Yep, I use the Plex App. I did try using DLNA through the Media Player last night but as you say it’s cumbersome to say the least.
I also tried firing up my Mac Mini the other day and that worked flawlessly. That direct plays both video and audio, hence my thought around trying to get the TV direct playing via the profile settings.
The reason I still persist with the Plex App on the TV is that I have a ‘technologically challenged’ wife and 6 and 3 yr old boys. The missus and the elder can cope with getting to the content direct from the TV and it gives me the ability to filter content suitable for kids via a separate account. DLNA would be a complete non-starter for them and I’m not sure if you can filter non-kid-friendly content via that means. I also don’t want my son having direct access to the Mac Mini, so I don’t really see this as a solution either.
In some respects I’m hoping the v2 Plex App for Smart TVs magically fixes this, but with no word on when it’s likely to be released for Panasonic TVs, I’m not overly confident.