I was able to make my Vizio E320i-A0 work by creating a new Vizio TV DLNA profile for Plex. The profile is available here. It might also work for you TV model.
I just bought a Vizio for Black Friday. Despite liking the TV as a whole, I was disappointed it wasn't able to play any files on my Plex server except AVI files. I'm debating on buying a Roku or a WD TV Live just to get my playback back..
I would go with the roku, you can get a good deal on them today. Unfortunately, VIZIO isn’t interested in opening up their TV’s for development quite yet and the yahoo connected TV apps don’t support the streaming standard Plex uses
I reached out to yahoo and (even though the SDK site suggests they plan on supporting new standards in the future) they said there are no plans to support additional streaming formats anytime soon.
I would go with the roku, you can get a good deal on them today. Unfortunately, VIZIO isn't interested in opening up their TV's for development quite yet and the yahoo connected TV apps don't support the streaming standard Plex uses
I'm interested in the Roku 3, but nobody is really discounting them. How is the Roku 2 when connecting to PLex? My friend has a Roku 3 and I really think the GUI is fast & snappy (unlike my WD TV Live, which also works with Plex, but it's clunky & slow).
Wasn't sure if there were "slowness issues" with the Roku 2 since it was last year's model.
Thanks for the reply.
None that I have ever experienced, it may be a tad bit slower that the 3 but at almost half price I would say it’s worth it. It’s never been clunky though.
I reached out to yahoo and (even though the SDK site suggests they plan on supporting new standards in the future) they said there are no plans to support additional streaming formats anytime soon.
Like many, I have searched for a plex app for the vizio, and there is not one. Mine also doesn't seem to support the DLNA options mentioned in this thread.
I'm a sysadmin for my day job. I'm not an expert programmer, but I can work my way around some code with a little bit of effort. So, I've been playing around with a proof of concept app for the Yahoo Connected TV systems. Looks like most manufacturers are moving away from YCTV, but I still have a TV that is only a year old that I can't play my plex shows on without dragging a computer down to it, or taking my Roku from another TV. I could buy another Roku, I suppose, but even that isn't a perfect solution, and it seems silly to buy a roku for a smart TV. So building a plex app seemed like a potentially interesting project.
So, what I have learned from my playing... I have an app deployed to my TV that pulls my onDeck list of videos with their thumbnail image. I can scroll through those and select one to play. The app will Direct Play properly encoded videos just fine. I can skip ahead and back quickly. The performance is flawless (assuming my network keeps up with the bitrate of the video). AAC 5.1 Dolby PLII seems to come through just fine. The interface is all still very ugly at this point, but I'll work on making it pretty after I can make it work.
On the YCTV website, there are hints that some devices in 2010 or 2011 would start supporting m3u8 streaming (the Plex Universal Transcoder does this). Not sure how many of these devices there are, but mine certainly doesn't seem to be one of them. I can't stream anything from the Universal Transcoder. I can, however, use the generic transcoder and it seems to stream ok, but I have my plex server running on an old and under-powered extra laptop that can't handle transcoding well. I can play the video from the generic transcoder, but it is extremely slow and choppy because of the lag from my plex server. I also haven't tested jumping around or fast-forward/rewind type features with the generic transcoder yet. The universal transcoder will transcode just the audio if the video doesn't need to be transcoded, which my plex server machine can handle just fine. I haven't figured out a way to make the generic transcoder only transcode audio yet (not sure if it is even possible. I think it may be possible by messing with some settings on the ffmpeg conversion on the server, but I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve messing with the server.) Most videos today seem to be h.264 with some kind of DTS or AC3 audio. Being able to transcode JUST the audio and just copy the video would be a huge benefit to under-powered or NAS plex servers.
There doesn't seem to be much control over the buffering on the YCTV. It starts playing almost immediately, so if the transcoder or network can't keep up, the video is very slow and stuttery. If I pause the video, it seems to buffer up to a point, and then playback is smooth until it catches up with the buffered video and then it slows and chops again.
I will eventually try putting a plex server on one of my beefier machines and to see how well it keeps up with the transcoding so I can do better testing of the transcoding.
So, to summarize, I think I can build a player that will direct play h.264 with AAC audio really well. I'm optimistic that, if your plex server machine has enough power, I'll be able to get it to transcode and stream from any other plex supported format just fine. I have no idea how any kind of DST or AC3 passthrough will work, but eventually I'd like to look into that.
So, is anyone out there still waiting for an app like this, or has everyone already resorted to Roku or other options? If/when I can get a somewhat decent app put together, are there any volunteers out there to help me test it?
Like many, I have searched for a plex app for the vizio, and there is not one. Mine also doesn't seem to support the DLNA options mentioned in this thread.
I'm a sysadmin for my day job. I'm not an expert programmer, but I can work my way around some code with a little bit of effort. So, I've been playing around with a proof of concept app for the Yahoo Connected TV systems. Looks like most manufacturers are moving away from YCTV, but I still have a TV that is only a year old that I can't play my plex shows on without dragging a computer down to it, or taking my Roku from another TV. I could buy another Roku, I suppose, but even that isn't a perfect solution, and it seems silly to buy a roku for a smart TV. So building a plex app seemed like a potentially interesting project.
So, what I have learned from my playing... I have an app deployed to my TV that pulls my onDeck list of videos with their thumbnail image. I can scroll through those and select one to play. The app will Direct Play properly encoded videos just fine. I can skip ahead and back quickly. The performance is flawless (assuming my network keeps up with the bitrate of the video). AAC 5.1 Dolby PLII seems to come through just fine. The interface is all still very ugly at this point, but I'll work on making it pretty after I can make it work.
On the YCTV website, there are hints that some devices in 2010 or 2011 would start supporting m3u8 streaming (the Plex Universal Transcoder does this). Not sure how many of these devices there are, but mine certainly doesn't seem to be one of them. I can't stream anything from the Universal Transcoder. I can, however, use the generic transcoder and it seems to stream ok, but I have my plex server running on an old and under-powered extra laptop that can't handle transcoding well. I can play the video from the generic transcoder, but it is extremely slow and choppy because of the lag from my plex server. I also haven't tested jumping around or fast-forward/rewind type features with the generic transcoder yet. The universal transcoder will transcode just the audio if the video doesn't need to be transcoded, which my plex server machine can handle just fine. I haven't figured out a way to make the generic transcoder only transcode audio yet (not sure if it is even possible. I think it may be possible by messing with some settings on the ffmpeg conversion on the server, but I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve messing with the server.) Most videos today seem to be h.264 with some kind of DTS or AC3 audio. Being able to transcode JUST the audio and just copy the video would be a huge benefit to under-powered or NAS plex servers.
There doesn't seem to be much control over the buffering on the YCTV. It starts playing almost immediately, so if the transcoder or network can't keep up, the video is very slow and stuttery. If I pause the video, it seems to buffer up to a point, and then playback is smooth until it catches up with the buffered video and then it slows and chops again.
I will eventually try putting a plex server on one of my beefier machines and to see how well it keeps up with the transcoding so I can do better testing of the transcoding.
So, to summarize, I think I can build a player that will direct play h.264 with AAC audio really well. I'm optimistic that, if your plex server machine has enough power, I'll be able to get it to transcode and stream from any other plex supported format just fine. I have no idea how any kind of DST or AC3 passthrough will work, but eventually I'd like to look into that.
So, is anyone out there still waiting for an app like this, or has everyone already resorted to Roku or other options? If/when I can get a somewhat decent app put together, are there any volunteers out there to help me test it?
Thank you for your hard work. It is much appreciated. May I ask which Visio TV you have?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Me and my brother would both like an app like this. I have a super beefy server that I can test this on with gigabit throughout the house if you wouldn't mind letting me install it to my tv. i have an E470i-A0 as well as the equivalent m series that my brother has.
The only issue you will run into is that this will only work for MP4s and WMVs. There is no upcoming support for the streaming protocols that would allow MKVs or any of the other file types that Plex supports.
The only issue you will run into is that this will only work for MP4s and WMVs. There is no upcoming support for the streaming protocols that would allow MKVs or any of the other file types that Plex supports.
That is the point of the transcoder. In particular, the generic transcoder, which converts the container format, the video codec, and the audio codec. I can't remember for sure if I have tried an mkv on my tv yet, but I have definitely tried it in the simulator. And I know I tried one that wouldn't direct play through the transcoder and it then played. I think that one went from and avi container to a mp4.
jdillinger, I have a M550NV, I believe.
That is the point of the transcoder. In particular, the generic transcoder, which converts the container format, the video codec, and the audio codec. I can't remember for sure if I have tried an mkv on my tv yet, but I have definitely tried it in the simulator. And I know I tried one that wouldn't direct play through the transcoder and it then played. I think that one went from and avi container to a mp4.
jdillinger, I have a M550NV, I believe.
I would love to help you test man. And if you insist I will. Got my 60in last black friday. All i can say is that the interface for DLNA of vizio is really slow and laggy. Not sure if it'll be something suitable for plex. We can sure try. More power to ya brother.
Like many, I have searched for a plex app for the vizio, and there is not one. Mine also doesn't seem to support the DLNA options mentioned in this thread.
I'm a sysadmin for my day job. I'm not an expert programmer, but I can work my way around some code with a little bit of effort. So, I've been playing around with a proof of concept app for the Yahoo Connected TV systems. Looks like most manufacturers are moving away from YCTV, but I still have a TV that is only a year old that I can't play my plex shows on without dragging a computer down to it, or taking my Roku from another TV. I could buy another Roku, I suppose, but even that isn't a perfect solution, and it seems silly to buy a roku for a smart TV. So building a plex app seemed like a potentially interesting project.So, what I have learned from my playing... I have an app deployed to my TV that pulls my onDeck list of videos with their thumbnail image. I can scroll through those and select one to play. The app will Direct Play properly encoded videos just fine. I can skip ahead and back quickly. The performance is flawless (assuming my network keeps up with the bitrate of the video). AAC 5.1 Dolby PLII seems to come through just fine. The interface is all still very ugly at this point, but I'll work on making it pretty after I can make it work.
On the YCTV website, there are hints that some devices in 2010 or 2011 would start supporting m3u8 streaming (the Plex Universal Transcoder does this). Not sure how many of these devices there are, but mine certainly doesn't seem to be one of them. I can't stream anything from the Universal Transcoder. I can, however, use the generic transcoder and it seems to stream ok, but I have my plex server running on an old and under-powered extra laptop that can't handle transcoding well. I can play the video from the generic transcoder, but it is extremely slow and choppy because of the lag from my plex server. I also haven't tested jumping around or fast-forward/rewind type features with the generic transcoder yet. The universal transcoder will transcode just the audio if the video doesn't need to be transcoded, which my plex server machine can handle just fine. I haven't figured out a way to make the generic transcoder only transcode audio yet (not sure if it is even possible. I think it may be possible by messing with some settings on the ffmpeg conversion on the server, but I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve messing with the server.) Most videos today seem to be h.264 with some kind of DTS or AC3 audio. Being able to transcode JUST the audio and just copy the video would be a huge benefit to under-powered or NAS plex servers.
There doesn't seem to be much control over the buffering on the YCTV. It starts playing almost immediately, so if the transcoder or network can't keep up, the video is very slow and stuttery. If I pause the video, it seems to buffer up to a point, and then playback is smooth until it catches up with the buffered video and then it slows and chops again.
I will eventually try putting a plex server on one of my beefier machines and to see how well it keeps up with the transcoding so I can do better testing of the transcoding.
So, to summarize, I think I can build a player that will direct play h.264 with AAC audio really well. I'm optimistic that, if your plex server machine has enough power, I'll be able to get it to transcode and stream from any other plex supported format just fine. I have no idea how any kind of DST or AC3 passthrough will work, but eventually I'd like to look into that.
So, is anyone out there still waiting for an app like this, or has everyone already resorted to Roku or other options? If/when I can get a somewhat decent app put together, are there any volunteers out there to help me test it?
Man, just got a vizio e601i-a3e, and can't wait for an app like this. I would be thrilled to test your app on my TV.
Currently I am running the Plex server on a 10-year old desktop, and surprisingly it can transcode 1080p smoothly. Hopefully it can handle the generic transcoder...
Man, just got a vizio e601i-a3e, and can't wait for an app like this. I would be thrilled to test your app on my TV.
Currently I am running the Plex server on a 10-year old desktop, and surprisingly it can transcode 1080p smoothly. Hopefully it can handle the generic transcoder...
Are you sure it is transposing the full 1080p video and not just the audio? Tell your plex server to send you the lowest quality video it can and it will force it to transcode the video. If you have it set to send you 20000 bitrate and 1080p, then any video encoded in something your client supports will really just copy the video and not transcode it. Not saying it wouldn't be able to handle it, just want to make sure you don't have any surprises with the generic transcoder. :)
So far, the generic transcoder doesn't seem to have great performance, but I'm not sure it is much different than the universal transcoder. The big difference is that I can get the universal transcoder to to transcode just my audio and copy the video. I haven't yet found a way to do that with the generic transcoder. However, I have discovered that the universal transcoder can handle more than just the HLS/m3u8 transcoding/streaming. I just haven't yet figured out exactly how to make it all work. My hope is that I will be able to use the universal transcoder instead. Most videos (at least mine) are encoded in h.264. Most devices support this. Most videos have DTS or AC3 audio. Most devices handle AAC. If I can make it only transcode audio, the video works fine.
I have, however, managed to test more seeking (fast foward, rewind, and starting at specific places) with the generic transcoder. It seems to work just fine, but again, your server has to be able to handle the transcoding. In other words, I can get any video in my collection, regardless of container format, or audio/video codecs, to play on my TV. So, I will do a little more investigation on the Universal transcoder. If I can't get something figured out with that soon, I'll set that aside and start working on the app using direct play where possible and the generic transcoder when needed. Then I can revisit the universal transcoder later.
I meant to ask... Those that have volunteered to test, does your TV use the Yahoo Connected TV Platform? I thought the newer TVs were using the VIA+ platform instead of VIA like mine uses. I hear rumor that the VIA+ TVs are no longer based on Yahoo CTV, but I haven't confirmed that for sure. Unless your TV supports the YCTV, this app I'm looking at will not work for you.
As a further update, I figured out how to get the universal transcoder to work with formats/protocols other than the HLS/M3u8. And, as I hoped, it only transcodes the audio and just remuxes the video when the codec is correct. I haven't yet worked out how to get it into a format or container that the TV likes, though, but it is progress.
I meant to ask... Those that have volunteered to test, does your TV use the Yahoo Connected TV Platform? I thought the newer TVs were using the VIA+ platform instead of VIA like mine uses. I hear rumor that the VIA+ TVs are no longer based on Yahoo CTV, but I haven't confirmed that for sure. Unless your TV supports the YCTV, this app I'm looking at will not work for you.
As a further update, I figured out how to get the universal transcoder to work with formats/protocols other than the HLS/M3u8. And, as I hoped, it only transcodes the audio and just remuxes the video when the codec is correct. I haven't yet worked out how to get it into a format or container that the TV likes, though, but it is progress.
I'd love to test out the app. I have the 322AR, a few years old which uses YCTV
Mine is still on the VIA apps. I believe that VIA+ uses google tv or something iirc.
Are you sure it is transposing the full 1080p video and not just the audio? Tell your plex server to send you the lowest quality video it can and it will force it to transcode the video. If you have it set to send you 20000 bitrate and 1080p, then any video encoded in something your client supports will really just copy the video and not transcode it. Not saying it wouldn't be able to handle it, just want to make sure you don't have any surprises with the generic transcoder. :)
In this case, I'm not sure if my plex server is transcoding or not .... But I'll try as you noted to force the lowest quality on my plex server and see if the result is acceptable. Hopefully it could be OK :)
I meant to ask... Those that have volunteered to test, does your TV use the Yahoo Connected TV Platform? I thought the newer TVs were using the VIA+ platform instead of VIA like mine uses. I hear rumor that the VIA+ TVs are no longer based on Yahoo CTV, but I haven't confirmed that for sure. Unless your TV supports the YCTV, this app I'm looking at will not work for you.
As a further update, I figured out how to get the universal transcoder to work with formats/protocols other than the HLS/M3u8. And, as I hoped, it only transcodes the audio and just remuxes the video when the codec is correct. I haven't yet worked out how to get it into a format or container that the TV likes, though, but it is progress.
My E601i-A3E is using the Yahoo Connected TV platform, the VIA.
