Kinostrata with Plex

01

Before you start

1. Check your library plays in Plex's own app.
2. Choose where Kinostrata will run: on a Windows or Mac computer, in a container on your server or NAS, or directly on Fire TV or NVIDIA Shield.
3. For a container or desktop installation, open Kinostrata in a computer browser. For direct TV setup, choose Away from home on the TV.

The Fire TV / Shield APK needs Android 7 or later on a compatible Android-based Fire OS device or Shield. Zidoo uses its separate two-app release.

02

Connect Plex

1. In Kinostrata, choose Plex.
2. Choose Link my Plex account.
3. Sign in on the Plex page and approve Kinostrata. On a TV, scan the QR code with your phone. Kinostrata never receives your Plex password.
4. Return to Kinostrata. If asked, Choose your Plex server.
5. Choose Test the connection.
6. If profiles appear, choose whose watching history to use. Enter that Plex Home profile's PIN if requested, then choose Finish setup. One unprotected profile completes automatically.
7. Choose Open my Kinostrata library.

Using someone else's server

1. The owner opens Plex Settings → Manage Library Access → Grant Library Access and invites your Plex account.
2. Accept the invitation in your email or Plex Web.
3. Follow the steps above, linking your own Plex account. Choose the shared server.

Kinostrata uses your shared libraries and watching history. A shared account is separate from the owner's Plex Home profiles.

Plex's library-sharing instructions ↗

03

Connect your TV

Fire TV and NVIDIA Shield use one standard Kinostrata app with two connection choices.

Home viewing: use your Kinostrata container

1. Keep the Kinostrata container running on your server or NAS.
2. Install the standard Kinostrata TV APK and open Kinostrata.
3. If no home address is saved, enter the Kinostrata address, including the scheme and host port, such as http://192.168.1.50:8955.
4. Choose Home viewing, then your viewing profile.

Away from home on the TV

1. In the same TV app, choose Away from home.
2. Choose Plex, Emby or Jellyfin, then follow the account steps above.
3. For viewing away from home, complete your server's remote-access steps first.

Remote viewing: step-by-step guide → This direct connection also works at home when the server address is reachable.

Direct TV mode does not need a Kinostrata container. Complete its setup on the TV; its local setup page cannot be opened from a phone or computer. A Plex sign-in QR code still opens Plex on your phone.

To switch later, open Setup → Settings → Home & away. Home viewing opens your saved home Kinostrata address in one press; without a saved address, it opens the home-address form once. Away from home opens your saved remote library in one press; without a saved remote connection, it opens server sign-in. Both buttons remain available in either mode. Your remote setup stays saved, and normal launches open the last connection you used. Use Edit home connection to correct your home address. Both modes use the same standard APK and update feed.

Zidoo: install Playback Helper first, then Kinostrata Zidoo, and connect to your home Kinostrata container. For local files, follow Zidoo path substitution; the box must reach your media shares.

04

Away from home

Instructions for the Plex server owner.

1. Enable remote access

1. Open Plex Settings → Server → Remote Access.
2. Enable Remote Access and check the server is accessible outside your network. Follow Plex's remote-access instructions if needed.

2. Give the viewer library access

1. Open Plex Settings → Manage Library Access → Grant Library Access.
2. Invite the viewer's own Plex account and choose the libraries to share.

3. Test from outside your home network

1. Connect the TV or computer to a phone hotspot. Turn the phone's Wi-Fi off and disconnect it from home Ethernet/Wi-Fi.
2. On Fire TV or Shield, choose Away from home. Link an authorised Plex account and select your server.
3. Check that a film plays, then stop it and check Resume.

4. Give the viewer the connection details

• The Plex library invitation.
• The Connect Plex instructions for linking their own account to your shared server.

05

Check it works

1. Confirm the profile name and libraries are yours.
2. Start a film. Stop after a minute, then check Resume.
3. For remote viewing, repeat from another network. On a phone hotspot, turn the phone's Wi-Fi off and disconnect the TV or computer from home Ethernet/Wi-Fi.
4. Open Setup → Layout → Libraries to choose your libraries. Use Layout → Home rows to arrange Home.

If resume is missing, enable Report what I watch under Setup → Settings → Home & away.

Using a home Kinostrata container? Arrange collections and shelves from a browser → Direct TV mode is set up with the TV remote.