KODI vs PLEX

[Rouxenator]

Seems to be worthwhile debating the merits of both.

Personally I use Kodi because I can't stand the idea that something is compressing/messing/transcoding the quality of the content I watch on my 50" LED. I also believe in using as little electricity as possible so I have 1 TV and a low power 25w AMD mini-ITX computer attached to it that also does my downloads.

Let here it for the pros and cons of both Kodi and Plex.

 

[CPTBoy]

Seems to be worthwhile debating the merits of both.

Personally I use Kodi because I can't stand the idea that something is compressing/messing/transcoding the quality of the content I watch on my 50" LED. I also believe in using as little electricity as possible so I have 1 TV and a low power 25w AMD mini-ITX computer attached to it that also does my downloads.

Let here it for the pros and cons of both Kodi and Plex.

And you think Kodi does not transcode? That is the base of your argument?

Directplay and transcoding happens for both Plex and Kodi depending on the path the media needs to take to play on the device

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Seems to be worthwhile debating the merits of both.

Personally I use Kodi because I can't stand the idea that something is compressing/messing/transcoding the quality of the content I watch on my 50" LED.

Plex doesn't touch your video if it doesn't need to. It all depends on which formats the device you're playing it back on supports and the bitrate at which you want it delivered. If you use the Plex Home Theatre app then all your content can essentially just be streamed as is over the network. Seeing as PHT is a fork of Kodi, the quality will be exactly the same.

I also believe in using as little electricity as possible so I have 1 TV and a low power 25w AMD mini-ITX computer attached to it that also does my downloads.

Let here it for the pros and cons of both Kodi and Plex.

Power usage will normally always be higher on a Plex setup. You can run Plex on a lot of NAS devices to mitigate this but most of these devices aren't capable of transcoding video so your media has to be encoded in the format that required by your playback device (usually MP4).

Here is a list of compatible NAS devices and their limitations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc/edit#gid=314388488

Having the ability to run Plex on low power devices like the Roku, Chromecast and embedded TV apps (like the Plex app for Samsung) is a bonus but you still need a server.

The main reason I prefer Plex over Kodi is the remote streaming capabilities. I love being able to access my server from anywhere with an internet connection.

 

[Beachless]

I prefer kodi but mostly because thats what I have always been using.
You can use the plex app with kodi anyways so this all just comes down to a personal favorite they are both great.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

...so this all just comes down to a personal favorite they are both great.

I think this is what a lot of people get wrong when comparing Plex and Kodi. It's rarely about personal preference and more about what solution the end user needs.

Standalone setup = Kodi
Cloud-based setup = Plex

Sure you can use Plex (Plex Media Server + Plex Home Theatre) purely as a Kodi replacement but that's just a waste.

 

[Beachless]

I think this is what a lot of people get wrong when comparing Plex and Kodi. It's rarely about personal preference and more about what solution the end user needs.

Standalone setup = Kodi
Cloud-based setup = Plex

Sure you can use Plex (Plex Media Server + Plex Home Theatre) purely as a Kodi replacement but that's just a waste.

They are both capable of doing either. My setup runs multiple devices with one "primary" kodi install and many slaves and of course can do streaming to devices or dlna etc.

 

[DominionZA]

Curious - Can Kodi do sync for offline use like Plex does with my G3? Need a PlexPass of course.
This is probably my biggest wow factor with Plex. Going away on holiday just requires a Chromecast and my cell with all unwatched media waiting. Phone syncs with Plex server daily without intervention from me.

 

[Beachless]

Curious - Can Kodi do sync for offline use like Plex does with my G3? Need a PlexPass of course.
This is probably my biggest wow factor with Plex. Going away on holiday just requires a Chromecast and my cell with all unwatched media waiting. Phone syncs with Plex server daily without intervention from me.

Its not something I have ever tried but I have read somewhere that the Yatse android app can do syncing maybe have a look there.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

They are both capable of doing either. My setup runs multiple devices with one "primary" kodi install and many slaves and of course can do streaming to devices or dlna etc.

That's not what it was designed to do and requires you hack things to make it work. Unless you have some very specific requirements there shouldn't really be a reason why you would use Kodi over Plex in this environment.

 

[Rouxenator]

Seeing as I have one HTPC with one TV attached to it via HDMI I think it is the cheapest and cleanest if I run Kodi. The PC is running Windows 8.1 pro with uTorrent in the background.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Seeing as I have one HTPC with one TV attached to it via HDMI I think it is the cheapest and cleanest if I run Kodi. The PC is running Windows 8.1 pro with uTorrent in the background.

Agreed. Kodi also has better plugin/add-on support with things like PseudoTV and live sports channels, etc. Plex has channels but they are limited in what they can do.

 

[Beachless]

That's not what it was designed to do and requires you hack things to make it work. Unless you have some very specific requirements there shouldn't really be a reason why you would use Kodi over Plex in this environment.

There is no hacking at all you need to install a mysql DB on your primary kodi device and configure any new devices to use it. I have not had a single issue in a few years with my setup.
In the last year or so they have also implemented a UPnP solution between kodi devices so I hardly think the "thats not what it is designed to do" line counts anymore.

Kodi does tend take more time to setup as many free/open source applications do Ill give you that but in my opinion its well worth it.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

There is no hacking at all you need to install a mysql DB on your primary kodi device and configure any new devices to use it. I have not had a single issue in a few years with my setup.
In the last year or so they have also implemented a UPnP solution between kodi devices so I hardly think the "thats not what it is designed to do" line counts anymore.

Kodi does tend take more time to setup as many free/open source applications do Ill give you that but in my opinion its well worth it.

I'm not trying to start a fan boy contest here I'm just stating facts.

By hack I mean that the software does not allow you to configure this from any settings menu, you have to Google how to do this and work outside the bounds of the software's design.

99% of users want things to just work, when you want a server/client media server setup Plex is the better option in almost all circumstances.

 

[Keeper]

I like both. I prefer the Kodi experience, but plex is great too.

I'm running Plex because it works across all my devices - Samsung TV, Samsung Galaxy, iPad.

I will one day go the roux way and have a dedicated PC running Kodi for the TV, but for now Plex is awesome.
(I will need a second PC to house all the drives, and good GFX to run Steam Gaming - so no small HTPC will do unfortunately)

@Mike - is a Plex pass worth it? why do I need it?

 

[Beachless]

I'm not trying to start a fan boy contest here I'm just stating facts.
Neither am I. Everything I have said is factual.
By hack I mean that the software does not allow you to configure this from any settings menu, you have to Google how to do this and work outside the bounds of the software's design.
Yes it does if you use UPnP and the howto is on the kodi wiki.
The mysql route also has many guides you can follow even if it is more advanced but we are on a tech forum here.

99% of users want things to just work, when you want a server/client media server setup Plex is the better option in almost all circumstances.

That is a matter of preference someone with some It skills wont mind the extra setup and configuration.
My point as it was originally is that they are both capable of very similar implementations.

 

[DominionZA]

I like both. I prefer the Kodi experience, but plex is great too.

I'm running Plex because it works across all my devices - Samsung TV, Samsung Galaxy, iPad.

I will one day go the roux way and have a dedicated PC running Kodi for the TV, but for now Plex is awesome.
(I will need a second PC to house all the drives, and good GFX to run Steam Gaming - so no small HTPC will do unfortunately)

@Mike - is a Plex pass worth it? why do I need it?

I am a big Plex user so find PlexPass very well worth it.

Features I make use of most...
1. Offline sync. Extremely useful and enables you to keep the plex experience wherever.
2. Custom accounts and restrict access to the kids.
3. Free app on Xbone, Android, etc..
4. Auto gathers trailers.
5. Early access to new features.

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200288566-What-is-Plex-Pass-

I use the offline sync a lot and that alone was worth the purchase. We go away a fair amount, and with 3 kids I always take media with.
In the car I switch my android app into a mini Plex server and the kids can stream to their devices (pure Plex experience. Not dlna) via the MiFi. And when on holiday, the Chromecast is used to push content from my phone to the TV (full Plex experience again).
When we get home, my phone syncs with the server and flags all content we watched as watched on the server.

Don't know of any other setup that can do the above. Seamlessly that is.

I paid the once off when they launched PP. Was nice and cheap then

 

[SmartKit]

That's not what it was designed to do and requires you hack things to make it work. Unless you have some very specific requirements there shouldn't really be a reason why you would use Kodi over Plex in this environment.

I'd hardly call installing MySQL hacking, but each to his own

 

[SmartKit]

I'm not trying to start a fan boy contest here I'm just stating facts.

By hack I mean that the software does not allow you to configure this from any settings menu, you have to Google how to do this and work outside the bounds of the software's design.

99% of users want things to just work, when you want a server/client media server setup Plex is the better option in almost all circumstances.

In that instance those 99% of users would probably just buy AppleTV.

 

[SmartKit]

I am a big Plex user so find PlexPass very well worth it.

Features I make use of most...
1. Offline sync. Extremely useful and enables you to keep the plex experience wherever.
2. Custom accounts and restrict access to the kids.
3. Free app on Xbone, Android, etc..
4. Auto gathers trailers.
5. Early access to new features.

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200288566-What-is-Plex-Pass-

I use the offline sync a lot and that alone was worth the purchase. We go away a fair amount, and with 3 kids I always take media with.
In the car I switch my android app into a mini Plex server and the kids can stream to their devices (pure Plex experience. Not dlna) via the MiFi. And when on holiday, the Chromecast is used to push content from my phone to the TV (full Plex experience again).
When we get home, my phone syncs with the server and flags all content we watched as watched on the server.

Don't know of any other setup that can do the above. Seamlessly that is.

I paid the once off when they launched PP. Was nice and cheap then

I must admit that setup does sound good though.

 

[DominionZA]

In that instance those 99% of users would probably just buy AppleTV.

Had 2 of those. Plex + Roku is far better.
Besides, the remote on the ATV is kaaaaaak.