This is why I don’t use Plex.
I went to install it once because I heard it was good. It said the next step of the installer is make a plex online account so I can log in. I looked for the ‘I don’t want online I want local’ option but I didn’t see one. So I uninstalled.
Nowhere did it explain what if any access Plex servers have to my media library (metadata or files), so I said no thanks I’ll just go back to using folders.
Glad to see I made the right choice.
the fuck?
it’s a media server. Why do I want ‘friends’ involved at all?
I wouldn’t replace this.
I’d remove the antenna and maybe also the RF daughterboard. Then connect any garage door automation kit Tailwind, Meross, etc) to the ‘start’ terminals.
If you are building a house from scratch, do it right.
Put a room in the basement and call that the IT room. Run Cat6 from everywhere to that room. Every room, everywhere you might have a phone, TV, computer, etc. All of it gets at least one cat6 run. Many runs get more than one cable- anywhere you might have a computer put 2x cat6, anywhere you might have a TV put one Cat6 and one Cat7 (for HDbaseT (HDMI over CatX)). Run a Cat6 to anywhere you’ll want a smart device, including things like window blinds.
Have your builder terminate these in patch panels, ideally in fairly deep wall mount racks, spaced with 24 per 1.75" ‘rack unit’ and one open unit between each two patch panels.
Thus, if you buy 48 port switches you can easily run PoE ethernet to every port in the house and it’ll look really slick like this.
Consider a hardwired alarm to do hardwired alarm things. A Honeywell/Resideo Vista 20 alarm and an Envisalink will get you tons of sensors, and hardwired contact sensors in doors/windows are always better. Find a LOCAL INDEPENDENT alarm company, tell them you want an alarm installed but you are an automation nerd and need the installer codes after installation. Not all will want to work with you in this regard. Find one who will. Or say you’ll hire them for the physical install but just want to buy hardware and installation and have no need for monitored alarm service.
That all said- all of this is way more expensive than a couple of $180 Ubiquiti 6 Pro access points and the 3-4 cat6 runs to feed them.
Depends if it has to stay battery powered.
If you’re willing to hardwire it, get a battery eliminator kit like this (get the right one for your device, be careful!) and now instead of a bunch of AA/AAA powered devices you have a bunch of USB powered devices. Get a multi-port USB charger, plug it into a smart plug, and you’re golden.