I use Plex pretty much exclusively for all of my media. The biggest missing piece to me is a great universal remote. I currently use the Logitech Harmony One which I think is probably one of the best universal remotes out there except its integration with Plex is a little hit and miss. For example, if I want to go straight to a section I have to navigate through the Plex client instead of an easy to configure button on my harmony. Well I did sorta solve this problem by editing the harmony.xml file through help in another forum thread but its cumbersome to configure and I can’t quickly add or change sections and I’m limited to only a few available mappings.
So then I try using the Plex app on my iPhone or iPad to control the Plex client on my Mac and that’s pretty cool except I can’t control the volume on my receiver properly and am back to switching between devices which defeats the purpose of a universal remote, i have 2 devices again. Not to mention, a complete touchscreen device is never great as its nice to have an actual remote with real buttons for pause, mute etc when you need to quickly.
Lastly, I just bought a Wii U and it hit me, the second screen idea is really cool. What if Plex had a two screen solution too? In other words, while I’m watching a TV show or Movie the available meta tag info is available like actors, show synopsis etc so I can get extra content from the web. Of course over time the meta tagging info could evolve into something more like what Microsoft is trying to achieve with their Smart Glass technology but I’d be happy with a basic 2nd screen to start.
So am I out to lunch thinking that a Harmony Remote + iPod Touch + Smart Glass second screen technology is too far out there? Or wouldn’t that be the coolest gadget for Plex? I know it’s not an easy task, and may or may not be a profitable product but wouldn’t it be nice?
Hey and while we are at it, why not add voice input in the iPhone/iPad app to search the library?
Id buy a Wii U just for that functionality!
That’s what I was hoping SmartGlass would be able to be used for… Instead it seems like it only works with XBox 360 and no plans to make it open any time soon.
Take a look at a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7" (or 10"). They both have an IR transmitter. I use one for controlling my setup - TV, receiver, Roku, Plex, etc). All of my devices are newer and have smart apps for my Android devices, but these apps can’t turn on the devices - they only work when already on - so the IR transmitter works great for turning them on.
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