Plex - Media Player / Center - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

notsure · 2011-02-06, 08:44 AM

Don't know if this has been mentioned before but in my quest to find a better 1080p stream player I stumbled upon something called Plex.

It works on OS X (I've confirmed this) and iOS.

It seems to be based on XBMC (much of the same functions) and is by far the best HTPC interface I've seen (not that I've seen many though).

It streams 1080p videos from my Popcorn Hour wirelessly (wireless-N) without a hitch. Before this mplayer was my choice for doing this but the newer versions are having issues with it.

It's a little heavy duty as a simple media player but the extra weight is more than worth it - at in my opinion.

QuickSilver · 2011-02-06, 09:02 AM

I have been running Plex since version 8. I have it on a Mac Mini in my home theater and it works great. I use the Aeon Skin which is very nice. I also run it on a JB Apple TV2 now in the bedroom since yesterday and it runs quite well. It runs as a front end and streams from either my Mini which runs PMS or the iMac which also runs PMS.

I have tried XBMC and Boxee but always come back to Plex. I do wish Plex ran on the 1st generation Apple TV but I believe it was a choice for the dev's not to get it running on it.

It runs great with media from my NAS (Acer Easystore) running WHS.

mac2crack · 2011-03-07, 11:39 AM

Love Plex as a media player. I'm also reading my drives through an Extreme N router. Sometimes I connect my MBP to my LCD TV. I recently helped a family member hookup XBMC on his laptop-TV he's happy with it but I prefer PLEX for the Media Manager.

I also use the PLEX app on my iPod. The app works as advertised.

Cheers MacHeads

dufferdan · 2011-03-18, 12:59 AM

Sounds interesting.

So it will run on the new Apple TV but no the hard drive based ATv? Odd.

I intend to try Boxee hack on my ATv at the cabin. From what I have seen, though, I minght prefer the Plex if it would work...

Arc|Angel · 2011-04-09, 12:49 AM

The ATV version is an unsupported hack and not that awesome. If you have an iOS device though the AirPlay on the apple tv makes this kind of unnecessary.

hugh · 2012-01-19, 12:27 PM

I am interested in possibly running Plex on a Mac Mini in my family room. I was running Boxee on my JB ATV1 which is great for .avi files but when I try to play .mp4 files it chugs.

My idea was to use Front Row but I understand that is gone in Lion so I thought I would install Plex on a mac mini and have it source files from my Windows Home Server 2011.

My question (in addition to "does this make sense") is will the Apple remote control Plex so I can have it operate as a ten foot interface?

Tikker · 2012-01-19, 12:38 PM

it does

I prefer to use the Remote app on my ipod/iphone though, but you can use the silver remote np

just remember though, Plex limits you to bitrates of 7k

QuickSilver · 2012-01-19, 12:45 PM

I use Plex on a Mini and an Acer WHS box. I run the server and client on the mini. The WHS serves up 4 shares (Movies, Music Concerts, Kids Movies and TV Shows). It has been running quite well after tweaking things to my liking. On my iMac I can update the mini by going to the mini IP address and the plex homepage it serves. I find sometimes the automatic updating does not occur after adding files to my WHS.

I have not updated to myPlex yet as I have no need for it. I also use the Logitech Harmony One with it and it works very well. I have used the Apple remote in the past so you should have no problems Hugh.

hugh · 2012-01-19, 12:51 PM

Quote:

just remember though, Plex limits you to bitrates of 7k

I'm sorry but you lost me with that.

I have some .mp4 files (created with Hauppauge PVR) with bitrates of 10 mbps. Are you saying that I won't be able to play them through Plex on the Mac Mini?

Tikker · 2012-01-19, 01:35 PM

I might be smooshing 2 issues together, but I know for sure that streaming something like that to the ATV's causes issues (maybe just on mkv tho?)

I know I've definitely run into at home, but not with a mac mini

hugh · 2012-01-19, 01:53 PM

QuickSilver / tikker, thanks for the feedback.

Your positive comments will get me to try out Plex on my kids iMac. If I'm satisfied then I will consider getting the imac mini.

Tikker · 2012-01-20, 01:49 PM

it's quick and easy to install

fairly intuitive to get going, and it looks beautiful in action

as long as none of the niggling little issues are showstoppers, you'll likely be very satisfied

hugh · 2012-09-26, 10:24 AM

Just thought I would update.

I've been running Plex now for about eight months. I've had my issues but overall its been great.

I have the server software running on my Windows Home Server. Clients include iPad, mac mini (yes I bought it), Windows PC's, WDTV Live and PS3.

I don't use the PS3 since the interface is terrible but the rest are excellent.

Works great with .wtv files also so my OTA recordings are dumped into a Recordings library so every device in the house has access to OTA.

j0dest3r · 2012-09-27, 11:42 PM

Hugh does this mean you are using Plex instead of the Media sharing capabilities of WHS, or are you using both?

hugh · 2012-09-28, 07:26 AM

Just Plex

2011-02-06, 08:44 AM	#1
notsure Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON; OTA, XBMC, ATV Posts: 1,594	Plex - Media Player / Center Don't know if this has been mentioned before but in my quest to find a better 1080p stream player I stumbled upon something called Plex. It works on OS X (I've confirmed this) and iOS. It seems to be based on XBMC (much of the same functions) and is by far the best HTPC interface I've seen (not that I've seen many though). It streams 1080p videos from my Popcorn Hour wirelessly (wireless-N) without a hitch. Before this mplayer was my choice for doing this but the newer versions are having issues with it. It's a little heavy duty as a simple media player but the extra weight is more than worth it - at in my opinion.

2011-04-09, 12:49 AM	#5
Arc\|Angel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brampton - 20" Canadian Tire Electrohome Turn Dial TV; BetaMax; 386sx20mhz w/ 256 colours! Posts: 243	The ATV version is an unsupported hack and not that awesome. If you have an iOS device though the AirPlay on the apple tv makes this kind of unnecessary. __________________ XBOX & PS3: ArcAngelMD Wii: When I find a pen

2012-01-19, 12:27 PM	#6
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	I am interested in possibly running Plex on a Mac Mini in my family room. I was running Boxee on my JB ATV1 which is great for .avi files but when I try to play .mp4 files it chugs. My idea was to use Front Row but I understand that is gone in Lion so I thought I would install Plex on a mac mini and have it source files from my Windows Home Server 2011. My question (in addition to "does this make sense") is will the Apple remote control Plex so I can have it operate as a ten foot interface? __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2012-01-19, 12:38 PM	#7
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 894	it does I prefer to use the Remote app on my ipod/iphone though, but you can use the silver remote np just remember though, Plex limits you to bitrates of 7k Last edited by Tikker; 2012-01-19 at 12:39 PM. Reason: added info

2012-01-19, 01:53 PM	#11
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	QuickSilver / tikker, thanks for the feedback. Your positive comments will get me to try out Plex on my kids iMac. If I'm satisfied then I will consider getting the imac mini. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2011-02-06, 09:02 AM	#2
QuickSilver Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 3,127	I have been running Plex since version 8. I have it on a Mac Mini in my home theater and it works great. I use the Aeon Skin which is very nice. I also run it on a JB Apple TV2 now in the bedroom since yesterday and it runs quite well. It runs as a front end and streams from either my Mini which runs PMS or the iMac which also runs PMS. I have tried XBMC and Boxee but always come back to Plex. I do wish Plex ran on the 1st generation Apple TV but I believe it was a choice for the dev's not to get it running on it. It runs great with media from my NAS (Acer Easystore) running WHS.

2011-03-07, 11:39 AM	#3
mac2crack Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St.Vital Posts: 31	Love Plex as a media player. I'm also reading my drives through an Extreme N router. Sometimes I connect my MBP to my LCD TV. I recently helped a family member hookup XBMC on his laptop-TV he's happy with it but I prefer PLEX for the Media Manager. I also use the PLEX app on my iPod. The app works as advertised. Cheers MacHeads

2011-03-18, 12:59 AM	#4
dufferdan Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cowtown Posts: 209	Sounds interesting. So it will run on the new Apple TV but no the hard drive based ATv? Odd. I intend to try Boxee hack on my ATv at the cabin. From what I have seen, though, I minght prefer the Plex if it would work...

2012-01-19, 12:45 PM	#8
QuickSilver Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 3,127	I use Plex on a Mini and an Acer WHS box. I run the server and client on the mini. The WHS serves up 4 shares (Movies, Music Concerts, Kids Movies and TV Shows). It has been running quite well after tweaking things to my liking. On my iMac I can update the mini by going to the mini IP address and the plex homepage it serves. I find sometimes the automatic updating does not occur after adding files to my WHS. I have not updated to myPlex yet as I have no need for it. I also use the Logitech Harmony One with it and it works very well. I have used the Apple remote in the past so you should have no problems Hugh.

2012-01-19, 01:35 PM	#10
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 894	I might be smooshing 2 issues together, but I know for sure that streaming something like that to the ATV's causes issues (maybe just on mkv tho?) I know I've definitely run into at home, but not with a mac mini

2012-01-20, 01:49 PM	#12
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 894	it's quick and easy to install fairly intuitive to get going, and it looks beautiful in action as long as none of the niggling little issues are showstoppers, you'll likely be very satisfied

2012-09-26, 10:24 AM	#13
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Just thought I would update. I've been running Plex now for about eight months. I've had my issues but overall its been great. I have the server software running on my Windows Home Server. Clients include iPad, mac mini (yes I bought it), Windows PC's, WDTV Live and PS3. I don't use the PS3 since the interface is terrible but the rest are excellent. Works great with .wtv files also so my OTA recordings are dumped into a Recordings library so every device in the house has access to OTA. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2012-09-27, 11:42 PM	#14
j0dest3r Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,617	Hugh does this mean you are using Plex instead of the Media sharing capabilities of WHS, or are you using both?

2012-09-28, 07:26 AM	#15
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Just Plex __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

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