How to Stream Media from your PC to your Apple TV

The new Apple TV is a great way to turn your TV into a smart home hub. You can use it to stream all manner of content from the internet – but what about streaming from your home computer? Well our old favourite Plex is here, and they’ve made a fantastic app for the Apple TV (4^th gen) so read on to see how to get it up and running.

There are two main stages to getting this up and running, spread across 4 steps. The first stage describes downloading and setting up Plex Media Server on your PC, and the second shows how to download and access the Plex app on the Apple TV.

Step 1: Download and Install Plex media server on your PC

In order for your Apple TV to be able to browse and see all the files on your PC, the PC must be set up as a server. We’ll be using Plex Media Server to do this, for a couple of reasons. First, it is nice and easy to set up on any Windows PC which means we can get it up and running in just a few minutes. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it works with almost every media format. In addition to your Apple TV, once Plex Media Server is set up you can use it to stream to your other devices such as tablets and smartphones too.

The first step is to download and install Plex on to your PC. To do this simply head over to the Plex website and download the media server for Windows. Whilst that is downloading, you should also create a Plex account (don't worry, it's free to do!) so that you can use the server easily across all your devices. On any of the Plex pages you should see the sign up option in the top right or just click this link to go straight to the sign up page. Once you have created your Plex account, you can then continue with the set up.

Once the download has completed, run the file and it will take you through getting the software installed. The steps should be as follows:

1. On the first Welcome page, click the install button.
2. If you get a User Account Control prompt, click Yes to allow the installer to proceed.
3. Give it a few minutes whilst the installation continues.
4. You should now have the Setup Successful page.

Now that you've installed Plex Media Server, you're ready to start the set up. Move on to step 2 in our guide to learn how to do this.

Step 2: Set up Plex media server and find your media folders

Now that we have got Plex installed onto your PC, next thing we need to do is to set up your media folders. Normally the Plex media manager will open up straight away after you install the software and Press the Launch button. If it doesn’t open up, then simply open it up from your start menu.

We basically need to tell Plex where to find your media folders so that it catalogue all your films, TV shows, music and pictures. You don’t have to add all those sections, so if you only want to set up a folder for TV Shows for example, that’s fine.

The first time that Plex Media Server opens, it will run you through a few steps to get it set up:

1. First you will need to agree to the terms of service.
2. Now give your server a memorable name and click next.
3. Now we need to add libraries to your server. Press Add libraries and then click a media type (Movies, TV Shows, Music, Photos or Home Movies).
4. Give the Library a name, and press next.
5. Click browse for media folder and then point Plex at the folder on your computer that contains the relevant media. For example, if you're making a Music Library then point it to your Music folder. Once you're happy with the settings, press next to continue.

6. Depending on what type of Library you're adding, you may be asked if you want any premium or extra features - for most standard installations you can skip these.
7. Once you've chosen the options for your library you should have an add library button.
8. Your library will now be added to your Plex Server. You can repeat these same steps for each of your other libraries too. Once you have added the ones you need, press next on the main window.
9. You'll now be on the last screen and you simply need to press done and your setup is now complete. Plex will begin cataloguing everything you have added, downloading artwork and additional information from the internet along the way. If your libraries are quite large you may need to give it some time for this to finish.
10. You can keep adding more content to your folders on your PC over time and when Plex refreshes it will pick up all your new media automatically; there is no need to re-do the setup just to add a new TV show.
11. At this stage we’re pretty much done with your PC now - just leave it turned on and head over to your living room and we’ll get the Apple TV set up.

Step 3: Install the Plex app on your Apple TV

Plex is very easy to install on to your Apple TV – you just need to head to the App Store and have a quick search for Plex. Once you’ve found just press the Get button and it will start downloading.

Once it has installed, open up the app and you can get started using Plex! When the app opens you may need to sign in your Plex account - simply fill in the username and password and it should get you signed in. You should then be able to see your Plex Media Server with the name you gave it when first setting it up.

Step 4: Stream your media to your TV

Now for the easy part! Your Plex Media Server is all set up and the Plex app is ready to go on your Apple TV. Now all you need to is to explore your library using your Apple TV remote and simply start playing your films, TV Shows and more.

Plex Media Server on your PC will do all the hard work - transcoding or muxxing - to ensure that the files play on your Apple TV, so you shouldn't have to worry about the format your media is in.

Any Questions?

So that's about it - quick and easy streaming for from your PC to your Apple TV. Do you do much streaming in-house? Let us know what you think in the comments.