Reel is a Roku client for Plex Media Server (PMS). It reads your existing libraries and uses Plex for account access, metadata, media delivery, and playback state. Its own configuration controls how that information is presented and which choices are available to viewers.
This documentation is written for server owners. It explains the application behavior behind the interface, the data each feature depends on, and the setup required for optional server-supplied features.
Start here#
Set defaults, control viewer permissions, and publish changes to your server's Reel users.
ArchitectureUnderstand the connectionsSee which responsibilities belong to Plex, the Roku, and Reel's services.
Server setupAdd studio & rating artworkPrepare the Photos library and filenames Reel uses to match title metadata to images.
Media deliveryUnderstand playback decisionsTrace how device capabilities, track selection, and quality requests affect server work.
The application model#
Plex remains the source of your library structure and access rules. Reel adds its own navigation, a continuous episode guide, title and person discovery, player controls, and server-managed client preferences. Installing Reel does not require rebuilding your media libraries.
The distinction matters operationally. Hiding a library entry in Reel changes navigation. Revoking library access in Plex changes authorization. A Reel playback-quality default influences the playback request; it does not rewrite your source file or change the server's global transcoder settings.
What needs server preparation?#
| Feature | Owner preparation |
|---|---|
| Browsing, the Atlas, title pages, search | Existing accessible libraries with correctly identified media and usable Plex metadata. |
| Shared Reel configuration | Sign in as the server owner and publish. Reel can create its configuration playlist. |
| Studio and rating artwork | Create a Photos library named REEL, add matching PNG files, and share it with the intended profiles. |
| Film-strip previews and chapters | Supply Plex preview-thumbnail and chapter data. Reel's film-strip interface currently targets Roku Ultra. |
| Curated collections | Manage collection membership, descriptions, and artwork in Plex. |
Reading this documentation#
Server configuration covers the owner controls referenced by Settings. Libraries & discovery explains how Reel reads and presents your content. Playback covers delivery decisions and optional player features.
Current beta
These articles describe the current implementation. Pre-certification configuration formats can change. The feature availability article separates the owner-adoption model from beta compatibility limits.