PLEXMBC advice please

nicknack35

nicknack35

nicknack35

Associate
Joined
5 Apr 2014
Posts
1,476
Hey all just wondering if anybody uses PLEXMBC i currently use the PLEX Andriod app on my android box just wondering if PLEXMBC is better then the PLEX Android app is there any advantages or disadvantages with it. Thanks :)
 
I've had so many ups and downs with Plex.

Running Plex on my Amazon Fire TV it wants to transcode EVERYTHING I want to play on it.

In turn, because I rip my BluRays without compressions, my i5 server struggles to keep up with the real time transcoding.

Yes I could re-encode everything but I really don't have the time or inclination.

For me, the fix was installing Kodi and PLEXBMC.

Now EVERYTHING plays perfectly, without transcoding.

Disadvantage is that the PLEXBMC interface isn't as responsive to changes (like watch status) and resuming playback isn't as accurate as Plex - i.e. it might resume 5, 10 of even 15 minutes before where you actually got up to.

Interface isn't a slick as Plex (like the delays in updates on watch status) and you'll need to make sure you choose a skin that lets you run in "PLEXBMC mode" (I think I'm just using the default skins which allows this).

Unless you have actual problems playing stuff via Plex there's no reason to switch. If you're having playback issues though PLEXBMC will likely mitigate, if not completely resolve, these.
 
I have serious issues accessing the server from any Plex player that doesn't exist on the server the Plex server is running on. I have given up trying as the Plex help has not managed to fix it. It's not a big issue as the Mac Mini server is sitting under the main TV where we watch most content, but it's bloody annoying.
 
Running Rasplex on my RPI2 as the "player" and my Synology NAS is running the Plex "server".

Everything runs sweet for me, the RPI2 is a reasonably cheap player, and even has HDMI-CEC so I can just control it using my TV remote or AVR remote :)
 
RoyMi6 said:
I've had so many ups and downs with Plex.

Running Plex on my Amazon Fire TV it wants to transcode EVERYTHING I want to play on it.

In turn, because I rip my BluRays without compressions, my i5 server struggles to keep up with the real time transcoding.

Yes I could re-encode everything but I really don't have the time or inclination.

For me, the fix was installing Kodi and PLEXBMC.

Now EVERYTHING plays perfectly, without transcoding.

Disadvantage is that the PLEXBMC interface isn't as responsive to changes (like watch status) and resuming playback isn't as accurate as Plex - i.e. it might resume 5, 10 of even 15 minutes before where you actually got up to.

Interface isn't a slick as Plex (like the delays in updates on watch status) and you'll need to make sure you choose a skin that lets you run in "PLEXBMC mode" (I think I'm just using the default skins which allows this).

Unless you have actual problems playing stuff via Plex there's no reason to switch. If you're having playback issues though PLEXBMC will likely mitigate, if not completely resolve, these.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised your i5 server struggles? I have an i3 server and can happily transcode a couple of streams at the same time.

My sister has my old RPi 1 that runs Raspbmc with the PlexBMC plugin and OpenVPN in the background. The RPi auto connects to my network using VPN and then Plex can see the server. Transcodes work fine with the correct transcoding setting set (think it's currently set to 2Mbps 720p) over my 10Mbps upload to ensure there's plenty of bandwidth spare.

I've just recently ditched Kodi on my local NUC and have been trialling Plex Home Theater as I was getting tired of mismatched watched flags. On the whole it works very well. Plays all my ripped uncompressed blurays direct with HD audio. Have a couple of Plex free accounts to manage multiple watched lists for myself and my sister that are configured on various iOS apps, RPi's and NUC plus the servers web player. I always preferred the interface of Kodi however the Aeon theme for PHT isn't too bad at all
 
Last edited:
Ive an i5 it doesn't struggle but don't want to really use that as a server. Plus the storage is nearly full internal and external so instead of having loads of usb HDD thought it be better to get a NAS and use that as a server
 
I wanted a more "all in one" solution, but in the end I just built a dedicated HTPC which plays directly (no transcoding) to my TV. The storage/movies are kept elsewhere on a server. On various devices around our home (tablets, chromecasts etc...) it streams with no issues. In fact even outside of my home network it works well.

Is there not a way to force it not to transcode (direct play) on an internal network and only transcode outside? I know all my movies direct play within home.
 
Freefaller said:
Is there not a way to force it not to transcode (direct play) on an internal network and only transcode outside? I know all my movies direct play within home.
Click to expand...

It depends if the player is able to play the video/audio directly.

On my Android tablet if I use an external player (Archos or MX) with codecs installed there is no transcoding. If I use the Plex player most MKVs will play video direct but DTS audio will be transcoded.

On my HTPC using Media Centre with the Plex plugin audio and video is direct.
 
Well im not sure which way to go about this now my PC is nearly full we watch our movies upstairs on the pc. Which is an i5 and can playing everything thrown at it. Thats connected to the Samsung H6400 40". We have PLEX media server and PHT on there and downstairs in the living room we have the 48" model TV which is connected to the canton DM55. And we also have a T8 V3 android box which we only got from droidsticks now thats Quad core and can play up to 4K and that has the PLEX app from playstore. Now im wondering what NAS to go for one with HDMI and connect to the tv downstairs through HDMI or use it as a server with PLEX. Now not sure which NAS to go for Synology or Qnap any advice what to do be great thanks
 
I'm using the (now discontinued) Home Theatre app. Works very well indeed but does seem to need a restart every now and then or the interface bogs down. It's now been open-sourced and I need to give the first build a go.

Oh and there's no way an i5 should even be breaking a sweat transcoding.
 
Just a question please about plex I'm fairly new to it I do have it on my Pc with the home theatre app which I'm on windows 7 now the tv downstairs I have an android box with the with plex android app. Now that doesn't have the home theatre app with it been android would I be better getting windows based system for the tv downstairs so I can get the theatre app or is the android app ok my pc is powerful enough and there is no transcoding needed but I do like the home theatre app any advice be great thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom