I want to unlock the ability to view content on my mobile device. I can do that with a one-time purchase (payed with google opinion rewards) or with a subscription. I want to unlock the ability for my entire family though, across multiple devices. Do I have to pay the “one-time payment” for every device? If so, the plex subscription might be worth it. Is there any other major benefit to having a plex subscription?

    • nofunberg@midwest.social
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      2 years ago

      Jellyfin has more functionality but is a lot more technical to set up. I didn’t think it was worth the effort since I already have a Plex server running, but I could see going through that if I didn’t.

      Been running Plex with a lifetime pass for around a decade. Worth it for me for sure.

      • Uninvited Guest@lemmy.ca
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        2 years ago

        I’ve run both, and I found both required about the same level of technical understanding for an in house setup.

        I started with Plex as it worked nicer with my remote, then moved to Jellyfin when I picked up an Android TV. It was the hardware transcoding (without having to pay) that sealed the deal for me.

      • BlessedDog@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        The dealbreaker about plex for me was having to use their auth servers and having to route traffic through them.

      • paul@lemm.ee
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        2 years ago

        It’s really easy to set up if you use Docker.

        I want to use Jellyfin, but the clients just aren’t up to par with Plex and last I checked Jellyfin won’t transcode downloaded media.

      • Yote.zip@pawb.social
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        2 years ago
        I haven't used Plex but Jellyfin is as easy as throwing this in Docker:
        ---
        version: "2.1"
        services:
          jellyfin:
            image: lscr.io/linuxserver/jellyfin:latest
            container_name: jellyfin
            environment:
              - PUID=1000
              - PGID=1000
              - TZ=Etc/UTC
              - JELLYFIN_PublishedServerUrl=192.168.0.5 #optional
            volumes:
              - /path/to/library:/config
              - /path/to/tvseries:/data/tvshows
              - /path/to/movies:/data/movies
            ports:
              - 8096:8096
              - 8920:8920 #optional
              - 7359:7359/udp #optional
              - 1900:1900/udp #optional
            restart: unless-stopped
        

        (from linuxserver.io)

    • korewa@reddthat.com
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      2 years ago

      It’s weakness is client side apps. Most are web apps and not native. It’s getting better but in comparison plex has native apps on almost everything.

      I’m a lifetime plex pass user since 2016

      • yamdwich@kbin.social
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        2 years ago

        I personally dislike the Plex apps, but yeah its native support is unmatched. The official Jellyfin app for Android gets the job done but isn’t native. However, Findroid seems like the future to me on Android and I use the Kodi plugin on my TV (which is amazing).

    • tinykingdoms@lemm.ee
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      2 years ago

      you’re not wrong… but you gotta give credit where credit is due. Plex does a good job of having a client on every platform. Telling family and friends “search for plex on your devices app store” is a whole hell of a lot easier than having them jump thru all the hoops that it takes for jellyfin to work.

        • ech0@lemmy.world
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          2 years ago

          OK great. Now to that on your Roku, Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, smart phone, etc. There aren’t clients for every platform and the ones that do exist frankly are just not even close to as polished looking as Plex is.

          • dustojnikhummer@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            2 years ago

            Fortunately Roku doesn’t exist in my country. Jellyfin has apps for AndroidTV, AppleTV and smartphones. It really only lacks an app for consoles

    • trimmerfrost@lemm.ee
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      2 years ago

      Because Plex provides you with the user interface to access your own content. Atleast that’s how I like to think about it

  • Nach@lemmynsfw.com
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    2 years ago

    I bought it when it was a one time payment. It’s been worth it but I don’t think I would do it if it was a monthly fee.

    • abbadon420@lemm.eeOP
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      2 years ago

      They have monthly, annual and lifetime subscribtions. I’m gonna wait for the sale to buy a lifetime subscription.

  • FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org
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    2 years ago

    Absolutely not. Plex gets shittier with every update. Their Android app is abaolute dogshit and as been for years. The amount of useless scope creep on their software is insane, and I have a feeling that pretty soon the entire software will be paywalled.

  • BitterSweet@discuss.tchncs.de
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    2 years ago

    Jellyfin is a great alternative if you’re okay with webports.

    Plex is definitely worth plex pass though. Many features and it works well on any device.

  • Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 years ago

    I used to have a Plex Pass, but I dont think it’s worth it anymore. I have remote access via Tailscale, which I use for a number of other services as well.

  • ChrisFhey@kbin.social
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    2 years ago

    I feel like it is, but, be on the lookout for a sale and get the lifetime option when there’s a sale.

    • abbadon420@lemm.eeOP
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      2 years ago

      Do you know if there’s any frequency to the sale? Like, once per year? Once per quarter? Every major holiday? Or you haven’t a clue?

      • CmdrShepard@lemmy.one
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        2 years ago

        I don’t really pay attention having bought the lifetime pass years ago, but I do see mentions of it being on sale at least a couple times per year. You may wait for black friday in November if you’re interested but don’t mind waiting.

  • maus@sh.itjust.works
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    2 years ago

    Most benefits require both the server user and the end user to have Plex Pass.

    Personally I prefer Emby or even Jellyfin over Plex.