It can be optional. Some people think the images are spoilers and I totally understand that. But first we need something to work with and right now we have none. How about we vote to get the features implemented and worry about enhancements later?
I've just noticed the "Up Next" contextual menu that appears in the "overlay interface" (appears when the mouse moves over video playing that is part of a playlist). This is exactly how I imagined chapter markers might be supported in Plex.
Part A: Write/Program function to check and collect chapter metadata
I imagine a function (code/programming) would need to be written to check MP4/M4V media for chapter metadata and, if present, pass this data to the "chapter" contextual menu.
Part B: Write/program function to create "chapter contextual menu" and add it to "overlay interface"
I wonder if the "up next" contextual menu function (code/programming) could be modified/reused for "chapter selection" contextual menu relatively easily.
Perhaps much of the work for part B above is already done – the "up next" contextual menu function could be re-used/modified? Would this make supporting chapter metadata easier? Wishful thinking on my part?
(I don't wish to impose unreasonable expectations on the developers or seem ungrateful. I think the Plex team has produced a fine product. Updates with new features and bug-fixes are released at regular intervals. Plex Pass subscription payment seems generously low to me. Thanks for a great product!)
@Sam Let's wait and see what the team will come up with.
I wonder how many votes do we need for this to get the attention it deserves from the dev team.
More than the xbox and ps app sections!!!
I wonder how many votes do we need for this to get the attention it deserves from the dev team.
I wonder how many votes do we need for this to get the attention it deserves from the dev team.
A heck'uva lot more votes than this has now. The 43 votes this has so far is nothing compared to other feature requests made here in this forum that have yet to be implemented. ;)
Lol that was just sarcasm. I've visited these sections so I know exactly what I am up against :) but I can't help but to be optimistic.
One vote more for the chapter support
+1 from me ... really need chapter support especially for my concert rips :(
Just throwing in my unasked for two cents, but I would settle for just a set time chapter skip. i.e., I don't need to have the chapters match the exact chapter select of the DVD/Blu, or even have to have it pull images to skip through - I'd be happy with just a 5-minute or a 7-minute skip feature, as opposed to just constant rewind or fast-foward.
Maybe a little more basic than what people are asking for, but...baby steps?
Just throwing in my unasked for two cents, but I would settle for just a set time chapter skip. i.e., I don't need to have the chapters match the exact chapter select of the DVD/Blu, or even have to have it pull images to skip through - I'd be happy with just a 5-minute or a 7-minute skip feature, as opposed to just constant rewind or fast-foward.
Maybe a little more basic than what people are asking for, but...baby steps?
What I would really like is what netflix has. When you fast forward or rewind you can see the picture of the video.
Plex has that its called media index.
What I would really like is what netflix has. When you fast forward or rewind you can see the picture of the video.
Plex has that its called media index.
I am aware of it. If I recall correctly I think only roku has it. I was thinking more global. Netflix client does it on any device.
I am aware of it. If I recall correctly I think only roku has it. I was thinking more global. Netflix client does it on any device.
As of version 2.3.21 Plex Web has it too.
As of version 2.3.21 Plex Web has it too.
Sorry, I don't mean to be obtuse. OttoKerner, what do you mean by "it"? What new feature does Web App have as of version 2.3.21?
Is the new feature you refer to…
[A] ability to see video during fast-forward and rewind, or
** a mechanism to select "previous chapter" or "next chapter"
Before posting this question I did a quick search for Web App release information history. Is Web App release history (changes) listed somewhere in the forum and I've overlooked it?
With thanks and appreciation to Plex developers and forum contributors.
Sorry, I don't mean to be obtuse. OttoKerner, what do you mean by "it"? What new feature does Web App have as of version 2.3.21?
I included the citation in my post for a reason. Scroll one post above mine and you will find the reference.
I now see the reference "Plex has that its called media index". I don't know how I missed that reference. To assist anyone else might not have understood the feature discussed :
The Video Preview Thumbnails feature is supported in Plex App version 2.3.21 onwards.
Video Preview Thumbnails (also known sometimes as "media index files" or "BIF" index files) are basically a series of low-resolution images from a media item. These images are used by some Plex apps when you move back and forward in the app with the timeline scrubber. There, they display a small image corresponding to that time in the video to let you better find the spot in which you're interested.
Video Preview Thumbnails feature is certainly useful when trying to locate a particular point in media and possibly alleviates some inconvenience for those people keen for chapter features (i.e. "jump to previous chapter" and "jump to next chapter") in Plex Web App.
Apple TV as a client to Plex Media Server using PlexConnect – supports chapter features
Incidentally, today I successfully managed to apply PlexConnect to an Apple TV 3 and Plex Media Server v0.9.11.17 (running on OS X 10.10.2 Yosemite Server). This configuration deviated from the documentation a little because I'm using the DNS server configured by OS X Server (Applications > Server.app) and not the DNS server provided as part of PlexConnect.
PlexConnect causes the Trailers channel/app on the Apple TV 3 to access Plex Media Server media and I no longer use iTunes' 'Home Sharing' to serve media to the Apple TV 3.
I really like the Apple TV GUI and navigation design – simple, "clean" (it even provides settings to select "grid view" or "list views") and is very easy and responsive when scrolling through large libraries (long lists). This solution also supports several "chapter" features:
- jump to previous chapter – left button on Apple remote.
- jump to next chapter – right button on Apple remote.
- pause and present user with list of chapters (with poster frame) – press and hold the select button on Apple remote.
When I get time I'll write a guide to assist users applying PlexConnect to a host running Plex Media Server on OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) Server… might be useful using the Server.app and DNS server (BIND).
RasPlex 0.5.1 running on a Raspberry Pi 2
Still sort-of on topic… I had no trouble initialling RasPlex 0.5.1 on the newly available Raspberry Pi 2 to effectively deliver Plex Home Theatre running on a small (portable), inexpensive (yet remarkably powerful) steaming device (HDMI output). The interface responds very promptly even when browsing through a large media library and I've experience no playback issues (all the media is MP4/M4V container format 720p and 1080p). This solution supports "jump to previous chapter – press [ key" and "jump to next chapter – press ] key".
My preference is to use "AppleTV 3 / PlexConnect" solution to watch media on an HDMI TV at home. I'll use "RasPlex running on Raspberry Pi 2" when I need need to access and present media on an HDMI TV away from home. I'm also keen to test updated versions of RasPlex as they are released.
Of course other clients (Plex Web App, iOS app etc) support media playback on a variety of devices (phones, tablets, streamers etc) on the local network to Plex Media Server and remotely – many without features to support chapters.
This is certainly not a major criticism of Plex. I think the list of Plex features and range configuration options is awesome. And the development team is coming out with regular updates with new and refined features that exceed often exceed my expectations!
But this isn't at all related to chapters, where predefined segments with a name are used to jump to the next scene. Media index is random screendumps of movies that do not provide any concious decission by the film maker like chapters do provide.What I would really like is what netflix has. When you fast forward or rewind you can see the picture of the video.
Jaap
But this isn't at all related to chapters, where predefined segments with a name are used to jump to the next scene. Media index is random screendumps of movies that do not provide any concious decission by the film maker like chapters do provide.
Jaap
Yes I am well aware of that. I recall somewhere in the thread I mentioned I would like to have them both as an option. "Media index" would be great for tv shows where as my original request is great for movies.
Most TV-shows on DVD and BluRay also have chapters included nowadays. Some even have taken the time to include the chapter names. For example "The West Wing" have included Chapter-names for all 150 episodes. Now Plex just has to support it :)Yes I am well aware of that. I recall somewhere in the thread I mentioned I would like to have them both as an option. "Media index" would be great for tv shows where as my original request is great for movies.
Jaap
