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General => Tech Chat => Topic started by: Lazybones on June 05, 2012, 12:29:54 AM

Title: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 05, 2012, 12:29:54 AM
http://www.plexapp.com/

Although the DLNA support isn't as good as serviio it is rapidly improving between releases... However that isn't the best part, the plex server is super easy to setup, has a nice web UP and the plex iOS app works almost flawlessly to stream your library outside your home network even over 3G seriously even subtitled stuff works...

The DLNA server seems to work very well with the WDTV, it even displays images for season folders which is a semi rare DLNA feature to support.

Xbox support is fairly sold as well over DLNA

Like boxee you can setup an online account and use a bookmarklet on your browser to queue up stuff like youtube vidoes to later play on your plex clients... I tested this out with a youtube clip and it played great both on my xbox and on my iPhone over 3G...

worth checking out...

The iOS version is not free..
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 06, 2012, 07:22:30 PM
So DLNA trans-coding works rather well with the XBox and it will display thumbs for the videos.

ON the WDTV DLNA works even better with Series and Season folders getting poster thumbnails and video thumbs for the video.

I tired DLNA on my 2010 Samsung blueray player and found it didn't really work, on serviio playback is decent on this device and I get video thumbs but on plex at the moment it doesn't have a dlna profile and fails.

I was a little disappointed  and was going to write a DLNA trans-code profile for it, till I noticed there was a Samsung sub-forum on the Plex forum...

Turns out there is a Plex APP for the Samsungs if you switch it to developer mode..

Take a look at this (this is a "app" on my samsung blueray player):
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 06, 2012, 07:24:11 PM
Also purchased the Plex App for iOS and it works great even over 3G... seriously I can stream my home movie content trans-coded anywhere.


So now my WDTV seems a little out of place because it doesn't have a Plex app.. IT can play everything and shows thumbs for folders but when using it you miss out on the metadata unless you use its own direct folder access and scraper, which is redundant.

I believe the Roku units come with this kind of Plex app, making me really consider selling my WDTV and grabbing one of the new Roku units.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 11, 2012, 11:40:56 PM
So I've set it up.. But do you notice any kind of serious cpu use from the mediaserver? What are you running it on?

When I'm streaming from my phone, and let it auto pick the bitrate, I see upwards of 400-500% cpu use (quadcore system with hyperthreading, so 5+ "cores" end up in use).

You guys are going to have to let me know if my plex use impacts minecraft at all ;D
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 11, 2012, 11:46:36 PM
Transcoding is always CPU intense, you may want to artificially limit the plex user/app to 2 cores.

I am running it under Debian on old dual core AMD x2 based system.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 12:12:46 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 11, 2012, 11:46:36 PM
Transcoding is always CPU intense, you may want to artificially limit the plex user/app to 2 cores.

I am running it under Debian on old dual core AMD x2 based system.
Yeah, limiting it is an option, but you think if its using that much, it /needs/ that much, so limiting it is only going to cause for some rather choppy playback. Seriously on this new Sandybridge Quadcore with HT, it can and will use 5 or more cores on a quadcore system  :o

I'm not having much luck finding any official way to limit plex's cpu use, other than never using high bitrates.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 12:13:00 AM
As for the bit rate, on my phone I assume on 3G I want to limit my use as much as possible so I don't blow my cap on my plan.

So I limited the streams to 320kbps, 240p when on 3G
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 12:17:49 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 12:13:00 AM
As for the bit rate, on my phone I assume on 3G I want to limit my use as much as possible so I don't blow my cap on my plan.

So I limited the streams to 320kbps, 240p when on 3G
I was just playing back locally and letting it auto pick. When I put it down to 1.5mbps, then the cpu use was around 300%.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on June 12, 2012, 12:57:57 AM
Wait a minute, you're running _other_ stuff on your MC server?  How...  unpure!

We won't know if it's actually affecting it since we don't know when you're Plexing.

Yes, that's a new word.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 01:09:29 AM
Quote from: Thorin on June 12, 2012, 12:57:57 AM
Wait a minute, you're running _other_ stuff on your MC server?  How...  unpure!

We won't know if it's actually affecting it since we don't know when you're Plexing.

Yes, that's a new word.
If the server all of a sudden craps out... That's a good sign. Like its there but the lag just skyrocketed, and comes back 22 minutes later? ;D
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:03:10 AM
Sent you an invite with some of my video sections shared... (plex lets you share video between accounts)

Will have to watch if it impacts my cap but wanted to check out the feature.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 12:59:47 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:03:10 AM
Sent you an invite with some of my video sections shared... (plex lets you share video between accounts)

Will have to watch if it impacts my cap but wanted to check out the feature.
Heh. I'll have to check it out. Maybe share mine.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 01:04:49 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 12:59:47 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:03:10 AM
Sent you an invite with some of my video sections shared... (plex lets you share video between accounts)

Will have to watch if it impacts my cap but wanted to check out the feature.
Heh. I'll have to check it out. Maybe share mine.

I am still doing some sorting on my other Library sections so I only shared the primary already sorted ones, however I may bring in some new content from my Archive folder as I believe it is clean for meta import.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 01:54:08 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 01:04:49 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 12:59:47 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:03:10 AM
Sent you an invite with some of my video sections shared... (plex lets you share video between accounts)

Will have to watch if it impacts my cap but wanted to check out the feature.
Heh. I'll have to check it out. Maybe share mine.

I am still doing some sorting on my other Library sections so I only shared the primary already sorted ones, however I may bring in some new content from my Archive folder as I believe it is clean for meta import.
I still have a lot of sorting to do. Turns out it doesn't treat symlinks specially at all. And one of my media folders has a link inside it to one of my other folders.. One that happens to be 2.2TB in size. So yeah. Fun times.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:05:13 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 01:54:08 PM
]I still have a lot of sorting to do. Turns out it doesn't treat symlinks specially at all. And one of my media folders has a link inside it to one of my other folders.. One that happens to be 2.2TB in size. So yeah. Fun times.

Ya sorting previous stuff sucks, I moved nearly all my mess out into separate folders, then focused on easy stuff to correct.  I have posted several tools in the past that help with naming.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 02:57:44 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 02:05:13 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 01:54:08 PM
]I still have a lot of sorting to do. Turns out it doesn't treat symlinks specially at all. And one of my media folders has a link inside it to one of my other folders.. One that happens to be 2.2TB in size. So yeah. Fun times.

Ya sorting previous stuff sucks, I moved nearly all my mess out into separate folders, then focused on easy stuff to correct.  I have posted several tools in the past that help with naming.
For the most part my stuff is sorted. Though I have some work to do in my anime and music folders. I was waiting to do all that till my array was back up and stable. Since some of the work would be rather fs/disk intensive, and I didn't want to risk the entire array on it. I wrote a couple tools to detect dups and to check for corrupt files (given the folder has a file with hash's in it, or the filenames have the hash in them). I still have yet to do a full run.

But flexget has helped with sorting TV ;D I just wish deluge and transmission weren't so broken on tvtorrents. my large stack of GCreds is quickly drying up because I /can't/ properly seed on there anymore :(
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on June 12, 2012, 04:40:21 PM
Why can't you?  Is it that the files are getting renamed?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 04:44:45 PM
Quote from: Thorin on June 12, 2012, 04:40:21 PM
Why can't you?  Is it that the files are getting renamed?

Deluge supports seeding even with renaming / moving when done through its API, however I have seen a few threads that say deluge doesn't seed properly sometimes.. then you see finger-pointing at libtorrent, and the issue goes into the vacuum that is the lib-torrent mailing list or bug tracker.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 04:46:38 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 04:44:45 PM
Quote from: Thorin on June 12, 2012, 04:40:21 PM
Why can't you?  Is it that the files are getting renamed?

Deluge supports seeding even with renaming / moving when done through its API, however I have seen a few threads that say deluge doesn't seed properly sometimes.. then you see finger-pointing at libtorrent, and the issue goes into the vacuum that is the lib-torrent mailing list or bug tracker.
Pretty much. It works ok from bakabt and other trackers. But I've had to up my seed ratio to 2 to get anywhere near 1.0 on tvtorrents.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 06:45:43 PM
Here's slightly disappointing news, Plex doesn't seem to respect its own language preference settings. While you can tell it to select a given language for audio and subtitle tracks, it just doesn't seem to use them. :(
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 06:58:23 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 06:45:43 PM
Here's slightly disappointing news, Plex doesn't seem to respect its own language preference settings. While you can tell it to select a given language for audio and subtitle tracks, it just doesn't seem to use them. :(


Sometimes that is an issue with the encoded file not the player.  I have noticed some videos I have with multi audio are not labeled and appear as unknown.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 07:17:48 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 06:58:23 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 06:45:43 PM
Here's slightly disappointing news, Plex doesn't seem to respect its own language preference settings. While you can tell it to select a given language for audio and subtitle tracks, it just doesn't seem to use them. :(


Sometimes that is an issue with the encoded file not the player.  I have noticed some videos I have with multi audio are not labeled and appear as unknown.
Well its happening with every file I've tried so far. And I've seen other people say the same thing on the forums. It appears it just doesn't respect those settings, or it doesn't realize that different formats name languages differently (mkv, avi and ogg all call the languages something different, I think avi doesn't even give them a name, just an index, mkv uses English and Japanese, and ogg might have eng and jpy etc). At any rate, its annoying, and pretty much makes it impossible to use for most dual audio or softsub anime.

I almost watched WALL-E again last night while messing with the plex client on my tablet. I got like 20 minutes in :-x
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 07:25:30 PM
Looking at the info tab metadata it looks like none of my movies have identifiable audio. They all show as unknown or ? It seems.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 07:34:34 PM
I'm not seeing anywhere in the anime section that's currently scanning where there's a place that specifies language. Either on the web tool or the android app.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 07:41:48 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 07:34:34 PM
I'm not seeing anywhere in the anime section that's currently scanning where there's a place that specifies language. Either on the web tool or the android app.

Are you indexing them with the Series indexer and getting the other meta data?

At any  rate even if it defaults to the wrong one, the full desktop client and the android client should both support switching audio tracks and subs even if they are unlabeled http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/Plex_Nine_MobileClients#See_more_information_about_a_Show
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 07:52:50 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 07:41:48 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 07:34:34 PM
I'm not seeing anywhere in the anime section that's currently scanning where there's a place that specifies language. Either on the web tool or the android app.

Are you indexing them with the Series indexer and getting the other meta data?

At any  rate even if it defaults to the wrong one, the full desktop client and the android client should both support switching audio tracks and subs even if they are unlabeled http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/Plex_Nine_MobileClients#See_more_information_about_a_Show
I first ran it with the Movies indexer set to personal files mode. but that was annoying. So today I cleaned out the db and started over. Its managing to index the shows pretty decently. I'd say 90% or more of the shows are setup properly with cover art, and other metadata.

So I just found those controls in the android app, but its per file, and that is /incredibly/ annoying. You might as well not provide that setting for a Series. A movie sure.. but a 12, 22, 56+ ep series? /me shudders.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2012, 08:00:17 PM
Yeah, its pretty useless (soft)subtitled for anime. It defaults to the english even when you tell it otherwise, and half or more? of the files seem to be detected wrong as you mentioned. Some have the audio and subtitle tracks listed, many don't.

Well should be ok for TV and Movies.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 12, 2012, 08:20:06 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2012, 08:00:17 PM
Yeah, its pretty useless (soft)subtitled for anime. It defaults to the english even when you tell it otherwise, and half or more? of the files seem to be detected wrong as you mentioned. Some have the audio and subtitle tracks listed, many don't.

Well should be ok for TV and Movies.

Well you can always report the issue in the forums.. It might be due to the version ffmpeg used or something else
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 14, 2012, 10:14:19 AM
I noticed my media all was unknown, using mediainfo it appears to be a case of the media not the player that is at issue

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/42883-unknown-audio/

Test your multi-audio multi-sub files with http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en and see if they are correctly labeled.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 21, 2012, 10:57:02 PM
The plex app just became officially available for Samsung Blueray players for free via the Samsung app store... very slick.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 24, 2012, 08:13:13 PM
If you have lots of Anime you might find this interesting http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/37750-anidb-metadata-agent/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 24, 2012, 08:43:45 PM
Yeah, I saw that recently. But given the description its somewhat annoying. Using the UDP api and has to hash every file before it can do a search for it.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 25, 2012, 12:47:48 AM
Webpage based Plex client uses HTML video or Flash tags depending on the browsers.. Basically lets you stream plex on just about anything. Although not as robust as the native clients.
http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/42715-plex-web-player-with-a-twist/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 09, 2012, 12:03:35 PM
So I have had a chance to play with the myPlex functions a little more and I have to say they are lots of fun.

myPlex is required for remote authentication (local lan by default is open). You need to register on their site then set your server up with the account..

This service does a few basic things:
- Common authentication to the server from all external devices iPhone or clients off site
- The option to send content to the device via email or the Plex It Bookmarklet, so online videos can be queued up
- The option for you to selectively share out your libraries to others. IE friends and family can setup MyPlex accounts and access your server remotely, you can then choose which libraries you share with them. (all myPlex clients will show you other servers that have been shared)

I have been testing out the sharing with my brother, it is GERAT, the only down side might be running through one another bandwidth caps from all the upload / streaming. However in general it really solves one of those media collection issues of sharing and remote access... I could be at a friends house and just as easily queue up a movie from my collection as if I was at home.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 14, 2012, 03:36:03 PM
Plex media server is now officially available on Synology NAS units.
http://blog.synology.com/blog/?p=1012
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on July 26, 2012, 11:35:33 PM
I tried myPlex stuff today. I had The Daily Show streaming on my phone in claireview :D If I had headphones, and hadn't seen that ep yet, I probably would have watched the entire thing.

I'll share my server out later once I get it organized a little better.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 27, 2012, 01:02:43 AM
In the Plex forums there is an XBMC nfo file meta agent as well if you have previously IDed your collection or want to use a third party tool that generates nfo files.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 27, 2012, 01:06:51 PM
FYI my enjoyment of plex caused me to exceed my cellular data cap last month... WARNING it is addictive.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on July 27, 2012, 01:20:07 PM
So did that cost you a bunch, or did they just stop you at your cap?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 27, 2012, 01:27:07 PM
About $30, so expensive but not international roaming crazy.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on July 27, 2012, 06:01:56 PM
I just get throttled after 5 GB. I doubt I'll go over my cap any time soon.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on July 30, 2012, 08:07:04 PM
OK so now that Lazy convinced me to try Plex I have to say this:  CHANGE NOW!!!!

One of the easiest installs I've ever had.  Everything Just WORKS.

Now time will tell if there is issues with some of my releases on my network, but right now it is playing everything, cataloging everything and playing nicely without even having to change my download names at all.

PS3 Media Server has some options I'd like to see here, like the ability to order my Selection Lists myself, but otherwise I'm very happy with the move.

I highly, highly, highly suggest moving off TVersity, PS3MediaServer or any other DNLA server to this one.

On a tremendous note:  I can stream 2x 720p sources to two destinations (one Roku 2, one WD Live) with Plex where I could not with PS3MediaServer.  This is a huge gain in my eyes.

Oh and fast forward works in live time, without having to time stamp jump.  Plex seems to be very well developed indeed.

Maybe XBMC will be the only one to top it?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 30, 2012, 08:28:33 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on July 30, 2012, 08:07:04 PM
PS3 Media Server has some options I'd like to see here, like the ability to order my Selection Lists myself, but otherwise I'm very happy with the move.

From the media manager web UI you can edit the metadata and specify a different "sort name" from the display name if you like the name but wan a different order. You can also force / pick different poster art.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on July 31, 2012, 08:10:23 AM
I meant the Sections themselves, not the data within.  I can't seem to find how to sort that in an order of my choosing, rather than the default alphabetical it does for you.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 31, 2012, 08:12:04 AM
Aww ok, ya that is a bit annoying.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 13, 2012, 08:27:07 AM
So, I decided to give Plex a whirl and right off the bat I hit a problem.

I have quite a few ISOs from DVDs I own (not everyone visits Pirate Bay) anyway, I can load up the ISO no problem on my DVD player but, I can't control menus or anything.

VASTLY ANNOYING and nothing on their forums to suggest how to resolve this issue other than "use a different device" (which, is the most asinine thing I ever heard).

What. A. Swizz.

Anyway, really easy to set up, works like a dream for everything but ISOs it would seem.

Was going to lie comatose on the couch and have a Jacques Tati marathon, but I guess I'll have to find the discs now :P
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 13, 2012, 08:29:24 AM
I don't have any iso dumps anymore so I can't say I have run into that issue.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 13, 2012, 09:45:25 AM
http://forums2.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/35837-problem-with-iso-not-streaming/

Looks like it should be supported but you might have to tweak some settings, also this is probably only a function of the full native windows/Mac client and not the embedded clients.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 13, 2012, 10:29:25 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on August 13, 2012, 09:45:25 AM
http://forums2.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/35837-problem-with-iso-not-streaming/

Looks like it should be supported but you might have to tweak some settings, also this is probably only a function of the full native windows/Mac client and not the embedded clients.

Yep, ah well, I guess I'll have to decode a bunch of ISOs heh

At least it will free up some space in the end.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on August 13, 2012, 10:40:36 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 13, 2012, 10:29:25 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on August 13, 2012, 09:45:25 AM
http://forums2.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/35837-problem-with-iso-not-streaming/

Looks like it should be supported but you might have to tweak some settings, also this is probably only a function of the full native windows/Mac client and not the embedded clients.

Yep, ah well, I guess I'll have to decode a bunch of ISOs heh

At least it will free up some space in the end.
Could just rip out the video too, would take a lot less time. Slap the VOB on disk ;D
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 13, 2012, 11:56:45 AM
Turns out you need to have a little more than the bare specs if you don't want buffering on XBox. While I've found most videos play fine some took more juice to transcode and after about 20 minutes of viewing I'd hit a buffering wall that would send me back in time.

But still very cool, I'm actually quite surprised at how good it is at finding the right years, posters and in some cases subtitles!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 13, 2012, 12:01:17 PM
Make sure your "temp" directory has enough space, also don't use WIFI if you can avoid it when dealing with DLNA clients since they will try and play full bit-rate if they support the format.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 13, 2012, 12:15:36 PM
Yeah, I already learnt the WiFi lesson with 1080p streams on my BluRay player a while back.

But yeah, overall I'm impressed, easy to set up and get going, no fuss for the most part.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 31, 2012, 12:54:45 PM
Some big changes for plex

Plex Pass premium account
http://elan.plexapp.com/2012/08/28/part-2-introducing-plexpass/
- Voting on feature and bugs
- early access to features in development
- discounts on yet unannounced premium features

WebUI / Client (early access beta for PlexPass users)
http://elan.plexapp.com/2012/08/28/part-3-introducing-the-new-plex-web-client/


I have some fear of the pay model but Plex is so much better than the other solutions I have struggled with I have no issue paying them some cash, pricing is fairly reasonable.
I have tried out the Official Web Client (there are two unofficial ones) and it works VERY well... It has some issues (stretches 4:3 to 16:9) but other wise a very nice addition. If you are cheap it also works on iOS and Android devices, although the native clients on those platforms are a bit more robust.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on August 31, 2012, 01:00:45 PM
I read about that earlier, I really need to find some time to look at that again. Plex is pretty nice for most video.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 31, 2012, 01:52:21 PM
Plex has a Client API so as I said there are two unofficial web clients, however what was announce is a native one bundled with the server. It is currently only a beta available to the new premium Plex pass users hower it may roll out as a free feature once complete.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 31, 2012, 04:57:05 PM
Is there a Plex client for XBox because several MKVs I tried to play this afternoon wouldn't load, I suspect it's just sending the stream directly to the XBox via DLNA and while I have all the codecs on my computer the XBox does not

I don't want to convert a jillion MKVs!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 31, 2012, 04:59:59 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 31, 2012, 04:57:05 PM
Is there a Plex client for XBox because several MKVs I tried to play this afternoon wouldn't load, I suspect it's just sending the stream directly to the XBox via DLNA and while I have all the codecs on my computer the XBox does not

I don't want to convert a jillion MKVs!

The Xbox is supported via DNLA, and the server SHOULD trans-code ANYTHING it thinks the Xbox can't play natively.

Is your dashboard all up to date on the Xbox?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on August 31, 2012, 05:03:14 PM
XBox is all up to date, but yeah it no worky on either my XBox or my BluRay player. Video runs fine on both my PCs though.

Is there some option or something that needs to be flipped? I assumed this worked out of the box?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on August 31, 2012, 05:13:09 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 31, 2012, 05:03:14 PM
XBox is all up to date, but yeah it no worky on either my XBox or my BluRay player. Video runs fine on both my PCs though.

Is there some option or something that needs to be flipped? I assumed this worked out of the box?

Xbox should work out of the box, no configuration needed.... If your LG Bluerayplayer has the MediaLink app that is technically a Plex client otherwise it would connect over DLNA... There isn't an included profile for LG devices yet, so it would get the generic one and not know what to transcode.

If you have an original xbox like me you might be missing the media codec pack http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-IE/Product/Optional-Media-Update/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802fffe07df
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on September 01, 2012, 02:53:04 AM
Ooh that could be it.

Before the gang came over I was reading that it might be telling Plex that the device can handle the content and is not transcoding it, I found out that I can create a custom profile and set it up so that it's always transcoding, but I will check to see if I'm missing anything.

Thanks!!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on September 01, 2012, 10:06:03 AM
There is already an Xbox profile so it is odd you are having issue.

For the LG device you might be able to find some other users who have started to write a profile.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on September 04, 2012, 03:19:38 PM
So, I've been sick for a few days and being able to watch stuff with my tablet from bed has been a huge help :)

The Plex media client for Android is pretty amazing and looks great.

Still struggling with the XBox and LG though, I haven't found any good guides on updating the XML, not that I've looked very hard though.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on September 04, 2012, 05:31:00 PM
For the Xbox you should find the app mediainfo an post in the forums what codec etc would not play.

There is a sticky thread in the forum about making a a personal XML profile for other devices.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on September 07, 2012, 01:51:57 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on September 04, 2012, 03:19:38 PM
Still struggling with the XBox and LG though, I haven't found any good guides on updating the XML, not that I've looked very hard though.
Writing PLEX profiles for DLNA devices
http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/42523-writing-profiles-for-dlna-devices/


For the xbox download http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en and get the text dump from it (obscure the file name), then post your issue in the plex DLNA forum http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/forum/113-dlna/ stating the playback issue... It will likely get fixed or someone will give you a workaround to apply to the core DLNA profile.

Plex comes with a DLNA profile that is changed with each release and it also looks for a USER DLNA profile in another folder you can use for your custom needs.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 02, 2012, 11:07:43 PM
Well, I'm finally switching to Plex - once I find some time and motivation.  Why?  Because the free version of Tversity now costs $3.99.  Yeah, that's right, four bucks (8 minutes of work) is making me switch over to Plex (which will take 15 minutes to download and set up at least).

And yet I'll dish out a grand or more on sports equipment without blinking.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 08:21:11 PM
Gah, that's the eighth downloaded show in a row now that's had choppy audio when viewed through Tversity to my Xbox, but not when viewed on a computer.  So there's my impetus to switching to Plex - Plex Media Server is downloading as I type this.

Guess I'll have to learn what the extensions do, and make sure my wife and kid have the biggest possible data plans on their phones.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 08:26:19 PM
Haha pms.msi.  Yes, I'm installing PMS.  Great.

Okay, is there a way to have PMS start at computer startup, or do I have to be logged in as my user?  I've got multiple users on this computer and the others have been known to log my account off.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 16, 2012, 08:38:50 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 08:26:19 PM
Haha pms.msi.  Yes, I'm installing PMS.  Great.

Okay, is there a way to have PMS start at computer startup, or do I have to be logged in as my user?  I've got multiple users on this computer and the others have been known to log my account off.

Under windows unfortunately they haven't implemented as a service, I didn't know this till just now.

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/23711-running-pms-as-a-service-in-whs/

The standard workaround of creating a user account then setting up a scheduled task to launch PMS at startup should do the trick... Other than system updates you shouldn't have to touch it much since it is administered from a WebUI.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 08:53:23 PM
Since my files are on a network share, I also have to map a network drive.  So my user has to be logged in or it doesn't work.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 16, 2012, 08:57:59 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 08:53:23 PM
Since my files are on a network share, I also have to map a network drive.  So my user has to be logged in or it doesn't work.

You should be able to use a UNC path  http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/32949-unc-paths-and-plex/

If the share is open to everyone then it should work, if no then create matching usernames and passwords on both systems.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 09:21:13 PM
I tried.  It found no files.  Then I used a mapped drive, it found no files.  Then I figured out the plus sign, it found files.  Then I made another section without a plus sign in the name or the path but using a UNC path, it found no files.  I edited that section and used the mapped drive again, it found files.

Plus sign in path - no files
no plus sign in path, using unc path - no files
no plus sign in path, using mapped drive - files

That tells me that "should" and "does" aren't the same in my instance.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 09:26:33 PM
I sort my movies and tv shows into Little Kids+, Kids+, Teens+, and Adults.  This is intended to indicate to my kids what shows are appropriate for preschoolers, elementary schoolers, junior high schoolers, and not until they're old enough to drink.  Moreso for when there are little kids around, especially when they're babysitting.

To duplicate my folder structure, I had to add four Movie sections and four TV sections.  And there are a crapload of other folders I really don't give a @%&# about (ordered by actor?  WTF).  Honestly, I don't even want it downloading extra information from the internet because I don't care one wit about IMDb or whatever data I just want to watch the show.

So I've got these eight new sections (no music added yet), but for some reason only a couple of them have anything filled in.  I think that when I added a new section, it stopped updating the previous one.  That kinda sucks, but I can probably update it manually.  Hmm, no, that didn't work.  I think it's actually the plus sign in the name.  So here I go to rename my network folders.

The web UI called Plex Media Manager is being slow as @%&# for me, and it's almost like it can't handle the idea of updating two sections at the same time.

So here I sit, almost an hour after starting the process of installing Plex Media Server.  I have yet to get it to recognize my new show that I want to watch, I have to now keep my user logged in and a network drive mapped, and I'm getting super-frustrated.  And then people ask why I don't immediately jump to something new when something old was working fine (although this jump is because Tversity this week for some reason stopped working fine).
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 09:29:50 PM
god I hope this fixes the choppy audio
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 16, 2012, 09:36:02 PM
If you purely want a dlna server I suggest Serviio, it is still a better dlna server .

I use Plex with rich clients that show the posters, episode summaries ect.

If your library is large yes it will take a long time to scan and yes if you add more sections before the scan is complete it will slow things to a almost stop.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 16, 2012, 09:42:49 PM
Serviio (http://forums.righteouswrath.com/index.php/topic,8293.0.html)

By default Serviio does run as a service in windows, you can unchecked the meta-data collection if you don't want it, and you can hide the extra artist folders etc in the DLNA menus.

It might be a better fit, and it has great trans-coding for many DLNA devices... I left it for Plex specifically for the rich meta clients plex has.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 09:47:44 PM
Well, running PMS completely bogged down my machine and as you say, Lazy, all I want is a DLNA server, so I'll give Serviio a try.  Really, I had a DLNA server but for some reason it started handing out choppy audio.  Hopefully Serviio can run as a Windows service and access UNC paths to my NAS without needing me logged in.

The way it's going now, I won't get to watch my show until tomorrow night, where I'll probably be too busy, so it'll get bumped to Thursday night, and then something'll come up, and then Friday and Saturday are gone already...  Maybe I should've just put up with the choppy audio.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 16, 2012, 09:59:14 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 16, 2012, 09:47:44 PM
Well, running PMS completely bogged down my machine and as you say, Lazy, all I want is a DLNA server, so I'll give Serviio a try.  Really, I had a DLNA server but for some reason it started handing out choppy audio.  Hopefully Serviio can run as a Windows service and access UNC paths to my NAS without needing me logged in.

The way it's going now, I won't get to watch my show until tomorrow night, where I'll probably be too busy, so it'll get bumped to Thursday night, and then something'll come up, and then Friday and Saturday are gone already...  Maybe I should've just put up with the choppy audio.
You should see how long it takes for PMS to scan my collection. Ages. But its cool once its done. And really handy for searching for things when you're not at home.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on October 16, 2012, 10:03:47 PM
Same. It took about a day to get through 4TB of stuff, it goofed on some things but was like 90%

Now I can lay in bed and watch MST3K...

which is probably not a good thing lol
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 16, 2012, 10:05:35 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on October 16, 2012, 10:03:47 PM
Same. It took about a day to get through 4TB of stuff, it goofed on some things but was like 90%

Now I can lay in bed and watch MST3K...

which is probably not a good thing lol
This is why I'm kinda happy it doesn't work so well on anime. I'd spend too much time watching stuff in bed ;D

Then again, I have xbmc on my tablet now and could watch anything anyway... so .... best not to remember that late at night ;D
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on October 16, 2012, 10:15:39 PM
I hear ya, it's bad enough I can just grab the tablet and watch Yogscast whenever haha
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on October 17, 2012, 08:00:56 AM
I use UNC paths with my Plex server, and don't map a network drive.  I too had many folders I had to add to my Plex as I sort my TV shows by 0-Z folders.  But I only needed one TV Shows folder in plex and then added them all under it.  Sure it took a while to do all 27 folders, but it worked like a charm.

Maybe it is because I don't have the complexity you guys have or the file count, but I do have 3TBs of Movies and 1.5TB of TV shows and my plex takes only an hour or so to update the library.  My network at home is a gigabyte with jumbo frames, so maybe that helps?!??!?!? I don't know why mine runs so much faster than what you are reporting.  Only the initial one took almost 12 hours to complete.

Thorin I'm sorry you have had such a pain with it.  Really you and Mr. Analog are the only two now that I have found with having major show stoppers.  Not sure why that is, but in the computer world anything is possible.  I never did get anything working well through TVersity, and yet you have had it working this whole time... computers lol.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 10:20:26 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on October 17, 2012, 08:00:56 AM
I use UNC paths with my Plex server, and don't map a network drive.  I too had many folders I had to add to my Plex as I sort my TV shows by 0-Z folders.  But I only needed one TV Shows folder in plex and then added them all under it.  Sure it took a while to do all 27 folders, but it worked like a charm.

Maybe it is because I don't have the complexity you guys have or the file count, but I do have 3TBs of Movies and 1.5TB of TV shows and my plex takes only an hour or so to update the library.  My network at home is a gigabyte with jumbo frames, so maybe that helps?!??!?!? I don't know why mine runs so much faster than what you are reporting.  Only the initial one took almost 12 hours to complete.
Yeah, its the initial scan thats a bitch. But once it's done, its fine. Of course I also have GbE \o/ but then I run Plex on my server which sits on an 8 port SAS/SATA card that runs a RAID5 that is capable of reads at up to 500MB/s or more.

Quote from: Melbosa on October 17, 2012, 08:00:56 AM
Thorin I'm sorry you have had such a pain with it.  Really you and Mr. Analog are the only two now that I have found with having major show stoppers.  Not sure why that is, but in the computer world anything is possible.  I never did get anything working well through TVersity, and yet you have had it working this whole time... computers lol.
I have a partial show stopper. It's support for fansubs. I can see how it might be a little complex to support properly though with the re-encoding.. But I imagine, if it's going to be re-encoding, it could render the subtitles onto it as it goes. Maybe.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 11:31:45 AM
Yeah, sorry if I was grumpy last night, I just wanted to watch my show without the audio stuttering.  Tversity had been stuttering on all vids for a couple of weeks and I thought I could quickly and easily swap it out with Plex and that wasn't nearly as quick and painless as I was expecting.

By the way, I switched to Serviio and still had the stuttering happening, so I'm wondering what the hell's going on now.  Maybe there's transcoding going on without me realizing it, or something.  Or maybe someone else in my house installed something that messed up the codecs or something.  I'll have to look at it next time I have time.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on October 17, 2012, 11:35:51 AM
Now I'd be curious to see how it plays on Plex, as it uses its own codec system, no external codecs required.  If it stuttered, then I would say you have another issue all-together.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 11:47:50 AM
Both serviio and Plex should come with their own codecs avoiding a host codec problem... both are basically CPU limited.

Some release groups have started using newer versions of h264 or odd high profile bit rates... If serviio or plex detect your xbox doesn't natively handle these they will automatically trans-code.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 11:57:47 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 11:47:50 AM
Both serviio and Plex should come with their own codecs avoiding a host codec problem... both are basically CPU limited.

Some release groups have started using newer versions of h264 or odd high profile bit rates... If serviio or plex detect your xbox doesn't natively handle these they will automatically trans-code.
Not to mention 10bit encodes rather than the older 8bit ones.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 12:18:07 PM
Quote from: Tom on October 17, 2012, 11:57:47 AM
Not to mention 10bit encodes rather than the older 8bit ones.

That is what I was referring to in a generic way.. Most hardware DLNA based devices, or even Plex native devices like a Roku can't decode that natively so the audio at least gets trans-coded.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 12:29:42 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 12:18:07 PM
Quote from: Tom on October 17, 2012, 11:57:47 AM
Not to mention 10bit encodes rather than the older 8bit ones.

That is what I was referring to in a generic way.. Most hardware DLNA based devices, or even Plex native devices like a Roku can't decode that natively so the audio at least gets trans-coded.
I was refering to the new h264 10bit stuff. It supposedly reduces file size, not sure how exactly.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 02:45:59 PM
h264 != XviD, right?  All of my stuff is XviD encoded, I avoid stuff marked h264.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 02:50:59 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 02:45:59 PM
h264 != XviD, right?  All of my stuff is XviD encoded, I avoid stuff marked h264.
Same family (MPEG4), but when people use the h264 term, they mean MPEG4 Part 10 AKA MPEG4-AVC, much more cpu intensive, but smaller file sizes and higher quality. XviD is MPEG4 part 2 AKA MPEG4-ASP. It's a simpler variant of MPEG4 which doesn't include a lot of the fancier compression methods that AVC uses.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 02:51:35 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 02:45:59 PM
h264 != XviD, right?  All of my stuff is XviD encoded, I avoid stuff marked h264.

Correct XviD should be fairly safe, however container file and audio track can be all over the place.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 02:59:42 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 02:51:35 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 02:45:59 PM
h264 != XviD, right?  All of my stuff is XviD encoded, I avoid stuff marked h264.

Correct XviD should be fairly safe, however container file and audio track can be all over the place.
I think usually you're safe with avi for xvid. h264 is usually either in .mp4 or .mkv, and sometimes you'll find xvid in mkv as well, but most encoders I think have moved to h264 for hd and what not in the higher quality mkv releases.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 03:52:57 PM
My container files are always AVI as I avoid MKV and MP4.  They're always marked XviD as I avoid h264.  For those that are marked, I always pick the AC3 sound option.  I do this because I know that my old tech won't transcode fast enough to watch a show.

Maybe it's newer audio codecs being used that are making the sound stutter.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 04:18:18 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 03:52:57 PM
My container files are always AVI as I avoid MKV and MP4.  They're always marked XviD as I avoid h264.  For those that are marked, I always pick the AC3 sound option.  I do this because I know that my old tech won't transcode fast enough to watch a show.

Maybe it's newer audio codecs being used that are making the sound stutter.
Maybe stick with stereo?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on October 17, 2012, 05:21:35 PM
What device are you using as an endpoint client?

- is it wired or on wifi?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 09:26:53 PM
AC3 is stereo still, isn't it?

XBOX360 as an endpoint client.


 XBOX360 ---- Shaw Modem/Router >> wifi
100baseT      gigE
               |
               |
Drobo FS ---- Switch ---- Serviio on Computer
gigE          gigE        100baseT


All wired.  The xbox and computer are not gigE, but still wired.  There's only one DHCP server, running on the modem/router - the switch is simply passing packets back and forth.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2012, 09:34:15 PM
Quote from: Thorin on October 17, 2012, 09:26:53 PM
AC3 is stereo still, isn't it?
I suppose you can have 2 channel AC3. But I think most of the time it's used for surround. stereo xvid I think would normally come with mp3 audio.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on November 04, 2012, 03:14:56 PM
Just noticed in Serviio today that there is an option for how many cores to use when transcoding.  It was set to 1, I changed it to 2.  I wonder if that'll make a difference.  Although these files shouldn't be transcoding, so it should work as it did before without stuttering.  Beyond that, I have no idea what changed on my system to make the sound stutter.  Maybe it's time to put the media server back on the other (nearly identical) computer.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on January 08, 2013, 07:30:22 PM
Plex shows off cloudSync, its new online digital movie locker, we go hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/plex-cloudsync/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on January 13, 2013, 05:31:04 PM
Here is a site I wish I had looked at earlier.  Turns out my new Synology, while providing me with the space increase I needed, will not be providing me with Transcoding of HD content any time soon - even with it's dual CPUs.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhqU12yGv_OxdC1VYjYtMmRiSlVReVZhNVBLZ0JxSmc#gid=0

Gives a listing of every NAS supported by Plex and what it can Transcode.  I'm still setting up my Synology to use Plex natively and we'll see if I have any content it needs to Transcode - if so well I might be going back to a computer in the middle.  I'll be using some of the other functionality of the Synology, so for me not a total loss, and I did need the space increase for spindles.

Just an FYI for you if you were looking for such Transcoding possibilities in a NAS.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 14, 2013, 11:48:43 PM
FYI there is a new Plex server release out with a more efficient trans-coder.
http://elan.plexapp.com/2013/03/12/plex-media-server-v0-9-7-17/


Also there is a Raspberry Pi build with low cost VESA case,
http://elan.plexapp.com/2013/03/14/happy-pi-day/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 15, 2013, 08:06:34 AM
I hope they have DVD remote options, you can mount an ISO with it but DVD menu support is spotty at best
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 15, 2013, 08:18:15 AM
DVD menu support will likely only eve work in the windows/Mac/Linux client as it is based on XBMC.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on March 16, 2013, 05:02:17 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on March 15, 2013, 08:18:15 AM
DVD menu support will likely only eve work in the windows/Mac/Linux client as it is based on XBMC.
xbmc works on android now ;)

Though I assume they have their own mobile client code, and libdvdnav is opensource like most of the code they use.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 16, 2013, 09:18:33 AM
Yes Plex has a native Android client but it is not based on XBMC. 

Only the Windows/Linux/Mac/raspberry pi client is a fork of XBMC .

They do use ffmpeg for transcoding.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on March 16, 2013, 12:31:37 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on March 16, 2013, 09:18:33 AM
Yes Plex has a native Android client but it is not based on XBMC. 

Only the Windows/Linux/Mac/raspberry pi client is a fork of XBMC .

They do use ffmpeg for transcoding.
I said XBMC has an android port.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 16, 2013, 01:39:30 PM
I get it... Thought the second paragraph was referring to Plex.

Plex android client now has offline sync support in testing.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on March 16, 2013, 02:01:32 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on March 16, 2013, 01:39:30 PM
I get it... Thought the second paragraph was referring to Plex.

Plex android client now has offline sync support in testing.
The second paragraph is referring to plex. I'm assuming they use ffmpeg and other opensource libraries, which could likely make use of libdvdnav which mplayer/xbmc use for menu support.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on April 19, 2013, 09:56:16 PM
I installed the newest plex on my nas box today. It worked rather well. We watched Avengers on it tonight! No buffering mid movie or anything of the sort, though I did turn down the streaming settings to 1.5mbps/480p. Mom only has a 32" (or there abouts) tv, and we are sitting rather far away from it, so the resolution really didn't matter.

At any rate I like where it's going. Though I can't seem to tell it to exclude some folders in a collection. I'm pretty sure that was a feature in the older version.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on April 19, 2013, 10:36:37 PM
No you can't exclude but you can have as many library sections as you want so just tie them deeper in the folder ( instead of the top) and sort your folders well.

This makes navigation easier anyway using set top boxes like the Roku anyway.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on April 19, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
You can also link more than one folder to a section.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on April 19, 2013, 10:46:57 PM
The only place I want to exclude so far is for my main BitTorrent folder where things get put temporarily. And some /large/ programs were in there, and it was managing to scan random files in them as movies or tv, and random things like "Dts". it was weird.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on April 19, 2013, 11:26:32 PM
The Plex scanners are bound by library section you must have your media sorted into Movie, TV, generic video and music you can't mix the sections or you will get very random results.

My download directory is completely outside my sorted media directory tree.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on April 19, 2013, 11:43:26 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 19, 2013, 11:26:32 PM
The Plex scanners are bound by library section you must have your media sorted into Movie, TV, generic video and music you can't mix the sections or you will get very random results.

My download directory is completely outside my sorted media directory tree.
yeah. I know you need to keep things organized. Also my download/bit torrent folder is outside of my media for. I just didn't want to have to move stuff around when trying to watch a newly downloaded video.

I do wish their setup was a bit more flexible. Especially some of the lists. I'd like to see the alphabetical list as one big list to scroll through rather than a bunch of separate folders. Mostly I'll end up using the by folder list because most of the others are a bit annoying for me.

That said, I like it.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on April 20, 2013, 01:46:20 AM
I have to say the client for Windows 8/RT is by far my favourite client now!  Up above the iOS, Android, Roku and even the full OS install. Worth the $3.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on April 20, 2013, 11:43:53 AM
Depending on bandwidth availability maybe we should all share out some library sections via myplex.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on April 20, 2013, 12:21:02 PM
I wouldn't mind sharing some of my stuff.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on April 20, 2013, 12:50:40 PM
Yeah I don't mind sharing out some stuffs.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:43:28 AM
I've noticed on the latest version of Plex that idle CPU usage has gone up again (usually around 40%).

I'm trying to track down the source, I think it may be the client app connection showing thumbnails on my tablet, even though it's not actually doing anything it's keeping my CPU busy.

It wasn't really a problem before the last release, though this was a problem when I first started playing with it. I noticed it was getting really bad a couple of days ago after I upgraded when I was using Photoshop, hoo boy it was slow as Neptunian molasses
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 08:50:04 AM
Probably something worth reporting in the Plex forums.

It is worth noting that Plex transcodes the thumbnails to match both the format supported by the device as well as match resolution where possible.

They have been migrating to a new transcoder build an little bugs have appeared in a bunch of areas.

I run Plex I. A VM and have a CPU cap on it so even if it runs full out I usually don't notice other than the hard drive activity.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on May 24, 2013, 08:52:07 AM
Hmmm I checked on my media server.  I am running 0.9.7.22, and at idle with uTorrent, AVG, APC Powerchute and Plex running, I am barely registering any CPU activity.  So wonder why you are?  Very interesting Watson.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:54:10 AM
There are a couple of open threads so far that I'm following yeah, I'm interested to see what it's doing.

I can understand if it was doing something like updating info but my library hasn't changed for a long time, so I'm not sure what's going on. Like I say, I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't using other CPU intensive apps at the time. I may dedicate a box to just running Plex (wondering how well it would run on Ubuntu or similar)
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 08:54:29 AM
If your collection is large and you have moved files it could be the indexing and meta data agent taking up cycles.

There is a DB cleanup and bundles cleanup function in the web UI that does some basic DB repair and cleanup.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:55:36 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on May 24, 2013, 08:52:07 AM
Hmmm I checked on my media server.  I am running 0.9.7.22, and at idle with uTorrent, AVG, APC Powerchute and Plex running, I am barely registering any CPU activity.  So wonder why you are?  Very interesting Watson.

On your phone open your Plex client and go to a page that shows cover art or stills from an episode.

Just let it sit on there and see if there is any activity.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 08:55:59 AM
I run it under Ubuntu, it runs better under Linux however some of the "Channel" plugins will not work if they depend on Flash or Silverlight.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:56:57 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 08:54:29 AM
If your collection is large and you have moved files it could be the indexing and meta data agent taking up cycles.

There is a DB cleanup and bundles cleanup function in the web UI that does some basic DB repair and cleanup.

While my collection is pretty good sized I haven't moved any files around for a while, like i say I'm a bit concerned that it is apparently not doing anything and yet eating CPU

I'll figure it out later, it's not a problem. I just have to kill the server if I use PSD.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:57:31 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 08:55:59 AM
I run it under Ubuntu, it runs better under Linux however some of the "Channel" plugins will not work if they depend on Flash or Silverlight.

Ahh cool, I don't bother with any plugins so I'm good I think.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 09:00:33 AM
Ya upgrades are just an apt-get update away under Linux unless you want to run beta builds.

It runs as a proper service / daemon so there is very little maintenance.

Only issue is if your media is on another network box you will need to create a remote mount point and set it up to connect on boot.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 09:02:52 AM
That still works well for me, my media is split between the 4TB drobo and another 1 TB drive, all of which could be plugged into a Linux box
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 09:06:41 AM
Ya the one problem is that you will have to rescan your whole library unless you want to get fancy with some DB commands to rewrite paths.

This can be a pain if you have spent time sorting collections, setting preferred poster art or made lots of manual edits.  I know I spent a bunch of time grouping trilogies and setting consistent titles and poster art for them.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 09:07:27 AM
I don't mind doing a rescan, usually I let it do its thing when I'm away.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on May 24, 2013, 09:11:25 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 08:55:36 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on May 24, 2013, 08:52:07 AM
Hmmm I checked on my media server.  I am running 0.9.7.22, and at idle with uTorrent, AVG, APC Powerchute and Plex running, I am barely registering any CPU activity.  So wonder why you are?  Very interesting Watson.

On your phone open your Plex client and go to a page that shows cover art or stills from an episode.

Just let it sit on there and see if there is any activity.

Yep nothing here.  Even have 3 devices just idling at my cover art for various locations - Movies, TV Shows, Music.  I'm on a dedicated media server, running Windows Datacenter 2008 R2 SP1, with 8GB Ram and a Quad Proc - if that helps any.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 09:14:33 AM
Ok, good, I thought it sounded a bit off when I read it on the forums.

Gotta be something else.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 24, 2013, 09:15:20 AM
FYI the Plex/web interface auto updates independent of the media server.

You might want to check if it is updated.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on May 24, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
Mine is Version 1.1.3, which is the latest.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Darren Dirt on May 24, 2013, 10:30:25 AM
Reading this thread I decided to re-visit their website.

Found this interesting blog from April 1st of this year, it mentions the surprising name they ALMOST chose for their app (http://elan.plexapp.com/2013/04/01/happy-april-fools-day/).  :o -- also there was a link to a video explaining the concept further (http://www.viddler.com/v/4310bfba).
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 10:34:33 AM
April 1st eh? APRIL 1ST EH??
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Darren Dirt on May 24, 2013, 11:49:23 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on May 24, 2013, 10:34:33 AM
April 1st eh? APRIL 1ST EH??

not joking, yes that link is a real link to a real blog post by the real developers of this allegedly slick app, and that blog post was dated the 1st day of the 4th month of the year 2013. There's even a screenshot of code referencing that date.  :o
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on May 24, 2013, 11:59:01 AM
The raw text of the first link: http://elan.plexapp.com/2013/04/01/happy-april-fools-day/

It's right there in the URL.  You really didn't notice that?  It was clearly a prank and clearly the post was part of extending the prank, since in the post they said they're gonna close up shop: "All those year of planning had finally paid off. [..] And it was time to move on.", yet they're still in operation.  Much more likely that they came up with it on a whim in March, added it to the codebase, pushed a new version just before April 1st, had a good laugh, and rolled back their last couple of code commits.  The blogger's contention that it was planned for five years sounds like bunk.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2013, 01:36:14 PM
You know what is a real joke? The new Plex client app REQUIRES an account

So I'm looking for a new client that can consume Plex content, because seriously fuq dat chit

How to turn your app to crap: Add cumbersome external dependencies.

EDIT: So apparently there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth already and they reverted that change but it sounds like some users are having server detection issues.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 27, 2013, 01:46:39 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2013, 01:36:14 PM
You know what is a real joke? The new Plex client app REQUIRES an account

So I'm looking for a new client that can consume Plex content, because seriously fuq dat chit

How to turn your app to crap: Add cumbersome external dependencies.

It exists for two reasons:
1. To provide a dynamic IP service so you mobile client can locate your server and port online easily. (because you know 99% of users know their public IP or have Dyndns setup)
2. To control access to premium features (currently plexsync for plex pass users)
3. Allows access control to your friends to share out your server to them and control access to libraries (again without needing to know IPs or ports)

Generally you can get around using myPlex if you create a VPN connection to your home network and the client is able to discover the server as if it was local.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2013, 01:49:17 PM
Ahh, I just use it on the LAN via my tablet so I was wondering what all the fuss was about.

I should have read the list of updates before downloading yesterday, it was a complete version change and it wasn't really clear on the Android update page when I grabbed it.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 27, 2013, 02:02:21 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2013, 01:49:17 PM
Ahh, I just use it on the LAN via my tablet so I was wondering what all the fuss was about.

I should have read the list of updates before downloading yesterday, it was a complete version change and it wasn't really clear on the Android update page when I grabbed it.

There are lots of great changes in that release for Android... There was a mass UI overhaul, it was basically a rewrite and uses newer android APIs.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2013, 02:09:00 PM
Yeah! After work I'm gonna get the latest version and check it out. It looks good
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on December 05, 2014, 08:24:58 AM
For some reason you can't "Gift" a Plex Pass, which I find frustrating
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on December 05, 2014, 10:33:59 PM
I managed to use Lazy's share out here. Worked decently, I think we only had one or two pauses during one movie, but our internets was still having issues at that point? Now its a lot better, but we haven't really messed with plex since then.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2015, 12:11:01 AM
Is there a way to custom edit or add a media mapping?

I have a Cartoon Pilot that hasn't been added anywhere yet (its less than a week old) and Plex can't figure out what to do with it (it actually broke one of my libraries and I had to rebuild it)
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on May 27, 2015, 12:15:22 AM
If it shows up in your Plex Media Manager all you have to do is use the Pencil icon to modify any of its metadata attributes.  If it doesn't then you have to track down its XML file located in /library/metadata/ and see if you can modify it work for your system.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2015, 12:19:27 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on May 27, 2015, 12:15:22 AM
If it shows up in your Plex Media Manager all you have to do is use the Pencil icon to modify any of its metadata attributes.  If it doesn't then you have to track down its XML file located in /library/metadata/ and see if you can modify it work for your system.

Already been down that road, if it incorrectly matches the media it's a hell of a job to unmatch it without also unmatching everything else. I also found that you can't limit "personal media" where you could define specifically the show itself into a folder that exists, I'd have to create another library to do it. For something so simple they sure make it hard to do.

BUT if you say I can manually edit the XML then I'll do that, will be much easier!

Thanks!

EDIT:

Plex metadata is stored in some kind of segmented flat DB
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 27, 2015, 01:20:10 AM
You should never need to edit the DB.

There are already lots of threads over in the official Plex forms on how to fix matches.

First step is almost always fixing file name issues.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2015, 11:06:54 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on May 27, 2015, 01:20:10 AM
You should never need to edit the DB.

There are already lots of threads over in the official Plex forms on how to fix matches.

First step is almost always fixing file name issues.

In this case its a pilot short not even on iMDB yet so no matter how I rename it there's nothing to match anywhere:-)
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on May 27, 2015, 11:09:13 AM
This thread keeps reminding me... I want to install plex on a vm on my big opteron box and assign it like 4-8 cpus :D Things are a tad slow with it running on my dual core i3 nas.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on May 27, 2015, 11:35:01 AM
So for stuff like that, I have a separate Personal Media folder (or is it called library? can't remember) called "Plex Unrecognized".

I noticed you use Plex on your Xbox, the interface there's a little different than on my Roku.  On the Roku, I have top-level folders (or libraries?) that are really easy to back out to, and they're sorted in general age ranges (little kids, kids, teens, adults) to help the kids understand what is/isn't okay to watch with little ones around.  So there's just a fifth folder called "Plex Unrecognized".
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on May 27, 2015, 12:02:09 PM
Plex used http://thetvdb.com/ for TV naming as per the plex wiki... NOT IMDB which it uses for movies.

If it is a series episode it must be in a TV series library folder, if it is a one off movie in a movie folder.

For a Pilot that may not be an official epsidoes I would name it

Folder:Series Name\Season 1\
File: Series.Name.S01E00.ext


Plex should fail to match, or hit unmatched... Then just use the pencil to manually set the data
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2015, 02:47:48 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on May 27, 2015, 12:02:09 PM
Plex used http://thetvdb.com/ for TV naming as per the plex wiki... NOT IMDB which it uses for movies.

If it is a series episode it must be in a TV series library folder, if it is a one off movie in a movie folder.

For a Pilot that may not be an official epsidoes I would name it

Folder:Series Name\Season 1\
File: Series.Name.S01E00.ext


Plex should fail to match, or hit unmatched... Then just use the pencil to manually set the data

You can actually pick which source you want media metadata to come from, my movies library uses iMDB, my TV/cartoons uses thetvdb, etc

The problem is I could name the file anything I want, the actual information about this Pilot isn't on any of those sites yet (it's just a week old). I've had Plex think it was from at least 3 different unrelated sources already so It would be really handy if i could just define what it is myself, I see now that this is a weakness within Plex.

Kind of frustrating in it's own way
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on May 27, 2015, 02:48:44 PM
Speaking of which I didn't realize my Plex media server had gone offline form teh interwebs, resolved now :)

(damn new router :) )
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on July 07, 2015, 01:32:08 PM
Damn big update for XBone users (me :D ): https://blog.plex.tv/2015/07/07/oh-yeah-a-great-update-for-the-xbox-one-app/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on November 24, 2015, 01:25:52 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 05, 2014, 08:24:58 AM
For some reason you can't "Gift" a Plex Pass, which I find frustrating
Remember when this was frustrating?  Well seems you can now: https://plex.tv/gifts
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on November 24, 2015, 01:54:18 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on November 24, 2015, 01:25:52 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 05, 2014, 08:24:58 AM
For some reason you can't "Gift" a Plex Pass, which I find frustrating
Remember when this was frustrating?  Well seems you can now: https://plex.tv/gifts

About time haha
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on November 24, 2015, 02:22:33 PM
They now also offer a "Optimizing" option that lets you pre-transcode content... Very handy if you run Plex off a NAS that can't do it real time.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on November 27, 2015, 11:05:03 PM
It also looks like you can't fully use the app without a plex pass or a "one time fee" anymore.

Just finished updating my old nexus 7 to android 6, and it pulled in a new version of the plex app, and it says I require a plex pass, or a $5.98 fee to allow the app to stream video... My newer nexus 7 does not have the latest app, and it doesn't require paying.

GL;HF PLEX.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on November 27, 2015, 11:13:27 PM
OR MAYBE IM JUST DUMB!

It's possible I've already paid for the app itself, but it just didn't know on the new install. I hit the "already paid" option, it asked to see my contact info, and seemed to load right up. *sigh*

Android 6 actually makes a lot of permission grants happen when you run, rather than when you install, so that might have had something to do with it. herpaderp.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on November 27, 2015, 11:37:45 PM
Quote from: Tom on November 27, 2015, 11:13:27 PM
OR MAYBE IM JUST DUMB!

It's possible I've already paid for the app itself, but it just didn't know on the new install. I hit the "already paid" option, it asked to see my contact info, and seemed to load right up. *sigh*

Android 6 actually makes a lot of permission grants happen when you run, rather than when you install, so that might have had something to do with it. herpaderp.

Originally the Apps required you to pay for them up front, then later on they switched to an in-app purchase so you could trial, purchase or get the app free easily if you had PlexPass.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on November 28, 2015, 12:07:24 AM
Yeah, just dumb. I do seem to recall paying for it now. But yeah.. I was just a little grumpy after fighting with the first rom I tried on the old nexus 7 being a bit broken wrt. google apps and such. Also over slept which makes me irritable >:(
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on April 11, 2018, 09:20:55 PM
Found this Gem in the forums today: https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1622413/#Comment_1622413

Used it to make different releases of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 in my library show up as one movie with different options.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on April 11, 2018, 09:22:55 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 11, 2018, 09:20:55 PM
Found this Gem in the forums today: https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1622413/#Comment_1622413

Used it to make different releases of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 in my library show up as one movie with different options.

Aww but did you go to each collection after and download a custom collection poster for each?

I went thought my library a few weeks back and did some cleaning and setting up of collections as well.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on April 12, 2018, 09:22:09 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 11, 2018, 09:22:55 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 11, 2018, 09:20:55 PM
Found this Gem in the forums today: https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1622413/#Comment_1622413

Used it to make different releases of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 in my library show up as one movie with different options.

Aww but did you go to each collection after and download a custom collection poster for each?

I went thought my library a few weeks back and did some cleaning and setting up of collections as well.
My plex already has multiple posters for each movie so I just picked a different one from the availables.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on April 12, 2018, 09:49:20 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 12, 2018, 09:47:15 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 12, 2018, 09:22:09 AM
Quote from: Lazybones on April 11, 2018, 09:22:55 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on April 11, 2018, 09:20:55 PM
Found this Gem in the forums today: https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1622413/#Comment_1622413

Used it to make different releases of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 in my library show up as one movie with different options.

Aww but did you go to each collection after and download a custom collection poster for each?

I went thought my library a few weeks back and did some cleaning and setting up of collections as well.
My plex already has multiple posters for each movie so I just picked a different one from the availables.

Aww, for some reason when I opened that on mobile I thought it was for Collections not Multiple Cuts..

Both are very nice organization additions.
it is using collections. I use it for both multiple cuts and collections (Harry Potter movies). I just let Plex make the collections posters based on the movies in the collection.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on April 12, 2018, 10:03:50 AM
FINALLY I can differentiate versions
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 08, 2018, 09:59:55 AM
So I don't know how others felt about v7 but for me it was a disaster. The GUI is a train wreck, the app didn't work with synced content, videos it used to play no longer worked... it was a @%&#-show. Today saw a new version rollout that fixed a lot of the technical issues but the terrible GUI remained. I went so far as to create a forum profile to voice my concerns when this nightmare dropped on May 30th, so far the devs have not participated in that thread (I assume they figure its just user whining) but I'm not alone... Overall Plex has been a great experience and this is the first time I can think of that they really hecked up the app portion of it.

I upgraded downgraded back to v6 and man IMMEDIATELY I was back in love with it. My on deck stuff ... actually on deck (home screen) all my organized content accessible in 2 clicks or less... fantastic.

My server is running great after the rebuild, though I do notice that TV posters are still not downloading properly anymore (I get "Captain Power" but not "Star Trek"???) While I was sick I renamed ALL my Classic Doctor Who and that's finally working as expected (thank GOD).

v7 has been a trip, a real exercise in frustration. I'm sure it's great for people who wanted a more Netflix-like experience but for me it was Hell.

EDIT: As soon as I posted this the posters for my TV stuff started downloading (finally) lol
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 12:55:15 PM
I don?t like the new iOS / Android UI but I also don?t totally hate it.

Hopefully they can make some quick improvements.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 08, 2018, 01:18:52 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 12:55:15 PM
I don?t like the new iOS / Android UI but I also don?t totally hate it.

Hopefully they can make some quick improvements.

The first improvement was rolled out already the first version didn't retain the library or server filters so ALL stuff marked as TV across all shared content would just get dumped under TV Shows, now you can pick server+library from the drop down selection at the top.

I still prefer the two different axis where the top was what server you were connected to and the side was what library you were browsing, very easy and clean.

The Home screen is the biggest offender because now instead of having your "On Deck" where you want to see it its now buried under whatever category it belonged to. I found this useful because I could see what shows / movies I was currently watching when I had to stop (or more likely fell asleep lol) the other problem which is supposedly addressed by today's update was every time I launched the app the "recommended podcasts" were always on my Home and I'd have to remove it every time (so much for "customization"). I greatly dislike this widget for two reasons: 1 since when is Plex a content recommendation tool. 2 I don't use podcasts at all but why isn't that a library type??

Anyway I'm satisfied with v6x for now, hopefully they can address these problems soon.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 01:31:09 PM
You can remove / move the widgets. I moved podcasts to the bottom.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 08, 2018, 01:43:18 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 01:31:09 PM
You can remove / move the widgets. I moved podcasts to the bottom.

Yes but until the latest release none of the customization was saving between sessions (on Android at least)
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 01:44:34 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on June 08, 2018, 01:43:18 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on June 08, 2018, 01:31:09 PM
You can remove / move the widgets. I moved podcasts to the bottom.

Yes but until the latest release none of the customization was saving between sessions (on Android at least)

Aww, I have noticed a lot of negative posts from all users, but I noted Android users being the most annoyed.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 08, 2018, 01:50:37 PM
I like Plex, I like the people who work on it, but v7 is a real clunker on Android :(
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2018, 07:48:38 AM
I haven't really used my plex install in a while. Heck, I haven't turned my HTPC on in ages... I've been tempted to take this Asus TinkerBoard or my older arm board that is based around a tablet platform but is just a bare board, though actually has an hdmi port and the like, so its a lot easier to hook up to a media center than a tablet normally is.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 30, 2019, 06:20:19 AM
Ever have a video file crash the Plex client so hard it reboots your device? I just did

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 30, 2019, 11:54:58 AM
Which Plex client?

Haven?t had it reboot a device.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 30, 2019, 12:49:00 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on March 30, 2019, 11:54:58 AM
Which Plex client?

Haven?t had it reboot a device.
Android

VLC worked fine so I could still watch my show but the Plex client just bombs every time

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on March 30, 2019, 01:15:11 PM
I would uninstall and re-install.

There is some stuff that sometimes gets messed up between major releases of the client.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 30, 2019, 01:23:24 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on March 30, 2019, 01:15:11 PM
I would uninstall and re-install.

There is some stuff that sometimes gets messed up between major releases of the client.
Good call

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on January 26, 2021, 11:38:34 AM
Plex is adding Retro games

https://www.plex.tv/en-ca/blog/game-on-a-plex-blog-story/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on January 26, 2021, 12:12:09 PM
Bwuh!?!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on January 26, 2021, 03:31:25 PM
Uh...  Yeah, okay, that's something different!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on January 27, 2021, 06:13:21 PM
Yeah that is crazy... but very kewl!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on January 27, 2021, 06:17:40 PM
Requires a windows or mac plex server AND an additional subscription cost so it is a pass for me right now. Still neat especially since it gets them onto phones and Apple TV etc which is neat.

If they support linux servers in the future I will probably check it out on trial at least.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Tom on February 05, 2021, 09:58:12 AM
Check your plex server configs, https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/02/ddosers-are-abusing-the-plex-media-server-to-make-attacks-more-potent/
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on February 05, 2021, 10:25:24 AM
I already manually port forward but it is on the default port, and I only allow TCP traffic not UDP.. Need more info on the tack as the mitigations appear to be speculation at this point.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on December 28, 2021, 03:50:40 PM
Just migrated my library off my oldest machine over to my main one. Took a long time given there was 9 GB of metadata and such... Genuinely happy that it's all working

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on December 29, 2021, 03:57:46 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 28, 2021, 03:50:40 PMJust migrated my library off my oldest machine over to my main one. Took a long time given there was 9 GB of metadata and such... Genuinely happy that it's all working

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk


Nice!  Bought my parents a Google TV and man does it work great with Plex!
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on December 29, 2021, 04:17:43 PM
I have used Apple TV 4ks (my setup), recent Roku boxes and recent Android TVs, the experience across all 3 is VERY good these days short of some extremely specific differences when using high end Audio or 4K video.

I don't miss the early days where devices were super unreliable.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on December 29, 2021, 05:32:46 PM
Except when the internet goes out and you can't log in and view your local library.

Don't forget to set your List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth (https://support.plex.tv/articles/200890058-authentication-for-local-network-access/) while you have internet, so you can still view stuff locally when you don't.  Or when the Plex Auth servers have an outage (which has happened to me three times this past year).

Note that this will leave you logged in as the last Managed User to access Plex, if you're using Managed Users in your Plex Home (I am, so that everyone has their Continue Watching / On Deck lists).  So if my daughter was watching something, then the Plex Auth servers die, then I can't switch to me, I'll have to watch under her user (Managed Users are not the same as Accounts).
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on December 29, 2021, 05:51:03 PM
Quote from: Thorin on December 29, 2021, 05:32:46 PMExcept when the internet goes out and you can't log in and view your local library.

Don't forget to set your List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth (https://support.plex.tv/articles/200890058-authentication-for-local-network-access/) while you have internet, so you can still view stuff locally when you don't.  Or when the Plex Auth servers have an outage (which has happened to me three times this past year).

Note that this will leave you logged in as the last Managed User to access Plex, if you're using Managed Users in your Plex Home (I am, so that everyone has their Continue Watching / On Deck lists).  So if my daughter was watching something, then the Plex Auth servers die, then I can't switch to me, I'll have to watch under her user (Managed Users are not the same as Accounts).
Which client do you use?  IIRC both the Apple and Android based clients support credential / auth caching so I don't even remember the last time this impacted us.

It is howver one of the reasons I keep an eye on alternatives like Jellyfin / Emby if Plex ever folds / screws up too much.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on December 29, 2021, 11:31:58 PM
My primary viewer is my xbox, which is kept pretty on par with the PC version of the client which is the same build I would assume.

I also have a Roku Ultra in my bedroom for the wired aspect... hate using wireless with Plex.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on December 30, 2021, 09:44:02 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on December 29, 2021, 11:31:58 PMMy primary viewer is my xbox, which is kept pretty on par with the PC version of the client which is the same build I would assume.

I also have a Roku Ultra in my bedroom for the wired aspect... hate using wireless with Plex.

I would prefer to use wired connections however it isn't practical where my TVs are located. All 3 of the Apple TV 4K units are on 5Ghz WiFi.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on December 30, 2021, 04:21:05 PM
I've got a couple of Roku 4 Premiere+.  Dunno how the credential caching works, I do know that when the Plex Auth servers got borked I was unable to switch from one Managed User to another Managed User, but I was still able to use the main Plex Account those Managed Users exist under.

Lazy, do you have Managed Users set up within your main Plex Account for your kids, or do they each have their own Plex Account?  If Managed Users, are you _sure_ you're able to switch from one to the other on a device when your internet drops?
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on December 30, 2021, 06:19:51 PM
Quote from: Thorin on December 30, 2021, 04:21:05 PMI've got a couple of Roku 4 Premiere+.  Dunno how the credential caching works, I do know that when the Plex Auth servers got borked I was unable to switch from one Managed User to another Managed User, but I was still able to use the main Plex Account those Managed Users exist under.

Lazy, do you have Managed Users set up within your main Plex Account for your kids, or do they each have their own Plex Account?  If Managed Users, are you _sure_ you're able to switch from one to the other on a device when your internet drops?

It works as you described, it lets you continue to use the current account during an outage not switch between managed accounts.

My kids also tend to use the Downloads / Sync feature so outages rarely ever would phase them anyway on their personal devices

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:29:42 AM
Just discovered that Plex doesn't support OGG.

I tried converting to mp4 using Handbrake but it didn't pick those files up either. I hurt my thumb on a screw this morning too, to say I'm unhappy r/n would be an understatement
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on December 31, 2021, 06:43:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:29:42 AMJust discovered that Plex doesn't support OGG.

I tried converting to mp4 using Handbrake but it didn't pick those files up either. I hurt my thumb on a screw this morning too, to say I'm unhappy r/n would be an understatement
That sux... there are quite a few converters out there for ogg, but I don't have an experience with that format.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 06:54:30 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on December 31, 2021, 06:43:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:29:42 AMJust discovered that Plex doesn't support OGG.

I tried converting to mp4 using Handbrake but it didn't pick those files up either. I hurt my thumb on a screw this morning too, to say I'm unhappy r/n would be an understatement
That sux... there are quite a few converters out there for ogg, but I don't have an experience with that format.
Ya like I said I tried to convert to MP4 using handbrake but Plex just doesn't seem to want to pick it up

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on December 31, 2021, 06:58:52 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 06:54:30 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on December 31, 2021, 06:43:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:29:42 AMJust discovered that Plex doesn't support OGG.

I tried converting to mp4 using Handbrake but it didn't pick those files up either. I hurt my thumb on a screw this morning too, to say I'm unhappy r/n would be an understatement
That sux... there are quite a few converters out there for ogg, but I don't have an experience with that format.
Ya like I said I tried to convert to MP4 using handbrake but Plex just doesn't seem to want to pick it up

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk



Probably worth splitting to another thread but Plex should transcode Ogg, is just doesn't nativly support it for direct play as far as I have read.

Would be interested in seeing the Mediainfo (https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo) output for the original file. Changing the container doesn't do much you need to know what codec the video, audio streams are.. and ensure you are changing those.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:00:54 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on December 31, 2021, 06:58:52 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 06:54:30 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on December 31, 2021, 06:43:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 31, 2021, 07:29:42 AMJust discovered that Plex doesn't support OGG.

I tried converting to mp4 using Handbrake but it didn't pick those files up either. I hurt my thumb on a screw this morning too, to say I'm unhappy r/n would be an understatement
That sux... there are quite a few converters out there for ogg, but I don't have an experience with that format.
Ya like I said I tried to convert to MP4 using handbrake but Plex just doesn't seem to want to pick it up

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk



Probably worth splitting to another thread but Plex should transcode Ogg, is just doesn't nativly support it for direct play as far as I have read.

Would be interested in seeing the [Mediainfo](https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo) output for the original file. Changing the container doesn't do much you need to know what codec the video, audio streams are.. and ensure you are changing those.
When I get home I'll try extracting it

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 28, 2023, 04:37:52 PM
Plex layed off 20% of its staff on Monday

https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/28/23777418/plex-layoffs-20-percent-staff
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Thorin on June 28, 2023, 08:37:02 PM
QuotePlex laid off 37 people on Monday, a figure that represents more than 20 percent of the company's staff
So they had around 160 employees to begin with?  That's a pretty small amount of employees for a multinational company...
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Mr. Analog on June 28, 2023, 08:56:13 PM
Yeah no kidding
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Melbosa on July 02, 2023, 12:29:51 PM
I hope this isn't a bad sign, but just a sign of economics.
Title: Re: Plex media server is slick
Post by: Lazybones on July 03, 2023, 01:09:01 AM
I will keep using it till it doesn't do what I need.

Jellyfin/Emby should be viable alternatives now but with some pros and cons.