GOODBUY2022
Listed in Plex Notifications as "The Good-Buy 2022 Sale" - GOODBUY2022 knocks price down to A$119.99
25% off Plex Pass Lifetime - A$119.99 @ Plex
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Still work?
Nope, not unless you have debit/credit card from that country. Revolut, wise don’t work
Doesn't work
Thought I’d mention if you change your location to Brazil and use PayPal it will save a few bucks.
Doesn’t work
Did for me. I’d try private/incognito mode or vpn but it definitely works
Plex (for those who don't know) is a client/server system for serving up video and audio files. You put all of your legally ripped movies, TV etc on a computer, and then the Plex client on your TV/iPad/phone whatever, and Plex will convert whatever you're playing to a format that whatever you're playing it on can handle. It'll also let you stream your media library out to friends and family over the internet, and convert videos to lower resolutions on the fly so it'll fit through your (and their) internet connection. Having access to your whole media collection is pretty handy when you're stuck in e.g. a doctor's waiting room, and it'll even remember where you were up to in the show/movie.
It used to be really good, but recently they've decided the lifetime licence model is unsupportable, took on a bunch of venture capital, and are trying to become a low-rent ad-supported streaming company rather than support their existing users. that means you need to manually configure every client to not offer up their ad-supported Johnny Carson reruns when you're trying to search through your own library. Plus, some of their free/open-source competitors are now beating them to market with new features (HDR to SDR transcoding, Dolby Video transcoding, H265 streaming) as they're working on getting unpausable, streaming (but not on demand) 60's TV repeats out to people.
As someone who's had a "lifetime" Plex Pass/licence for the past 3 years, I don't know that I can recommend anyone else buying one. Maybe just stick with month-to-month until Jellyfin/Emby get a little better.
Cheers for the insight. I was thinking of upgrading to lifetime (from month to month) but perhaps I'll hold off.
Much appreciated insight cheers
Very much agree. Had Plex for over 8 years and it's honestly only been getting worse and worse in the past 2 or so years. It's honestly been absolutely terrible.
What are some alternatives to Plex? I would like to try them as I am finding it takes a while to update my libraries and it's annoying me
Jellyfin and Emby are the most popular alternatives.
Emby has paid stuff like Plex. If you’re going to use something else, Jellyfin is the truly Free choice.
I have a lifetime Plex Pass and it’s still better than those two, even having to deal with turning off new irrelevant streaming junk sometimes. I have Jellyfin going for testing, but it’s still uglier and clunkier to use. (Emby is a non-starter: paid like Plex, closed source like Plex, but not as good. Stopped bothering with it.)
@robothat: 100% agree. If I'm just streaming on my PC then Jellyfin is just about on par with Plex, but if you want to stream to TV-connected devices or mobiles then the Plex apps make a big difference. Also to note, the dedicated music streaming app Plexamp is only available to PlexPass users.
Thanks. So means we need to have tons of storage in the host computer and if the videos are stored in the default size, for example a 4k full 90 mins movie taking few GBs? Also, is it like drag and dropping your downloaded media from desktop to the app or you can download directly in the Plex app from Netflix etc?
Yeah, you need storage on the computer to hold all your movies/TV shows; although Plex (and other things, like Handbrake) will crunch them down if you want.
And Plex doesn't download; you need to put stuff there yourself, and name it appropriately.
+1 for the review
Hi mate thanks for this, do you knowwhich competitor does SDR transcoding?
Not off the top of my head; I just remember people complaining that Plex was taking longer than an open source product.
Sounds like Serviio? And that's free?
Serviio (for free) is just a DNLA server. Costs money for their ‘Pro’ features, like any kind of remote access or client app.
If you want Plex for free, use Jellyfin
Cheers. Saved me 30 minutes of research time trying to figure out if it is of any use for me. Just wanted to give one minute to share my thanks and use the other 29 minutes on other ozbargain deals. :)
IMO, Jellyfin/Emby are still a way off from Plex.
I used/paid for Emby / Mediabrowser for years but Plex is just easy.
I just use it as a hub for my local media on the NAS. More than happy with the free version, but YMMV.Some correct info here, but some wrong too so please DYOR all.
Is there much support for Jellyfin and Embu on smart TVs?
Many suggest to use an external Android based device or Chromecast instead of the included OS on smart TVs. Even if your smart TV uses Android instead of something proprietary, the hardware in an external device will usually be better and give a more reliable experience.
Although I am a Plex LifeTime member moved to Jellyfin and have not looked back.
Issues with Plex
- Keep adding too many features functions that confuse additional home users
- Buggy core features like "download" fail
- No IPTV support
- Local traffic routing via the home router (known issue)
- Constant sending meta data to plex (significant regular chatter to the internet)Plex really need to go back to basics.
I only use plex as a media server from my PC so that local media can be cast via chromecast to the TV. I've never needed membership nor do I actually know what membership will add to my experience.
For your use case, it would add hardware transcoding, so that if you tried to play a codec the Chromecast doesn't support it could transcode it on the fly.
Thought that already happens on the server. Is there something that suggest otherwise?
It's the key feature of plex pass, - only reason I have it.
Free version will still transcode but via software transcoding which taxes your CPU heavily. Unlikely to sustain more than one or maybe two simultaneous trancodes.
Hardware transcoding uses GPU hardware of whatever you've got (usually an NVIDIA card or Intel iGPU) and can support many many many more simultaneous transcodes while putting minimal strain on the system as a whole.
While correct ideally you should avoid all transcoding and play media directly.
Transcoding is best reserved for viewing on mobile devices…Thanks so much for the replies. I now know more than I did yesterday.
Looks like in my use case, stumping up for membership doesn't have a satisfactory cost/benefit ratio. I'll stick with free then.
I don't even know if my setup is transcoding anything, but everything I've thrown at it worked just fine. And if it is doing software transcodes, there's only ever one stream happening. We only ever use plex once every few months. Come to think of it, it's unlikely it's doing any sort of software transcoding because I'm playing on the PC that's acting as the server.
Cheers!
Got tired of plex adding weird stuff and having to rebuild when it went haywire every 6 months. Now just use video station.
Love Plex, easily worth the money for me. Took advantage of a deal years ago.
What are the exact differences between the paid version and free version?
If you don't know, you definitely don't need it.
Been using Plex (twonkey, PSMedia, etc.) for years (free version) and just about do everything I want with it. So am wondering what else (added function) would the paid version do.
@boomramada BTW your response is as useless as a man's tits. lol
I'm helping you saving $119.99, you should buy me some beers.
If you happy with your gf/wife/bf you don't need to sniff around things that you possibly missing out 😉Joke a side, https://support.plex.tv/articles/202526943-plex-free-vs-paid…
I spend $60 while ago on pro and hardly use any of those features. I only bought it as its super cheap and as a contribution.
One extra thought is for Music, I Use Plex pass for the Plexamp feature that basically turns your local music collection into a personal streaming platform, great for commuter music and Apple CarPlay if you arnt into paid streaming services, it can stream lossless for those that value that.
I’m interested for its TV/DVR using HDHomeRun tuner. Can PLEX show subtitles imbedded in Australian DVB broadcasts?
Plex Doesn’t do iptv, yet the free Jellyfin works great.
If you have an android tv Tvimate is excellent alternative.Plex livetv where you use another tuner is a crappy product and unlike Jellyfin can only be viewed locally by home users.
Thanks, but I’m only interested in “viewed locally by home users”. Perchance you can answer my question?
No, plex does not support CC. Only workaround, I am aware of is to run a post-record script to embed the cc captured by homerun into the video.
Caveat, if Plex recognises the TV show in the import it MAY download the subtitles. Very hit and miss.
Why not run Tivimate with IPTV, it's a lot better and supports CC on Australian broadcasts.
Why not run Tivimate …
I want FTA because it’s free (we’ll technically, ABC & SBS is paid by my tax). Streaming/downloading isn’t free - it consumes both Internet bandwidth and quota.
@AlexF: IPTV is free, it’s the usual channels sbs, 2,7,9,20 just via internet. That’s how I watch and RECORD FTA, just via TiviMate on an Amazon fire stick.
I cut the cord (antenna, whatever) a while back, but MythTV used to handle subtitles and will automatically skip ads and worked fine with my HD Homerun.
It's free/open source, although I think there's a better project out there whose name escapes me.
Been running Plex for year, and I'm thinking of upgrading to the plexpass just for the additional DVR option and ditching my FetchTV boxes. How reliable is the TV guide (is there even one available?)
Infuse here but ios and
Mac only occasionally unable to stream to my samsung tv but otherwise ok a dollar something a month, really nice interfaceDo many people really use plex. With so many streaming services now isn't plex becoming redundant. I understand you can upload your own content but surely most people want new content. Yes you can pirate but that takes time and effort and the quality can be hit and miss
Is there any other way to use plex?
I think people use it because there are so many streaming services. As it splinters more and more, it becomes more expensive and sometimes still difficult to find the specific content you're looking for.
A well run plex server offers a higher quality and superior service then a streaming service. It can also be automated.
What do you mean by higher quality and superior service?
Automated is an obvious benefit
Netflix etc has below average bitrate, so more pixelation and quality issues
Netflix only does 4k on select 4K TV's
Netflix can only have netflix shows
Netflix costs extra for 1080p and even more for 4k.Plex can have more shows and movies then all the streaming services combined.
And plenty more.
Ironically this is what pushed me back to Plex/Jellyfin, and ditched a few streaming services.
I was happy on Netflix for years, then content was moved to Disney and Paramount ect…Use Jellyseer, makes it super easy for users to add their own content.
I direct play my files, and the iOS app is $5. Meh. A paid feature is the other users in your home having a Netflix-like experience on one account with multiple profiles, thought about paying for it, maybe one day
I read that a few times and still have NFI what you are trying to say.
I’m saying you don’t need hardware transcoding if the receiver you have can play the files, and the free version is good enough
The skip intro feature from plex pass is really good.
Also you don't need to buy the app if you have plex pass.
$119 to skip intro and a app, na. Great that people can afford to support the devs though
Obviously there is more then that, but it really depends what features you want.
+1 jellyfin
Isn't this promoting piracy
No, great for watching \ accessing 4k videos and pictures recorded from your phone.
Much better quality than chomecast or airplay.The legitimate purpose for Plex existing is ripping DVDs/Blurays that you own and streaming them from anywhere
Is selling kitchen knives promoting murder?
Isn't this promoting piracy
Some might say the studios themselves are promoting piracy, by moving all of their content away from Netflix and setting up their own duplicate streaming services that only host their own content.
Where to legally download movies?
From your Blu-ray drive - buy the movie, rip the Blu-ray, and voila.
I would like to know this too. If you are purchasing content then putting on plex it would be very expensive and silly as you could just use a streaming service
What is the purpose of plex these days?
So many streaming services offering almost unlimited content.
My plex server has been powered off for a yest and barely used in 3+ years.
I cant see any reason to use it anymore.
Unlimited content? What kind of streaming service are you using?
You could buy three streaming services each month and still be lacking plenty of content.
Do Tell..
We have 6 streaming services available. All major ones available. There is more content on demand across these that i could ever watch, usually in high definition.
Why bother with torrents anymore?
You pay for 6 streaming services? Wow
And you still won't be able to even watch The Fabelmans, when Plex users can?
You seem to be interested in quantity, Plex users want quality.
@samfisher5986: I have access to many streaming services, yes. I dont personally pay for all services. I'm yet to find a tv show or series that i want to see that isnt available on demand. Which is more useful than torrenting and hosting locally. Also no unexpected virri.
@CauseNEffect: You can set up plex so everything is on demand.
But as I said, there's plenty you can't watch.
Also note the option to change country for a better price - see https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/666383