Context; So… Just bought a brand new TV and life is good, but I should have done more research before buying it. I primarily want to use PLEX for watching media on the TV. However, due to “smart TV’s” not being smart and being rather slow because most current TV operating systems are either bloated or just riddled with ads.
Question; So Plex is there, but it runs very poorly. What are the best options out there to get this running smoothly? Are the only options AppleTV and Amazon Firestick? Anyone been in this boat before that have any tips-n-tricks to share?
Ps. I hate ads, so the Firestick is of off the charts.
Much appreciated
Personally, I like having a full fledged PC connected to my TV. Currently I’m using a Beelink T4 running Ubuntu. The PC is under my direct administrative control, so no surprises with ads or other things.
Power consumption may be slightly higher than an NVIDIA Shield or Roku, but at 24w at full tilt for the Beelink it cannot be that much more.
The same Beelink machine comes with Windows 10 as well, if you’d rather have Windows.
That would work for plex. But if one also wants Disney Plus, Netflix or Prime, that wont work (or with really limited quality)
If you need 4k, then I can see your point. My TV is 1080P, so the browser works just fine.
None of these services provide 1080P through a browser. Netflix can be hacked todo so with a different use agent and does play up to 4k on MS Edge on some windows Laptops, but other then that its 480p or 720p, depending on service.
What do you run in Ubuntu for your content display? I currently run Rokus to access my Jellyfin server but have plenty of unused PC hardware which could replace the Roku.
I haven’t found any family friendly (read: idiot proof) way to make the PC as easy to use as the Roku.
Not who you asked but I rub my jellyfin server in the browser on my media box. If yiy cab click on the link saved on the desktop you cab access the server
I do the same as averyfalken, just run everything in the browser.
No you won’t get 4k, but it does work for 1080P. You can run the Plex client on PC for 4k media.