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Plex Cloud beta launches, uses Amazon Drive subscription to store user media

The Plex developers have commenced testing of Amazon Drive as a storage venue for media, with future versions of the Plex app on iOS and tvOS able to stream stored video without the need for a network attached storage device, or a home server.

Plex calls the Amazon Drive integration "the simplest way" to run Plex media streaming. There is no migration tool of existing media stored on an existing server, so users who wish to use the feature will need to manually upload owned media to Amazon Drive for internet streaming.

To utilize the feature after it goes live, users need the subscription Plex Pass for $4 per month or $40 per year, as well as a paid Amazon Drive subscription. Amazon Drive is $60 per year, and allows for unlimited user storage and streaming.

Not included in the Plex Cloud beta are DLNA support, Cloud Sync, Camera Upload, Plex DVR, and Media Optimizer. Plex does not do any file level encryption or modify files stored on Amazon Drive in any way.

At this time, only Amazon Drive is supported, with Plex claiming that it is evaluating support for other cloud storage providers for future inclusion in the program.

While the iOS, and tvOS Plex app is free, it requires a one-time $5 activation fee to stream more than one minute of video from a Plex Media Server if the Plex Pass subscription is not purchased.

Beta signups are live now, but priority is given to Plex Pass subscribers.