I use Plex Home Theatre on my MacMini (connected to a TV) and I can drive it with a Logitech Harmony remote (using Remote Buddy and setting it up to see an Apple TV remote control).
I do use the app from time to time, but ultimately, I just use a remote control.
Can you use a Chromecast Ultra to stream different format video files from a NAS?
As long as plex understands it then it should transcode to what the chromecast can handle. That's one of Plexs' primary features.
That's true currently.
However, there is a new version of the Chromecast Ultra (searching for "Google Sabrina" which is it's project name will find plenty of information) slated for release on 30 September. As well as doing what the current one does, it looks like it will have a full remote and android TV experience. So it should be able to play many file formats from the NAS even without Plex, as well as dispensing with having to use your phone and the (quite frankly fairly horrid) Plex android app to start casting.
I would hold fire on any purchase for a couple of weeks. The new model should be out then. Even if you don't want it, the old model should be on clearance pricing as a consequence.
Can navigate the menu easily with a remote. Plex always felt to me like it required a mouse to select the right screen element
I'm not sure about Plex, but both Emby and Jellyfin (largely the same as Plex) have Kodi plugins. I run Kodi as my frontend and Jellyfin as my backend. The Jellyfin plugin synchronizes its database with the native Kodi database so you get the same Kodi look and feel. Added bonus of Jellyfin is I can access the web interface when away from home. In a pre-Covid world it was great when travelling for work.
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