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Infuse vs Plex
- Thread starter zooby
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I prefer Infuse Pro because it supports lossless PCM audio, Dolby Vision, HDR, and no need to run Plex Server on a NAS.
I access my NAS using SMB 2 from Infuse.
With Infuse Pro, there is no need since Infuse will add the cover art and movie information. I like to use my NAS strictly as a NAS.
I also use a Zidoo z9x connected to my NAS for movies with lossless spatial audio.
Alternately, I have all of my movies and music on my NAS which runs Plex server, and I can stream from either my nVidia Shield Pro or AppleTV to my TV. It works quite well at my house.
Because Infuse works and plays anything you’ll throw at it without drama or ****ty video performance.
There is no server to configure. There is no need for it.
Install Infuse, point it at your movie/tv folders on your NAS (i do that over FTP), and get on with playing and enjoying your media.
Many years ago i paid for a Plex Pass… and this kind of thing is the norm:
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With a NAS, could Infuse and Shield access the files using SMB or FTP without using Plex server running?
Infuse can. I don't use Shield and can't comment on that aspect.
I use both Plex and Infuse. I use Plex so that I can access my server remotely when I want using Tailscale, and that keeps me secure.
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I tried VLC on a Firestick and it has no problems using SMB to play from my NAS. Since FireOS is an Android derivative, I would expect VLC to work the same way on a Shield.
Using Infuse Pro on ATV and iPads for accessing my hundreds of ripped DVDs (I own discs of all) on my NAS. Works great with easy setup.
The problem I had using Infuse Pro alone without Plex is that every so often the local database would be wiped and Infuse would have rebuild it. When I had a few TV shows and a few dozen movies, this was fine. But as my collection grew, so did the time it takes to rebuild the database. And as the database got larger, tvOS would wipe it more often. Eventually it was happening almost every week, and taking 5-10 minutes to rebuild.
Plex has a ton of benefits, but one of the biggest ones is that it does all the database management so the clients don't have to. You can take a brand new AppleTV straight from the box, download Infuse, connect it to a server with 10,000+ tv episodes and movies, and have the full list with all art and metadata and everything ready to play immediately. No loading, no scanning, none of that. It's all already done.
Infuse would be fine if tvOS was not so limiting in terms of ATV storage control.
Plex has a ton of benefits, but one of the biggest ones is that it does all the database management so the clients don't have to. You can take a brand new AppleTV straight from the box, download Infuse, connect it to a server with 10,000+ tv episodes and movies, and have the full list with all art and metadata and everything ready to play immediately. No loading, no scanning, none of that. It's all already done.
Infuse would be fine if tvOS was not so limiting in terms of ATV storage control.
You wouldn't need to download Plex app on AppleTV if there's already a Plex server on another device.
You only need to download Infuse on AppleTV & link it to your Plex Server.
Whichever. Download your Plex client of choice - Plex, Infuse, or idk there are others.
So annoying that this is still happening. I have so little stuff on my Apple TVs (4th gen and 4K 2nd gen), but both suffer this issue. I suspect it is those screensavers and TvOS updates demanding space (I haven't done a really study on this). I would hope that the 64/128 GB models would cope better (screensavers & updates take up a lower percentage of the storage), but it seems they are also affected.
On the main question, I think it comes down to what "server" you have available. If you have a computer acting as server or a powerful NAS already, then I would suggest the Plex route. If you just have a run-of-the-mill NAS, then Infuse is the way to go.
If you aren't planning to use transcoding (i.e., local only, no remote access), then Plex is still the way to go I think. Without transcoding, Plex Media Server will run on a potato. There are people running PMS on RaspberriPi2s.
In all cases, Infuse as the client app is the better choice. The Plex tvOS app is... okay. Infuse as a Plex client is great!
For me Plex is the better choice, at least on my Mac and Apple TV, in part to its rich sorting capabilities which I am constantly using. With > 6000 titles in my libraries it is the only way I can find things. In Infuse (on my Mac) you can sort only on Title, Filename, Date, Release date. In contrast Plex on my mac has a huge number of sorting options which I have only begun to explore. Infuse is much simpler. It takes time to figure out which Plex sorting options to use since there are quick menus, regular menus, and advanced sorting menus with the ability to create complex filters on my Mac:
following screenshot only shows some of the options:
infuse is the best video player on the Apple platform. In addition to the best and most user-friendly interface, it has a number of features that are not found in any other player. For example, it supports HDR, Dolby Vision 5, 8.1 and 8.4 profiles. It can playback ISO images and the structure of BluRay/DVDs. It has built-in licensed Dolby/DTS audio decoders, due to which it competently and well reproduces almost all types of multi-channel HD sound. Rich functionality for working with subtitles. It also has a very convenient built-in cataloger, which I have only seen. Since version 7, I have learned how to play links. It can synchronize movie/TV series viewing history with other Apple devices. It has the most convenient rewinding - firstly, it is very, very convenient to do this by swiping your finger left / right, and secondly, during rewinding, movie frames are shown on the screen - it is very easy and fast to find the right moment of the movie, I have never seen such a convenient type of video in any player. infuse does not require a server part. You just connect to your video file storage and you can watch it right away. No other player has such a range of functionality and convenience.
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I've tried both - and I just couldn't get-on with the infuse interface. I found it counterintuitive and frustrating. At the time, infuse wasn't great for TV shows either, and didn't even try to do music.
But the good news is that they are both free to try out - so try both and go with whichever you prefer
But the good news is that they are both free to try out - so try both and go with whichever you prefer
Whenever I have to setup Infuse on an Apple TV or iPad for my Plex Server, it takes me 10x longer than it should have. The Infuse settings are an exemplary case of how to do things as convoluted as possible, and hiding things as much as possible. I assume it is due to the 'everything and the kitchen sink' approach they have, but it really needs an overhaul.
Personally I will recommend combining Plex Server with Infuse as the client. Adding media is trivial, it remembers everything that has been played across several units, playback is rock solid, and even my young kids has no problems using it the Infuse interface (As soon as it is setup of course).
Went through your list quickly and didn't find anything that isn't also available in Plex. Infuse might be a better option for those who want a less complex player with fewer options, which can be confusing with Plex.
I haven't used Infuse, but I love Plex. However, I am having an issue where the movie plays on tv, but about 4 minutes in, the sound cuts out. I go back to the the main Plex menu, back to the movie and the sound is back, only for it to cut out again. Does anyone know how to fix this?
Dolby Vision 8.1 and 8.4 profiles. Playback ISO images and the structure of BluRay/DVDs. Licensed Dolby/DTS audio decoders. All of the above is not available in Plex. And this is a very important functionality.
Plex only has a Dolby Vision 5 profile. All audio from the audio tracks of DTS HD MA, DTS:X, TrueHD, translates to Dolby Digital. With loss of sound quality. While infuse, using licensed decoders Dolby/DTS, converts tracks to multi-channel PCM, without loss of quality.
And movies with the BluRay structure and ISO images, Plex won't even show in your catalog. And you won't be able to watch them.
Plex can't play Atmos from EAC3. infuse can.
Scanning Disk Image Format Media
Warning!: No current Plex apps support the playback of ISO, IMG, VIDEO_TS, BDMV, or other such “disk image” format content....