Media Server Plex Releases Major Update

[MacRumors]

A major update to the Plex Media Server was released over the weekend, with significant updates to both the server and client software.

Plex is a media player, similar in some ways to Apple's Front Row, but much more powerful. The software automatically organizes movie and television files ripped from DVD's or acquired from other sources and pulls title and plot descriptions from online databases. Plex also integrates with iTunes and iPhoto giving a unified interface for collecting all media (photos, music, and video) in one application. It also supports a number of plugins to pull content from other sources, such as YouTube, TED, or The Daily Show websites.

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The new version of Plex, code-named Laika, includes a large number of new features, some of which are covered in this video. One of the largest updates is a new feature called MyPlex, a cloud service that allows easy remote access and sharing of media to other users.

There is also an updated version of the Plex app for iOS. The software allows users to browse media, play video, and control Plex installations, including playing back media on the iPad, including remotely.

The Plex Server and Client are free downloads from the Plex website, and the universal Plex for iOS app is available on the App Store for $4.99.

Article Link: Media Server Plex Releases Major Update

 

[Fisch]

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Sweet. Love this application!

 

[slicecom]

Probably my favourite 3rd party app, and the update is great as well!

 

[braintumor]

This version is still a bit buggy to be honest, but it looks very promising...

 

[talmy]

I use it regularly but it has needed more work in stability of both client and server as well as occasional sync issues. I hope that has improved rather than just the eye candy.

Anyone have a link to the video about the server? plexapp.com seems swamped at the moment -- I can't reach the site.

 

[tempusfugit]

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Air video ftw

 

[LastLine]

I've beent rying to figure out - is it possible to just navigate folders using Plex? I used to use Front Row to just point at my Movies folder and navigate from there - I've not figured out a real alternative yet. Anyone know?

Also does anyone else have Apple Remote issues in Full Screen apps in Lion?

 

[thermopyle]

I've beent rying to figure out - is it possible to just navigate folders using Plex? I used to use Front Row to just point at my Movies folder and navigate from there - I've not figured out a real alternative yet. Anyone know?

Also does anyone else have Apple Remote issues in Full Screen apps in Lion?

It doesn't have folders, no. It just provides all the movies or shows in the subdirectories of wherever you pointed the section at. If you wanted to separate them, you could make a second section pointed at the other folder.

 

[LastLine]

Yeah, had a feeling that was the case - Love the UI but not the (incredibly wide) functionality. I want simple lol

 

[purplesaber]

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Air video ftw

AirVideo is excellent too and I use it for remote streaming, but the interface is frankly primitive and clumsy.

Plex has worked very well so far with the new myPlex remote streaming. I think it will replace AirVideo as my primary video streaming app. The interface and search functions are polished and elegant. Does require tweaking sometimes to get the files to scrape correctly, but a big thumbs up from me for the latest version.

Oh, and now you can stream remotely to a Mac too with Plex!

 

[slicecom]

AirVideo is excellent too and I use it for remote streaming, but the interface is frankly primitive and clumsy.

Plex has worked very well so far with the new myPlex remote streaming. I think it will replace AirVideo as my primary video streaming app. The interface and search functions are polished and elegant. Does require tweaking sometimes to get the files to scrape correctly, but a big thumbs up from me for the latest version.

Oh, and now you can stream remotely to a Mac too with Plex!

Agreed. I used to use AirVideo but moved to Plex mainly because the interface is SO MUCH nicer, and it streams just as well as AirVideo.

 

[Undecided]

Is this the best media center app? What about xbmc? Honestly, I tried Plex before and got really frustrated trying to figure out how to configure it, etc.

(I'm using a mini with bluetooth keyboard and mouse, if that makes a diff.)

 

[continuum]

I love Plex and support all updates but it seems this latest update reverts to full screen on the primary display. I don't want to have to drag the menu bar to my other display in system prefs to modify the behavior. I'll be patient and wait for an update to fix this...and hopefully some DVD playback support!

Go PLEX!

 

[LastLine]

Tried and finding that it's still being odd about my tv shows. I'll stick to XBMC for now.

 

[AriX]

Plex is like Front Row, but not discontinued.

 

[milbournosphere]

I hope they've increased subtitle support. I love Plex, but whenever I watch from my Apple TV, I have to make do without even the hardcoded subtitles. I'm eager to see if they've fixed that. Otherwise, Plex is awesome!

 

[enklined]

Is this the best media center app? What about xbmc? Honestly, I tried Plex before and got really frustrated trying to figure out how to configure it, etc.

(I'm using a mini with bluetooth keyboard and mouse, if that makes a diff.)

For a Mac, yes. Plex is simply amazing. Give another shot; be patient and configure your Media Server properly to point to the location of your TV Shows and/or Movies, and you'll never be happier.

I'm running Plex (Client and Media Server) on a self-built hackintosh HTPC, complete with Sick Beard, Couch Potato, and SABnzbd+, and Plex on a jailbroken Apple TV2 upstairs to stream to my bedroom, and couldn't be happier.

Plex ftw.

 

[funkchiro]

Is this the best media center app? What about xbmc? Honestly, I tried Plex before and got really frustrated trying to figure out how to configure it, etc.

(I'm using a mini with bluetooth keyboard and mouse, if that makes a diff.)

Ive used both and I much prefer this.. I have a iMac 2007. ipad 2, iphone 4s and Atv2 jailbroken with plex installed.

They all work a treat and seemlessly. The only issue i have is memory leakage but a quick restart seems to settle this. I hope 0.9.5 also fixes some of this

Hope that helps.

I cant wait to try myPlex..

 

[penguy]

downloaded the new media server and it hangs at the splash screen...

 

[cryingrobot]

Tried this a year ago and found Airvideo did the same thing more elegantly. Can someone who has used both explain what the benefits of Plex are to Airvideo? Ive been able to stream over the internet using Airvideo over hotel wifi which I cant even do with VNC so that is what sold me originally.

 

[millar876]

I like the new features in the new plex, but I've had to roll back to the last version of the media player. The new one turned my 1080p movies into a horrid unwatchable clunky forever caching mess. Kept I've new media server tho, and just running the older version of plex on my mac mini 1.1 with lion, 2.0GHz core2duo, GMA950 and 1gb ram (max) (older plex now has media server turned off in settings. My iMac is running the new plex streaming from the new media server app on the mini

 

[Mark Octavian]

Lol, you actually have to download the server separately. What's the point if you can't do anything in the media center without the server? And they don't even say that anywhere. So much for user-friendly.

 

[Arnaud]

I've beent rying to figure out - is it possible to just navigate folders using Plex? I used to use Front Row to just point at my Movies folder and navigate from there - I've not figured out a real alternative yet. Anyone know?

You actually have to use the "video plug-in" section, lets you access your drive in the usual folder-view.
I use it most of the time, as the databases give sometime weird result about the movies, or do not recognize the files.

 

[talmy]

Lol, you actually have to download the server separately. What's the point if you can't do anything in the media center without the server? And they don't even say that anywhere. So much for user-friendly.

I run the server on a server. It wasn't user-friendly trying to figure out how to make the server start without running the client. Now the problem is solved.

The old client started the server. I don't know if that is necessary now. If I don't need to run the server on systems that have nothing to server, I've just reduced the memory footprint in my "media center" Mac minis.

(I'm waiting for the dust to settle, and the client to leave "Beta" before I upgrade.)

 

[justperry]

I've beent rying to figure out - is it possible to just navigate folders using Plex? I used to use Front Row to just point at my Movies folder and navigate from there - I've not figured out a real alternative yet. Anyone know?

Also does anyone else have Apple Remote issues in Full Screen apps in Lion?

Try Tvmobili or Eyeconnect

Lol, you actually have to download the server separately. What's the point if you can't do anything in the media center without the server? And they don't even say that anywhere. So much for user-friendly.

Is that so, last time I downloaded I got both.
Sometimes people only need the server, like Me for instance, I have a LG LED Tv with plex running on it, yes its a smart tv, love it so far.

Sadly I have to buy a new mac to run plex,it won't run on My Powerbook G4 which is a shame since it can do almost anything I need it to do.