(If you haven’t already, get the latest media server we released in Part 1)
I just went back and checked, and the first entry on this blog was written over four and a half years ago. Has it really been that long? We were just barely getting video playback working, and there was no media server, iOS app (heck, there wasn’t even an App Store for iPhones yet!) or any of the other parts that make Plex what it is today.
Over the years, many of you have supported Plex in different ways; you’ve contributed bandwidth, time and knowledge in the forums, and you’ve donated repeatedly and generously. And we truly appreciate it! Up until now, though, we haven’t had any means of distinguishing the die-hard Plex supporters from the more casual users.
Today, that’s changing.
We’re excited to unveil PlexPass – our brand new offering. As a PlexPass member, you’ll get a number of benefits:
1) First of all, PlexPass gets you early access to new features. We’ll be making select new features available to PlexPass members earlier than we otherwise would, and you’ll get to play with them and give us feedback and suggestions. Make your friends jealous. (And yes, we have a juicy new feature to get this kicked off in style.)
2) We’re going to be introducing some premium features. Fancy, shiny things with lots of sparkle (and not the sort that comes with fangs and neck affinity). As a PlexPass member, you’ll get free access to those features while we’re testing them out.
3) PlexPass members automatically get access to private forums for discussing these new features. There’s another forum for voting on bugs & features to help us with prioritization. And there is another one we’re calling for people needing a bit of extra help with issues they may be running into. Hey, you’re a PlexPass member – we’ll give you some extra love!
4) Last, but not least, PlexPass members get discounts on premium features once they’re made available to the general public.
What if you don’t want to sign up for PlexPass? Well, life continues on much like it has. You’ll still get new features when we release to the general public (except for premium features, of course). This is our way of being extra awesome to the PlexPass members, not less awesome to the rest of you.
In summary, PlexPass members get the best possible Plex experience, above and beyond what was previously possible. You get to show off to your non-PlexPass friends a bunch of cool new stuff before it’s generally available, and hey, we’ll even badge your forum posts with the tasty Alexis-designed badge above so that everyone can see you’re a member. And with your support, and your early input and feedback on new features, we can build a better Plex together!
As for the cost, PlexPass is just $3.99/month. I hear it’s sort of passé to compare this with a cup of coffee, so I’ll just note that this is way cheaper than a good microbrew at your favorite watering hole. After tipping the goateed waiter who’s working on that screenplay. You can sign up here, once you’ve signed into your myPlex account.
So what of this tasty new PlexPass-only (for now) feature we’re rolling out today? That’s detailed in the next post.
Just in case you were wondering, Barkley is a proud PlexPass member.
