Slartibartfass
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Just got my gen4 AppleTV and preparing PLEX Media Server. Excited!
AppleTV and Plex
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Slartibartfass
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Haven't connected the Apple TV yet. That is for the weekend.
But I can tell you the Plex Media Server works beautifully.
I remember a few years ago when this was still a beta project you (I) had to jump thru various hoops to access my media server from a WAN with opening up a specific port, port forwarding and a web address (and a Dynamic IP service).
All not necessary anymore. Just register a PLEX account and activate external access within the softwrae via a web browser interface. Thats it.
I will spend some time at work to play with the GUI on my iPad. But so far all looks great.
Even can watch German news again via a channel app.
But I can tell you the Plex Media Server works beautifully.
I remember a few years ago when this was still a beta project you (I) had to jump thru various hoops to access my media server from a WAN with opening up a specific port, port forwarding and a web address (and a Dynamic IP service).
All not necessary anymore. Just register a PLEX account and activate external access within the softwrae via a web browser interface. Thats it.
I will spend some time at work to play with the GUI on my iPad. But so far all looks great.
Even can watch German news again via a channel app.
Slartibartfass
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So far I am very happy overall.
Also see: http://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/06/plex-app-for-new-apple-tv/
Also see: http://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/06/plex-app-for-new-apple-tv/
Slartibartfass
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Right now on my iPad away from home.... Full access to everything!
[attachimg=1]
Web interface is for administration and regular use and there is also the iOs app:
[attachimg=2]
The AppleTV is surprisingly small compared to a Mac mini.
Here is the brains of the house:
[attachimg=3]
Will add a powered USB hub for the 2 HDD's and an additional switch so I can hardwire the AppleTV to the router.
[attachimg=1]
Web interface is for administration and regular use and there is also the iOs app:
[attachimg=2]
The AppleTV is surprisingly small compared to a Mac mini.
Here is the brains of the house:
[attachimg=3]
Will add a powered USB hub for the 2 HDD's and an additional switch so I can hardwire the AppleTV to the router.
Attachments
Can you explain that set up for a numpty like me ;D Hue bridge on top (love hue) then is that a Mac Mini ? Then it looks like a router then a Macbook Pro ? why is that there ? Then is that 2 external hard drives ?
Can you explain in simple terms what the Mini & Macbook do plz.
Can you explain in simple terms what the Mini & Macbook do plz.
Slartibartfass
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From top to bottom:
hue bridge for programable LED lighting (Ethernet connection to router)
Apple Airport Express gen5 router (connects to cable modem for internet access via ethernet cable)
Cable modem (provides internet and phone service)
MacBook Air used as server (Ethernet connection to router - I run a Minecraft, Terraria and Zomboid server for my kids as well as an Air print server for my non-airprint compatible laser printer, that is connected via wifi and most important it runs the PLEX server). Might eventually switch to a Mac mini to free up my MacBook Air.
2x HDD with all the media files (connected to router via USB so they are network accessible)
Outlet strip (did not all fit on UPS, connected to one outlet from UPS)
APC UPS (battery and surge protection)
(not visible) phone station (connected to cable modem)
Missing is a powered USB hub so I can add more HDD's as needed and a bridge that would be connected via ethernet cable to the router to add more ethernet ports other than the 3 in the router. That way I can hardwire the AppleTV via a ethernet cable to the router (via bridge).
hue bridge for programable LED lighting (Ethernet connection to router)
Apple Airport Express gen5 router (connects to cable modem for internet access via ethernet cable)
Cable modem (provides internet and phone service)
MacBook Air used as server (Ethernet connection to router - I run a Minecraft, Terraria and Zomboid server for my kids as well as an Air print server for my non-airprint compatible laser printer, that is connected via wifi and most important it runs the PLEX server). Might eventually switch to a Mac mini to free up my MacBook Air.
2x HDD with all the media files (connected to router via USB so they are network accessible)
Outlet strip (did not all fit on UPS, connected to one outlet from UPS)
APC UPS (battery and surge protection)
(not visible) phone station (connected to cable modem)
Missing is a powered USB hub so I can add more HDD's as needed and a bridge that would be connected via ethernet cable to the router to add more ethernet ports other than the 3 in the router. That way I can hardwire the AppleTV via a ethernet cable to the router (via bridge).
Picked up my AppleTV (4 Gen) last Friday once the Plex app was released for it....
I have a Synology 8 Bay NAS running the Plex Server software and housing the all the media. Couldn't be any happier with the experience. Would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Sven
I have a Synology 8 Bay NAS running the Plex Server software and housing the all the media. Couldn't be any happier with the experience. Would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Sven
Wooden Skye
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Like the concept of streaming tv to get off directv or cable tv is appealing, but way over my head. Great setup though!
Slartibartfass
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Curious why you are running the Plex Server Software, instead of just using Synology's?Sven said:
I use my Synology with a few terabits of hard drives for photo and video backup. I don't buy movies, so I am not trying to stream that way. Apple TV would be nice, but my Amazon Fire TV does all I need, and has bluetooth for my headphones. I do have to plug my Macbook Pro via HDMI my TV when I want to stream that way, but a trackball makes it a non issue.
Plex transcodes instead of just serving up data, which is useful if you have older devices that aren't able to read the newest codecs. That said, you need to make sure you have the bandwidth to support near-raw video streams, because it's really really bandwidth intensive.
I ran Plex for a second back in 2009 when it was first forked off XBMC and didn't like it; it was slow, a resource hog, and my Mac would get boiling hot trying to decode and stream all the data, and it really didn't understand the codecs well (basically decoded more than it should have).
I just run XBMC (now Kodi) off a HTPC into my receiver, streaming from a NAS and it does really well. My receiver has multiple HDMI outs, so I can play content on any of my two TVs.
I ran Plex for a second back in 2009 when it was first forked off XBMC and didn't like it; it was slow, a resource hog, and my Mac would get boiling hot trying to decode and stream all the data, and it really didn't understand the codecs well (basically decoded more than it should have).
I just run XBMC (now Kodi) off a HTPC into my receiver, streaming from a NAS and it does really well. My receiver has multiple HDMI outs, so I can play content on any of my two TVs.
Running Plex Media Server on my QNAP TVS-871 and Plex App on ATV4 - UX experience is more-or-less identical to having Plex on my MacMini previously. Finally got to retire that Mini from the projector =)
Why Plex rocks in my case comes simply to exceptional hardware support (ATV4 to SmartTV's to Game consoles to PC's) and seamless connectivity on the road from my iPhone/iPad/Nexus 7 via the Plex Cloud to home connect and the best feature is very well working off-line sync of any media material automatically transcoded to your device over the air. Think long flights and hotel nights without WiFi. Blizz. [cool]
Why Plex rocks in my case comes simply to exceptional hardware support (ATV4 to SmartTV's to Game consoles to PC's) and seamless connectivity on the road from my iPhone/iPad/Nexus 7 via the Plex Cloud to home connect and the best feature is very well working off-line sync of any media material automatically transcoded to your device over the air. Think long flights and hotel nights without WiFi. Blizz. [cool]
Your rack is much cleaner than mine!
I have a Telco rack that I chopped in half to fit underneath the landing for the stairs to the basement.
I have a 3U server case for the server, rackmount switch and UPS, and then a shelf to sit the NAS, cable modem, and router on.
(missing the 3U and the shelf in this picture)
I have a Telco rack that I chopped in half to fit underneath the landing for the stairs to the basement.
I have a 3U server case for the server, rackmount switch and UPS, and then a shelf to sit the NAS, cable modem, and router on.
(missing the 3U and the shelf in this picture)
Slartibartfass
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Man, these racks look nice....
Pulled an Ethernet cable cat 5e thru the crawl space yesterday from the router to the Apple TV.
Took me a couple of attempts to crimp the connectors on correctly so, I had a working cable.....
Works like a charme....
Pulled an Ethernet cable cat 5e thru the crawl space yesterday from the router to the Apple TV.
Took me a couple of attempts to crimp the connectors on correctly so, I had a working cable.....
Works like a charme....
sae said:
I also have a bunch of Raspberry Pis around the house and outbuildings all pointing at a simple NAS box which also runs a MySql database giving me and more importantly HER ticks next to the things that have been watched. No need for transcoding. I'm probably behind the times.
We're rural though, even with the highest achievable speed connection where we are it doesn't stream media very well.
