Best media player
Discussion
Would be grateful for any opinions on the subject.
I've a smart TV but the movie playback via USB is poor. It doesn't play subtitles, the FF and RR are slow etc. I used to use a WDTV media player which lasted ten years, but they stopped making them. Over the last couple of years I've had three Sumvision Cyclones which were passable and cheap, but all broke and the last one only managed two weeks before it refused to work. I've been looking at a Vero V 4k media player as a more expensive but longer term option. Does anyone know anything about them or their competitors before I spend my hard-earned?
Thank you in advance.
I've a smart TV but the movie playback via USB is poor. It doesn't play subtitles, the FF and RR are slow etc. I used to use a WDTV media player which lasted ten years, but they stopped making them. Over the last couple of years I've had three Sumvision Cyclones which were passable and cheap, but all broke and the last one only managed two weeks before it refused to work. I've been looking at a Vero V 4k media player as a more expensive but longer term option. Does anyone know anything about them or their competitors before I spend my hard-earned?
Thank you in advance.
IF you want to access it with a remote like a normal AV device, and support for all audio codecs etc, I've found Nvidia Shield to be faultless (mines a gen 1). Literally, faultless. I run Plex client on it, and point it to a plex server running on my NAS. YOu can also run the client AND server on the Sheild (and plug your USB stick into it) though I DID have loads of issues when running the server on it as well as the client. I too swicthed from a WDTV.
Or, you could see if you have an NAS device or the likes that supports a plex server plugin an then run the plex client direct on your TV - almost all smart TVs will have Plex in their app library.
Or you could run the plex server on your computer, and just accept it needs to be turned on when you want to watch movies on the TV.
Plex is wonderfully slick. I plop movies and TV series (torrent downloads) in the movies and TV folders I created and they pretty much instantly appear on the client, with cover art, subtitles, the lot. And, it supports the lot, every HDR and audio format known to man.
Or, you could see if you have an NAS device or the likes that supports a plex server plugin an then run the plex client direct on your TV - almost all smart TVs will have Plex in their app library.
Or you could run the plex server on your computer, and just accept it needs to be turned on when you want to watch movies on the TV.
Plex is wonderfully slick. I plop movies and TV series (torrent downloads) in the movies and TV folders I created and they pretty much instantly appear on the client, with cover art, subtitles, the lot. And, it supports the lot, every HDR and audio format known to man.
Yeah - not run into any yet. I put movies on it, they play on my tv. And my Android Tab, and my Windows tablet.
Had a quick look at what you get when you pay (had no idea there was a pay option!) Its largely b
ks to most people.
To me, and most cases, I'd assume. Plex is free. Check the below out for a load of nothingburger :-) (and you don't need an app on PCs - you run it in a browser), and most people, transcoding on the server makes no difference unless they are trying to reduce your bandwidth sending movies to phones. My TV or Shield do any transcoding needed, though TBH - I download in the format I want to watch, so there is nothing to transcode. (i.e. 2160p or 1080p). My Shield and TV boht support all video and audio formats.
Really, for anyone wanting to use it as a media hub in their home, it's 100% free.
Plex Pass Feature Overview
A Plex Pass subscription gives access to numerous features and benefits.
DVR Recording of Live TV
Hook a compatible tuner and digital antenna up to your local Plex Media Server to let you watch and record free, over-the-air broadcasts available in your area. Record content into your library to gain all the benefits of other personal media: beautiful metadata, access it anywhere and any time, and more. You can, of course, also watch content live, wherever you are, on tons of devices.
Related Page: Live TV & DVR
Downloads
If you’re flying across the Atlantic, taking a subway to work, or even just relaxing in the park, you can still play your content! Use Downloads to load copies of your content on your phone or tablet so you can use it when you don’t have internet access. Downloads also helps make sure you always have the next episode of your favorite show ready for your commute. You can also Download content to your Windows or Mac desktop Plex app.
Related Page:
Related Page: Downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux Desktop
Plexamp & Plex Labs
Some of the projects coming out of Plex Labs may be available only to Plex Pass subscribers. For instance, the “Plexamp” music player (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux) as well as the “Plex Dash” server management app (Android, iOS) both require active Plex Pass subscriptions to use.
Related Page: Plexamp
Related Page: Plex Labs
Skip Movies and TV Show Credits
Save precious time by skipping over credits in your Movies and TV shows. Your server can analyze movies and episodes to detect credits and give you back precious minutes when you’re binging your favorite series or movies.
Related Page: Credits Detection
Skip TV Show Intros
Save precious time by skipping over intros in your TV shows. Your server can analyze shows to detect intro segments and give you back precious minutes when you’re binging your favorite series.
Related Page: Skip TV Show Intros
Premium Music Features
Take your music experience to eleven! Enjoy better artwork and artist bios, automatic lyrics from LyricFind, loudness leveling, sweet fades, visualizers, and more.
Related Page: Automatic Lyrics from LyricFind
Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
When using a compatible device or processor on the Plex Media Server, subscribers can make use of hardware acceleration when content needs to be converted (transcoded) during streaming. This can be faster and more power-efficient for users.
Related Page: Using Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
Custom Sharing Restrictions
Create customized restriction settings when sharing with family and close, personal friends. Restrict based on content ratings or your own custom labels.
Related Page: Restrictions on Library Access
Related Page: Plex Home
Bandwidth and Transcoding Limits
Plex Pass subscribers have additional control over processor usage and network/bandwidth usage when streaming.
Related Page: Server Settings - Bandwidth and Transcoding Limits
Early Access
Users with an active Plex Pass subscription often get early access to new features or apps. For instance, both Chromecast support and Plex Home Theater were available to Plex Pass subscribers prior to being released for all users.
Related Page: Early Access & Beta Releases
Preview Releases
Get access to preview release versions of many apps such as Plex Media Server, Plex Media Player, and more.
Related Page: Early Access & Beta Releases
Free Access to Plex Apps
Enjoy free access to the mobile Android and iOS apps on us! Also for members of your Plex Home.
Related Page: Free Access to Plex Apps
Related Page: Plex Home
And Even More
Subscribers have access to even more features and benefits. For instance, subscribers can have Trailers and Extras automatically retrieved for movies or TV shows in their library or make use of Webhooks for notifications and integrations with other tools.
Had a quick look at what you get when you pay (had no idea there was a pay option!) Its largely b
ks to most people.To me, and most cases, I'd assume. Plex is free. Check the below out for a load of nothingburger :-) (and you don't need an app on PCs - you run it in a browser), and most people, transcoding on the server makes no difference unless they are trying to reduce your bandwidth sending movies to phones. My TV or Shield do any transcoding needed, though TBH - I download in the format I want to watch, so there is nothing to transcode. (i.e. 2160p or 1080p). My Shield and TV boht support all video and audio formats.
Really, for anyone wanting to use it as a media hub in their home, it's 100% free.
Plex Pass Feature Overview
A Plex Pass subscription gives access to numerous features and benefits.
DVR Recording of Live TV
Hook a compatible tuner and digital antenna up to your local Plex Media Server to let you watch and record free, over-the-air broadcasts available in your area. Record content into your library to gain all the benefits of other personal media: beautiful metadata, access it anywhere and any time, and more. You can, of course, also watch content live, wherever you are, on tons of devices.
Related Page: Live TV & DVR
Downloads
If you’re flying across the Atlantic, taking a subway to work, or even just relaxing in the park, you can still play your content! Use Downloads to load copies of your content on your phone or tablet so you can use it when you don’t have internet access. Downloads also helps make sure you always have the next episode of your favorite show ready for your commute. You can also Download content to your Windows or Mac desktop Plex app.
Related Page:
Related Page: Downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux Desktop
Plexamp & Plex Labs
Some of the projects coming out of Plex Labs may be available only to Plex Pass subscribers. For instance, the “Plexamp” music player (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux) as well as the “Plex Dash” server management app (Android, iOS) both require active Plex Pass subscriptions to use.
Related Page: Plexamp
Related Page: Plex Labs
Skip Movies and TV Show Credits
Save precious time by skipping over credits in your Movies and TV shows. Your server can analyze movies and episodes to detect credits and give you back precious minutes when you’re binging your favorite series or movies.
Related Page: Credits Detection
Skip TV Show Intros
Save precious time by skipping over intros in your TV shows. Your server can analyze shows to detect intro segments and give you back precious minutes when you’re binging your favorite series.
Related Page: Skip TV Show Intros
Premium Music Features
Take your music experience to eleven! Enjoy better artwork and artist bios, automatic lyrics from LyricFind, loudness leveling, sweet fades, visualizers, and more.
Related Page: Automatic Lyrics from LyricFind
Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
When using a compatible device or processor on the Plex Media Server, subscribers can make use of hardware acceleration when content needs to be converted (transcoded) during streaming. This can be faster and more power-efficient for users.
Related Page: Using Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
Custom Sharing Restrictions
Create customized restriction settings when sharing with family and close, personal friends. Restrict based on content ratings or your own custom labels.
Related Page: Restrictions on Library Access
Related Page: Plex Home
Bandwidth and Transcoding Limits
Plex Pass subscribers have additional control over processor usage and network/bandwidth usage when streaming.
Related Page: Server Settings - Bandwidth and Transcoding Limits
Early Access
Users with an active Plex Pass subscription often get early access to new features or apps. For instance, both Chromecast support and Plex Home Theater were available to Plex Pass subscribers prior to being released for all users.
Related Page: Early Access & Beta Releases
Preview Releases
Get access to preview release versions of many apps such as Plex Media Server, Plex Media Player, and more.
Related Page: Early Access & Beta Releases
Free Access to Plex Apps
Enjoy free access to the mobile Android and iOS apps on us! Also for members of your Plex Home.
Related Page: Free Access to Plex Apps
Related Page: Plex Home
And Even More
Subscribers have access to even more features and benefits. For instance, subscribers can have Trailers and Extras automatically retrieved for movies or TV shows in their library or make use of Webhooks for notifications and integrations with other tools.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Friday 14th February 16:58
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff