Previously, I described how we use Plex as a whole home media solution including home videos, live TV & DVR, and music. We run the Plex media server on Synology NAS devices. And, we run the Plex client on Apple TV 4K settop boxes.
Plex is currently testing a new, MPV based, media engine for the Apple TV client. Now, many media types play directly in Plex, eliminating the interim step of transcoding those videos. However, Plex’s tvOS profile is not fully optimized for the Apple TV 4K. This means that your Plex Media Server may still transcode your media even though the Apple TV 4k has the horsepower to play a video in its original format. Transcoding video, in particular, results in delays, buffering, and lower video fidelity.
The PLEX app is a free download from the Apple TV App Store, it is the front-end or 'player' app and lives on your Apple TV. However that is only one part of the PLEX system. Free Live TV; Ultimate Live TV & DVR; On Demand. Movies & Shows; Podcasts. Category: Plex for Mac Plex Blog; The Watch List; August 15, 2019 Desktop AF.
Among other codecs, the Apple TV 4K supports the following video and audio formats:
- Video Formats
- H.264/HEVC SDR video up to 2160p, 60 fps, Main/Main 10 profile
- HEVC Dolby Vision (Profile 5)/HDR10 (Main 10 profile) up to 2160p, and
- H.264 Baseline Profile level 3.0 or lower with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
- Audio Formats
- AAC (up to 320 Kbps)
- Apple Lossless
- FLAC
- AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound), and
- Dolby Atmos
For all other (unsupported) audio formats, my tvOS profile transcodes the audio to FLAC format, for lossless audio quality. Given the low computational overhead of transcoding to FLAC, it is better to transcode the audio than not.
Then, the Apple TV 4K outputs audio in either lossless Dolby MAT 2.0 or lossy Dolby Digital formats.
- If your AV receiver or soundbar supports it, Dolby MAT is preferable. For example, if you either directly connect the Apple TV to your AVR or your soundbar is connected via E-ARC, then you should use Dolby MAT.
- Otherwise, you should select Dolby Digital. For example, if you connect your soundbar via ARC, then you should use Dolby Digital.
Here is my updated tvos.xml profile.1 You should place it here on a Synology NAS:
/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Profiles
Finally, restart your Plex Media Server.
Updated on October 13th, 2019
Related
You can now stream your favorite movies and Tv shows on PC/Laptop with the Plex app. Here’s how you can download Plex for PC or Laptop and use it on the big screens.
Plex Stream movies is an entertainment application that you can use to watch your favorite movies, tv shows, and Live Tv. The new Plex app also allows you to add your own media files, be it video, a photo collection, or a podcast, you can view them. And that’s the baseline, there are tons of other features that make Plex a perfect package. You can easily install the Plex app on your Android and iOS devices via Google Play and iTunes. Here, we will show you an easy way to download Plex for PC and Laptop so that you can stream your favorite movies on big screens.
Table of contents
- 4 Install Plex for PC and Laptop
Mac Mini Plex
Plex Stream Movies App Features
With Plex application, you can stream your favorite movies, tv shows, and more than 80 channels live. And the best part? it is free and you do not require any subscription. Plex app comes with a huge library of thousands of movies from filmmakers around the world and Tv shows that you can watch for free. Also, there are loads of award-winning movies, documentaries, anime, and much more that you can watch to kill the time. Moreover, you can also add your own media, be it music, videos, or even podcast to expand the collection.
Aside from streaming the media from the library, you can also live-stream more than 80 channels without any subscription and for free. Plex movie app has something for everyone, from food to news, and sports to kids-oriented programs, depending upon the audience, you can select the content. As for the Plex app, you can organize all your personal media including movies and shows. The interface is simple and easy to navigate and features a rich description and artwork. The built-in media player allows you to playback videos, adjust speed, and even skip past 30 seconds into videos.
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To sum it all up, the Plex stream movies app, with its huge library of movies and Tv shows is a complete entertainment package. On top of that, it is free and you can easily install it on handheld devices via app stores. Also, you can download the Plex movies app on Windows and Mac devices via the sections below.
Plex PC Download
While the Plex app is aimed at handheld devices, it is always good to watch movies on the big screens. However, given that it is intended at handheld devices and PC/Laptop run with Windows or OS X, a direct installation is not possible. Also, there isn’t any dedicated Plex app for PC or Laptop that you can install, as you do on Android or iOS devices. Having said that, there is a way around that involves an Android Emulator and we have shed light on it below.
Plex For Mac Os
How to use Plex Movies on Windows and Mac
Although there isn’t any dedicated Plex PC app, you can make use of the Android version of the app and use it on your PCs and Laptops. The process involves Android Emulators, which are basically virtual machines. The purpose of installing an Emulator is to set up an Android OS on your PC/Laptop as a third-party app so that you can install and run Android-based apps such as Plex on the big screens of PCs and Laptops.
Plex For Mac Download
Install Plex for PC and Laptop
- First, you need to install an Android Emulator in order to run the app.
- You can download Bluestacks or Nox player.
- Next, set up the Emulator using your Google Account.
- After setting up, launch the Emulator and open Play Store.
- Type, “Plex” or “Plex Stream Movies” without the quotes and click on the search button adjacent to the search bar.
- From the search results, click on the Plex icon to install it on your PC/Laptop.
- Once the installation completes, you will find the Plex under the All Apps section.
Plex App Mac
Note that in order to play Plex PC on big screens, you will have to open it in inside Emulator as it will not work system-wide. In case you are having trouble downloading Plex for PC, reach us through comments.