Plex has completely blown me away!

[ellisr63]

I am just setting up Plex again...this time on my unraid NAS. It is better than it used to be for sure, but I still prefer Kodi on Manjaro. My other player is a DUNE HD PRO which I use MyMovies for metadata, and it gives a pretty nice interface that way. What I do not like about Plex is its metadata collection...even when I select local source and direct it to mY drive, it misses about 30% of my movies for metadata. Each movie folder is worded exactly the same for my images, but it still misses them, and I have to go in and input all the missing info. I also run the Roku Premium, but that is mainly for streaming for me.

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[henkeli]

I am just setting up Plex again...this time on my unraid NAS. It is better than it used to be for sure, but I still prefer Kodi on Manjaro. My other player is a DUNE HD PRO which I use MyMovies for metadata, and it gives a pretty nice interface that way. What I do not like about Plex is its metadata collection...even when I select local source and direct it to mY drive, it misses about 30% of my movies for metadata. Each movie folder is worded exactly the same for my images, but it still misses them, and I have to go in and input all the missing info. I also run the Roku Premium, but that is mainly for streaming for me.

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I found the Roku with Plex quite useful and really wish Roku would support the HD audio streams. But I doubt they or AppleTV ever will. Forced subs in PGS were also kind of a problem with Plex as I needed to trial & error to find the right stream to use. Not a huge deal though, compared to the lack of HD audio.

I almost bit on the Shield but it did not quite provide all the features of the Z9S for local movies.

Does Plex have to transcode the stream from your NAS? Many moons ago I used a Synology with an HTPC and will never go back to that setup again. It's taking me a while and giving me a bunch of headaches just to get bluray ISO's off the freaking drives.

 

[KEW]

I have Plex Pass Lifetime. I've paid $75 for it. It has few neat features, such as support for hardware video transcoding. Free plex clients for all platforms they support. [normally 5$ each platform] Ability to control shared libraries and download videos to personal devices for offline viewing [the server need to have the pass, not necessarily the client]
OTA DVR already covered above
To get the $75 special, the only one way I know is to create a Plex account and subscribe to Plex Newsletter and patiently wait for the invite.

I got the lifetime pass earlier this year when they sent me a promo for it for $75. Let's me access everything on my phone when I'm not home as well that way. (as long as my internet cooperates that is)

I am not clear on how this works, but I went ahead and got the lifetime pass when it was on sale.
I am wondering if, like a service like Hulu or Netflix, it allows multiple setups (like 3 seats of a software to use the traditional jargon). It would be cool if I could share it with a family member!

 

[ellisr63]

I found the Roku with Plex quite useful and really wish Roku would support the HD audio streams. But I doubt they or AppleTV ever will. Forced subs in PGS were also kind of a problem with Plex as I needed to trial & error to find the right stream to use. Not a huge deal though, compared to the lack of HD audio.

I almost bit on the Shield but it did not quite provide all the features of the Z9S for local movies.

Does Plex have to transcode the stream from your NAS? Many moons ago I used a Synology with an HTPC and will never go back to that setup again. It's taking me a while and giving me a bunch of headaches just to get bluray ISO's off the freaking drives.

I do not transcode my streams... I only need stream at a time so I think I am fine, but just recently unraid did an update, and it pauses on my Dune Player and Plex. My solution currently is to run 2 10TB USB3 HDDs hooked up directly to my Dune, and stream from there. It works perfect this way...even in 4k movies.

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[henkeli]

I do not transcode my streams?... I only need stream at a time so I think Inam fine, but just recently unraid did an update, and it pauses on my Dune Player and Plex. My solution currently is to run 2 10TB USB3 HDDs hooked up directly to my Dune, and stream from there. It works perfect this way...even in 4k movies.

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transcode depends on the Plex config, wether or not it attempts to convert audio/video streams while playing. If the media server is on a NAS, it typically struggles.

But anyway the locally attached storage is also what I'm after. Simple and portable with exFAT. I'm currently booting a live Ubuntu stick so that I can even mount the old Synology drives to copy data off. What a hassle.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I am not clear on how this works, but I went ahead and got the lifetime pass when it was on sale. I am wondering if, like a service like Hulu or Netflix, it allows multiple setups (like 3 seats of a software to use the traditional jargon). It would be cool if I could share it with a family member!

You can absolutely share your plex with a family member and even friends. Plex Pass allows both.
It's not that hard to set up, just follow the instructions to enable remote access.

Remote Access

Enable access to your Plex Media Server from outside your local network so that you can reach it when away...

support.plex.tv

I'd admit sometimes it could be tricky to make it work, but in most cases, it's fairly simple. The good news it will only be needed to do once.

 

[NINaudio]

I am not clear on how this works, but I went ahead and got the lifetime pass when it was on sale. I am wondering if, like a service like Hulu or Netflix, it allows multiple setups (like 3 seats of a software to use the traditional jargon). It would be cool if I could share it with a family member!

Like BSA said it does allow you to share with family and friends. It also lets you use the mobile apps for free as well. If you don't ahve the plex pass the mobile apps are somewhat limited unless you pay the app price. I think it was $5 or something. Plus plex pass also gives you access to DVR features if you're interested in that. It's something I'd love to do in the future, but right now our internet isn't good enough for us to cut the cord, so I haven't dabbled much with it.

 

[panteragstk]

I found the Roku with Plex quite useful and really wish Roku would support the HD audio streams. But I doubt they or AppleTV ever will. Forced subs in PGS were also kind of a problem with Plex as I needed to trial & error to find the right stream to use. Not a huge deal though, compared to the lack of HD audio.

I almost bit on the Shield but it did not quite provide all the features of the Z9S for local movies.

Does Plex have to transcode the stream from your NAS? Many moons ago I used a Synology with an HTPC and will never go back to that setup again. It's taking me a while and giving me a bunch of headaches just to get bluray ISO's off the freaking drives.

Other than HDR to SDR what features does the Shield not have?

 

[panteragstk]

I am not clear on how this works, but I went ahead and got the lifetime pass when it was on sale.
I am wondering if, like a service like Hulu or Netflix, it allows multiple setups (like 3 seats of a software to use the traditional jargon). It would be cool if I could share it with a family member!

And if you're super nice maybe someone will share their Plex library with you.

 

[henkeli]

Other than HDR to SDR what features does the Shield not have?

was looking for complete movie file playback support. so things like 3D, ISO, folder structure, all video codecs including VC-1, lots of local storage options for drives, something like the premium dedicated media players but in a lower cost package. i don't do OTA and don't care for TV that much to store episodes.

 

[panteragstk]

was looking for complete movie file playback support. so things like 3D, ISO, folder structure, all video codecs including VC-1, lots of local storage options for drives, something like the premium dedicated media players but in a lower cost package. i don't do OTA and don't care for TV that much to store episodes.

I don't have issues with 3D and VC-1, but yeah, if you do folder structure for BD and ISOs then Plex isn't for you. Not really a Shield thing though.

I used to used folder structure a long time ago, but I realized I didn't care about all the extras and just put everything into .mkv containers and never looked back. Seems to have worked out better.

 

[henkeli]

I don't have issues with 3D and VC-1, but yeah, if you do folder structure for BD and ISOs then Plex isn't for you. Not really a Shield thing though.

I used to used folder structure a long time ago, but I realized I didn't care about all the extras and just put everything into .mkv containers and never looked back. Seems to have worked out better.

That is not what my research indicates. Shield has the following limitations:

• No playback of full 3D MVC frame-packed files
• Green screening of VC-1 Bluray rips
• Buggy implementation of Dolby Vision on streaming apps
• Buggy implementation of AI upscaling
• No HDR to SDR mapping

 

[panteragstk]

That is not what my research indicates. Shield has the following limitations:

• No playback of full 3D MVC frame-packed files
• Green screening of VC-1 Bluray rips
• Buggy implementation of Dolby Vision on streaming apps
• Buggy implementation of AI upscaling
• No HDR to SDR mapping

I've read some of the same, but for me it doesn't apply except for HDR to SDR mapping. I use Kodi DS Player on my HTPC for that. Only that actually.

I have VC-1 rips that play fine so I haven't experienced that issue.

3D, AI upscaling, and Dolby Vision aren't important to me at this time. Once projectors support DV, I might start to care.

Even though I don't really care about 3D, the movies I have that are 3D play just fine. I must not have the type the Shield has issues with.

 

[thrillcat]

VC1 rips play just fine on my Shield.


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[henkeli]

Plex Slammed By Huge Copyright Coalition For Not Policing Pirates * TorrentFreak

Plex has become the latest neutral technology to get slammed for not doing enough to prevent movie and TV show piracy. According to pro-copyright lobby group CreativeFuture, which represents more than 560 companies and organizations, Plex - like Kodi - is a "dangerous digital media player" that...

torrentfreak.com

You didn't agree to the Plex privacy terms, did you?

For example, we may collect what program or movie you are watching and when, your interaction with any static or video advertising, etc. We may also collect your device information and device location, for example, by using your IP address or by asking for your zip code. We may use this information to run and improve our Services, provide advertising and marketing to you, as well as share anonymous or aggregated versions of the data with third parties.

 

[panteragstk]

Plex Slammed By Huge Copyright Coalition For Not Policing Pirates * TorrentFreak

Plex has become the latest neutral technology to get slammed for not doing enough to prevent movie and TV show piracy. According to pro-copyright lobby group CreativeFuture, which represents more than 560 companies and organizations, Plex - like Kodi - is a "dangerous digital media player" that...

torrentfreak.com

You didn't agree to the Plex privacy terms, did you?

For example, we may collect what program or movie you are watching and when, your interaction with any static or video advertising, etc. We may also collect your device information and device location, for example, by using your IP address or by asking for your zip code. We may use this information to run and improve our Services, provide advertising and marketing to you, as well as share anonymous or aggregated versions of the data with third parties.

Those people will go after literally any software that plays video or audio files because it COULD be used for piracy. So can a blu-ray player when you make a copy of a disc. TVs are also an issue since they let you see content that could potentially be pirated.

 

[Zildjianmeister]

I finally completed my plex server/nas setup and really enjoying it like others here. Using Roku ultra as the client.

That said anyone with suggestions for a solid Blu ray burner for ripping? I have a Buffalo and it has been hit or miss with both blu rays and DVD.. If the DVD doesn't work I use my pcs internal drive and its fine.

Wirecutter rated a pioneer standard and lg ultra hd burner as the best. I'm just interested in ripping standard blu Ray. Any thoughts on these models? Better reliability? I did read that you have to download a utility for pioneer or It rips really slow.
thanks!
Z

 

[NINaudio]

I use an internal LG blu-ray drive that I picked up from Micro Center. Works great for ripping blu-rays.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

PLEX sucks with the subtitles, though.

For 2K movies/TV shows that have any kind of issues with subtitles, I use KODI.

 

[Zildjianmeister]

@NINaudio ,
Thank you. I should have mentioned I was looking for an external drive. But this is a start.
Thanks again,
Z

I use an internal LG blu-ray drive that I picked up from Micro Center. Works great for ripping blu-rays.