PLEX...wow!

[oHUTCHYo]

So I have always used Kodi, not for the 'other' stuff but just as a media library connected to my WD Mybooklive devices to stream my own Bluray MKV rips. Was just about to invest in an Nvidia Shield but realised my Samsung KS8000 has Plex, so thought I would give it a try.

I have installed Plex on my Laptop, then pointed it to my NAS drives as the library. It is fantastic!! I have lots of questions....

1) I understand Plex can be installed on some NAS drives, so your PC dont need to be turned on? The money I was going to spend on an Nvidia Shield is now going towards a new NAS setup instead. Which NAS drives are reccomend as easy for noobs like me. Mybooklive is the only experience I have.

2) What other tricks can Plex do? Do I need to pay the monthly pass if I would like to use two ipads and and an iphone to stream my media, as well as TV?

3) Is there any limitations or downsides to Plex I need to know of before I ditch having a standalone media streamer box completely?

Cannot believe this has gone under my radar, its so convenient having Plex on my TV and so, so wife friendly too!!

 

[oHUTCHYo]

As above.

I have a laptop that acts as a Plex Server. I also download films directly to a large seedbox and stream them from this.

Another way to steam and download films to an iPad is 'Air Video Hd'. Works well and IMO is better the Plex Pass.

Forgive my naivety, but is a seedbox just a NAS?

 

[oHUTCHYo]

Thanks so far guys, Im now reading that NAS drives are unlikely powerful enough to transcode 1080p files. It appears a Raspberry Pi3 can be used, just as I am currently doing with my laptop, but a Pi3 could always be on using less power yes?

Getting myself confused here.

I dont think I would ordinarily need transcoding but there is a known bug with the KS8000 where you have to manually select DTS or Dolby in the TV menu, otherwise it plays in stereo. The work around is apparently to have Plex transocde which forces Dolby, which mewns the TV can permanently be left on Dolby. With me? Good

 

[oHUTCHYo]

I think I have the right solution for myself now. I was initially going for a Nvidia Shield to use Kodi on until I started thinking about running Plex on my TV as the main streamer.....until Ive seen that as well it being able to run Plex frontend, Shield can also run Plex Media Server. This is perfect, as not only can I then connect it to my existing Mybook Live NAS I can also add local removable storage and have that shared too.

Awesome