Help Plex

[Trem]

Right after all you queers have been banging on about how great Plex is (I still think it seems a bit shat) I thought I would give it a go last night.

It seems to load the library up quicker than XBMC (which has annoyed me recently, freezing, not updated library etc) but it still doesn't seem as smooth as Mezzmo. I will use Plex and I want to stick with it because it seems like the option I want for my HTPC but there is a problem already.

I have this problem with Mezzmo so I cant blame Plex, but the aspect is all fucked up right off the bat, it is forcing the aspect into something it shouldn't be where as XBMC would always play it as it should be. I could go and fiddle and sort it but that would mean dashing from one room to the other and I imagine one of you could solve this instantly for me. So, press play on a film, wait, it plays, the aspect is stretched like Plex is forcing it into the wrong aspect, any idea lovers?

 

[caLLous]

Go into preferences in the Plex client (go left from the main menu) and tell it to sort itself out. If there's one thing I dislike about Plex it's the weird layout of the options. It'll be in Appearance or System, you need the advanced video bit I think, where it lets you fiddle with the aspect ratio.

 

[caLLous]

Playback > Advanced Video and have a look and System > Advanced and have a look. Make sure the resolution for your TV is set right.

 

[caLLous]

Oh, also, it won't affect the aspect ratio but it will do a weird zoomy thing - make sure overscan is turned off in your TV's settings. On my Samsung it's called Screen Fit, not sure what other manufacturers call it.

 

[DaGaffer]

I can't get Plex to work at all at the moment; its the cable modem/router, just can't figure a way to fix it.

 

[caLLous]

The client(s) can't see the server? Can you get into the server management pages on port 32400 ( <serverip>:32400/manage/index.html )?

I must say I took my modem/router (Orange Livebox) out of the equation altogether so I didn't have to deal with it and its poxy 100mbit LAN. I plugged the Cisco E4200 into it and connect all my stuff to that, running it in bridge mode so that Livebox is still in charge of DHCP etc.

Edit - I tell a lie, the HTPC is still connected through the Livebox, but the media server and all other PCs go through the Cisco.

 

[DaGaffer]

The client(s) can't see the server? Can you get into the server management pages on port 32400 ( <serverip>:32400/manage/index.html )?

Yes, clients can't see the server, and no can't get into port 32400. It seems to be a problem with the standard Technicolor modem UPC use from what I can see on boards.

I must say I took my modem/router (Orange Livebox) out of the equation altogether so I didn't have to deal with it and its poxy 100mbit LAN. I plugged the Cisco E4200 into it and connect all my stuff to that, running it in bridge mode so that Livebox is still in charge of DHCP etc.

Edit - I tell a lie, the HTPC is still connected through the Livebox, but the media server and all other PCs go through the Cisco.

I could probably do that; I've got a Netgear Rangemax router I could probably set up the way you've done the Cisco, but when we moved into this house it was supposed to be a temporary thing while we find somewhere to buy, so I've not been inclined to faff too much. I only really wanted Plex to work because its the easy solution for using Chromecast on one of the bedroom tellies, I actually just use the Synology videostation tools everywhere else, and they work fine.

 

[soze]

Sorry I have never had that particular problem.

My biggest problem with Plex on a Roku 3 is the lack of supported media types. It does far too much transcoding for my liking. If I can find a box like the Roku that natively plays all formats like XBMC I would be very happy. Currently I am planning on investing in a silent NUC and going back to XBMC as I cant find a similar Plex boot CD.

 

[Poag]

No had that problem myself.

However if you know the IP of the device. make sure you can open up the console page http://XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX:32400/manage

If you can then make sure you've signed in with the same plex account and turned off local network auth. If you cant then theres something wrong with the machine itself, either the software isn't starting up or its not using the default port....

 

[Trem]

Playback > Advanced Video and have a look and System > Advanced and have a look. Make sure the resolution for your TV is set right.

Cheers for that Cally, cannot find those options anywhere though chum. I don't have the paid version is that maybe why? I did find a 'automatically choose resolution' which I have now unticked so I will see if that has improved matters. I really hate the web based menu on this. One of the things that put me off in the first place I think.

 

[caLLous]

Open up Plex and then, on the screen where it says whatever sections you have set up (tv, movies, channels etc) go left and it will show preferences, quit etc. You should be doing this from the client, not from the server. The server doesn't have any idea what sort of screen you're watching on. I don't have the paid version either.

 

[Trem]

Yes mate I am sat in my cubby on my server which has all the clients on it. That option is not there. Have the pane on the left with TV, Kids, SabNZB in it etc, and the little settings cog above them and by that the option to optimize or clean etc and the settings cog is also way over on the right as well. If I go into either one the only resolution option is the one I mentioned.

By the way the option I changed earlier has made no difference. Is Plex really worth the effort mate? The film I am testing this on (Alpha Papa) is hardly a complicated file and Mezzmo plays it perfectly in the correct resolution straight after Plex can't get it's head around it. I want Plex for the added functionality but if it can't play a simple bloody film file right what is the point?

I knew it was shit

Keep helping me though please Cally, I will try and sort it mate.

 

[caLLous]

Start by actually going into the client and not the server then for fucks sake.

Have the pane on the left with TV, Kids, SabNZB in it etc, and the little settings cog above them and by that the option to optimize or clean etc and the settings cog is also way over on the right as well. If I go into either one the only resolution option is the one I mentioned.

You just described the layout of the web-based server admin page. You won't see options like optimize and clean in the client, that's all server-y stuff that the client has no business interfering with. What are you using to make it play on your TV? I have an Windows 7 HTPC running Plex Home Theater (v1.0.9.180 but it's downloading an update as we speak) plugged in t'telly via HDMI so maybe our Plex versions are different...

Plex is definitely worth the effort. I had no problems at all setting it up and it's so bloody good at what it does.

 

[Trem]

I am on the client you cow

I can't double check now mate, the daughter is in the room where the cubby is going bye byes

I play from the server into the network into my TV and the TV inbuilt media player does the rest but I have a HTPC ready to go just waiting for the BR drive so it will be through that this week, hence not massively drastic at this stage if we can't suss it through the TV player.

 

[MYstIC G]

Sounds like you need to check the port hasn't changed @DaGaffer as I have that same brand of ISP router without issue.

Login to the control panel and check the network device list and see if it gives you a UPnP entry for your server.

 

[caLLous]

I am on the client you cow

I can't double check now mate, the daughter is in the room where the cubby is going bye byes

I play from the server into the network into my TV and the TV inbuilt media player does the rest but I have a HTPC ready to go just waiting for the BR drive so it will be through that this week, hence not massively drastic at this stage if we can't suss it through the TV player.

OK wait til you have the HTPC and then see how much better the Plex client is before getting all stroppy with it.

 

[Trem]

This *may* infuriate you and also *may* make you think I'm a cabbage @caLLous but there is no client mate, it is all web based. I downloaded the Plex server, I had a quick sneak in the room and had a look and a read and the Plex client is Plex Theatre apparently which I didn't get and that seems a bit AIDS. Am I correct in that assumption or have I totally missed something here? You also have no other way of opening Plex other than through the web based manager when you want to fiddle with shit.

 

[MYstIC G]

Get plex theatre you mong

 

[caLLous]

This *may* infuriate you and also *may* make you think I'm a cabbage @caLLous but there is no client mate, it is all web based. I downloaded the Plex server, I had a quick sneak in the room and had a look and a read and the Plex client is Plex Theatre apparently which I didn't get and that seems a bit AIDS. Am I correct in that assumption or have I totally missed something here? You also have no other way of opening Plex other than through the web based manager when you want to fiddle with shit.

I don't know what sort of backwards client your TV has but normal people can just open Plex up and go look in the preferences there. You only ever use the web-based manager to do stuff to the server, never the client.

 

[Poag]

There are three Plex 'clients'

Theres the server, which is meant to run on a headless device and serves content over the LAN/WAN connections

Theres the Client which connects to Plex Media Server, and serves up that content over the network.

Finally, and this ones new, is the Theatre client. Which is a combination of the two above and is meant to be run on devices that plug directly into TVs...which by the sounds of it is what you are looking for

I only run plex media server, as i run all my content either through Plex-Samsung on my smart tv, or over chromecast and finally via the web browser/android app.

 

[caLLous]

Y'see, I've only ever run Plex Home Theater from a HTPC so that's all the Plex I know (apart from the Android client) but how is it a combination of server and client? As far as I can see it's just a client which connects to the server.

 

[Trem]

Well, thanks for your help cally and you other lads but after tonight's showing from Plex I still say it is third best at pretty much everything, especially handling files after Mezzmo and in first place XBMC. XBMC has been reinstalled and Plex removed, it really is fucking shit. Play film through Plex tonight, nope, play same through Mezzmo, yep but wrong ratio, play through XBMC, yep without a fault or stutter. Normal HD divx film file but Plex soiled itself and wouldn't even give a picture. It is god awful.

I will stick as I am lads, thanks anyway.

 

[MYstIC G]

Trem, Plex was forked from XBMC, if you didn't use Plex Home Theatre on a desktop box as a viewer then y0u = sp4z

There's no reason that you should have any issues over a LAN connection with the Full Client (PHT) and Transcoding turned off.

 

[caLLous]

Well, thanks for your help cally and you other lads but after tonight's showing from Plex I still say it is third best at pretty much everything, especially handling files after Mezzmo and in first place XBMC. XBMC has been reinstalled and Plex removed, it really is fucking shit. Play film through Plex tonight, nope, play same through Mezzmo, yep but wrong ratio, play through XBMC, yep without a fault or stutter. Normal HD divx film file but Plex soiled itself and wouldn't even give a picture. It is god awful.

I will stick as I am lads, thanks anyway.

Give it a whirl when you have your HTPC up and running.


You big cock-munching fanny.

 

[Trem]

Imagine last night though lads, me and Samm sat down to watch a film. Go to Plex, select film..........please wait........please wait.........nothing. I keep trying over and over because of how good you say it is and it still won't play the bloody file So for the second night in a row I have to run the gauntlet of not waking my daughter up and sneak into the room where the server is and fanny about in there, go back to telly, yep still no joy. So I try XBMC and it play's it instantly in the correct ratio, what would you do if you were me?

@MYstIC G I know it is based on XBMC that is why I find it so hard to understand why it is just so fucking shit

I *will* try when the HTPC is in, just for you @caLLous , just for you.

 

[Poag]

Sorry but i throw pretty much any file at my Media server and it plays, either as a direct play or a transcode, either something is really janky with the file or its been setup incorrectly.

I've never had a file not play in plex :/

 

[Poag]

Sorry but i throw pretty much any file at my Media server and it plays, either as a direct play or a transcode, either something is really janky with the file or its been setup incorrectly.

I've never had a file not play in plex :/

Sorry gonna qualify this as what i've said isn't true. Plex itself and the web/mobile players have played anything i've thrown at them. Plex for Samsung smart tvs has a shit fit with mkvs over 5.8.0. Not sure why, neither are the Plex guys.

 

[soze]

I am with Trem on this depending on the device XBMC is by far the best option for a single TV set up. The only reason I run with Plex still is because the shared library.

I will stick with plex and try it on a NUC at some point and hope the format support is better. If not it is back to OpenElec so I don't have to wait for shitty transcoding on files over 4gb.

 

[caLLous]

All I know is that Plex Media Server and Plex Home Theater perform flawlessly when run on an HTPC. My TV isn't smart enough to do it all in one and I'm kind of glad from what I've seen in this thread. When @Trem tries it he will see. HE WILL SEE.

 

[Trem]

Sorry but i throw pretty much any file at my Media server and it plays, either as a direct play or a transcode, either something is really janky with the file or its been setup incorrectly.

I've never had a file not play in plex :/

XBMC didn't seem to have a problem with the file and here is the NFO for it -

Overall Container Format AVI
Bitrate 2 302 bps
Video Duration 1h 28mn
Format MPEG-4 Visual
Codec XviD
Width 720
Height 304
Aspect 2.35:1
Framerate 23.9760
Library XviD 64
Audio Format AC-3
Bitrate Mode Constant
Bitrate 384 Kbps
Sample Rate 48.0 KHz

I will try it Cally, I promise