Plex Cloud beta launches, uses Amazon Drive subscription to store user media

Posted:
in General Discussion
The Plex developers have commenced testing of Amazon Drive as a storage venue for media, with future versions of the Plex app on iOS and tvOS able to stream stored video without the need for a network attached storage device, or a home server.




Plex calls the Amazon Drive integration "the simplest way" to run Plex media streaming. There is no migration tool of existing media stored on an existing server, so users who wish to use the feature will need to manually upload owned media to Amazon Drive for internet streaming.

To utilize the feature after it goes live, users need the subscription Plex Pass for $4 per month or $40 per year, as well as a paid Amazon Drive subscription. Amazon Drive is $60 per month, and allows for unlimited user storage and streaming.

Not included in the Plex Cloud beta are DLNA support, Cloud Sync, Camera Upload, Plex DVR, and Media Optimizer. Plex does not do any file level encryption or modify files stored on Amazon Drive in any way.

At this time, only Amazon Drive is supported, with Plex claiming that it is evaluating support for other cloud storage providers for future inclusion in the program.



While the iOS, and tvOS Plex app is free, it requires a one-time $5 activation fee to stream more than one minute of video from a Plex Media Server if the Plex Pass subscription is not purchased.

Beta signups are live now, but priority is given to Plex Pass subscribers.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    Correction: I believe Amazon Drive is $60 per *year*, not per month.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    Pretty cool but I wouldn't pay $64 a month for this

    edit: if it's $60 a year as the above poster states, I'd jump on this in a second 
  • Reply 3 of 6
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,241member
    Not me. Why would I want to pay for Amazon cloud storage when I already have access to my local Mac for media storage? I also can stream all purchased media from iCloud and that storage is free. I know there are some people who hate iTunes but why would I want to pay for another media streaming app when I can get one for free?
  • Reply 4 of 6
    rob53 said:
    Not me. Why would I want to pay for Amazon cloud storage when I already have access to my local Mac for media storage? I also can stream all purchased media from iCloud and that storage is free. I know there are some people who hate iTunes but why would I want to pay for another media streaming app when I can get one for free?
    Why? 1. Because your local Mac always has to be on or signed into the correct account. No worries with cloud. 2. Some people have other media not purchased from iTunes. If you're happy with Apple iTunes, no one is forcing you to change. But isn't is great there are other options?
    [Deleted User]
  • Reply 5 of 6
    jbdragonjbdragon Posts: 2,305member
    supadav03 said:
    Pretty cool but I wouldn't pay $64 a month for this

    edit: if it's $60 a year as the above poster states, I'd jump on this in a second 
    I have a nice big fat NAS. I had some issues with files I tried to install and it screwed things up. So I wiped it and then found out one of the 2 HDD I used to backup, the 3TB one looks to be screwed up!!! My new 8TB HDD I got for backup is just fine, though it's taking forever to copy all my files from that back on. But if it's $60 UNLIMITED, sounds like a cheap way to get a cloud backup!!! PLEX is all about MOVIES and TV which are large files. Think they would care if I start uploading TB's of Data, say like 12TB and only pay $60 per year to keep it? Sounds like a good deal for me, and it is for PLEX!!! When I get my NAS restored here is a few days I'm going to have to look into it. I just upgraded my ReadyNAS 516 by basically turning it into a 716. Other then the 10GB Ethernet the 716 has. I swap CPU's using the same as the 716 and went from 4 gig's of EEC ram to 16 Gig's. Why not! Where my 516 would choke and buffer a lot trying to transcode a 4K video down to 1080P for my TV to play, now it's not a problem. Mainly it's from 1080p to 720p and being uploaded off site. to a friends house. PLEX really is like your own personal Netflix type service, but better. It's all content YOU like as you put it there in the first place and it doesn't come and go unless you delete it yourself. Or you get a NAS and your storage grows and grows and grows. I have 6 3TB HDD in mine.
  • Reply 6 of 6
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    supadav03 said:
    Pretty cool but I wouldn't pay $64 a month for this

    edit: if it's $60 a year as the above poster states, I'd jump on this in a second 
    I bought a Mac mini and stuck it on ethernet connected to my Apple 2TB Time Capsule as a dedicated Plex Server for all my own ripped videos.  Plex is awesome.  However, since the advent of Netflix and Amazon Prime I've used it less and less to the point where it's only used now for visiting grandchildren to watch kids videos.  The world is changing fast!
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