Server configuration is a set of preferences for Reel clients that connect to your PMS. It can define a shared starting value, prevent a viewer from overriding a managed setting, and control adoption of future configurable features. It does not change PMS configuration or the preferences of other Plex applications.

First publication#

  1. Use the server-owner account. Select the intended Plex server in Reel and open Settings. The owner view includes a Your users area for managed defaults and permissions.
  2. Choose storage. In Server settings, inspect Configuration storage. Server playlist stores the configuration on PMS; itsreel.tv is an optional alternative.
  3. Set shared values and permissions. Work through the relevant categories. A personal choice for your own profile and a default for your users have different scopes.
  4. Review & publish. Open Options from an owner category and select Review & publish. Check the proposed changes, then publish them.
  5. Wait for verified completion. Reel reads the stored result back before reporting success. Other clients receive the publication on a later configuration refresh.

No Photos library is required for configuration

For a new Server playlist setup, Reel creates its own empty video playlist named REEL-CONFIG. The REEL Photos library is a separate requirement for studio and rating artwork.

Screenshot placeholderOwner Settings

Show personal values beside the Your users defaults and permission columns.

The owner view separates a choice for this profile from policy for other viewers.

Three independent controls#

A feature's availability determines whether it can be used. A default value supplies the owner's choice. A permission determines whether a viewer can override that value. Adopting a future feature and locking an existing setting are different operations.

Values & accessDefaults & permissions

Understand Follow server setting, Can change, and Locked.

 Feature lifecycleAvailability & adoption

Review future additions before making them available to viewers.

Administrative boundaries#

The optional Admin PIN protects managed changes on a shared Roku. Plex account ownership remains the authority to publish. Plex Home PINs and library-sharing rules continue to belong to Plex.

Hiding an entry in Reel's navigation is not a media-access restriction. Use Plex's access controls when the requirement is to prevent a profile from reading particular libraries or content.

Server setup guides#

Storage & publication describes the playlist and hosted options, refresh behavior, and Unpublish all. Studio & rating artwork covers file naming, library setup, and matching. Page backgrounds explains target inheritance.

If publication or delivery fails, start with Configuration troubleshooting. Preserve the exact error message: an ownership failure, an ambiguous playlist, and an incomplete viewer-sharing result require different remedies.