Tiny Plex Client PC (2015 edition)

General Discussions
1

Hi Plex Experts :)

 

Right now I am using my NAS as plex client. Problem is that it's overpowered (i7-4771, 32 GB ram) and running Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

and annoying that I need to login to a domain users - it's not wife friendly basically :)

 

What I am looking is some small device that has

* The full feature set of the Plex Client

* No problems what so ever of handling subtitles (e.g my samsung tv struggles with that)

* Extremly fast power on and off (like turning on and off my stereo receiver)

* Preferable Running Windows 8.1 (but I don't wanna see it fail when I unplug it and plug it in again e.i no graceful power off)

 

I am not sure what to think about transcoding (I have no idea what the pros and cons are) - my NAS is running the Plex Server and has plenty of power.

 

What have been stopping me up to now is the subtitles issues. For some reason I always have to fix subtitles for some movies and tv shows.

Some are integrated and work just fine on a PC client but not on the samsung tv. The device MUST NOT have any problems with subtitles.

 

Building the device from scratch is the backup plan. If this thread concludes that I will start another thread about it.

So I am looking for a - works out of the box - product.

 

And budget - right now - no limit.

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

2

Have you tried a Roku 3?

It doesn't have the pretties interface BUT it is one of the most fully featured Plex clients you can get right now and subtitles work really well on it.

It should have a high WAF (wifey acceptance factor).

With that said.  I find the Samsung app to be among the best out there right now.  I don't use subtitles so I can't comment on how well this works unfortunately.  But you need to make sure your subtitles are working correctly.

Example.  Take a show/movies that the Sumsung is having a problem with subtitle wise and try and watch the same show through the dedicated Plex Home Theater application.  Does it play fine in PHT?

If it plays poorly in PHT also then you have bad subtitle which could be burned in the movie, an SRT in the same directory or a bad online version that isn't synced correctly.  

Carlo

PS I wouldn't call what you have a "NAS" as it's a "SERVER". :)

And you can setup Windows Server 2012 R2 to auto login with any user account on power up.  Google it.

3

Thanks for your reply Carlo

I have not tried the Roku 3. It's not really available in Denmark (North Europe) it seems.

Also I am not sure how it handles not being in the US. Maybe it's not a problem I don't know.

And regarding subtitles - Yes I have tried subtitles not working on samsung and working fine on PHT.

But I agree the samsung app have been improved alot lately - so maybe one solution is to "simply" upgrade my TV.

Let's call that Plan C :)

4

its not releases yet but I think the Intel compute stick will be the way to go in the future. http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/intel-compute-stick/ meets the PHT system requirements, tiny, and will run win 8.1 I honestly can’t wait to give this little guy a try.

5

its not releases yet but I think the Intel compute stick will be the way to go in the future. http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/intel-compute-stick/ meets the PHT system requirements, tiny, and will run win 8.1 I honestly can't wait to give this little guy a try.

I saw that on engadget as well - and it looks great. Maybe I should just wait for that.

6

By the way - I got an android TV. Problem is gone :slight_smile: