Scribd
Upload
173 views2 pages

Plex and Alexa

The document discusses how the author set up Plex media server on their PC and linked it to their Amazon Alexa speaker to allow their kids to listen to audiobooks through the speaker. They had issues getting Alexa to play specific chapters initially due to long file names, but shortening the names solved the problem. The Plex skill for Alexa is limited but allows pause and resume of audiobooks.

Uploaded by

Lavanya Subramaniam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
173 views2 pages

Plex and Alexa

The document discusses how the author set up Plex media server on their PC and linked it to their Amazon Alexa speaker to allow their kids to listen to audiobooks through the speaker. They had issues getting Alexa to play specific chapters initially due to long file names, but shortening the names solved the problem. The Plex skill for Alexa is limited but allows pause and resume of audiobooks.

Uploaded by

Lavanya Subramaniam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Best Free Software

HOW I USE...

Plex and Alexa


Will Stapley explains how his kids can now listen to their favourite
audiobooks via a smart speaker
Revelling in the success of convert-
ing Harry Potter audiobook CDs into
MP3 files (see Issue 600), I wanted
to take things a step further. Having
my kids listen to audiobooks via a PC
isn’t ideal, not least because when
the computer’s on, Minecraft tends to
take over. Instead, I wanted to let them
stream their audiobooks through our
Amazon Alexa smart speaker.
Alexa won’t link up with my PC by
itself, so I needed to enlist the help of
the media-streaming software Plex
(www.plex.tv). If you’re new to Plex,
Issue 590’s Cover Feature explains how
to get it up and running (grab our 2020
Back Issue CD if you missed it – www.
snipca.com/37458).
I already have the Plex Media Server
running on my PC, so adding my Click the Plex icon in your system tray, then ‘Update Libraries’ to scan for newly added MP3s
freshly ripped Harry Potter MP3s
was easy. I simply copied them to the the system tray, then selected Update within each Harry Potter book. I tried
same location as the rest of my media Libraries (see screenshot above). speaking more slowly, more clearly,
library, right-clicked the Plex icon in I then had to install the Plex ‘skill’ for then angrier, but to no avail – each
Alexa (think of skills like extensions for time, Alexa simply played the first disc
Once you’ve
linked the browsers). To do this, I opened the Alexa from each book.
Plex skill to app on my phone, tapped More, ‘Skills & Through a process of trial and error, I
your Plex Games’, then searched for Plex. I’ll admit discovered Alexa (or possibly Plex) was
account, to being concerned at the skill’s two-star struggling with the long file names
it lets you
access your user rating, but carried on regardless, I’d given my audiobook MP3s (such as
library via tapping Settings (see screenshot left), ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s
an Alexa then entering my Plex login details to Stone Chapter 1’). By reducing these to
speaker
link my Plex and Alexa accounts. ‘HP 1 chapter 2’, both Alexa and Plex
To use the Plex skill on an Alexa knew precisely what I was after. The
speaker, you have to start your voice shorter names also make for easier
commands with “Alexa, tell Plex to…”. voice commands.
Although this worked fine when playing The Plex skill for Alexa is limited
tracks in my music library, I couldn’t get (probably the reason for its poor
Alexa to play specific discs (or chapters) reviews – see box), but it does have
handy features. By saying “Alexa,
WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE IN PLEX tell Plex to pause” and “...tell Plex
to resume”, my kids can pick up an
Although the Plex skill for Alexa that most audiobook chapters are an hour audiobook where they left off. As I’ve
supports pause and resume commands, or so long, it would be useful to be able to discovered to my cost, the only reason
it doesn’t let me (or more specifically, say commands such as “Alexa, tell Plex to a resume command won’t work is if
my kids) fast-forward or rewind. Given skip 30 minutes”. I’ve asked Alexa to play something
else in the meantime.

20 10 – 23 March 2021 • Issue 601 Next issue: How I use... QTTabBar


Copyright of Computer Act!ve is the property of Dennis Publishing Ltd. and its content may
not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's
express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for
individual use.

You might also like