What is Multiplex FOR LINUX?
Living in today's world may not be perfect, but we have a lot of things to be happy about, one of which is the Internet. One could argue that the Internet gave us all superpowers, and the interactivity is simply amazing (even though, we kind of take it for granted nowadays).
Sharing stuff over the Internet and connecting with your loved ones is definitely one of the best feelings out there. This also goes for watching our favorite TV shows and movies with friends and family, even when you aren't in the same place.
What if you're a Linux user and want to watch torrents with your friends and family (and you aren't in the same place)? Right off the bat, there aren't that many options, but a very good one is Multiplex.
Multiplex is a Linux-only, free, and open-source application that allows you to watch torrents together. In short, it provides a very similar experience to that of Apple's SharePlay and even Amazon Prime's Video Party services.
What does it do? It's simple: it allows you to stream any file directly and host online watch parties, all while bypassing potential Internet restrictions (the UI and backend are two separate components) and keeping your privacy as safe as possible (by synchronizing video playback between computers without a central server).
If you want more details on how this works, just know that the app uses weron to synchronize the video playback between computers without a central server. To bypass the potential Internet restrictions (i.e. geolocation restrictions) it separates the hTorrent HTTP to BitTorrent gateway and the GUI into two separate components.
When dealing with apps such as Multiplex, the most obvious question that comes to mind is - just how usable is it? The short answer is - pretty darn usable, all things considered.
The long answer is somewhere along the following lines. There's really no getting around the fact that Multiplex is not as easy to use as the aforementioned services (Apple SharePlay and Amazon Prime Video Party).
Don't get me wrong, the level of polish for this app is amazing (clearly someone put their heart and soul into this project, and it shows). However, it does require a bit of reading beforehand and a bit of "fiddling about."
It's not that difficult to get it up and running, especially if you're not a complete beginner. To get started, simply add a magnet link you want to share (or a stream code) into the designated area. You'll be prompted to install mpv media player (and it's recommended that you do), and select the file you want to stream.
There's a lot to talk about here, as most countries have copyright restrictions, but it's also important to note that you can choose to stream without actually downloading the content.
To ask someone to join your "watch party," click on the people button on the top right corner, and copy the stream code. The respective person needs to enter the stream code to join the party (the app supports an unlimited number of users).
For more information about how to set up the app, how to fine-tune the whole process, and how to increase privacy and security, please visit the app's GitHub repository.
Multiplex is a cool app because it enhances that social aspect that most of us crave in our lives - human connection. Simply put, almost all things are better when friends are around, and this includes consuming media.
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