Redesign multi-user XB1

Plex Players Gaming Consoles
1

I sure hope the multi-user aspect of Plex is redesigned.  

 

Here's my take on it.

 

Plex/XB1 should be able to use the "Users" capability on the Plex Media Server, in much the same way as the Netflix app does.  Even better, it should be "saved" for each user. and if multiple people and multiple PMS/Users are detected by XB1 as present (through the Kinect camera) it offers multiple choices of User login.

 

For a family of four:

Dad - Has XB Live, Xbox GamerTag, PlexPass

Mum -  Xbox GamerTag

Kid1 -  Xbox GamerTag

Kid2 -  Xbox GamerTag

 

One XB1

One Plex Media Server configured with PlexPass

 

Plex Media Server is configured with two users:

Parents

Kids

 

Initial setup on XB1:

Dad signs in to XB1, Starts Plex/XB1, connects to PMS, logs into "Parents" user.  Dad signs out..

Mum signs in to XB1, Starts Plex/XB1, connects to PMS, logs into "Parents" user.  Mum signs out.

Kid1 signs into XB1.  Starts Plex/XB1, connects to PMS, logs into "Kids" user.  Kid1 signs out.

Kid2 signs into XB1.  Starts Plex/XB1, connects to PMS, logs into "Kids" user.  Kid2 signs out.

 

Scenario 1:

Mum starts Plex.  She is the only one signed into XB1.  It automatically shows the Parents shows.

 

Scenario 2:

Kid1 starts plex.  He is the only one signed into XB1.  It auotmatically shows the Kids shows.

 

Scenario 3:

Mum and Kid1 are signed into the console and Plex is started.  It gives an option to select either Parent or Kid Shows.  Any TV shows/folders below a given rating are hidden but can be unhidden through the in-built XB1 unlock system.

 

Benefits here:
No XB1 Live required
No need to associate XB1 with PlexPass (this is done on the server)
One-time mapping of XB1 user to Plex user.
No need to create a "third" login of Plex users.

 

2

I'd have to disagree with this. Not to mention your idea wouldn't work with the kinect for the way microsoft keeps track of accounts. Why can't each person have their own plex.tv login, add them to Plex Home, and have them on their individual xbox accounts. You said yourself they all have xbox live accounts already.

The plus of this is that each person in the house gets their own watch status and on Deck. Maybe they will add the fast user switching like the Roku and PHT have not, but this seems like it would be clunkier than it is now. Those devices needed that because they don't have user authentication, where as the xbox already has good support for this build in already.

Not trying to crap on your idea, just explaining why some people may not agree with you. :)

3

So you are basically saying that the 4 different environments is "as designed".

1. XB Live.  

2. XB1 login.  

3. Plex "Home"

4. plex.tv login.

That's lame.

4

For the record, NetFlix doesn't require any of that although it doesn't tie your XB1 login to a NetFlix user - at least it lets you select it at app start time.

5

You can call me lazy but I prefer having it tied to my account. That way I don't have to select which account and enter a pin if your using it every-time I launch the app....

The one thing I think would be neat is if it can mark a title as watched for all users that are logged into the Xbox if they have their account associated with a plex account. This way everyone can have there watch history updated after viewing a movie/show together.

6

But it doesn't need to be tied to a LIVE account at all.  The app should only need to talk to the server which could cache your plex pass data.

This way it works even when Live is down or having trouble which is quite often.

7

This way it works even when Live is down or having trouble which is quite often.

I disagree with that statement. Downtime for live has been extremely low. In fact, I can only think of 1 other 15 minute stretch other than this crap with the DDOS over christmas.

I think entering a pin on screen is a pain in the butt, but if they make it so you can do it both ways I won't mind. I personally like the way it is right now.

8

https://downdetector.com/status/xbox-live/archive

Point being a lot of stuff can have problems that can keep you from being able to connect.  Could be MS Live itself, backbone carrier, your isp, your specific internet connection, etc..

Why have the device (xBox) connect directly to MS Live to verify your plex pass/credentials when it could talk directly to your plex server sitting on your network.  Your plex server could easily cache any data needed by the xBox, PS4, etc including the expiration of your plex pass membership in an encrypted state.  This way as long as your plex server can at least occasionally "phone home" all will work even without internet access.

As far as interface goes it should work just like the web interface or Netflix regardless of what MS Live account is logged in.

They could easily make it configurable so you could choose to display Home Users or use the Live account. <-- best of both worlds and should work for almost everyone.

Carlo

9

if they transfer the Plex pass status properly to Plex accounts I added to my family on my server I could tie everyone live account to their plex account.

When they launch Plex they get the libraries I allow them and then its working perfect.

So I have

Dad, live account tied to Plex pass account

Mom, live account tied to family Plex account 1

Kid, live account tied to family Plex account 2

Both than also use those Plex accounts to their mobile apps etc.

All will be great

10

if they transfer the Plex pass status properly to Plex accounts I added to my family on my server I could tie everyone live account to their plex account.

When they launch Plex they get the libraries I allow them and then its working perfect.

So I have

Dad, live account tied to Plex pass account

Mom, live account tied to family Plex account 1

Kid, live account tied to family Plex account 2

Both than also use those Plex accounts to their mobile apps etc.

All will be great

It already works this way...

11

What am I missing than? I created an Plex account for my kid, added it to my family on the server.

He can now use that account to access the media but not as plex pass member.

So no pass features in the mobile apps, like sync or photo upload.

So you say he should be able to connect to the Plex  xb1 app with that account?

12

Just tested and it seems you are right!

For the xb1 app the account is valid and he only gets the libraries I allowed.

I am sure I tested this, weird stuff.

But great.

Time to make the wife and other kid the same setup.

13

So it seems it is just not working for my windows apps. My son can not use the photo upload feature or sync feature because the app tells him he has no pass.

Also the web interface is telling this. That is why I thought the pass status does not transfer. But for the Xbox 1 app it is at least loading so that is great.

14

It was added to the Xbox One app [December 5, 2014](https://forums.plex.tv/topic/130706-plex-for-xbox-one/?p=784909)

The windows 8 and windows phone 8 app don't have anything for plex home added yet, and thus will not work.

Sync should work for your sons account, you need to enable syncing in the share permissions (this is server based). The photo upload is the user account on the device, I've never actually used it though so not much help on that.

15

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