XBMC vs Plex

[bwana]

I installed the Netflix plugin for Plex on my Mac. It shows all the movies and tv shows and you can browse through everything. When I try to play something it gives an error about "can't read from video file". Hulu does the same.

It works via Safari and it works on my Apple TV via the native Netflix and Hulu Plus apps. Seems like Plex is the problem.

Might give Plex a miss for now in that case.

 

[DominionZA]

Was that on the server machine or on a client?

Playing ISO on both is important in my application. I suppose it would depend on the client (TV, AppleTV, Roku etc) if they can handle ISO's.

Would be great if you could test a BLuray.

THanks

This was on the LG TV via DLNA and also Plex Media Center on one of my computers .
The server manages everything so should be fine on anything that can use Plex (DLNA or straight).

 

[getafix33]

This was on the LG TV via DLNA and also Plex Media Center on one of my computers .
The server manages everything so should be fine on anything that can use Plex (DLNA or straight).

Cool. So the server does the transcoding. Will the HP Proliant suffice as a server?

 

[DominionZA]

Cool. So the server does the transcoding. Will the HP Proliant suffice as a server?

I used one for quite a while and it was fine with a single 1080p stream or 2 720p streams.
Then my kids started to stream and can sometimes have 5 X 720p streams going which killed the HP.
I then moved Plex Server to my Core2Duo machine, and while a little better, it still choked sometimes.
I now run the server on my dev machine which is an i7 Sandybridge. Plex is also installed on the 256GB Vertex 4 SSD which has made the starting of movies instant. I can work on this machine while the family are watching stuff and smooth experience all round.

So, short version is how you intend to use it.

Note that depending on the client, transcoding may not be necessary.

 

[getafix33]

I used one for quite a while and it was fine with a single 1080p stream or 2 720p streams.
Then my kids started to stream and can sometimes have 5 X 720p streams going which killed the HP.
I then moved Plex Server to my Core2Duo machine, and while a little better, it still choked sometimes.
I now run the server on my dev machine which is an i7 Sandybridge. Plex is also installed on the 256GB Vertex 4 SSD which has made the starting of movies instant. I can work on this machine while the family are watching stuff and smooth experience all round.

So, short version is how you intend to use it.

Note that depending on the client, transcoding may not be necessary.

Cool, thanks for the heads up. I would only stream to one other location for now. THat location has a Netgear NTV550 which doesnt run plex as far as I know.

 

[Pho3nix]

I used one for quite a while and it was fine with a single 1080p stream or 2 720p streams.
Then my kids started to stream and can sometimes have 5 X 720p streams going which killed the HP.
I then moved Plex Server to my Core2Duo machine, and while a little better, it still choked sometimes.
I now run the server on my dev machine which is an i7 Sandybridge. Plex is also installed on the 256GB Vertex 4 SSD which has made the starting of movies instant. I can work on this machine while the family are watching stuff and smooth experience all round.

So, short version is how you intend to use it.

Note that depending on the client, transcoding may not be necessary.

Thanks for this Extending my network because my family has seen the light of being able to stream content as they want it.
You mentioned that there are 5 x 720p streams which killed the HP but what about the network? All devices on Ethernet or wireless.

Cabled up my house but still getting a bottleneck somewhere and only managing 3 x 720p streams max.

 

[DominionZA]

Cool, thanks for the heads up. I would only stream to one other location for now. THat location has a Netgear NTV550 which doesnt run plex as far as I know.

You can still use the Plex DLNA server and get all the Unwatched, OnDeck, etc... goodness of Plex.

Thanks for this Extending my network because my family has seen the light of being able to stream content as they want it.
You mentioned that there are 5 x 720p streams which killed the HP but what about the network? All devices on Ethernet or wireless.

Cabled up my house but still getting a bottleneck somewhere and only managing 3 x 720p streams max.

Initially, I was on wireless but as the streams picked up - plus the other wireless gadgets around the house increasing - I decided it was time to wire. Started getting major buffering on wireless (802.11n).
Had the entire house gigabit ethernet wired (only bathrooms spared) and dotted gigabit switches around. I still use wireless but for cellphones, tablets and laptops/ultrabooks.

When I first wired the house, I had 100mbit switches only. These lasted for a while until network activity starting pumping. Replaced all switches with gigabit and things running well now. All devices start movies instantly and no buffering even if everyone is watching their own content.
Of the the TP-Link switches gave me cr@p from time to time. Took a while to pinpoint it. I replaced all switches with Linksys/Cisco and Asus (expect 1 TP-Link left) and no issues now.

It is a b1tch to diagnose home network issues. Good luck

 

[Pho3nix]

Thanks for this. Have 2 gigabit switches but think the cables might be a bottleneck. Also looking to move a couple devices into the 5ghz spectrum to try release some bandwidth

 

[getafix33]

Thanks for this. Have 2 gigabit switches but think the cables might be a bottleneck. Also looking to move a couple devices into the 5ghz spectrum to try release some bandwidth

Are the two switches linked and if so how? How you trying to stream between the two switches? If so, that could be your bottleneck problem.

 

[DominionZA]

Are the two switches linked and if so how? How you trying to stream between the two switches? If so, that could be your bottleneck problem.

If is a switch then the only way to link them is "daisy chain" and they just pass on the data.
A router however can setup DHCP, different subnets, etc...

I use a Kerio Control firewall/router to manage my network. From there the data bounces around the house between 4 switches and 4 wireless access points.
No issues.

Faulty switch or dodgy cable more than likely the prob.

Lightening storms like to mess up ports on switches and routers BTW

 

[Keeper]

I use a Kerio Control firewall/router to manage my network. From there the data bounces around the house between 4 switches and 4 wireless access points.
No issues.

jeez, 4 switches? that sounds... excessive.

How much media does your family consume and what's your ADSL costs?

 

[DominionZA]

jeez, 4 switches? that sounds... excessive.

How much media does your family consume and what's your ADSL costs?

R400 something for line and just under R500 for ISP.

Family always watching something. Caned DSTV beginning Dec as it was hardly used.

As for the switches...
I have a home office (converted garage). ADSL and firewall live there with a switch that runs a cable to the house in the dining room. This switch feeds a switch in my daughters room which then hooks up the other rooms. It also feeds a switch in the lounge for all devices there. It also feeds 2 switches upstairs in my game room for multimedia and gaming devices as well as a switch for my dev machine (also in game room) and Sammy TV.

So I counted wrong earlier. It is six switches around the house. House is too big to run a cable for each device from a central switch.

Hope I explained that well enough. Just finished a braai which always includes a few whiskeys

 

[getafix33]

OK, so I installed PMS on my Proliant and the client Win7 laptop. I have some movies on the Proliant aswell as a NAS drive (Netgear Duo)
I have to map a drive to the NAS as this was the only way I could add it as a source.

So, I try and play an MP4 file (from Youtube) Ken Block and its starts buffering every few seconds.

My network setup is LAN CAT 6 via D-Link Gigabit switch. My 3G router is a Dovado which servers for my internet connection via 8ta.

Any ideas on why it is buffering so much?

XBMC stream to the same PC from the same server is fine. Are there any settings that I need to check???

 

[bdt]

Faulty switch or dodgy cable more than likely the prob.

Faulty switch can happen way easier than you like (more below) but cables are basically just copper wire lying there, the magic/where-it-goes-wrong drama is in the plugs ..comma the crimping of.

Lightening storms like to mess up ports on switches and routers BTW

Lightning IS The Enemy and is the reason why I've gotten rather fond of shielded cable (and no, not necessarily the outdoor weatherproof stuff, this is for indoor use) with shielded plugs to go with that. And, where necessary, RJ45 surge suppressor boxen to clamp down on that extra nasty voltage.

The latter having currently saved my last IP camera installation now for 2 consecutive storm seasons ..and we've had some beauties this year.

 

[DominionZA]

OK, so I installed PMS on my Proliant and the client Win7 laptop. I have some movies on the Proliant aswell as a NAS drive (Netgear Duo)
I have to map a drive to the NAS as this was the only way I could add it as a source.

So, I try and play an MP4 file (from Youtube) Ken Block and its starts buffering every few seconds.

My network setup is LAN CAT 6 via D-Link Gigabit switch. My 3G router is a Dovado which servers for my internet connection via 8ta.

Any ideas on why it is buffering so much?

XBMC stream to the same PC from the same server is fine. Are there any settings that I need to check???

Very odd.
Honestly, I have never had to tweak anything on the server. Install, point to collections, then watch.

This Mp4 not actually on the server? Doing a direct stream from YouTube via Plex?

 

[getafix33]

Very odd.
Honestly, I have never had to tweak anything on the server. Install, point to collections, then watch.

This Mp4 not actually on the server? Doing a direct stream from YouTube via Plex?

Hi Mike

The file is sitting on my NAS drive. Like I say I can stream any of my files (including BR ISO with True HD audio) via XBMC without a hitch so I dont think it is a network issue

 

[DominionZA]

Hi Mike

The file is sitting on my NAS drive. Like I say I can stream any of my files (including BR ISO with True HD audio) via XBMC without a hitch so I dont think it is a network issue

You right. Network seems fine.
I am stumped dude. Plex should not need any configuring. It is designed to just work, and for me it does.

Your best bet might be to post this on the Plex forums.
Sorry I cannot offer anything useful dude.

Could you try convert the test MP4 to and MKV with VidCoder or something?
I am curious to see if Plex is not having issues with MP4 files.
That said though, MP4 files play equally well as MKV for me

 

[Roman4604]

The file is sitting on my NAS drive. Like I say I can stream any of my files (including BR ISO with True HD audio) via XBMC without a hitch so I dont think it is a network issue

What protocol is being used between NAS<->XBMC, is it SMB?

 

[Grootoog]

Hi all

I have been using XBMC for quite some time. I opted not to build a XBMC HTPC due to costs but did however find a cheap alternative from a US company called Pivos. The unit is called XIOS DS. I picked it up for only R 1 300, much cheaper than building a HTPC?

This little unit is amazing! It runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) which I was able to replace. I loaded a custom Linux build and it works flawlessly! Full HD output via HDMI. What I really love is the fact that it only uses 5 watts of power to run.

Anyway, enough punting! XBMC all the way.

My hardware setup is as follows;
XBMC - Using Pivos XIOS DS
TV - Sony Bravia 42'
Audio - Sansui 7.1 AV receiver
Remote - Logitec Harmony 700
Network Setup - Pivos wired connection to Apple Airport Extreme (The unit does have wifi though)
Playback method - SMB using iMac
Media sources - 3TB Hard external drives.

 

[getafix33]

I will try another format and let you know.