I use XBMC because the Plex backend doesn't meet my needs for device transcoding. Plex is great if you have the common, Plex supported playback devices on your home system but it won't transcode on the fly to my DirecTV boxes. I use different back end software that is a little more flexible.
Actually I just downloaded the latest PC client for Plex & it didn't even pull anything up - it appears to be primarily server-based now, rather than local + server. Weird, I didn't know they had made that change (I really only use the Roku client, which requires a server anyway).
What back-end software do you use for XBMC & what kind of files were you unable to stream? I'm going to throw together a little "Plex 101" tutorial since it's kind of confusing.
Who wants the simplest (IE: their grandparents') options for everything? Everything you're talking about is geek stuff (library managers? media servers? Just use a WD live) so it's kind of silly to say one thing is geekier than the next.It's cool that you can do that with your phone or an old tablet, but is it the simplest option in most cases? No.
Actually I just downloaded the latest PC client for Plex & it didn't even pull anything up - it appears to be primarily server-based now, rather than local + server. Weird, I didn't know they had made that change (I really only use the Roku client, which requires a server anyway).
Is XBMC typically used more as a standalone player these days?
Who wants the simplest (IE: their grandparents') options for everything? Everything you're talking about is geek stuff (library managers? media servers? Just use a WD live) so it's kind of silly to say one thing is geekier than the next.
My wife can use a tablet just fine and my 3 year old doesn't get to grab *any* remote and decide what we're watching- the family argument is kind of moot.
Seriously? All you did was support my argument. Yes, library manager, media server, etc. Are the geeky things a tablet or smartphone can do (albeit poorly) that a remote control user would not be expected to even know about.
I'm sure your wife can use a table just fine, so can my kids but it is much quicker for them to grab a remote control and turn everything on with a button push than it is to turn on the tablet, navigate to the shortcut for the appropriate app, open it up and then find the TV's remote control anyway because the TV is not even on yet. Heaven forbid the volume might be set too low or high for software app control to get it at the right levels.
Using a tablet or phone is fine but for the huge majority of the population, the good old remote control is easier and more convenient. You can set Plex to your heart's content, but 9 times out of 10, the person using their Roku to watch it is using the remote control that came in the box.
Your not big on understanding a point. Just let it go.
I'm saying that while you're talking about using media servers and other geeky things (because they're cool and you enjoy them) a person with the same "argument" as you would be telling you you're better off using a DVD player simply because *they* don't understand technology beyond that.
If you actually find someone else's fear or nonunderstanding of tech a valid argument for not using what you enjoy, then all I can say is hang it up and use what your grandparents use. Too complex to understand? (Like a tablet remote?)
No, I get it. You're an 'enjoy the journey' kind of guy and I would just rather hurry and get to my destination as easily as possible.
No, I get it. You're an 'enjoy the journey' kind of guy and I would just rather hurry and get to my destination as easily as possible.
Plex has always been a client-server thing. Maybe it wasn't in the very first version after they forked XBMC, but it has been like this for a very long time.
Interesting. I haven't used the desktop version of Plex in maybe a year, not since switching over to the Roku's. Back then, it was just like XBMC, but better - channel directory, app launcher, media player, etc. Now it seems to be heavily server-based. Which is great, if that's what you're looking for.
Nice to see XBMC is still getting some love. That's what originally got me into the HTPC game - had a buddy mod my Xbox & throw XBMC onto it, whoohoo!
It is actually web-based now, so no need to install the 'desktop version' in terms of windows/mac client. If you have your library setup on the server (as you probably already do for your Roku), then all you need is access plex.tv/web and watch your shows/movies from there (you may need to link your server the first time you do that). It really is like your personal Netflix!
Yeah, if I ever get the chance to build that mini-ITX HTPC that I've been wanting to build, it's definitely going to be running XBMC.