Developer Posts Fix for PlexConnect Client for Apple TV

Maybe someone can help me understand what Plex does that Apple TV doesn't do? I don't quite understand the point of it.

Plex plays any video format, not just MPEG-4.

Also means you don't have to use iTunes.

I was such a keen Jailbreaker until I realised how good the Plex for iPad app was. Now I just airplay. Seamless!

Maybe someone can help me understand what Plex does that Apple TV doesn't do? I don't quite understand the point of it.

Everything. It makes the AppleTV look like the dumbest home entertainment system ever made.

It streams content from a server (basically another computer) in any format and transcodes it on the fly. You've also got 'channels' (aka 'apps') that let you watch other media online.

One such example - no UK TV network broadcasts NASA TV - with Plex I can watch both NASA TV and their live ISS stream in full HD, in addition to any movies or tv shows I have on my HP MicroServer.

In comparison, for UK users the AppleTV may as well be the worlds most expensive Blockbuster rental card as its only really any good for airplay or buying/renting from iTunes.

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It looks like Plex is basically the same thing, with the only benefit that you can play different types of content, not just what can be put into iTunes. And you need to pay $3.99/month for certain features that you get free on the Apple TV (like PlexSync).

If you have Apple devices, have all your stuff in the right format, Apple TV is a no-brainer. If you DON'T have Apple devices, then this Plex thing might be good.

I think many non-Apple people have the misconception that you must BUY anything you put into iTunes. It's not the case at all. You can drag and drop any file into iTunes, add cover art, add descriptions, sort it, create playlists, etc. for any media that is in the right format (or you convert to the right format). This is the case with any device - it's got to be in the right format(s).

Anything that I don't know about Plex?

Very misleading post.

Plex cant be compared at all to AppleTV.

AppleTV is a locked system that lets you play paid content from iTunes, or content you've had to manually convert to iTunes compatible on another computer.

Plex transcodes content from any other computer, as well as provides access to a LOT more online content than the AppleTV provides.

I've got Plex and I pay nothing - no subscription fees at all.

From my Plex server we have an AppleTV in the main room, a RaspberryPi with a Plex client in 2 other rooms, plus we've got 4 iPhones and 4 iPads - regularly we can have several of these all transcoding plex content at once - you can even pick up where you left off on one device, and use the other.

You also don't have to mess around adding descriptions, cover art etc as it does all that for you. I ripped the entire Prison Break DVD boxset last week and it automatically went online ,grabbed all the cast lists, descriptions, heck it even plays the soundtrack whilst I'm browsing episodes.

I bet Apple isn't allowed to release a SDK due to contracts with the big players in movie/music business. Otherwise I don't see a reason why they wouldn't do so.