[jaffa2]

there's 2 (or 3) broad groups of people who 'might' use plex. and it seems that neither group can understand the use case of the others which leads to massive confusion.

group 1: somebody just wants to watch a movie they've downloaded. They either double click the movie file and maybe connect with a hdmi to a tv. Advanced group one users might eve use a usb drive / stick and plug it into a TV for computerless playback. Usually only a single user, or users who don't mind doing it 'manually'

group2: has a 'collection' is concerned with the 'library' of content possibly has a nas or media pc that handles playback. Jelly fin works fine here, and these guys who haven't used plex DO NOT understand why people would use plex given all the objections. (i'm including you in this group, as 'the interface sucked' Possibly a technical user that wants more than just a directory of movie files. I'd say usually a solo user or a shared setup on family tvs within the same network.

group3: These are folk who may be technical, but don't want to waste time pfaffing with linux configs etc . The shit really hits the fan here because this group will also likely want to share their library with family and friends, and perhaps use apps on their TV/devices to access the content, from different places. Plex is AS EASY as netflix to setup in this way. You invite your users from within plex. They create a plex account for free and they download an app on their TV or tablet from the app store, Sign in, and start watching. It (your server) tracks users, progress, between devices and everything just works in a nice way, there is basically zero configuration required.

of course there's overlap and this is broad strokes, but I see these issues pop up on these discussion all the time . The comment above that said 'just use jellyfin' is like saying 'just use linux 15 years ago' is on the money. Jelly fin is cool, but it's needs heavy dose of polish and more TV apps. Half the TV's in my house don't have a jelly fin app but they do have a plex app . I don't even need to check what my freinds and family have, plex app availability is a given.

[surgical_fire]

You are not wrong, I am in group 2. I have a small library of movies/anime/tv series that I want to stream over my local network to watch on Android TV. Users are myself, wife and daughter.

I tried plex a while ago and I really disliked the interface and how it worked. I recently tried Jellyfin and found it pretty amazing instead. Setting it up was pretty alright.

As for TVs, My LG TVs have no native Jellyfin app, but it was easily solvable with Android TV boxes that I already had nonetheless.

[jaffa2]

:)

i do agree the interface can be a bit odd in places, but it takes about 5 minutes to learn, really. Disabling all the plex crap helps a lot so i see only my own content.

As for the tv apps -- yes exactly you already had an android tv box but if you didnt? Then you have to get one, set that up, now you are 2 steps removed from what you are trying to acheive. And what about if you wanted to share your content with grandma or family elsewhere in the country? it's not easy.

Also you just unlocked horror memories of set top boxes etc. I remember years ago i used to run a decent setup with audio, hdmi matrix and various inputs, like a firetv, or a popcorn hour, as well as PC, consoles etc . ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE getting family to be able to use it. they could never get the input right, or the audio right or something. god i forgot how mauch i hate plugging stuff in to the family tv. Thank goodness for smart apps lol! WAF is through the roof. Never thought Id say that.

Now I have a Wiim Pro with ARC HDMI and a Sony android TV. never need to touch anything. all controlled on the tv remote, audio, source and it all just works.

[mcpeepants]

The app ecosystem argument is totally valid, yeah. Paying to get access to that makes sense if you and the people you are sharing with benefit from that.

I guess I view the server-side as mostly fungible, because me and all the people I share with are more technical, have a separate media player (Apple TV etc), and are either light users content with the Jellyfin app, or use a third-party app like Infuse on iOS. I look at the media server software as more like a "media fileshare with metadata and easy user management", but I get why that's not the case for everyone.