Plex started as a way to organize and stream your personal media collection. That’s still the main draw, though the company has also been experimenting with a free, ad-supported streaming service that doesn’t require you to download or rip a single file. Today, Plex announced that “thousands” of Crackle movies and TV shows have been added to its library in the US. The deal covers a smattering of blockbuster films including Captain Phillips and The Illusionist, as well as series such as Hell’s Kitchen, Snatch and Roseanne. It’s not the most captivating selection, but that’s because Crackle itself has always been a free service, with few originals to rival Netflix and other streaming heavyweights.

Plex

Plex launched its ad-supported streaming service last December. Warner Bros. was the first distributor to jump on board, bringing content from major studios such as Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and Legendary. In a blog post, Plex teased that it’s “working on new partnerships” that will add even more freebies to its streaming catalog. It’s an intriguing play from the company, which has otherwise relied on Plex Pass for revenue. While the rest of the industry moves upmarket — commissioning massive shows to justify monthly subscription fees — Plex seems to content to strike deals with the players at the bottom of the pile.

There are some catches. The free access doesn’t include DVR functionality. You’ll also only receive guide data for 48 hours of programming versus the two weeks of a Plex Pass subscriber. This is as much about pitching subscriptions as it is supporting the community. Nonetheless, it might be appreciated if you’ve run out of on-demand shows to watch while you’re stuck at home.

The desktop app uses Plex’s revamped user interface, including the navigation sidebar. It also offers the same server and library management options as in the Plex web app.

Meanwhile, Plex is making some other changes to its desktop support. For one thing, it’s killing the old Windows app by removing it from the store as of today. In January, it’ll stop updating Plex Media Player. As a result of that, Plex is phasing out support for home theater PC setups.

“The long-term plan is for the new desktop app to replace Plex Media Player as our only desktop solution. The new desktop app is notably lacking TV mode, which means that we’re going to stop supporting the traditional HTPC setup (using a desktop computer connected to your TV or home theater) with this app,” the team wrote in a blog post. “It marks the end of an era for us, and we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t a little bittersweet.”

Plex said it made the call after monitoring how people used the app, and claimed “most of you will have an equal (if not better) experience with a streaming device and our new players.” It added that casting devices such as Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV use much less electricity than HTPC setups and are generally simpler to use.

The end of HTPC support might come as a blow to users who watch movies through a PC hooked up to a projector, particularly since Plex even used to position itself as a successor to Microsoft’s abandoned Windows Media Center.