HandBrake

HandBrake is open source software that can convert videos files from one format to another. It is employed by Unraid, the operating system running the Plex Media Server as a Docker container. This converts legally downloaded videos and DVD and BluRay rips into a format that the media server can stream and be directly played by Cream Pis across the local network.

This conversion is a one-time-per-video process done before adding the video to the Plex library. This prevents the need to transcode videos in real time by the server or Cream Pis to enable the server to stream more channels simultaneously and allows the use of very inexpensive credit-card sized computer to receive and display the videos.