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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ErsatzTV Legacy can turn movies and shows in a Plex library into scheduled, custom live channels. The setup is to connect and sync Plex libraries in ErsatzTV, build collections, create a channel and schedule, attach the schedule with a playout, then add ErsatzTV to Plex Live TV & DVR. ErsatzTV’s Plex documentation says this integration requires Plex Pass, and Plex clients directly support MPEG-TS channel streaming.
What you need before starting
- ErsatzTV Legacy: It is available as Docker images and native packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Docker guide says Docker on Windows and macOS is unsupported and recommends native installation on those platforms. See ErsatzTV’s Docker installation guide.
- Plex Pass: ErsatzTV’s Plex integration documentation states that Plex Pass is required. Check the Plex client guide for current setup details.
- Network and media access: ErsatzTV must be able to reach your Plex server. If you plan to access files directly rather than stream through Plex, it also needs access to the corresponding media paths.
ErsatzTV’s Docker example exposes port 8409, mounts a writable configuration directory at /config, and mounts media paths. It also describes /transcode as an optional tmpfs mount. These are example container settings, not universal hardware requirements.
Install ErsatzTV and connect Plex
- Install ErsatzTV using the method appropriate for your operating system. If you use Docker, follow the official Docker guide; on Windows or macOS, use a native package instead.
- Open ErsatzTV’s web interface and go to Media Sources > Plex.
- Sign in to Plex, then open the settings for the Plex server you want to use.
- Enable synchronization for each library you want available in ErsatzTV, then save.
The synchronization is one-way into ErsatzTV: Plex supplies media metadata, and ErsatzTV says this integration does not change Plex configuration or media. Plex-synchronized libraries support movies and shows. For the source’s setup steps and details, see ErsatzTV’s Plex media-source guide and its media documentation.
Choose how ErsatzTV accesses your media
By default, ErsatzTV streams media from the Plex source. If you want ErsatzTV to read files directly, expose the same storage shares or mounts to it. The Plex media-source guide recommends matching shares and mounts as the approach most likely to work without extra configuration. Alternatively, configure Plex-path-to-local-path replacements so ErsatzTV can translate Plex’s paths to paths it can access.
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Create collections for channel programming
ErsatzTV schedules collections, not individual media items, so create the collections that will supply the programs for your channel. The available collection types serve different purposes:
- Manual collections contain items you select yourself.
- Smart collections fill dynamically using searches or imported Trakt lists.
- Multi collections combine other collections and smart collections.
See ErsatzTV’s collections documentation for the collection setup options.
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Create a channel, schedule, and playout
Set up the channel
Add a channel in ErsatzTV and choose its channel number and stream mode. Because this channel will be watched through Plex clients, select MPEG-TS; ErsatzTV’s Plex guide identifies it as the channel mode directly supported by Plex clients.
Build a schedule
A schedule determines the playback order and can include schedule items configured to draw from your collections. ErsatzTV documents a shuffle option, but using it disables fixed start times and flood mode. If you need those schedule behaviors, do not enable that shuffle setting. See the schedule documentation for available controls.
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Attach the schedule with a playout
Create a playout to associate your schedule with the channel. The schedule defines the ordering; the playout connects that programming to the channel and tracks ordered playback. If you attach the same schedule through separate playouts, the channels may not show the same current content. Refer to ErsatzTV’s playout documentation.
Choose a stream mode with the client in mind
ErsatzTV documents HLS Segmenter, MPEG-TS, and HLS Direct. The right choice depends on where you intend to watch, as well as transcoding, watermark, and program-boundary needs.
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| Mode | Documented behavior | Fit for Plex clients |
|---|---|---|
| HLS Segmenter | Transcodes, supports watermarks, and is described as providing the best performance at program boundaries. | Not the mode ErsatzTV’s Plex guide identifies as directly supported. |
| MPEG-TS | A light wrapper around HLS Segmenter; supports clients that require an HDHomeRun tuner. | Use this for direct Plex-client playback, according to ErsatzTV’s Plex documentation. |
| HLS Direct | Does not transcode and may perform better on low-power systems, but does not support watermarks and can have program-boundary issues with some clients. | Not the mode ErsatzTV’s Plex guide identifies as directly supported. |
The HDHomeRun reference describes client compatibility; ErsatzTV’s documentation does not make buying a tuner a requirement. For more detail, see the channel and stream-mode documentation alongside the Plex guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Add ErsatzTV to Plex Live TV & DVR
- In Plex, open Settings > Live TV & DVR and choose the option to add a DVR.
- Allow Plex to discover ErsatzTV. If it does not appear automatically, enter the ErsatzTV server address and port. The ErsatzTV guide’s example is
192.168.1.100:8409; use the address reachable from your Plex server, not necessarily that example. - When Plex presents the channel list, select the ErsatzTV channels you want to add.
- Choose the XMLTV guide URL provided by ErsatzTV and complete Plex’s setup.
Menu names and available controls can vary as Plex and ErsatzTV change. The current integration instructions are in ErsatzTV’s Plex client documentation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Smooth 4K Ultra HD Playback] This 4K@30Hz HDMI digital media player utilizes H.265/HEVC decoding technology, enabling playback of videos up to 4096×2304 resolution compared to H.264 or 1080P, delivering a clearer and smoother picture.
- [Plug and Play] The HD media player is easy to use, requiring no WiFi or app. It supports direct playback/copying/deletion of videos, music, photos, PPTs, and PDFs from USB storage devices or Micro SD cards. Equipped with dual USB ports, this media player can also connect to a mouse/keyboard or speakers.
- [HDMI RCA Optical Outputs] This media player connects to TVs, digital signage displays, or projectors via an HDMI port for crisp 4K video playback. The player also comes with analog RCA output to hook up legacy older TVs and monitors, plus built-in optical audio port to transmit lossless digital surround sound to soundbars, amplifiers and home theater audio systems, delivering immersive high-fidelity audio without signal loss.
- [TV Projector or Digital Signage] This 4K media player supports autoplay, loop playback, and shuffle playback, and supports both landscape and portrait display modes. HDMI media player can run continuously, making it ideal for TV projector or digital signage such as restaurant welcome videos, reception videos, and art and museum installations.
- [Extensive Compatibility] This media player for TV can play media files from USB hard drives up to 8TB in capacity or micro SD cards up to 1TB in capacity. Supported file systems include FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Supported formats include: H.265/HEVC (MKV, MOV, AVI), MPEG, FLV, RM, 3GP, MP4, WMV, RMVB, DAT, MPG, TS, M2TS, JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, MP3, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, WMA, etc.
Troubleshoot the common setup snags
- A library or title is missing: Confirm synchronization is enabled for the intended Plex library and saved. Plex-synchronized media covers movies and shows; it does not expose every media kind supported by ErsatzTV’s local libraries.
- ErsatzTV cannot access a file directly: Use Plex streaming, make the same media share or mount available to ErsatzTV, or configure a path replacement.
- Plex does not discover ErsatzTV: Enter the ErsatzTV host address and port manually in the DVR setup. Ensure the address is accessible from the Plex server and that ErsatzTV’s configured port is reachable.
- A channel will not play in Plex: Check that the channel uses MPEG-TS, the mode the ErsatzTV Plex documentation specifies for direct playback in Plex clients.
- Schedule timing or order differs from expectations: Review whether shuffle is enabled; ErsatzTV documents that shuffle disables fixed start times and flood mode. Also verify that the channel has its own intended playout attached.
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