Plex on the Apple TV

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SATTV

1070 posts

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#275686 3-Sep-2020 20:36

Hi All,

I had an email today from Plex that they will no longer support the Plex app on my older LG TV :-(

We use Plex a lot as it has a very high WAF

I was thinking of an Apple TV.

Does anyone know if the Plex app on the Apple TV require a subscription like you need for a mobile device?

Also there are rumours of a new Apple TV and I would like to get the new one so there is longer support, does anyone have a heads up.

We can use Chromecast but the apple TV is an all in one solution.

Cheers

John

I know enough to be dangerous

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#2556642 3-Sep-2020 21:16

Yes I use an Apple TV with Plex and it is very smooth - playback often doesn't require any transcoding either. Seriously if you find a good deal on a current generation Apple TV just do it. Apple support their products for a very long time.

In regards to subscription - you don't need Plex Pass if that is what you're asking. I personally have a Plex Pass lifetime subscription so don't know the difference between the app without, and with Plex Pass.

Handle9

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#2556644 3-Sep-2020 21:20

Depending on your sound needs Infuse (app on apple tv) can be worth a look as then you get HD audio pass through as PCM. It's not free though. If you just need dolby audio the plex apple tv app is fine

stocksp

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#2556648 3-Sep-2020 21:42

what's your LG model?

SATTV

1070 posts

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#2556657 3-Sep-2020 22:14

TV is a 42UB820T approx 6 years old.

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shk292

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#2556688 4-Sep-2020 07:01

I’m using Plex on Apple TV with no Plex pass or other subscription, works perfectly

evilengineer

296 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2556724 4-Sep-2020 09:03

The suitability of the Plex app will depend somewhat on what your media files look like.

For example, I find that the Apple TV Plex app won't direct play some older Blu-ray rips where the video is encoded in the now defunct VC1 format.

And my vintage NAS isn't man enough to transcode those files. 😃

Infuse is better in this regard. It's also better at playing newer 4K UHD files on my old 1080p TV while I wait for the right moment to stump up for an upgrade.

The Plex app seems to get the colour space conversion wrong resulting in a washed out look.

None of this may be an issue for you. The Plex app is easy use and doesn't require a subscription unlike Infuse.

Finally, the Apple TV hardware refresh is more about improving gaming performance.

If you're just interested in streaming video then the current model is already overkill. Not much reason to wait for the new model.

geekiegeek

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#2556725 4-Sep-2020 09:04

Another very happy Plex on Apple TV user. it just works.

I wouldn't worry too much about hanging out for the new Apple TV, it's likely to only be a minor spec bump and possibly a slightly different remote. The current one is powerful enough for media streaming duties and the interface is butter smooth. Plus the new model is just a rumour and no one is going to know when it will be coming out, it might not even be this year.

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evilengineer

296 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2556730 4-Sep-2020 09:13

geekiegeek:

Another very happy Plex on Apple TV user. it just works.

I wouldn't worry too much about hanging out for the new Apple TV, it's likely to only be a minor spec bump and possibly a slightly different remote. The current one is powerful enough for media streaming duties and the interface is butter smooth. Plus the new model is just a rumour and no one is going to know when it will be coming out, it might not even be this year.

I got to say, the remote on the current model is bloody useless!

Luckily I've got a Harmony and don't have to go there. 😀

But like you say, the new model could arrive next week or next year.

geekiegeek

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#2556788 4-Sep-2020 09:50

Personally I have no issue with the remote. Its the only remote I use, with everything controlled through HDMI CEC. I don't use it for typing out in search boxes as it pops up on my phone and I just enter text there.

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FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2556797 4-Sep-2020 10:17

Bloomberg: New Apple TV in the works with ‘upgraded’ remote, Find My Apple TV remote feature Aug. 31st 2020 11:02 pm PT

iMac 27" (late 2013), Airport Time Capsule 5th gen + Airport Express 1st gen, iPhone7, iPad6, iPad Mini5

Panasonic Blu-ray PVR DMR-BWT835 + Panasonic Viera TH-L50E6Z, Chromecast Ultra, Yamaha AVR RX-V1085

The difficult we can do immediately. The impossible takes a bit longer. But Miracles you will have to wait for.

fearandloathing

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#2556798 4-Sep-2020 10:18

Although I have an Apple TV, I prefer the Plex client on the Xbox 1 x

SATTV

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#2556801 4-Sep-2020 10:20

fearandloathing: Although I have an Apple TV, I prefer the Plex client on the Xbox 1 x

I dont have / dont need / dont want an Xbox :-)

John

I know enough to be dangerous

fearandloathing

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#2556802 4-Sep-2020 10:23

SATTV:
fearandloathing: Although I have an Apple TV, I prefer the Plex client on the Xbox 1 x

I dont have / dont need / dont want an Xbox :-)

John

Don’t shoot the messenger.

gehenna

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#2556806 4-Sep-2020 10:30

Does "not supported" mean they're removing it from the TV, or just won't be updating it past this point? ATV works perfectly fine, as does any of the usual Android TV boxes such as Nvidia Shield or Mi Box. Even the super cheap Amazon Fire TV Stick works fine, albeit a little laggy to navigate sometimes.

trig42

5045 posts

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#2556871 4-Sep-2020 11:09

Another Plex user on Apple TV here (no PlexPass).

It's smooth and works really well. Never had an issue with it playing anything (unless my PC does an update reboot in the middle of a movie, grrr).

I use a Harmony Remote, or the remote app on my phone. Haven't used the actual remote that came with the AppleTV.

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