Windows, iTunes and adding TV Shows ...

[sSslik]

Hi all,

Until recently I've been running OSX via my Macbook Air, but after an incident, I now need to use Windows for a while ....

I used to use a little program called iFlicks to convert my shows that I do download, add the metadata and push it into iTunes. I'm really struggling to find something similar (and as quick!) for Windows 7.

Can those of you who download shows and watch them on iPad/iPhone via iTunes give me some insights on what software (preferably free) you are running to get this done?

Benchmark: iFlicks typically took about 3 - 10 minutes to convert, depending on whether I set it to general iTunes video or Apple iPhone specific video. Any and ALL help would be appreciated!

-S

 

[agentrfr]

Uhhh... XBMC/Kodi? Why the conversions? Why itunes?

http://kodi.tv/download/

 

[sSslik]

My whole setup was Apple and I've preferred staying in that environment just to make life easier.

From what I can see, the Kodi requires the iOS to be jailbroken (which mine is not). Kinda like plex?

 

[vinodh]

Plex is a really easy option. Just install Plex server on the Windows laptop, point it to all your media and it will sort out the metadata in a few minutes. Install the Plex app on your iOS/Android/Windows/Mac/Ubuntu device and it will find the Plex server and have all your media available.

 

[agentrfr]

My whole setup was Apple and I've preferred staying in that environment just to make life easier.

From what I can see, the Kodi requires the iOS to be jailbroken (which mine is not). Kinda like plex?

You can run XBMC/Kodi as a normal exe on the windows computer - it'll handle all the sorting and metadata automatically, and can work with a plex server too if you have one. Additionally you can run Kodi as an "OS" of sorts on a dedicated device (hence jailbreaking an Apple TV or something similar)

 

[SauRoNZA]

Plex can now "optimize" media which happens to mean it converts it to MP4.

It's not fully automatic just yet as I would like it, but it does the job for me in my little server that is too pap to love transcode at this point.

 

[SauRoNZA]

My whole setup was Apple and I've preferred staying in that environment just to make life easier.

From what I can see, the Kodi requires the iOS to be jailbroken (which mine is not). Kinda like plex?

Plex doesn't require any jailbreaking.

I'm an Apple geek as well and I can tell you Plex over iTunes any day.

I use iTunes for music only and point Plex to the same folder for music.

 

[SauRoNZA]

You can run XBMC/Kodi as a normal exe on the windows computer - it'll handle all the sorting and metadata automatically, and can work with a plex server too if you have one. Additionally you can run Kodi as an "OS" of sorts on a dedicated device (hence jailbreaking an Apple TV or something similar)

XBMC keeps the metadata in its own database last I checked. Doesn't actually update the files.

If you meant to still use it in iTunes I mean.

 

[sSslik]

XBMC keeps the metadata in its own database last I checked. Doesn't actually update the files.

If you meant to still use it in iTunes I mean.

I was hoping it would encode it into the file. Ultimately I want to travel with the TV shows on my phone/iPad as I'm away from home quite a bit, so not sure what the best setup is? My understanding is that your require a fairly pricey Plex Pass in order to watch things on your ipad/iphone?

 

[SauRoNZA]

I was hoping it would encode it into the file. Ultimately I want to travel with the TV shows on my phone/iPad as I'm away from home quite a bit, so not sure what the best setup is? My understanding is that your require a fairly pricey Plex Pass in order to watch things on your ipad/iphone?

No you can pay once off for the App it's about R60, or use the Plex Pass and get full access.

However for your purpose of traveling the Plex Pass is a good idea as it then allows you to sync the content to your iPad in a smaller device optimized format.

I would recommend just buying the lifetime pass if you like it then you get the apps for free. But at the same time I would recommend buy a 1-month Plex Pass and testing it.

If you are happy with it, buy the lifetime Plex pass which also gives you the app on all devices etc.

 

[sSslik]

No you can pay once off for the App it's about R60, or use the Plex Pass and get full access.

However for your purpose of traveling the Plex Pass is a good idea as it then allows you to sync the content to your iPad in a smaller device optimized format.

I would recommend just buying the lifetime pass if you like it then you get the apps for free. But at the same time I would recommend buy a 1-month Plex Pass and testing it.

If you are happy with it, buy the lifetime Plex pass which also gives you the app on all devices etc.

Just lemme make sure I'm understanding this correctly ... Will the R60 in app activation allow me to sync movies and TV shows to my iphone or ipad from my media server? I'm asking because from what I've read so far, it seem you need that Plex Pass in order to sync to mobile .... and in that case I'm not sure why it's worth activating the app for R60?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Just lemme make sure I'm understanding this correctly ... Will the R60 in app activation allow me to sync movies and TV shows to my iphone or ipad from my media server? I'm asking because from what I've read so far, it seem you need that Plex Pass in order to sync to mobile .... and in that case I'm not sure why it's worth activating the app for R60?

No the R60 is just to activate the app to allow play inside your house or remotely. Streaming from your server to your device.

The Plex Pass gives you all the features features such as camera backup and mobile sync, but part of the Plex Pass the apps are free, so you don't pay double.

So if you are interested in the sync options DO NOT "buy/activate" the app but get a 1-month Plex Pass instead.

If it works for you get a Lifetime Pass. If not leave it or buy the App only.

 

[sSslik]

Ok I understand .... I'm assuming you paid for the lifetime plex? Damn .... I was hoping for a cheaper solution :-(

 

[SauRoNZA]

Nah I haven't bought the pass because I don't use the Sync feature at all.

Something I did find out which I didn't realise is that the Plex Media Optimizer to convert to MP4 is actually somewhat automatic in that you cat set it up to apply to Unwatched shows only and then it converts a given number at a time. When you watch it then it deletes them to save space.

In reality you could setup an unlimited number and it would simply make EVERYTHING MP4 I'm sure, but then you would need to go manually delete the "normal" versions.

Lifetime Plex Pass is quite cheap compared to buy a new device for the home, when you already have all the devices that Plex supports.

I did mean to buy it when I had money for the PS3, Xbox and PS4 access but even those are free now.