ErsatzTV Legacy can turn media in a Plex library into scheduled, custom live channels. The setup is: connect and sync Plex libraries in ErsatzTV, organize media into collections, build a schedule, attach it to a channel with a playout, then add ErsatzTV to Plex under Live TV & DVR. ErsatzTV’s Plex guide says a Plex Pass is required, and direct playback in Plex clients requires the MPEG-TS channel mode.
What you need before you start
- ErsatzTV Legacy: It is available as Docker images and native packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Docker guide does not support Docker on Windows or macOS and advises installing ErsatzTV natively on those systems. ErsatzTV Docker installation guide
- A Plex Pass: ErsatzTV’s Plex integration documentation states that a Plex Pass is required. ErsatzTV Plex guide
- Access to your Plex server and media: You will select Plex libraries to synchronize. Decide whether ErsatzTV will stream media through Plex, the default, or access the files directly through shared or mapped storage.
If you use Docker on a supported host, the official example maps port 8409, mounts a writable configuration directory at /config, and mounts media paths. The guide also describes /transcode as an optional tmpfs mount. Match the example to your own paths and deployment rather than copying its sample values blindly. ErsatzTV Docker installation guide
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Connect ErsatzTV to Plex and sync libraries
- Open ErsatzTV 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 the libraries you want available in ErsatzTV, then save.
The sync is one-way into ErsatzTV: Plex provides library metadata, and ErsatzTV says this integration does not change Plex configuration or your media. Plex-synchronized libraries support movies and shows. Local ErsatzTV libraries support a broader range of media types. ErsatzTV Plex media source guide ErsatzTV media guide
Choose how ErsatzTV accesses the files
By default, ErsatzTV streams media through the Plex source. To give ErsatzTV direct file access instead, expose the same shares or mounts to it, or configure Plex-path-to-local-path replacements. ErsatzTV recommends matching shares and mounts as the option that should work without additional configuration. ErsatzTV Plex media source guide
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Create collections for programming
ErsatzTV schedules collections, not individual media items, so create or import collections before making a schedule. ErsatzTV collections guide
- Manual collections contain items you select.
- Smart collections update dynamically from searches or imported Trakt lists.
- Multi collections combine collections and smart collections.
Choose a manual collection when you want a fixed, curated lineup; use a smart collection when you want its membership to follow a search or list. A multi collection is useful for bringing several such groupings together.
Rank #2
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Create a channel and choose its stream mode
- In ErsatzTV, add a channel and choose its channel number and stream mode. See the ErsatzTV channels guide for the channel settings.
- Choose MPEG-TS if viewers will watch directly through Plex clients. ErsatzTV’s Plex documentation identifies MPEG-TS as the only channel streaming mode directly supported by Plex clients. ErsatzTV Plex guide
- Consider other modes only if your playback path and client support them. The channel guide describes HLS Segmenter as a transcoding mode with watermark support and favorable performance at program boundaries. MPEG-TS is a light wrapper around HLS Segmenter and supports clients that require an HDHomeRun tuner. HLS Direct does not transcode and may perform better on lower-power systems, but does not support watermarks, and some clients may have program-boundary issues. ErsatzTV channels guide
For Plex, start with client compatibility, then weigh transcoding load, watermark needs, and behavior when one program ends and another begins. The HDHomeRun reference describes compatibility; it does not mean you must buy a tuner to use ErsatzTV with Plex.
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Build a schedule, then attach it to the channel
Make the schedule
Create a schedule that uses your collections to define playback order. Schedule settings can shuffle schedule items, but the documented shuffle setting disables fixed start times and flood mode. Check the schedule guide for the current options and restrictions. ErsatzTV schedules guide
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- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 4096x2304, 30fps, 200mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Create a playout
A playout associates a schedule with a channel and tracks the ordered playback. Create a playout for the channel and select the schedule you want it to use. If you attach the same schedule through different playouts, each channel may have different current content; the schedule alone does not make their playback states identical. ErsatzTV playouts 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 add ErsatzTV as a DVR. Plex discovery may find it automatically.
- If it is not discovered, enter the ErsatzTV server address and port. ErsatzTV’s guide gives
192.168.1.100:8409as an example; use the address and port for your own server. ErsatzTV Plex guide - When Plex displays the channel list, select the XMLTV guide URL provided by ErsatzTV and complete Plex’s setup.
The labels and setup flow can change between software versions. If a menu or field differs, consult ErsatzTV’s current Plex integration instructions.
Quick Recap
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How the pieces fit together
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Collection | Groups the media ErsatzTV can schedule. |
| Schedule | Defines playback order and schedule behavior. |
| Channel | Defines the channel Plex can present, including its number and stream mode. |
| Playout | Connects a schedule to a channel and tracks ordered playback. |
| Plex Live TV & DVR | Connects Plex to ErsatzTV’s channels and XMLTV guide. |
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