Plex is now available for the PS4 and PS3 in the U.S.

By Mike Flacy January 20, 2015

plex-ps4

Released earlier today for the Sony PlayStation 4 as well as the previous generation PlayStation 3, media streaming company Plex has launched support for the application in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Prior to this point, the application was available in Europe and Asia on the two consoles as of late December 2014.

According to the official Plex blog, the U.S. version of the application is identical to the overseas version and is currently available on the PlayStation application store. It’s also identical to the Xbox One version of the application which uses a vertical scrolling layout when users are perusing accessible content. Content can be streamed in 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolution, depending on the source file.

One caveat to the free application is that it requires a Plex Pass subscription in order to stream content to your Sony console. Plex offers a variety of subscription levels that include $5 for a monthly subscription, $40 for a yearly subscription or $150 for a lifetime subscription. One of the core advantages to the Plex Pass is a cloud service that lets users stream content from any location that has a capable Wi-Fi signal. Plex Sync is also an interesting feature that lets a user sync content to a mobile device in order to watch video while offline, during a flight for instance.

However, if Plex Pass doesn’t interest you, the company is planning on releasing a version of the application that lets users stream content without a subscription plan. This version of the application will come with an initial fee before downloading it though. Plex hasn’t indicated a date when this premium version of the application will be available.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…

Gaming

The Last of Us Part I should launch on PlayStation Plus Premium

Ellie looking concerned.

The Last of Us Part I is one of the most notable PlayStation 5 games to launch this fall. It’s also one of the year’s most controversial titles.
Despite the acclaim associated with The Last of Us series, there is heated debate surrounding the remake’s $70 price tag, which is more than the original release and The Last of Us Remastered cost at release -- even though it's lacking the multiplayer mode that came with both. This situation turned what should be a certified slam dunk for Sony into a divisive release, and Sony could fix it with one key change: making The Last of Us Part I a day-one title on PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium.
This isn’t because The Last of Us Part I isn’t worth $70. In fact, its improved visuals and the vast amount of new accessibility features clearly warrant the price tag in the eyes of some. That said, even defenders of the heightened price can recognize the controversy arising from charging more than ever for a remake of a twice-released game. The Last of Us Part I is in a rough situation, and being a PS Plus game would ease some of those concerns.
Why being on PS Plus would work
As The Last of Us is one of Sony's most popular modern franchises and has a TV show on the way, it's understandable why Sony and developer Naughty Dog eagerly want a modernized version of The Last of Us Part I on store shelves at full price. Still, those who've already bought the game twice and aren't impressed by the visual and accessibility overhaul don't seem as compelled to pick up the game for the third time. Sony would remove this significant roadblock plaguing The Last of Us Part I by putting the game on a subscription service.
The Last of Us Part I Rebuilt for PS5 - Features and Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games
There are plenty of examples showing why this would be a wise idea. The Age of Empire series' Definitive Edition games showed how well remakes work on subscription services. Several years after their original release, many players are still actively engaged with the first three Age of Empire games. While interested players can still purchase the remakes individually, putting those games on Game Pass for PC on day one ensured that the community didn't have to pay full price for a game they were already playing daily. Instead, they could just get the remake through their subscription and continue.
The Last of Us Part I is in a similar situation, even with the multiplayer content removed. This demonstrates why a subscription service release could lessen some of the negative stigmas around the game. The successful Stray, which was included in PS Plus at launch, shows that day one PlayStation Plus games can still generate plenty of positive buzz. The game's subscription service availability ensured that the conversation stayed on the game's cute cats, not the fact that it was a $30 game that only lasted about five hours.
Sony has recognized the power PS Plus can have on embattled games before. Destruction All-Stars was originally a $70 PS5 launch title, but ultimately launched as a PlayStation Plus game that was free to subscribers. Although The Last of Us Part I seems like it’ll be a better game than Destruction All-Stars, a day one game makes even more sense on PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra now than it did on PS Plus in February 2021.

Despite all of those factors, Jim Ryan made it clear that he does not want AAA PlayStation Studios games on PlayStation Plus Premium or Extra on day one during an interview with Games Industry.
“We feel like we are in a good virtuous cycle with the studios where the investment delivers success, which enables yet more investment, which delivers yet more success,” Ryan said. “We like that cycle and we think our gamers like that cycle … We feel if we were to do that with the games that we make at PlayStation Studios, that virtuous cycle will be broken. The level of investment that we need to make in our studios would not be possible, and we think the knock-on effect on the quality of the games that we make would not be something that gamers want."
His argument makes sense from a business standpoint, but data from Microsoft shows that people play more games (and games they might not have played initially) when they are available on a subscription service. Even if it seems unfair to judge, many people weigh the amount of new, entertaining content a game offers to its price tag. Sony's can't truly say whether The Last of Us Part I is worth $70, but it can shift the discussion in its favor with an act of goodwill.
The Last of Us Part I will be released for PS5 on September 2, 2022.

Gaming

PS Plus Extra finally gives me a reason to keep my PS5 powered on

A PS5 standing on a table, with purple lights around it.

Due to the nature of my job, I own every modern video game console. I have a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PC, and even a Steam Deck. Would you believe me if I told you that out of all of those, the PS5 is the one I use the least?

It’s not that I never use it. Sony still offers the best console exclusives around, with top-notch titles like Horizon Forbidden West and Returnal. For that reason, my PS5 is a sturdy pillar in my gaming rotation that’ll never just sit collecting dust. That said, I rarely boot it up for any reason other than to play those handful of releases. Meanwhile, each of my other gaming devices have some incentive that has me returning to them even when there’s not a tentpole AAA game to dig into.

Gaming

The best PS4 controllers

best video game consoles version 1508519123 sony ps4 controller tv

Nothing is worse than having to struggle with a difficult controller. Issues from drifting joysticks to controller size and even syncing your PlayStation 4 controller can be frustrating to deal with. Luckily, there are controllers on the market to match anyone’s gaming style. No matter your budget or preferred genre, you can find a gamepad that fits your needs and tips for saving battery life.

The PlayStation 4 is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and that means we’ve had plenty of time for great controllers to hit the market. From elite esports-ready gamepads to tailor-made fighting game control panels, here are the best controllers currently available for the PlayStation 4.