I remember when new features came out, having a Plex Pass usually got you access to that when it came out! But now with Plex Cloud, even signing up for that day one, some people don’t get in now?
I don’t know, I’m just wondering, is there no perks to having Plex Pass anymore?
@beckfield said:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201751006-Plex-Pass-Feature-Overview
Agreed, but he does kinda have a point: https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201844613-Early-Access-Preview-Releases
We are supposed to get access to preview releases and early access. It’s part of the reason we support Plex Development by purchasing/subscribing.
I get that Cloud is still in dev, but if it weren’t ready for Early Access, then it was probably too soon to announce it.
They should have brought on a few ninjas to test, and then ask for volunteers (without mentioning what the offer was for). It would garner the best feedback, and if for any reason it didn’t work out (read massive failures with Amazon, or development costs), then no-one would be upset.
Now they’ve announced it, it’s too late to turn back. They’re committed. They will continue to get flack over not including all Plex Pass users in the beta.
I feel for them, but I think they might have made a bit of an error in judgement on this one. They underestimated the fervor and eagerness of their supporters.
As far as Plex Cloud goes it was NOT released generally but it was released to a very limited subset of Plex Pass applicants. It is in early beta and really not ready for wide spread use and not even for regular use by most people. It has bugs and Amazon’s infrastructure has problems with it and it is lacking many features that make Plex what it is. I m sure Plex wants to keep the test group very small so the bugs found can be traced more easily. I am also sure the testing group will be expanded once the numerous problems, some related to load, are handled.
A Plex Pass does not give everyone access to every beta at every stage,and it never has, it merely makes people eligible to be considered for some of the beta tests while it does give access to others.
There are features that are Plex Pass only, like the “Home” feature but access is NOT and never has been guaranteed to various beta tests.
Well, maybe they should have actually given out invites for the Plex Cloud to people that were configuring servers to actually use this type of storage.
But whatever, I appreciate your guys’ insight!
@Elijah_Baley said:
As far as Plex Cloud goes it was NOT released generally but it was released to a very limited subset of Plex Pass applicants.
I know. It would probably have been better if the Plex Ninjas had first go. They have the expertise and knowledge to provide the best feedback.
@Elijah_Baley said:
Im sure Plex wants to keep the test group very small so the bugs found can be traced more easily. I am also sure the testing
group will be expanded once the numerous problems, some related to load, are handled.
Agreed.
@Elijah_Baley said:
A Plex Pass does not give everyone access to every beta at every stage,and it never has, it merely makes people eligible to
be considered for some of the beta tests while it does give access to others.
We know, that’s not really the point though. If it weren’t ready for at least early access, they probably should have kept it on the low low. Unfortunately, now they have made it public, everyone and his dog wants to jump on the band wagon. I think it was just a timing thing. I just hope that nothing major goes wrong. I like this idea, but if it fails, it will annoy a lot of users who are expecting this feature in the near future.
@Elijah_Baley said:
There are features that are Plex Pass only, like the “Home” feature but access is NOT and never has been guaranteed to
various beta tests.
I think perhaps you’re getting confused. No one expected to be part of the beta, just early access. They made it public that the feature is coming, so now everyone wants a part of it 
Hell, even I want to play with it. LOL
@DavGerm4 said:
Well, maybe they should have actually given out invites for the Plex Cloud to people that were configuring servers to actually use this type of storage.
But whatever, I appreciate your guys’ insight!
Mostly this is just opinion. Plex (the company) has been very light on information, so we’re speculating quite heavily on what’s actually happening internally.
Fingers crossed they get it up and running though! I’m already an ACD subscriber, so would love to test this one out.
Be patient, Plex Pass users will get Cloud as part of their subscription. I think that this is probably a feature that will never make it to the free version (if I’m understanding the business model).
So basically, when it finally arrives, you will be able to sneer down your nose at the free user plebs. J/K 
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Rarely does a day go by that somebody doesn’t ask for info on what Plex has planned. Here we have an unusual peek into what’s coming up, and somebody thinks they’re being shorted because they can’t have it RIGHT NOW.
Any wonder why Plex keeps their plans and schedules confidential?
@ntrevena said:
I think perhaps you’re getting confused. No one expected to be part of the beta, just early access. They made it public that the feature is coming, so now everyone wants a part of itHell, even I want to play with it. LOL
I am not confused but I do agree that Plex should have been more explicit about what stage they were at.
They did announce it as a beta and they did say that when it went live it would be a Plex Pass feature but a more detailed message and less general exposure would probably have been good.
I do not think that Plex Cloud can be ready for general Plex Pass release for at least six months and it could easily be longer.
BTW: If the developer(s) can work it out they can give my spot to someone that has the upload and download speed to be effective in their testing. As I have said before my download is more than good but my upload is abysmal and prevents any proper testing because almost nothing works for me.
@beckfield said:
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Rarely does a day go by that somebody doesn’t ask for info on what Plex has planned. Here we have an unusual peek into what’s coming up, and somebody thinks they’re being shorted because they can’t have it RIGHT NOW.Any wonder why Plex keeps their plans and schedules confidential?
In the recent video chat meeting Plex did say they were going to be more open. They just chose what to be open about and how to be open about it badly.
It could be, and I think it is, actually a case of not being open enough if they were going to expose the Plex Cloud development to everyone including members of the press (I have seen at least two different press reports about Plex Cloud) then they should have provided at least a general road map as to where they were and how they intended to move forward.
Of course Plex has no experience with openness so it should be expected that they screw up somewhat when they are first trying it out. It is like a toddler learning to walk; some falling down and crashing into things is to be expected, particularly when they try to run before mastering walking.
I think they might have considered picking those who use the cloud sync product as testers (like me). I’ve need of the feature as my upload speed barely supports a single user streaming from my small server remotely. On the other hand maybe I’d be more forgiving of the products short-comings making me a poor tester.
I’m not sure being a beta tester is why you’d want to pay for Plex Pass, as I hear a lot of complaints about half-baked idea being released for use, at least by Plex pass members.
@DavGerm4 said:
I remember when new features came out, having a Plex Pass usually got you access to that when it came out! But now with Plex Cloud, even signing up for that day one, some people don’t get in now?I don’t know, I’m just wondering, is there no perks to having Plex Pass anymore?
Honestly this is petty.
It sounds like you only got the plex pass because of Plex Cloud.
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201751006-Plex-Pass-Feature-Overview
There are several features for Plex Pass, and honestly they do give plex pass users early access to things, Plex DVR, Plex Media Player, Plex Media Server to name a couple.
Honestly your are not missing much right now with Plex Cloud, Amazon has pretty much halted things at the moment with their api rate limiting. Until that is fixed, there isn’t much you can do with the cloud.
@Kraevin said:
Honestly your are not missing much right now with Plex Cloud, Amazon has pretty much halted things at the moment with their api rate limiting. Until that is fixed, there isn’t much you can do with the cloud.
Is this limiting uploads under the existing Cloud sync product? I’ve heard some complains, but haven’t tried anything myself recently.
It’s possible, I really cant verify it being the same with Cloud Sync though, If you are using Plex Cloud, The Cloud sync function is disabled at the moment.
@Kraevin said:
It’s possible, I really cant verify it being the same with Cloud Sync though, If you are using Plex Cloud, The Cloud sync function is disabled at the moment.
Actually Cloud Sync and Plex Cloud still work concurrently. I’m still uploading and using Cloud Sync as well as Plex Cloud
@hthighway said:
@Kraevin said:
It’s possible, I really cant verify it being the same with Cloud Sync though, If you are using Plex Cloud, The Cloud sync function is disabled at the moment.
Actually Cloud Sync and Plex Cloud still work concurrently. I’m still uploading and using Cloud Sync as well as Plex Cloud
Awesome there you go!
Edit: I should of clarified, the Plex Cloud server itself has Cloud sync disabled, your local plex media server, will still have it working.
@Elijah_Baley said:
They did announce it as a beta and they did say that when it went live it would be a Plex Pass feature but a more detailed message and less general exposure would probably have been good.
Agreed.
@Kraevin said:
Honestly this is petty.
Ouch. XD
@Kraevin said:
It sounds like you only got the plex pass because of Plex Cloud.
I don’t think so, he’s been a member since May…
@Kraevin said:
Honestly your are not missing much right now with Plex Cloud, Amazon has pretty much halted things at the moment with their api rate limiting. Until that is fixed, there isn’t much you can do with the cloud.
Agreed. This is something that I think Plex should be a little more open about. I’ve seen very little in the way of official responses that even admit this as being a problem.
Amazon are just as bad. Here is an example of their official stance on their API limits.
@hthighway said:
Actually Cloud Sync and Plex Cloud still work concurrently. I’m still uploading and using Cloud Sync as well as Plex Cloud
Nice!
I see Plex Cloud as a new service, not a new feature that traditionally PP users would get access to. I mean it’s a whole new server in the cloud. You don’t exactly download a new version of PMS and hey presto, cloud server.
That to me is why this is not opened up to all PP users and I completely agree with the Plex team on this.
