XBMC vs Plex

I

iceman23

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
954
Reaction score
2
Ok, so I had XBMC running on my microserver for quite a while now. Absolutely love it.

I decided to try out Plex just because I heard so many people raving about it.

Now, the client server option of flex is pretty neat but I really wouldnt want to watch stuff on my tab/ipad or phones although the possibility of doing it is nice to have. I may use it on a dumb terminal for my bedroom tv's so could be eventually be useful.

Even so, I find XBMC far superior from a Media Center point of view.

Am I way off the mark here and is Plex really "all that"?

Also, I am running both right now and really dont seem to see a problem with both co-existing. Does anyone know of any problems in doing this? I plan on Using XBMC on my main tv and Plex for all the other devices / room tvs. I know it is two downloads for library info but that in itself is miniscule once you have the initial setup done.

P.S. the removal of the security tab in favour of the myPlex option really grates me. I do now want to go through a 3rd party server to access MY media server. I dont really care if it only really sends authentication tokens. Lots of users report that their libraries are now open to anyone on the internet. Anyone have any workarounds?

So which is it for you? XBMC, Plex, or Both?
 
Dont go both, remember Plex is a fork of XBMC, Have you tried the new XBMC 11.1 RC2 yet? I think its the next level, and with its plugins you can make it just so much better. I would stick with XBMC, I used to be a Boxee (also XBMC fork) fan, but they stopped supporting PC.

I would stick with the new XBMC.
 
like xbmc, do not like volume control when it comes to a mouse though.

Sadly this (and no sound with stand alone install for some reason) has me using vlc again.
 
TitanKing said:
Dont go both, remember Plex is a fork of XBMC, Have you tried the new XBMC 11.1 RC2 yet? I think its the next level, and with its plugins you can make it just so much better. I would stick with XBMC, I used to be a Boxee (also XBMC fork) fan, but they stopped supporting PC.

I would stick with the new XBMC.
Click to expand...

Yep, I am running Eden RC2 at the moment. Fantastic stuff. The only reason I am even thinking about plex is for my dumb terminals in the bedrooms.

If XBMC actually ever becomes a media server as well as player (with transcoding) there will probably be no point to plex whatsoever.
 
iceman23 said:
If XBMC actually ever becomes a media server as well as player (with transcoding) there will probably be no point to plex whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Not sure if that will happen, XBMC and Plex have different core designs.

XBMC is designed to be a single monolithic system with the media rendering/UI and media/metadata storage/intelligence integrated into one, running on a single device. Plex on the other hand was designed from the ground up to be distributed (over IP), in essence the Plex Media Server is a very fancy web server running on TCP port 32400 instead on 80. The various multi device Plex clients (for PCs, TVs, BD players, STBs, tablets, phones etc.) all interact with the Media server using XML over HTTP. Its whats called a 'cable cutter' system as only Ethernet or WiFi are used between the mostly embedded clients and the server.

Yes XBMC is a far more advanced/configurable/extendible single media system, but Plex has different aims, to be an all device encompassing distributed media system with simple, common turnkey installation and experience.
 
Been using Plex for a while now with the AEON2 theme, IMO, just from fetching the correct metadata, compared to XMBC, it wins hands down.
 
I'm running both on a test bed setup at home.... and while I like the centralised config of Plex.. I'm very def leaning towards XBMC.. especially since it can run on AppleTV devices.

So centralised DB of the media and metadata with multiple AppleTV's around the house..
 
I use Plex on my iPad, MacBook and Media Center. Works great. Whats also nice is that it can be used on certain brands of BluRay players and TV's. My plan is run it on 2 Apple TV's that i'm going to get soon.
 
iceman23 said:
If XBMC actually ever becomes a media server as well as player (with transcoding) there will probably be no point to plex whatsoever.
Click to expand...

Ok so i am resurrecting this thread but I have been investigating the different media center options particularly allowing me to have a central server and share the content around the house.

My original idea was that i set up the main server with XBMC and get all the library data and then just copy it to each instance around the house. But that is a silly way to do it. Now I have not solved the issue (Haven't had time) but I have stumbled upon a way to have a central database and each client then uses the database. It allows one set of metadata and media and also allows shared profiles so one can continue from where you paused your show from any room of the house. This link might be useful:

http://www.howtogeek.com/75535/how-to-sync-your-media-across-your-entire-house-with-xbmc/

XBMC is available as an Android app. Not sure if it allows you to play to a device ie: making use of the mobile device as a remote, but one could get it running on an android based media player. The only issue is it hasn't been officially released, but it can be compiled from source and deployed. I'm sure it wont be long till they release an official .apk

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=XBMC_for_Android_specific_FAQ

Hope this information is useful to someone.
 
I decided not to create a new thread, but rather ask my question here. I setup an Openelec + HP Microserver and planning on adding Plex. So I am just curious for now, will I be able to stream MKV files to a Sony TV, Blu Ray that has DLNA.

I did some research and it shows that it is possible but only on Windows and MAC machines. And if not, does anybody have Windows + Plex running on a HP Microserver and how is it running. Also which version of Windows.

My main thing is to stream MKV files to a PS3 and Sony Internet TV. Don't want to convert all my MKV files.
 
craigdoepie said:
I decided not to create a new thread, but rather ask my question here. I setup an Openelec + HP Microserver and planning on adding Plex. So I am just curious for now, will I be able to stream MKV files to a Sony TV, Blu Ray that has DLNA.

I did some research and it shows that it is possible but only on Windows and MAC machines. And if not, does anybody have Windows + Plex running on a HP Microserver and how is it running. Also which version of Windows.

My main thing is to stream MKV files to a PS3 and Sony Internet TV. Don't want to convert all my MKV files.
Click to expand...

I've previously watched MKVs on my PS3 courtesy of Plex Media Server. So I know that works fine. Not sure about Sony Internet TV but I'm guessing it should work as per the PS3.
 
craigdoepie said:
I decided not to create a new thread, but rather ask my question here. I setup an Openelec + HP Microserver and planning on adding Plex. So I am just curious for now, will I be able to stream MKV files to a Sony TV, Blu Ray that has DLNA.

I did some research and it shows that it is possible but only on Windows and MAC machines. And if not, does anybody have Windows + Plex running on a HP Microserver and how is it running. Also which version of Windows.

My main thing is to stream MKV files to a PS3 and Sony Internet TV. Don't want to convert all my MKV files.
Click to expand...

I have Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate running on my HP Server and it runs perfectly. Its quick and does the job - haven't had a single problem. I have set it up so that Plex boots on start up so I don't have to fiddle around with a mouse or keyboard. Why I chose Windows was purely so that I can use the Server as a "normal" PC to for basic things like my iTunes library, YouTube ect and has turned out great.

With regards to the MKV formats, I haven't had any problems at all - all my media can easily be streamed to other PC's around the house, iPad and iPhone's.
 
I love plex. Only problem I've encountered recently is the fact it buffers a lot which it never used to do. Running wireless to my tv, certain movies play fine others buffer/hang. Not even 1080p. Distance is about 3 meters max.

Strange
 
johndoe1983 said:
I love plex. Only problem I've encountered recently is the fact it buffers a lot which it never used to do. Running wireless to my tv, certain movies play fine others buffer/hang. Not even 1080p. Distance is about 3 meters max.

Strange
Click to expand...

I used to use wireless and changed for this reason. Wireless is just for mobile devices and notebooks now.
Had my entire house gigabit ethernet wired and never looked back.
 
Last edited:
If plex needs to transcode 1080 mkvs for another device it needed minimum 2.4ghz dual core. This is where microserver fall short with plex.
 
Of late I'm having a problem with Plex...it doesn't scan my library for new media often enough, and when it does (especially with movies) it gets the information wrong. So instead of being to able to watch newer downloads in my living room, I have to watch them in my bedroom using XBMC which is as solid as a rock...just wish there could some way to install a client on my Blu Ray.

Here's my set-up: Plex Media Server installed on PC, and plex app running on Samsung Smart Blu-Ray. And everything streams wirelessly without any hassles.
 
brixton tower said:
Of late I'm having a problem with Plex...it doesn't scan my library for new media often enough, and when it does (especially with movies) it gets the information wrong. So instead of being to able to watch newer downloads in my living room, I have to watch them in my bedroom using XBMC which is as solid as a rock...just wish there could some way to install a client on my Blu Ray.

Here's my set-up: Plex Media Server installed on PC, and plex app running on Samsung Smart Blu-Ray. And everything streams wirelessly without any hassles.
Click to expand...

I am also having the scanning problem. Every note and again it won't pick up something I know is there and have to force a library update. Then all is fine again.

My biggest problem though is lack of multi user account support. I rely on the Unwatched option but my kids have often watched the new stuff so it falls away from Unwatched.
I have asked them to flag stuff as Unwatched when they are done but they keep forgetting. :banghead:
 
Mike Smit said:
I am also having the scanning problem. Every note and again it won't pick up something I know is there and have to force a library update. Then all is fine again.

My biggest problem though is lack of multi user account support. I rely on the Unwatched option but my kids have often watched the new stuff so it falls away from Unwatched.
I have asked them to flag stuff as Unwatched when they are done but they keep forgetting. :banghead:
Click to expand...


How does one "force" a library update? From the icon bar at the bottom right I choose the "update library" option but that doesn't seem to work and Plex seems to have a mind of its own. XBMC on the other hand is quite simple, you just choose to update library and it scans all the folders for new material, and within minutes you've got episode info, posters and ratings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X