Smart TV for connecting to media server
Discussion
I'm after a new TV, something that'll keep up with some of the newer tech, so 4K etc. My main question is, are there any TV's that work well with media servers (such as Plex)?
I'd like to be able to stream from my own media PC, to my TV via a plex (or similar) app/browser. My current TV stops the audio on certain videos from a flash drive after 10 or so mins, so I have to hook my laptop up and play it through VLC to get it to work, but it's becoming a pain.
I suppose if I do get a Plex compatible TV, the TV may still do it?
Anyone have a similar setup, who can offer some advice?
TIA!
I'd like to be able to stream from my own media PC, to my TV via a plex (or similar) app/browser. My current TV stops the audio on certain videos from a flash drive after 10 or so mins, so I have to hook my laptop up and play it through VLC to get it to work, but it's becoming a pain.
I suppose if I do get a Plex compatible TV, the TV may still do it?
Anyone have a similar setup, who can offer some advice?
TIA!
Not available yet but TVs with built in Roku are coming. There is a Plex app for Roku that is pretty good. Not sure about the quality of these TVs.
There are also Plex apps for many smart TVs: https://support.plex.tv/articles/204080173-which-s...
There are also Plex apps for many smart TVs: https://support.plex.tv/articles/204080173-which-s...
I should add... something around 40" is fine, lower end of the price range, not fussed about bezel etc
I did, however, wonder if it's worth getting the Fire Cube, and using the app on it, once it's out. 4k etc too for prime, netflix etc.
RizzoTheRat said:
As an alternative to a fully enabled TV, I run PLEX on Fire Stick and the only problem I have with it is the WiFi signal behind the TV isn't great.
I have a firestick, but it's so slow at loading anything. It takes forever for the commands to process too.I did, however, wonder if it's worth getting the Fire Cube, and using the app on it, once it's out. 4k etc too for prime, netflix etc.
I run a small program called Serviio on my PC. Its very similar to Plex. You simply tell it where all your videos are stored and Serviio does the rest.
As long as your TV has DLNA then it will find the PC (Serviio OR Plex) and should display it in the list of sources. When you select the source, it displays folders which you navigate through using your TV remote to select the video of your choice. The PC does all the transcoding on the fly as it shows the video so you don't have to worry about which format the video is in. I've seen some that wouldn't play using VNC player with the latest codec packs, but Serviio still managed to encode it for the TV. Works a treat and its all free.
I use homeplugs to connect everything together, but a decent WiFi signal would manage fine.
As long as your TV has DLNA then it will find the PC (Serviio OR Plex) and should display it in the list of sources. When you select the source, it displays folders which you navigate through using your TV remote to select the video of your choice. The PC does all the transcoding on the fly as it shows the video so you don't have to worry about which format the video is in. I've seen some that wouldn't play using VNC player with the latest codec packs, but Serviio still managed to encode it for the TV. Works a treat and its all free.
I use homeplugs to connect everything together, but a decent WiFi signal would manage fine.
illmonkey said:
I'm after a new TV, something that'll keep up with some of the newer tech, so 4K etc. My main question is, are there any TV's that work well with media servers (such as Plex)?
I'd like to be able to stream from my own media PC, to my TV via a plex (or similar) app/browser. My current TV stops the audio on certain videos from a flash drive after 10 or so mins, so I have to hook my laptop up and play it through VLC to get it to work, but it's becoming a pain.
I suppose if I do get a Plex compatible TV, the TV may still do it?
Anyone have a similar setup, who can offer some advice?
TIA!
A 45 quid firestick 4k will do the trick. I run Plex, iplayer, ITV hub, netflix, 4oD, prime, IPTV etc no bother at all.I'd like to be able to stream from my own media PC, to my TV via a plex (or similar) app/browser. My current TV stops the audio on certain videos from a flash drive after 10 or so mins, so I have to hook my laptop up and play it through VLC to get it to work, but it's becoming a pain.
I suppose if I do get a Plex compatible TV, the TV may still do it?
Anyone have a similar setup, who can offer some advice?
TIA!
I have a Samsung smart TV - I believe from 2016
If I enable DNLA sharing on my PC I can stream video files over my wired network to the TV.
I'd say the interface is not the BEST but its usable and easier than manually putting it onto a USB.
The hard drive of my PC shows up as a 'source' along with the HDMI ports.
NB - this uses the Samsung TV control and interface - so it may not help if you want to sue a Plex front end.
If I enable DNLA sharing on my PC I can stream video files over my wired network to the TV.
I'd say the interface is not the BEST but its usable and easier than manually putting it onto a USB.
The hard drive of my PC shows up as a 'source' along with the HDMI ports.
NB - this uses the Samsung TV control and interface - so it may not help if you want to sue a Plex front end.
I have two LG TV'S both have plex apps available
I also have a chromecast connected to one of the TV'S
So i can access plex from either the installed apps on the tv
Or i can cast movies from plex app on the ipad ( movies not on ipad they are installed on media server )
My media server is installed on a computer at work.
to be honest i find using the ipad and casting the media works better, than the installed apps on the tv's.
When i say better, the picture quality is better, the ipad must upscale ?
I also have a chromecast connected to one of the TV'S
So i can access plex from either the installed apps on the tv
Or i can cast movies from plex app on the ipad ( movies not on ipad they are installed on media server )
My media server is installed on a computer at work.
to be honest i find using the ipad and casting the media works better, than the installed apps on the tv's.
When i say better, the picture quality is better, the ipad must upscale ?
Seems DLNA is the way forward. I can manage files on my PC, I would just have a folder with everything I've not seen in it probably. So it will be easy to navigate.
My concern is still the TV picking up a hidden signal and muting the audio. I suppose if all of you don't have that issue, then no problem! It's only ever been a problem, across a few TV's, when it's directly off the USB. When it's from a laptop/pc etc it always works. Same for encoding (current tv doesn't always play files)
My concern is still the TV picking up a hidden signal and muting the audio. I suppose if all of you don't have that issue, then no problem! It's only ever been a problem, across a few TV's, when it's directly off the USB. When it's from a laptop/pc etc it always works. Same for encoding (current tv doesn't always play files)
I've just setup Plex and got the app on my fire stick, wow, it's changed some what since I used it last!
Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
illmonkey said:
I've just setup Plex and got the app on my fire stick, wow, it's changed some what since I used it last!
Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
I've got stuff split into three:Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
1. Movies
2. Kids
3. TV Series
Pretty much covers it. I have Plex Server running on a Win10 PC with Plex clients running on an LG 55 B7 TV and Apple TV. All hard wired with no buffering with the files stored on a rack mount Synology.
maccas99 said:
illmonkey said:
I've just setup Plex and got the app on my fire stick, wow, it's changed some what since I used it last!
Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
I've got stuff split into three:Love that it organises it all, gets images, blurbs etc. Just need to sort my media out now.
Think I will start a new folder for stuff from now on, with a few bits I watch every so often. Most of the stuff is single watch, so don't want it clogged up.
How do people manage it? Just leave everything as is when downloaded and Plex discovers it, or a more managed approach? Mine is flat, so all files in 1 folder, but it's picked stuff up and categorised it all.
1. Movies
2. Kids
3. TV Series
Pretty much covers it. I have Plex Server running on a Win10 PC with Plex clients running on an LG 55 B7 TV and Apple TV. All hard wired with no buffering with the files stored on a rack mount Synology.
There are a few files it just won't add though, working on that.
I do similar using a synology NAS with Serviio (as it can transcode the video) and a Sony Android 4K TV.
What I really struggle with is organising everything and adding the meta data so searching works better. Lastly better integration with voice remote on the tv would be make things so much better but I don't want google or amazon involved..
What I really struggle with is organising everything and adding the meta data so searching works better. Lastly better integration with voice remote on the tv would be make things so much better but I don't want google or amazon involved..
When Plex works, it works well. But every time I start up the app on my firestick, it hangs, or sits on "please wait". I imagine this is more the firestick that plex. Still a bal ache as it's slow to boot as well.
Maybe the fireCube will be better, with it's uprated internals, maybe order one once reviews are out.
Maybe the fireCube will be better, with it's uprated internals, maybe order one once reviews are out.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff