Best Plex client ?

[plexyglass3]

Hi,

I plan to run Plex server on my Synology DS212+.

This is an ARM based NAS so it won't transcode any video.
 

I'm wondering what is the best client solution :
 

- Raspberry running rasplex (performance, decoding, interface ?)

- Raspeberry running XMBC + plexmbc (performance, decoding, interface ?)

- Android box (Mali400 GPU) running the plex app

  (will the app decode the videos using the CPU, or can it use an external player ?, what about interface ?)

- Roku + plex channel  (looks like interface is snappy but not rich ?)

 

Any experience, recommendations much appreciated.
 

 

[antonclr]

Hi,

I plan to run Plex server on my Synology DS212+.

This is an ARM based NAS so it won't transcode any video.
 

I'm wondering what is the best client solution :
 

- Raspberry running rasplex (performance, decoding, interface ?)

- Raspeberry running XMBC + plexmbc (performance, decoding, interface ?)

- Android box (Mali400 GPU) running the plex app

  (will the app decode the videos using the CPU, or can it use an external player ?, what about interface ?)

- Roku + plex channel  (looks like interface is snappy but not rich ?)

 

Any experience, recommendations much appreciated.
 

It depends on what file types you are planning to keep.

For mixed files

>>Raspberry Pi would probably be the more inclined option as it has more compatibility with some files.

For MP4 files

>>Roku would be the better option and go with installing RARflix from http://rarflix.com/ as this adds extra feature like viewing trailers and cast/crew info and multi-user if other family members want there own login. Plus you get all the extra channels Roku offer, believe around 400+

For interface and performance

>>Roku is simple and designed for a purpose so is really smooth, instant play from mp4 (as described above) and a 'clean' interface; RARflix will clutter this up a little but is not bad. I have RARflix on two NowTVs and a client Roku.

>>Raspberry Pi is ok from the last point I have heard anything about, it is unfortunately a recent development so has the foundation there, which works great on playing files, but the looks could do with some tweaking, but you will only get updates for the near future, so bonus.

This is all I can waver in on. Never looked into android solutions for a TV. Nor have gone into great detail with the raspberry pi. Hope this helps you a little into finding more info or help others expand in answering your question

[WilhelmStroker]

I have Plex running on a QNAP NAS that doesn't support transcoding either but as most of my media is in MP4 anyway that's not a big deal. Clients are:

- Now TV box (essentially a Roku) with RarFlix

- Windows 8.1 RT client (which is by far the best looking client out there I think)

- Ouya running the Android version of Plex. This is a bit quicker than RarFlix but doesn't have all the fancy options RarFlix has.

No experience with Raspberry Pi I'm afraid.