I pucashed lifetime Plex Pass because of the Download feature, but I’m not really impressed.
I have an iPad Pro, with a quite limited storage (64 GB), and I wanted to use this feature to save some space, when I’m on the go.
In this example I’m using a 1080p 20mbit MKV video for reference, with size of 4.4GB
I’ve set the iPad to the following download settings:
1080p, 8mbit, Maximize Compatibility
If I hit the download on my iPad for the 4.4GB video, my server starts to convert it, and the result is a 4GB mkv file transferred to the iPad. Not much a difference.
But if I create an optimized media on my server for the same file, with the same settings (iOS, 1080p, 8mbit), I’m getting a 2.4GB mp4 file, which is cool.
The weird thing, if I pre-optimize the video on my server, and after that I hit the download on my iPad without changing any settings, the iPad downloads the optimized, 2.4GB version. It would be great if I wouldn’t have to pre-optimize the files on my server, before every transfer.
My questions are:
Why is there a huge difference in file size, with the same settings?
When I hit the download on my iPad (without preoptimizing media) why does it create a big mkv instead of an mp4, like when I optimize it manually?
When all of my downloads are finished on my iPad, why doesn’t it lock the screen automatically? I started the download before I went to sleep, and the screen was on, when I woke up. There weren’t any ongoing transfer.
Is it possible to request a refund, if I find this feature malfunctioning? This was the single reason why I bought the Lifetime pass, but it doesn’t make my workflow easier, when I travel to somewhere.
If I start to watch a downloaded series on my iPad, and I start it from the “Downloads” menu, the subtitle works fine (I preoptimized with the settings metioned above). But if I start the same series on the home screen there is no subtitles at all. If I add manually It’s still not working.
And what does “Delete downloaded eposides” mean?
I’ve set it that to “on next refresh” but after I watched a series episode, nothing happens. It stays on my iPad forever.
And if I watch a downloaded episode and I switch app, for example for a browser, sometimes the playback cannot continue, if I go back to the Plex app. I have to force close the app, and find and start the series agan (from the download menu, to have even a subtitle)
I don’t have any solutions or answers for you, but just wanted to commiserate with you.
I’ve been a plex user for a few years now. I’ve never had any major complaints until the new “download” feature. Used to be called “sync.” Although sync had flaws, it worked better and made much more sense as far as settings go. The new downloads feature is confusing and has less options. And doesn’t always work. It is a huge step backwards. And it has forced me to look into other media server options.
It took me over a week to get all my content transcoded and downloaded onto my iPhone. Crashes galore. Plex for iOS on my iPhone keeps crashing now. And it is linked to the download feature. I open the app, find a video or audio piece to play, and a few seconds later, crash. Open it back up, same story, crash. It takes several opens and crashes until it finally stops crashing. It doesn’t crash at all if I turn the phone’s airplane mode on, so it cannot connect to the plex media server on my Mac. Only a good option if I only want access to content already downloaded onto my phone.
Sometimes the content I chose to download is transcoded, and sometimes not, just being copied straight over to the Iphone, filling up the phone.
The old way of syncing worked way better and gave us more options. And, even if it wasn’t crashing all the time now, I swear the syncing process of old was faster.
Last I checked, plex has offered very little information about the downloads feature and its process.
as it stands now, I can no longer recommend plex to others.
