I can't get the Plex icon to show up under Trailers

Dev Community Apps & Creations
1

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for help with my Apple TV and Plex.  I've filled out the form recommended by the developers of PlexConnect and tried to provide as much information as possible.  Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

·  Your ATV model (2 or 3) and firmware version (found under the ATV settings > general > about > Apple TV software):  ATV3, 5.3(5601)

·  The DNS server set on the ATV (found under the ATV settings > general > network > DNS): (10.0.1.1)

·  The device and operating system (including version number) that PlexConnect is installed on: MacBook V.10.7.5

·  The local IP address of the device that PlexConnect is installed on: 10.0.1.3

·  The device and operating system (including version number) that the Plex media server (PMS) is installed on: MacBook V.10.7.5

·  The Plex media server (PMS) version number you are running (**do not put 'latest'**):  Version 0.9.7.28.33-f80a4a2

·  The local IP address of the device that the Plex media server (PMS) is installed on:  10.0.1.3

·  The PlexConnect version number. If using Github source then a time and date of download (look at the creation date of the folder) and if you are using any testing branch e.g. the Elan/PlexInc one.  Downloaded 8/4/1013

·  The content of your 'Settings.cfg' file (if you do not have this file you are running an old version, please update)

[PlexConnect]

ip_pms = 192.168.178.10

enable_dnsserver = True

ip_webserver = 0.0.0.0

enable_plexconnect_autodetect = True

port_pms = 32400

port_webserver = 80

ip_plexconnect = 0.0.0.0

ip_dnsmaster = 8.8.8.8  (note I tried this with 10.0.1.1 to no better result)

loglevel = Normal

logpath = .

enable_plexgdm = True

·  Detail on the media file if it is an issue related to playing a media file (in order to get the necessary information on a particular media file go into the Plex web interface, select the video file, when it brings up the page for the media file click on the "i" information button on the left hand side, it will then bring up a "media info" box, click on the "View XML" button, it will then open a browser window with the relevant information, copy this to http://www.pastebin.com and use the pastebin link to post the details; posting the information directly in the forum may mess up the formatting and generally takes up a lot of space):

·  A detailed description of the issue (the clearer you can make this the better):  I’ve tried a variety of permutations on the step 5 part of the hack.  In this version I tried the rather ambiguous one of including both the 8.8.8.8 and my DNS number.  Obviously, it didn’t work, or I wouldn’t be writing.  I’ve tried it with just my DNS number and the program ran fine in Terminal, but to no effect on the ATV.  In so far as I can tell, I’m following all the instructions, but the ATV doesn’t notice.  I have a Roku and it sees it just fine. 

Also, I just bought the unit and my “Trailers” interface looks different than those shown in the instructional videos I’ve seen.  I’m not even sure where to look for the Plex icon, should it show up.  I’ve done a fairly thorough search, to no avail, however.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide,

 

Dave

2

The DNS set on the ATV should be the local IP of the device you have installed PlexConnect on.

3

As f00b4r said your Apple TV DNS setting should be

 

10.0.1.3

 

which is the ip you've said your server is. Also your plex connect setting ip_pms isn't set to your server

4

>> Also your plex connect setting ip_pms isn't set to your server

...which is fine and not neccessary with "enable_plexgdm = True".

5

Hi Y'all,

Thanks for your responses.  The DNS is now set to '10.0.1.1' , but, how do I change the other parameters as recommended?  I'm a biologist, not a computer coder. 

Thanks again,

Dave

6

>> The DNS is now set to '10.0.1.1'

ip_dnsmaster?

For a start, keep all settings as they are. PlexConnect should work in the most common environments - which should fit your description of a "non-coder" :-)

The only thing you have to really change is the DNS setting in your aTV - it has to point to the PlexConnect machine, in this case 10.0.1.3.

7

Hi again,

Adivce taken, but to no avail.  Here are my current settings:

13:37:01 PlexConnect: ***
13:37:01 PlexConnect: PlexConnect
13:37:01 PlexConnect: Press CTRL-C to shut down.
13:37:01 PlexConnect: ***
13:37:01 PlexConnect: started: 13:37:01
13:37:01 PlexConnect: IP_self: 10.0.1.3
13:37:02 DNSServer: started: 13:37:02
13:37:02 DNSServer: ***
13:37:02 DNSServer: Starting up.
13:37:02 DNSServer: intercept trailers.apple.com: 10.0.1.3
13:37:02 DNSServer: forward other to higher level DNS: 10.0.1.1
13:37:02 DNSServer: ***
13:37:02 WebServer: started: 13:37:02
13:37:02 WebServer: ***
13:37:02 WebServer: WebServer: Serving HTTP on 0.0.0.0 port 80.
13:37:02 WebServer: ***
13:37:02 PlexGDM: ***
13:37:02 PlexGDM: looking up Plex Media Server
13:37:02 PlexGDM: ***
13:37:03 PlexGDM: servers discovered: 1
13:37:03 XMLConverter: PlexGDM - PMS: 10.0.1.3:32400
 

Also, where should the Plex icon show up?

Thanks again,

Dave

8

There is no extra Plex icon - we have not found a way to induce something into a non-jailbreak device.

The original "trailers" app is being hijacked - once you have changed the aTV's DNS.

9

#!/usr/bin/env python

import sys
[...]

Mod: removed more of this strange looking python code (Settings.py).

10

Sorry about that cryptic message, but I kept getting stopped from sending a message saying I had too many emoticons.   These are my current settings.  Should they work?  They aren't.

Dave

11

Well... what you showed is the Settings.py file. You should NOT change this. Never. Well, not, if you are a biologist... :-D

After the first run, you should find a Settings.cfg file (which you actually attached in your first post), which is generated from the defaults and stored on the disc to accept your changes. I have no idea which changes you did to this (Settings.cfg) already, but those are the settings used - not the necessarily the ones in the python source.

My advise:

- Redo the changes to the source code - or re-grab the latest sources from github.

- run PlexConnect as seen in the wiki

- change the aTV's DNS

- do an aTV reset (eg.  unplug for 10sec) to flush the DNS cache

- use the trailers app - or rather Plex.

If this gives you trouble, explain the issue and attach PlexConnect.log. Also, tell us about any specialities of your environment (like virtualisation and such...).

12

Hi once again,

a few particulars:  I've been working from a zip file of PlexConnect as I'm apparently, despite a Ph.D., too dense to figure out GitHub.  Second, how do I change the aTV's DNS?

Plexconnect log:

13:37:01 PlexConnect: started: 13:37:01
13:37:01 PlexConnect: IP_self: 10.0.1.3
13:37:02 DNSServer: started: 13:37:02
13:37:02 DNSServer: ***
13:37:02 DNSServer: Starting up.
13:37:02 DNSServer: intercept trailers.apple.com: 10.0.1.3
13:37:02 DNSServer: forward other to higher level DNS: 10.0.1.1
13:37:02 DNSServer: ***
13:37:02 WebServer: started: 13:37:02
13:37:02 WebServer: ***
13:37:02 WebServer: WebServer: Serving HTTP on 0.0.0.0 port 80.
13:37:02 WebServer: ***
13:37:02 PlexGDM: ***
13:37:02 PlexGDM: looking up Plex Media Server
13:37:02 PlexGDM: ***
13:37:03 PlexGDM: servers discovered: 1
13:37:03 XMLConverter: PlexGDM - PMS: 10.0.1.3:32400

13

Hi yet again,

There might be another factor.  My internet service is AT&T broadband delivered to their wireless router, which is then sent wirelessly to older Airport Express router that is networked to my computers.  This was required before I got ATV as I was able to stream music and news to my home theater system.  I suppose I could get around that now if I move my content to the cloud, which I'm reluctant to do.  Plus, reconfiguring would be a pain in the ass and I'm not sure it would resolve the problem.  After all, Roku works, despite the slightly labrythine path.  Thus, I'd rather keep my current setup. 

FYI.

Thanks again for your help,

Dave

14

Another update,

The Console app popped up with a voluminous list of errors, too long to paste, I suspect.  If they would be helpful, let me know how to send them.

Dave

15

The zip provided by Github is just as fine...

Again, PlexConnect.log looks good. You need to change the aTV's DNS - see wiki (https://github.com/iBaa/PlexConnect/wiki/OSX-and-ATV-with-5.2-firmware-and-ethernet-internet-connection-installation-guide), configuring your aTV.

16

Hi again,

The aTV DNS should be 10.0.1.1, right?

thanks,

Dave

17

Hi again,

The aTV DNS should be 10.0.1.1, right?

thanks,

Dave

The aTV DNS should be 10.0.1.3.

That's the IP address where PlexConnect is running.  Your aTV will send DNS requests to that address, which PlexConnect will then "hijack" to take control of the Trailers app.  When you start the Trailers app, the aTV makes a DNS request to fetch data for it.  PlexConnect will redirect that request and send Plex data instead.  All other DNS requests will be passed along without modification.

18

Hey Dude,

It worked!  Thanks so much for your patience and help! (I don't usual use exclamation points).  If you're ever in Davis, Ca, I owe you a beer, at least.

Thanks,

Dave

19

Hi guys,


A quick one.


I have a at3 and just set-up plex connect using terminal on OSx on Mac mini (10.8.4).


Plex Media Server 0.9.7.28.33


It worked, in the most part but, however the icons for movies are not displayed on the atv3 (5.2.1). All my libraries and content are there with the movie names but no preview icon for the movie. I have factory reset twice and can’t get atv to show movie icons either in library view or preview screen.


Any advice on how I can solve this issue. It’s so much harder to find the movie with no graphic icon to view, especially for my kids.


Thanks in advance.

20

Dave again,

Things have been going great until I tried to add to add XBMC via an USB dongle to the ATV 3 box, which required a power down and power up.  It now no longer sees the the trailer app, saying that it it is "not available" and thus the Plex hack is gone.  I think they're on to us, and I'm pissed off.  Why are they so determined to interfere with the free distribution of information and entertainment?  It used to be the airwaves were free and public. 

Anyway, has anyone else run into this problem and how do I work around it?

I've tried reloading the PlexConnect stuff, I've disconnected the XBMC stuff, restarted the ATV, etc, to no advantage.  Why can't they just let us use this technology as we wish and pay for?  Grumble, grumble.

Dave

Dave