
However, transcoding is extremely important when using Chromecast or Apple TV as both devices have extremely limited video format support. Both types of devices are fast enough to play Full HD videos and it's easy enough to get apps that will play practically any video format. This isn't that useful when considering just mobiles and tablets. The combination of the Plex server and client means that any file can play on any device without first having to re-encode them manually. If the video that you're requesting isn't a supported format the Plex server can take the file and re-encode it live into a format that the client understands.

When the client connects to the server it can describe which video formats it can play. However, it's the client that makes it act differently. Plex works and acts like any DLNA server you may already have, such as the one built into your NAS. The server is completely free and is also DLNA compliant, which means that any DLNA device (TV, smartphone, games console, etc) can connect to it and start streaming content. Plex is actually a combination of two things: a server where all of your media sits and a client, which you use to access your data.

Plex Transcoding and how it differs from a DLNA media server Anyway, as we intend to stream local media to Chromecast, it is not necessary to use Android app. Please note, Plex web app for PC is free, but the app for Android is not free. With Plex, the free Plex media server and the free web app (for PC) will solve both problems. The video format is limited by Chromecast supported media, for example, all RMVB files, most mkv files, some AVI files cannot be casted with these apps unless the media server also transcodes for the media.Of course, if you check Play store, you can find some decent free apps that support local media streaming to Chromecast, e.g., BubbleUPnP.īut there are two problems in using these apps to stream local contents to Chromecast:

Based on the apps listed on the official Chromecast apps page, the possible free solution is only Plex. Since we need a media server and a web app that supports Chromecast, the choice actually is very limited. In the market, there are many media servers like Roku, NVIDIA SHIELD, Emby Media Server, Raspberry Pi. In this article we'll show you how to set up Plex on your home network and start streaming over your home network using your PC, Mac, Android/iOS tablet and smartphone, Chromecast, Apple TV and even NAS device. As an amazing media-streaming app, Plex is already available on a wide variety of platforms like Chromecast, Apple TV, NAS device, Android, iOS, etc., it will soon be the easiest way to blast local (and pirated) content from your laptop or elsewhere to watch on the big screen using Plex.
