常建议使用更快的处理器。Plex也不使用太多RAM。只要您有至少 2 GB 的RAM ，运行(RAM)Plex 服务器(Plex Server)应该不会有任何困难。当然，更多的RAM永远不会受到伤害，特别是如果您打算同时使用计算机执行其他任务。
如果这一切听起来很复杂，那么好消息是您可以购买许多预构建的Plex 服务器硬件设备。(Plex Server)您需要做的就是在它们上安装适当的软件。我们收集了最好的预建选项，以帮助您以最小的努力启动和运行您的Plex服务器。(Plex)
最好的预建 Plex 服务器(The Best Pre-Built Plex Servers)
如果您不想从头开始构建您的Plex服务器，那么预构建的机器也可以执行同样的操作。(Plex)
Raspberry Pi是一款小型计算机，可以像普通 PC 一样执行大多数任务，但成本只是其中的一小部分。您可以从Amazon以不到 50 美元的价格购买Raspberry Pi 4。
虽然设置需要一些技术知识，但有数百个教程可帮助您导航机器。
Raspberry Pi 4不是世界上最强大的设备，也不是远距离流式传输和转码电影的最佳选择，但如果您希望Plex服务器(Plex)Raspberry PI(Raspberry PI)设备直接在家中播放电影，这是一个绝佳的选择用于直接连接到屏幕。
Nvidia Shield TV Pro是目前最强大的Plex服务器硬件设备之一。硬件足够强大，可以同时处理几个不同的东西的转码，并且可以通过USB驱动器和 microSD 卡添加额外的板载存储。
您可以通过多个天线直接流式传输到Nvidia Shield 。作为一个额外的好处，Shield是流媒体游戏、模拟器等的绝佳设备。无论(Whether)是作为全能设备还是专用Plex机器，Nvidia Shield TV Pro都是一个不错的选择。
ThinkCentre M75q Tiny是一款紧凑、功能强大的机器，是Plex服务器硬件的绝佳选择。它大大超出了最低要求，并具有3.4 GHz的两核(GHz)AMD处理器。
它拥有 500 GB 的硬盘驱动器，可为电影和电视节目提供充足的存储空间，但它还有四个用于连接外部驱动器的 USB端口。(USB)
鉴于联想 M75q Tiny(Lenovo M75q Tiny)的小尺寸，它可以舒适地放置在大多数电视(TVs)下方进行直接连接，但也可以远程放置在家中进行流媒体播放。最好的部分是M75q Tiny起价仅为 340 美元。
英特尔NUC 迷你电脑(Intel NUC Mini Pc)是一款功能强大且成本低廉的小型设备。它有一个速度高达 2.3 GHz的(GHz)Intel Celeron处理器和一个 500 GB 的硬盘驱动器。默认情况下，它不附带RAM，尽管有两个扩展槽。它将支持高达 8 GB 的RAM，并具有可选的Thunderbolt 3.0端口。它的起价为 148 美元，是预建Plex(Plex)服务器最实惠的选择之一。
一旦找到适合您的硬件，剩下的就是在机器上安装Plex软件。该软件将使您能够将媒体流式传输到家中的任何兼容设备或家外的远程设备。对于旅途中的影迷来说，Plex服务器是访问媒体库的好方法，无需在笔记本电脑或平板电脑的硬盘上安装数十部电影。
The 4 Best Pre-Built Plex Servers
If you’ve grown tired of switching between streaming services to find out exactly which one has the content you feel like watching at that moment, it may be time to build your own media server.
Of all the possible media servers out there, Plex is the easiest way to house all of your shows, movies, podcasts, and music in a single, easy-to-access place. Depending on how you set up your Plex server, you can even stream your content from your home no matter where you are.
The best part about a Plex server is that it doesn’t require a dedicated machine to operate, but it’s often a good idea to set aside one particular Plex server hardware device to use exclusively for that purpose. The key is making sure the machine is capable of handling whatever you throw at it.
Plex Server Requirements
A Plex server relies more on CPU than anything else. It requires a lot of processing power to transcode the video as it is streamed, and even more power if you add subtitles and other additions to the video.
Plex officially recommends an Intel Core i3 or faster as the minimum processor, although faster is generally recommended. Plex doesn’t use much RAM, either. As long as you have at least 2 GB of RAM, you should have no difficulty running a Plex Server. Of course, more RAM never hurts, especially if you plan to use the computer for other tasks at the same time.
If this all sounds complicated, the good news is that there are numerous pre-built Plex Server hardware devices you can purchase. All you need to do is install the appropriate software on them. We’ve rounded up the best pre-built options to help you get your Plex server up and running with minimal effort.
The Best Pre-Built Plex Servers
If you do not want to build your Plex server from the ground up, a pre-built machine can perform just as well.
The Raspberry Pi is a pint-sized computer that can perform most tasks just as well as a normal PC, but at a fraction of the cost. You can purchase a Raspberry Pi 4 for less than $50 from Amazon.
While it takes a bit of technical know-how to get set up, there are hundreds of tutorials available to help you navigate the machine.
The Raspberry Pi 4 isn’t the most powerful device in the world and is not the best choice for streaming and transcoding movies over distance, but if you want a Plex server Raspberry PI device to play movies directly in your home, it’s a fantastic option for connecting directly to a screen.
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is one of the most powerful Plex server hardware devices out there. The hardware is strong enough to handle transcoding several different things at once, and additional onboard storage can be added via USB drives and microSD cards.
You can stream directly to the Nvidia Shield through multiple antennae. As an added benefit, the Shield is a great device for streaming games, emulators, and more. Whether as an all-around device or a dedicated Plex machine, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is a great choice.
The ThinkCentre M75q Tiny is a compact, powerful machine that is a great choice for a Plex server hardware. It exceeds the minimum requirements by quite a bit and has a two-core AMD processor with 3.4 GHz.
With a 500 GB hard drive, it has plenty of storage for films and TV shows, but it also has four USB ports for attaching external drives.
Given the small size of the Lenovo M75q Tiny, it fits comfortably under most TVs for a direct connection, but can also be placed remotely in the home for streaming. The best part is that the M75q Tiny starts at just $340.
The Intel NUC Mini Pc is a powerful little device with a low cost. It has an Intel Celeron processor that reaches speeds of up to 2.3 GHz and a 500 GB hard drive. By default, it does not come with RAM, although there are two expansion slots. It will support up to 8 GB of RAM and has an optional Thunderbolt 3.0 port. It starts at $148 and is one of the most affordable options for a pre-built Plex server.
Once you find the hardware that works for you, all that is left is to install the Plex software on the machine. The software will enable you to stream your media to any compatible device within your home or to remote devices outside of your home. For the cinephile on the go, a Plex server is a great way to reach your media library without installing dozens of movies on your laptop or tablet’s hard drive.
