Plex launches feature to discover content across streaming services

Plex launches feature to discover content across streaming services(plex.tv)

30 points by shifty1 4 years ago | 27 comments

pathartl 4 years ago |

I get that most people use streaming services these days, but I don't think I've used one in over a year and rely solely on local media. I understand _why_ Plex adds these features, but I'd much rather see them put time into the core product.

I don't need their movies and TV catalog forced upon me. I have no interest in Tidal integration or searching streaming services.

Once Jellyfin gets intro skipping I think I'll be switching.

mcronce 4 years ago | |

> Once Jellyfin gets intro skipping I think I'll be switching.

I like that feature a lot, but the big one I'm waiting for is Quick Connect on the Roku app so I don't need to choose between highly secure passwords and the ability to get logged into a device in a reasonable timeframe

Also keeping an eye on Dim. It's nice to see new projects popping up in this space.

kop316 4 years ago | |

> I'd much rather see them put time into the core product.

....what's wrong with the core product? I've used it since at least 2013, and the core product has been flawless.

pathartl 4 years ago | | |

Just some features I'd love to have:

- LDAP integration

- SSO

- Customizable icons per library

- Remote agent transcoding (i.e. install an agent on multiple machines on the network, give them the direct play stream to transcode instead of relying on the server to do it.)

- Dolby Vision support (current state of things is terrible)

- Apps for Android and iOS don't work well with large libraries

- No DVD/Blu-ray support. Not expecting full menus, but even a best guess at finding the main title would be sufficient.

- Automatic collection creation by path

joshstrange 4 years ago | | |

I'm with you on this, what features is Plex missing that other services have? Intro skipping was the big one that comes to mind and Plex was a bit behind the competition (if streaming services can be called that) but they also had to do it from a "zero knowledge" position (using ML to guess where the intro was, which was genius IMHO) verses being able to just hardcoded it per-episode.

watermelon0 4 years ago | | |

One major issue for me is that you cannot have movies and TV shows in the same folder on hard drive, you need to split them to separate folders, if you want correct metadata discovery.

I use one folder for everything with Infuse (iOS/macOS/tvOS only), and it works great, so it doesn't seem to be an unsolvable feature.

panick21_ 4 years ago |

My one wish for Plex is that I could remove all these features that Plex is putting on my server.

I tried some of the other Media Servers but they tend to be even worse.

Mountain_Skies 4 years ago | |

Same here. What I want from Plex is simple. What Plex wants from me is complex. I get that part of their funding comes from commissions on things they get you to consume from their partners but I'd much rather pay for a "no extra crap" license, which unfortunately is not what the one thing they do sell, the Plex Pass, does.

f0e4c2f7 4 years ago | |

I've been happy with Jellyfin. It's entirely open source.

Jxl180 4 years ago | |

I’m kind of confused by these comments. When I open my plex I only see my local libraries and my Live TV (with my HomeRunHD tuner and antenna)

panick21_ 4 years ago | | |

They are pushing news, podcasts and all kinds of stuff.

joshstrange 4 years ago |

It's unfortunate that each streaming silo will probably never allow their content to be streamed to a client like Plex. Amazon Channels seems to have not had a great run from what I've heard (IIRC some services left after initially being part of it) so I have little hope of Plex being able to swing something similar. Apple TV (The app, not the device or the service, terrible naming) is just a launch board to kick you into other apps which is slightly better than having to navigate multiple apps but only slightly. I understand it's because the streaming services want to "own" the experience (and all that data you generate while moving around and using the app) but I hate it.

Personally I watch all of my content through Plex because I refuse to switch between multiple streaming services. I'll gladly pay (and I do) for access to the platforms but I still only watch through Plex because I prefer having 1 UI/UX to deal with. I never have to ask "How do I get the subtitle selector up?", "Does left/right skip forward 10/15/30/60sec or does it start RR/FF?", "Where does this streaming provider let you configure X?", and the list goes on.

Spotify effectively killed piracy for the vast majority of my social circle but TV/Movie piracy is still the best viewing experience by a long shot especially with *arr-type apps to automate it all for you.

Money isn't the issue, experience is. It's just like years ago (or it's probably just as bad now but I haven't had to deal with it) when it was better to pirate a movie than get it via Redbox/Blockbuster because you weren't forced to watch ads/FBI warnings/etc.

xsmasher 4 years ago |

I use JustWatch for this. Justwatch shows the new / popular / interesting content across streaming services, with a comprehensive search and wishlisting.

I wish Plex would just help me do what I need it to do - watch and download my ripped movies. Maybe help me fix the metadata. I don't want to subscribe to podcasts, watch web shows, or watch B-movies with commercials.

happymellon 4 years ago |

So did we finally get Boxee back?

That was far and away the best platform back and we had it 11-12 years ago.

post_break 4 years ago | |

Wow that brings back memories. What was that other one? Started with a J I think.

happymellon 4 years ago | | |

And Boxee had such a better UI than most of the current platforms.

I would be happy if we managed to get it working with the current platforms as it would be preferable to Amazon video, or Fire TV, or even just having multiple apps. The way it mashed together TV shows from multiple providers so I could watch different episodes without switching sites was awesome.