Non Google Android replacement of Rasplex client? Open source route?

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: Version 4.45.0 (on Ubuntu)
Player Version#: Rasplex

Dear all,

I have a dilemma between convenience and principals…

Having been using 3x Raspberry Pi’s running Rasplex for several years (on a TV, a home cinema projector, and headless kitchen music system), I have been nothing but impressed by Rasplex’s capabilities, user friendliness, and ease of use. However, with the lack of support these days for Rasplex, issues have began to creep in as my server is being kept up to date, but the Rasplex client is somewhat stalled at some point in the past. So far, it now fails to play certain movies, and most new thumbnails are not showing, this feels like the start of it’s demise, which I am now planning for.

So, I am forced into exploring streaming device alternatives, and am quite saddened (so far in my research) to find that in order to achieve a similar goal I will have to bring a Google Android device into my home. Some may say; “what’s the problem with that?” - well, I don’t see the need to register a personally identifiable account with a corporate giant in order to just play some movies on my TV.

I have a bit of a loathing for these corporations who profiteer from discreetly spying on people’s lives (Google, Amazon, etc…). I have been steadily cleansing my home of proprietary devices and software in favor of open-source / foss / floss / gnu etc… (see http://scottbouch.com/fight-for-your-right-to-privacy.htm).

Actually PLEX-Server is my last remaining proprietary piece of software, but we as a family have become so accustomed to it, it’s likely to be the only thing to remain unless I can re-train everyone to use something different like Emby.

As an alternative, Emby may just be the way to go, giving me an open-source media server, however, I still face the same difficulties with the client end, as no easy dedicated Rasplex-type client seems to exist yet, but there is a solution in the form of a plugin for Kodi, like Plex has too, but online these are reported to be a bit clunky.

Any recommendations are welcome to achieve either of the following would really be appreciated:

  • Non-Android client dedicated streaming device like Rasplex for PLEX.
  • Non-Android client dedicated streaming device like Rasplex for EMBY (if I move across).

Many thanks, Scott.

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I hear you on many levels. I’m in this same predicament right now. At the moment I’m using LibreELEC on my Raspberry Pi 4, and it’s pretty fantastic. It’s a Linux distribution stripped down to just Kodi, which you can then install the Plex app add-on.

Unfortunately, the interface hasn’t changed in a very long time, unlike Android TV’s Plex app UI. It does perform acceptably, though.

Rumor is HDR will be coming to the Pi 4 later on this year, which will make the Pi 4 an exceptional device, especially for the price! When hardwired, 4k videos play very very quickly.

If you don’t mind spending a little bit of money on new devices, the Odroid-N2+ is much faster than the Pi 4, and already supports HDR. I’m waiting for mine to arrive, and am hoping HDR on a Linux distro, rather than having to install Android. I believe Android could be installed de-Googled, which may not be so bad. Hopefully Plex will host their app on F-droid in the future to avoid having to sideload.

It’s a rabbit hole of a topic.

Justin

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As of a couple of years ago, Emby is no more or less open source than Plex. The project closed the source of its core module(s) to protect its IP. As a result, another project was forked from its last fully open commit. Google can help you find that other project, if you’re interested.

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