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How do I download content for offline viewing with Plex on Android TV??
I have one of those fancy, new portable battery powered projectors and I take it camping. I’d like to download content in Plex for offline viewing and there doesn’t seem to be a way even though there’s HD space.
I would prefer not turn on my phone’s hotspot (and may not have service) and burn battery when I just want to download/play some content before my trips.
Because 99% of people do not go camping with their Android TV.
I’ll look and make a feature request, but Plex should get on-board because nearly every new portable projector is moving from Android OS to Android TV.
A shame in general because I have a few users that could/do use the sync/download feature to get around very slow internet connections, although I understand this is probably the minority. I might look into that feature request to see if there’s others that feel the same
I’m more curious why not? I’d think they’ve developed the code/tech already to store data locally on Android OS systems…couldn’t they just replicate it to Android TV?
Or perhaps Android TV is a more restrictive system and it’s a limitation? If it’s a limitation of Android TV though, I’d like to hear the Plex team confirm that.
We have a travel trailer with an Android TV device and use it to play movies. When we go camping with the trailer we very rarely are in places that have cell reception so we copied the movies over and use VLC to play them. I got a lifetime plex pass with the idea that we could sync movies and use plex instead of VLC, but looks like I was wrong.
I’m going to say this comment is wrong. I agree it’s a minority, but there are more and more Android TV devices going into campers, projectors, military over seas, etc.
The syncing is for mobile apps, and recently the desktop app.
Many Android TV devices like a fire stick that many folks use don’t have any real storage. I know on major devices like a Shield there is more onboard storage but then there is the issue these random “Android boxes” which are usually pretty janky because the implementation of Android is not standard.
Anyway I have nothing against the request. You don’t need to convince me. I advocate for what folks want regardless if I personally want it or not.
I would say you still made a good decision. I can’t imagine it not eventually getting implemented when Google’s stated direction for media with Android is a focus on Android TV to better compete with Roku and Apple.
I agree with BigWheel that there are a ton of janky Android implementations on these random Chinese boxes, but just like anything Google/Android, it matures over time to eventually parity others in the industry. Plus the cost of storage is constantly going down.
What I can say is nearly every one of these janky (and nice) Android devices usually allow for USB/external storage, so if Plex could be aware of that, space wouldn’t be a concern. And newer android devices are coming with ~15gb free space, which can store a decent amount of content for a weekend trip.
I said camping as an easy example. I actually take my projector to the beach and setup a screen across the volleyball nets. To stream to Plex, I need to have my phone hotspot on, which kills my battery and if I have poor cell service in the beach it’s low quality video. Plus it means the projector WiFi is running hurting battery too.
