Plex updates Media Server, introduces premium subscriptions and web client

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Just a quick update for all you Plex lovers out there.

http://elan.plexapp.com/2012/08/28/part-1-plex-media-server-v0-9-6-8/

OK, we have a bit of a trilogy for you. A trinity of blog posts, if you will…

This is the first part, in which we release a new version of the Plex Media Server, fixing a number of issues, and adding a few tasty nuggets.

NEW: Support for [big surprise] (explained in part 2).
NEW: Mega-awesome [big surprise] (shown off in part 3).
NEW: Added new (advanced) preferences for enabling/disabling Bonjour/GDM.
NEW: (API) Support for JSON in non-channel endpoints.
NEW: (API) WebSocket support for sending events to clients.
FIX: Plex Media Scanner would occasionally crash on exit.
FIX: Large reduction in memory/threads usage.
FIX: Fix for missing posters when top agent failed.
FIX: MP4 files with chapter tracks were analyzed as having subtitles.
FIX: Some files (mostly WMV3) could fail to get framerate analyzed.
FIX: Make sure photo agents get hit to refresh when scanning.
FIX: Always send myPlex username when doing network logging.
FIX: (Windows) Crash when analyzing some TS files.
FIX: Be more lenient when parsing URIs which end in & or ?.
FIX: (DLNA) Minor fix to Samsung profile.
FIX: (Windows) Transcoder can handle RTMP now.
FIX: (Linux) ReadyNAS ARM builds working again.
FIX: (API) Fixes to preference serialization.
FIX: (API) Fix for paging where some items were (partially) missing (and 10% speedup).
FIX: (API) Signing into myPlex with ‘+’ signs in email/password was broken.
This new release can be downloaded from the usual place. We’ve moved from S3 to a new CDN, so please let us know how the download speeds are in your neck of the woods!

All this time, while we were working hard, Barkley was enjoying our new living room chair. We just sold our couch, so there’s literally nowhere to sit except for this chair, and he’s claimed it.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Some screenshots from the new web client. These guys really have developed a great all round product.

 

[brixton tower]

Dr John, that looks almost like XBMC...I've got both installed, and I still prefer XBMC. I've got a Samsung Blu-Ray home theatre, any clue on how I can get either Plex (or an equivalent) or XBMC to work on there, streaming media from my hard drive through wi-fi?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Dr John, that looks almost like XBMC...I've got both installed, and I still prefer XBMC.

Plex is a fork of XBMC so there are a lot of similarities. I also prefer XBMC in lot of areas, but if you have quite a few devices that you want to access a single media library from then Plex is really king (you can do a mysql database with XBMC, but it's not an out of the box solution). Plex also wins in the apps department and has excellent apps for iOS and Android and now also this cross platform web client. It also allows you to stream from your library from anywhere when logged in with MyPlex (although South African internet speeds don't help us much in this department).

I've got a Samsung Blu-Ray home theatre, any clue on how I can get either Plex (or an equivalent) or XBMC to work on there, streaming media from my hard drive through wi-fi?

What TV do you have? You can set up XBMC to share your library and stream with DLNA if your TV supports this.

 

[DominionZA]

Love Plex. I am probably the biggest Plex die hard here

With 10+ clients in my home, this is the ONLY rich multimedia solution for me.

 

[iceman23]

Why dont they get their finger out and release the plex client for the sammy e series tvs

 

[brixton tower]

What TV do you have? You can set up XBMC to share your library and stream with DLNA if your TV supports this.

Have a Sony Bravia, I'm able to stream stuff but it's too jerky and it doesn't play all formats...especially not .AVI. Using Plex on my iPad, works like a charm and I like the background theme music for tv shows in the menu...schweet!!

 

[TJ99]

Why dont they get their finger out and release the plex client for the sammy e series tvs

I wouldn't hold my breath, Samsung is notoriously slow with getting software approved/updated . They only released it for the D series about 3 months ago so maybe when the F series comes out...

 

[DominionZA]

Have a Sony Bravia, I'm able to stream stuff but it's too jerky and it doesn't play all formats...especially not .AVI. Using Plex on my iPad, works like a charm and I like the background theme music for tv shows in the menu...schweet!!

I have tried many Plex clients. The best to date is the Roku2 XS. Hidden away completely.
In the line I use a Sammy Bluray D5500. Works well, but menus a little slow.
Also wish I could get it on my Sammy TV. Love Plex for multi room/device setup.

 

[Zenbaas]

Quick question...Is the PlexPass subscription worth it...? If you want to access Plex from your tablet etc is it a must have..?

 

[DominionZA]

Quick question...Is the PlexPass subscription worth it...? If you want to access Plex from your tablet etc is it a must have..?

It is worth it. I purchased the lifetime one.
You don't need it to just use plex. But things like PlexSync require it. I use PlexSync quite a bit, and that alone makes the purchase worth it. It is flawless for offline viewing on my tablet/phone.

 

[Keeper]

I've got a Samsung Blu-Ray home theatre, any clue on how I can get either Plex (or an equivalent) or XBMC to work on there, streaming media from my hard drive through wi-fi?

What TV do you have? You can set up XBMC to share your library and stream with DLNA if your TV supports this.

Brixton doesn't need a Smart TV, he has a Samsung Bluray player so he should be able to just install Plex on that!
PC > Wifi > Samsung BD Player

i'm doing exactly what he wants to do, I just have it installed on my TV instead.

 

[TJ99]

Brixton doesn't need a Smart TV, he has a Samsung Bluray player so he should be able to just install Plex on that!
PC > Wifi > Samsung BD Player

i'm doing exactly what he wants to do, I just have it installed on my TV instead.

You do know that you're replying to a post from over a year ago, right?

 

[LazyLion]

It is worth it. I purchased the lifetime one.
You don't need it to just use plex. But things like PlexSync require it. I use PlexSync quite a bit, and that alone makes the purchase worth it. It is flawless for offline viewing on my tablet/phone.

How much was it in Rand terms?

Edit: Eish... R776.42 ... that's a lot of moolah.

How do I know these guys are going to be around in two years?

 

[DominionZA]

How much was it in Rand terms?

Edit: Eish... R776.42 ... that's a lot of moolah.

How do I know these guys are going to be around in two years?

It was around R500 at the time. Still worth it if you use the extra features.

If you want a simple client/server setup, you don't need PlexSync.

 

[Keeper]

You do know that you're replying to a post from over a year ago, right?

I thought he might have not got around to installing it yet.

 

[brixton tower]

You do know that you're replying to a post from over a year ago, right?

Hahahahahahaha.

When I made that post I was an absolute noob. Had just bought the Samsung Smart BluRay and was absolute clueless about the apps. Fortunately I got myself sorted out and I can now say that I'm a "certified" cordcutter considering that I've got UNOTelly and with a Netflix account while also enjoying BBC iPlayer and 4OD.