Movie nights are incredibly fun, whether inviting friends over for a film at home or hitting up your local cinema. However, that’s not always possible. For friends and family living around the world, or practicing social distancing, remote movie nights using apps such as Kast are a great way to enjoy flick from afar. For Plex users, SyncLounge is a nifty option. Learn how to use Plex to host a remote movie night and Plex together!
What is SyncLounge?
SyncLounge is a neat app that allows you to simultaneously stream synchronized content together. It relies on the media server software option Plex. You’ll be able to run SyncLounge on a few different platforms, and watch on a slew of Plex client devices including Android and iOS devices, Android TV boxes, Roku set-top boxes, and Apple TVs. Unfortunately, game consoles such as the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4 aren’t functioning. Essentially, SyncLounge allows you to stream synchronized videos regardless of whether Plex clients are in the same room or around the world. SyncLounge operates as the server in the middle of the two clients.
How to Use SyncLounge to Plex Together
For Plexing together with SyncLounge, you’ll need a few different items. At least one person, the host, will need a Plex media server loaded up with (legally obtained) movies and TV shows. Tons of free, legal public domain torrents are available, or you can rip your own DVDs and Blu-rays with software such as DVDFab to digitize your media collection. However, all party members, the host and non-hosts, will need Plex accounts. And everyone in a watch room will need either guest access to the host’s Plex server, or a server of their own with that same movie or TV show episode on their server.
SyncLounge requirements:
- Required by host: Plex account and Plex server with desired media file
- Separate Plex accounts for all SyncLounge room members
- Either a Plex server with the same movie/show that you plan to watch for all party members or the host must share access to their server
Share Your Plex Server with Friends and Family
In order to synchronize a streaming video, SyncLounge requires that everyone in a watch party has a Plex server with that media, or that the host share access to their server with watch party guests. To accomplish the latter, head to plex.tv and log into your Plex account. From there, navigate to Settings > Users & Sharing > Share Libraries. Then, enter the Plex username or email of anyone that’s joining your watch party.
Sign into SyncLounge
With everyone running a server that has the same media you wish to watch, or access with a shared Plex library, head to SyncLounge.tv. Click app then sign in with Plex.
Once you’re signed into SyncLounge, select your Plex player. This is where the video will actually be played back. Upon logging in, I was able to select SyncLounge Player, Samsung Galaxy S9+, Android Shield TV, or Chrome. If you use the SyncLounge Player, you’ll have access to features such as a chat box sidebar for conversing during the movie. Otherwise, your media will play as usual in the client app for your device. Since I wanted to be able to instant message with my party, I selected SyncLounge Player. After you’ve selected your SyncLounge Plex player, click connect.
Next up, select a server. You’ll be able to either a SyncLounge server close by, or create your own which requires a copy of SyncLounge running locally.
With a pre-existing SyncLounge server or custom server picked out, create a room and give it a password, then hit join.
You should have access to your Plex media server, and the ability to select from multiple servers if you have more than one running. Then, start playing a movie or TV show, and click invite which automatically copies an invite link that you can send to family and friends.
How to Plex Together with SyncLounge – Final Thoughts
Overall, SyncLounge is a really neat tool that allows you to easily spin up a remote movie night. It’s important to remember that every party member, not just the host, will either need their own Plex server running with the same media, or share your Plex server access with them via the Plex users and sharing section of your Plex media server settings. For an easy to use movie night with friends around the world, SyncLounge is an excellent option. Just add popcorn. If you’re using Netflix, you can use Netflix Party to watch movies together remotely.
How are you throwing remote movie nights with friends?
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