I have set up Plex connect on my Mac and is working fine through my Apple TV. I changed the DNS server address on my Apple TV to match the IP on my mac. Am I right to assume that I will not be able to use Plex content on my Apple TV when the mac computer is sleeping or turned off. I cannot Access ESPN, Netflix when my Mac computer is turned off. This is a problem and I am hoping there is a way to fix this. MY mac computer and Apple TV are connected via ethernet cable. Thanks for any help.
Yes, you need your computer to be on for Plexconnect to operate. When the computer is turned off you will have to reset the ATV DNS to automatic to access the other apps.
Rock Star - Thanks for the quick and simple explanation. I now understand how accessing plex connect through my Apple TV works. I am okay with not being able to access plex connect on my Apple tV when My mac is not on. What I am not happy about is that I am going to have to reset the DNS on my Apple TV every time my Mac goes to sleep or turns off. That means if I shut down my mac and go to sleep and my wife wants to watch ESPN through the Apple TV. She has to turn on my mac and reset the DNS just to get netflix or ESPN to work. Is that correct? If so, do you think there be an easier solution down the road.
The computer sleeping is not a problem, especially if you have Home Sharing set up as the ATV will wake the Mac. I just have my desktop Mac running all the time with the appropriate Energy Saver sleep preferences set. I have been doing this for for over twenty years on various machines and do not believe that it adversely affects a computer. You basically have to treat the machine running Plexconnect as a server and that will not change, I don’t think.
Rock Star - Thanks for the quick and simple explanation. I now understand how accessing plex connect through my Apple TV works. I am okay with not being able to access plex connect on my Apple tV when My mac is not on. What I am not happy about is that I am going to have to reset the DNS on my Apple TV every time my Mac goes to sleep or turns off. That means if I shut down my mac and go to sleep and my wife wants to watch ESPN through the Apple TV. She has to turn on my mac and reset the DNS just to get netflix or ESPN to work. Is that correct? If so, do you think there be an easier solution down the road.
So wait, let me get this straight you are angry because an app that is running on your laptop for your atv that is then set to connect to doesnt work when that laptop is turned off? Seriously? I mean that's like saying WTF why doesnt my phone ring when I unplug the base unit from the wall. Normally I would have some pity because some people dont realize that you need to keep your machine running to keep everything working but you get that and yet you are still upset about it. "Shakes head"
>> She has to turn on my mac and reset the DNS just to get netflix or ESPN to work. Is that correct? If so, do you think there be an easier solution down the road.
No, the DNS address in aTV has to be reset to automatic...
Other solution: if you router has DNS functionality, set it up to cover the interception of trailers.apple.com to reroute to your Mac...
Thanks for the good information! I totally get having to have the computer running to access plex. What I am frustrated about is not being able to access ESPN, Netflix due to me having to reset the DNS to automatic and back to Manual DNS. My wife is never going to do that or understand the process. I will try the Router workaround.
Thanks for the good information! I totally get having to have the computer running to access plex. What I am frustrated about is not being able to access ESPN, Netflix due to me having to reset the DNS to automatic and back to Manual DNS. My wife is never going to do that or understand the process. I will try the Router workaround.
Its simplest of proces. Just going to Network settings and changing DNS from Manual to Automatic takes less than a 1 min.
The idea behind PlexConnect is that the internet traffic from your ATV is rerouted and intercepted by your computer, where PlexConnect then returns with information. When your computer is off, the traffic can't be redirected and so nothing happens, causing the errors.
So I think I might have a fix for you. The cool thing is that Plex has plugin support for Netflix (http://github.com/plexinc-plugins/Netflix.bundle), though it is technically an unsupported plugin. I could have sworn I saw an ESPN plugin, but if not, just give it some time, and the community will have one.
The only problem with this setup is you won't be able to turn your Mac off, but at least you wont have to change the network settings every time.
Let me know if this will work for you, I'll help you get everything setup. I'll also let you know if I find an ESPN plugin.
Hope this helps!
EDIT: I found a WIP ESPN plugin (http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/60086-rel-espn-plugin/), but I haven't tested it yet, so I'm not sure how well it works. Others say it works pretty well. I would try it to see if you like it.
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