(I cross posted this on Plex too)
I’m looking to create an easy solution that is child/wife friendly. I’m hoping to get a set up going without internet. I however would like it to run like a Chromecast with plex.
I was thinking of a
Dell Optiplex 3020M Mini PC USFF, running windows 10
An external hard drive with content.
From here is where I have gaps. Could I set up a plex server offline on the device, with plex media player and use an Flirc remote with pre-programmed buttons?
Essentially, I’m trying to create the experience of watching Netflix on a Chromecast but with plex and a pc remote control of some sort (with pre-programmed buttons that load up content so kid and wife only have to press one or two buttons to get to their shows)
Thanks!
The best way (but not the cheapest) to emulate an android TV with Netflix is to buy a Chromecast for the existing TV and then access a service with that Dell Optiplex you were thinking of.
Then you can do this:
Jellyfin on TrueNAS. Super easy to install and administrate and will not break or complain like windows without prolonged internet access. Jellyfin will have 0 problems without internet where Plex will eventually have some authentication issues because they are closed down and proprietary.
Then you would just install the jellyfin app on the Chromecast (or any Android TV box), add a few accounts for whoever wants a seperate watch list, and off you go: Netflix without Netflix.
How you get content is still a hole though. Workflow of ripping Blu-Ray is very different than torrenting. For the latter you will have a harder time without internet, but setting up radarr/sonarr/prowlarr/bazarr is worth it.
Honestly you should buy blurays anyways as its always good practice to own your media.