I am a brand new Plex Pass member. The main reason for purchasing the pass is for the Live TV and DVR functions. I am soon to be a cord cutter and need a DVR for local content. It was between Plex and HDHomerun DVR. I chose Plex because it had an app for my preferred streaming device, the Roku.
Now the Plex server does a wonderful job organizing my content and pulling in metadata, but from where I sit Live TV and DVR are a work in progress. As stated above, I chose Plex over HDHomerun because it operates on Roku. As I start up my Roku I am able to play my media, but have no way to set show to record. So I ask, " What good is a DVR if you are not able to set a show to record?"
I blame some of my plight due to not doing enough research before the purchase. I wish as I was signing up that there was some information as to the current development state of the individual client apps.
@SJMaye said:
I am a brand new Plex Pass member. The main reason for purchasing the pass is for the Live TV and DVR functions. I am soon to be a cord cutter and need a DVR for local content. It was between Plex and HDHomerun DVR. I chose Plex because it had an app for my preferred streaming device, the Roku.
Now the Plex server does a wonderful job organizing my content and pulling in metadata, but from where I sit Live TV and DVR are a work in progress. As stated above, I chose Plex over HDHomerun because it operates on Roku. As I start up my Roku I am able to play my media, but have no way to set show to record. So I ask, " What good is a DVR if you are not able to set a show to record?"
I blame some of my plight due to not doing enough research before the purchase. I wish as I was signing up that there was some information as to the current development state of the individual client apps.
Just a little frustrated.
As you said a work in progress, support for different clients is coming. I’am in the same boat and trigger recordings from server’s browser using PMS UI. Not ideal but as i have read in the Forums support is coming along with EPG Grid.
As attractive as the interface is now the EPG would be a welcome addition. I question the priorities. If you have rolled out a new feature like DVR (not so new), why isn’t the next step to make that feature available in each of the client apps? I am sure there is a bunch more in play I am not thinking of.
As I explore Plex I have learned a lot. Yes, Plex has apps on all kinds of devices. However, they are in varying degrees of update. My 2014 Samsung has a Plex app that no longer even functions. Lucky I was not really planning to use it.
I may end up buying a year of HDHomerun service just to trial the software.
@SJMaye said:
As attractive as the interface is now the EPG would be a welcome addition. I question the priorities. If you have rolled out a new feature like DVR (not so new), why isn’t the next step to make that feature available in each of the client apps? I am sure there is a bunch more in play I am not thinking of.
As I explore Plex I have learned a lot. Yes, Plex has apps on all kinds of devices. However, they are in varying degrees of update. My 2014 Samsung has a Plex app that no longer even functions. Lucky I was not really planning to use it.
I may end up buying a year of HDHomerun service just to trial the software.
That’s not good news about your Tv app, I have 2014 LG and have support that is constantly improving. Cross fingers it continues.
I suppose it may be that my 2014 smart tv platform was the previous generation Samsung Smartv OS, Orsay. This has since been replaced by Tizen. I find both seriously lacking and part of the reason I have sworn off Samsung as a streaming platform. So, I need a device per tv. Part of the reason on looking at Roku is that it is the dominant streaming platform with 37% of the market. I figured this would be the first device to get any streaming app or update. Not always the case I see.
@SJMaye said:
I suppose it may be that my 2014 smart tv platform was the previous generation Samsung Smartv OS, Orsay. This has since been replaced by Tizen. I find both seriously lacking and part of the reason I have sworn off Samsung as a streaming platform. So, I need a device per tv. Part of the reason on looking at Roku is that it is the dominant streaming platform with 37% of the market. I figured this would be the first device to get any streaming app or update. Not always the case I see.
If you have a android or ios device you could use one of them to use DVR recording from the lounge. Watching through the Roku is no problem. If it is Recorded you can fast forward and rewind etc, just no time shift.
I have been testing as many Plex clients as possible. So far, Roku TV, Roku 3 (yes, they are actually different looking), Amazon Streaming Stick, and Samsung TV. I am considering purchasing an Nvidia Shield. Expensive, but seems to have everything; Android TV OS, powerful, remote controls tv volume. The big plus this has over Roku and Amazon is full control (almost) of the apps
@SJMaye said:
I have been testing as many Plex clients as possible. So far, Roku TV, Roku 3 (yes, they are actually different looking), Amazon Streaming Stick, and Samsung TV. I am considering purchasing an Nvidia Shield. Expensive, but seems to have everything; Android TV OS, powerful, remote controls tv volume. The big plus this has over Roku and Amazon is full control (almost) of the apps
Yes. At my house (spelled WIFE) it is important that each TV works exactly the same. Same interface, same remote, same everything. That is why it is so important for me to get the right box. Very few Android boxes have TV controls. I see Nvidia Shield and Xiaomi Mi do. This may because these have the genuine Android TV OS. I need to understand how the volume and TV/ON functions work. I think it is through HDMI-CEC. It would be just my luck it would not work on one of my sets.
@SJMaye said:
Yes. At my house (spelled WIFE) it is important that each TV works exactly the same. Same interface, same remote, same everything. That is why it is so important for me to get the right box. Very few Android boxes have TV controls. I see Nvidia Shield and Xiaomi Mi do. This may because these have the genuine Android TV OS. I need to understand how the volume and TV/ON functions work. I think it is through HDMI-CEC. It would be just my luck it would not work on one of my sets.
I truly understand that problem, the LG magic remote solved a lot issues for me. Very easy navigating with Plex, it’s just my job to maintain the Server. My wife loves her iPad, watching her shows when the sports are on. Records TV, Netfix etc.
Simplicity is a must for a peaceful existence.
Thanks for that link. This may be part of my issues. I have been installing whatever Plex app I found on my Roku devices assuming they were the latest and greatest. Many of these are on the “Plex Pass Preview Channel”. Not familiar with that. Is that another whole Roku app for PP members only?
@SJMaye said:
Thanks for that link. This may be part of my issues. I have been installing whatever Plex app I found on my Roku devices assuming they were the latest and greatest. Many of these are on the “Plex Pass Preview Channel”. Not familiar with that. Is that another whole Roku app for PP members only?
At top of page you will see reference to 4 areas of support. Look in Categories / Release Announcements, here you find the histories of device updates, links etc
@SJMaye said:
Yes. At my house (spelled WIFE) it is important that each TV works exactly the same. Same interface, same remote, same everything. That is why it is so important for me to get the right box. Very few Android boxes have TV controls. I see Nvidia Shield and Xiaomi Mi do. This may because these have the genuine Android TV OS. I need to understand how the volume and TV/ON functions work. I think it is through HDMI-CEC. It would be just my luck it would not work on one of my sets.
This made me chuckle, but how true. The look I get from the love of my life every time I try to introduce something which I promise won’t screw up her ability to watch TV… hah…
As soon as she saw that the Plex DVR didn’t show thumbnails for newly recorded programs when fast-forwarding, she was off the bandwagon. She can see where she is - visually - when fast forwarding with our DirecTV Genie and won’t take a step back from that. I have it set to create thumbnails every couple hours, but not quite quick enough for recording World News Tonight at 6:30pm and watching it at 7:00pm.
This made me chuckle, but how true. The look I get from the love of my life every time I try to introduce something which I promise won’t screw up her ability to watch TV… hah…
As soon as she saw that the Plex DVR didn’t show thumbnails for newly recorded programs when fast-forwarding, she was off the bandwagon. She can see where she is - visually - when fast forwarding with our DirecTV Genie and won’t take a step back from that. I have it set to create thumbnails every couple hours, but not quite quick enough for recording World News Tonight at 6:30pm and watching it at 7:00pm.
I think it works that way for a lot of us. I have been doing HTPC since 2007 with Windows Media Center. With all the developments in computer entertainment software it strikes me odd that in 2018 we are struggling with re-developing a product that Microsoft introduced well over a decade ago.
My first was Vista Media Center. It had streaming channels, an electronic program guide, music and video databases. It even had media center extenders for other rooms in your house. I used this for years until MS quit maintaining the program. I went to the Tivo Bolt as it was the only box out there that merged Live TV, DVR and streaming channels. It also works with cable cards and can also do OTA. As I drew closer to cutting the cord I noticed how lacking the Tivo’s streaming apps were. And here I am.
Of the clients I have tested it appears the one for Amazon Fire (and I assume Android) is the only one that has the DVR features. Is this the Plex preferred client? Or is this the client they began working on first?
I would prefer Roku, but if I have to go with Android TV based I can adapt… Not sure about the wife.
