Plex, now triply confirmed for the platform, is just weeks away as TiVo begins rolling out software version 20.4.7 to Premiere and Roamio units. Its ultimate usefulness and quality will likely be governed by launching as a native app, like Amazon Instant, or living within the Opera TV app store. Neither Plex and TiVo have yet to respond to my inquiries, so your guess is as good as mine. Regardless, I’ll go ahead and assume the Amazon Fire TV will retain the crown of top Plex client… but there is something to be said for Input 1 access to the important stuff. 20.4.7 also sets the stage for iHeartRadio and Vudu (finally on Premiere). You can see the release notes above, copied from TiVo’s revamped support site, and sign up for the Priority List here.
(Thanks Sam!)
I assume that in many instances, TiVo uses Roamio and Mini interchangeably given platform similarities… Also, TiVo really needs to get with the program and improve the interface for app access.
I also forgot to ask the question: Will a PlexPass be required for access?
“Its ultimate usefulness and quality will likely be governed by launching as a native app, like Amazon Instant, or living within the Opera TV app store. Neither Plex and TiVo have yet to respond to my inquiries, so your guess is as good as mine.”
Working on the assumption that they wouldn’t have to roll out a software update for an Opera app, nor would they make a major note in release notes for an Opera app, I’m leaning strongly in the direction that it’s gonna be native. (Of course, if my assumption is incorrect, I take it all back.)
“Netflix credentials will persist through multiple logins.”
Excellent. I’ve been running into this on occasion, and not only was it a hassle, but I was always unsure if it was just me.
I didn’t know Plex on Amazon Fire TV was better than on the Roku. I don’t really have any issues with my Roku 3 and Plex though.
I definitely would love to see the standalone app, but I would guess it is still just the Opera TV app. Of course if there is no integration into OnePass I don’t know that it matters if it is separate or part of Opera TV.
“I’ll go ahead and assume the Amazon Fire TV will retain the crown of top Plex client”
What! its the crappiest one. nothing but problems and it only outputs in stereo. not counting the windows app on a computer, the best, most robust client is the Roku one.
I must admit that having the Roamio has really gotten me to stop switching inputs. I’d prefer not to pay for Plex again, I have it on my Fire stick and Android/Chromecast, maybe the Roku. I split the component output, so the Roamio is on all my 1st floor tvs and basement. I really like having a remote that doesn’t easily disappear or require me to use an app.
“the best, most robust client is the Roku one”
Well, actually, the “best, most robust client” is the one Plex itself identifies as its “flagship client”, the OS X one. (Which is one of the multiple reasons I’ve got a Mac Mini HTPC.)
Of course, I’d enthusiastically welcome a TiVo Plex client with an excellent UX and the ability to play files without transcoding, as Input 1 is always nice, but I’m not holding my breath.
“Also, TiVo really needs to get with the program and improve the interface for app access.”
Huh. Between OnePass, and the related ‘bookmarking’ of individual OTT movies, I’d say they’re already getting with the program.
And I find the ‘Video Providers’ left sidebar section of ‘My Shows’ to be pretty sufficient for app launch convenience. (I do love that left sidebar.) But then again, I very rarely just launch a OTT app on the TiVo, given that the UX is so sluggish compared to the Roku. When I infrequently want to browse recent additions, or check my Watchlist, or whatever, I generally tend to flip inputs over to the Roku. I find grabbing the Roku remote and flipping inputs to be easier than slogging my way through the TiVo implementations.
But ever since OnePass happened, pretty much the only times I use my Roku is for HBO Go, or to browse around the OTT apps. Input 1 FTW. (Hell, if the TiVo Plex app can playback without transcoding, and let me ‘bookmark’ things on the TiVo, I’ll start using it even if the UX sucks compared to that of the OS X client.)
How many clicks will it take you to bring up Plex, assuming it won’t be indexed in OnePass or Universal Search? I’m ready for direct dial via mobile app or a grid of apps versus a scrolling list in the TV UI.
I haven’t used other devices, but I love using plex + chromecast. It works great for me. I do hope that Tivo integrates Plex with onepass, but I’ll be happy enough if it supports pushing content via the plex app on my phone.
“How many clicks will it take you to bring up Plex, assuming it won’t be indexed in OnePass or Universal Search?”
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Surprisingly enough, it turns out the answer is 3.
(If I can’t ‘bookmark’ Plex items on the TiVo somehow, I just won’t use the app. So, frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.)
But assuming it’s ‘native’, not that many. ‘Skip’ button to go to the bottom of the left sidebar, click into the ‘Video Providers’, and voila…
If Plex is on the Tivo, there’s a chance my wife will use it. AFAIK she has never tried the Amazon app even though she knows it is there and has never used NF on her tablet. Same for the chromecast in her room…
She does watch things like the world cup on her phone via watch espn when she was working or visiting her mom.
More than likely she will say cool when I show it to her, but never actually use it…
“If Plex is on the Tivo, there’s a chance my wife will use it … More than likely she will say cool when I show it to her, but never actually use it”
That’s part of the real genius of OnePass to me. It passes the WAF with flying colors.
“Also, TiVo really needs to get with the program and improve the interface for app access … How many clicks will it take you to bring up Plex”
Look, if they put me in charge of UX design, beyond embracing, extending, and refining OnePass and its related technology, here’s what I would do:
Leverage the left sidebar.
– Want to make Netflix or Amazon or Plex into left sidebar items? Customize away! Easy shortcuts to your favorite OTT app!
Even better, let me put smart searches, done similar to flexible WishList criteria, in the left sidebar.
– Create a sidebar item just for HBO recordings!
– Create a sidebar item for movies directed by fifteen directors I’m an aficionado of and often record!
– Create a sidebar item just for one or two shows you’re currently binging on!
I really do adore the left sidebar, even as limited as it currently is, and that’s where I’d put customizable ‘shortcuts’ of any kind to extend the UI. There’s plently of vertical room beyond 3 to 6 items.
Not having ever used Plex, is it something that could be used to replace our dear departed web videos? I sure would like to have my weekly fix of Before You Buy on my TiVo again.
Listen to the wise owl…
WTF is Plex??
“WTF is Plex??” Let me Google that for you….https://www.google.com/search?q=plex
This… Is… Huge!! TiVo with OnePass, Netflix, Amazon Prime, MLB, Hulu, Pandora and now Plex. Pretty darn amazing. HBO Go is all that’s really missing now, although OnDemand with Comcast helps a bit as does Amazon Prime for back catalog shows.
We just sold a townhouse and are stuck in our in laws guest room while waiting to close on a new house. Broadband but no TV in the room. Sling TV has been a lifesaver as I’m used to falling asleep with something on, but I really appreciate all that TiVo offers now that I’m without my Roamio.
“WTF is Plex??”
It’s the suffix to “Googolplex“. When offered on TiVo, it will let you visualize incredibly large numbers on your teevee. (52″ sets or larger recommended for best visualization. Smaller teevees should stick to the Googol app.)
“We just sold a townhouse and are stuck in our in laws guest room while waiting to close on a new house. Broadband but no TV in the room.”
I believe you have an airtight lawsuit against your in-laws for cruel and unusual punishment.
I had also provided a spiffy little hypertext link to Plex in the post for reference. If I took the time to explain every possibly niche topic and product I cover, I’d never get anything posted. It’s why we’ll never be mainstream. And I’m OK with that. These posts generally go up during breakfast or a coffee break. However, I do think when Plex lands, a sample use-case post might be fun and beneficial.
“I had also provided a spiffy little hypertext link to Plex in the post for reference.”
The man’s (or is it ferret’s) pseudonym sorta says it all, no?
BTW, what is this “TiVo” you speak of? I searched for hyperlink, but couldn’t find one…
Actually Roku is probably the best plex client (Especially the older interface). The Roku has no playback issues and fully supports all your subtitles and various surround sound formats with no problems.
“Actually Roku is probably the best plex client (Especially the older interface). The Roku has no playback issues and fully supports all your subtitles and various surround sound formats with no problems.”
Not to sound like a broken record, but the OS X client runs circles around all the others in all areas. (Obviously, there are multiple good reasons why many civilians wouldn’t want to mess with a Mac Mini HTPC, but that doesn’t change the basic fact.)
Actually, it’s about ethics in blog comments…
Ok, v20.4.7 is here! I just got it on my Premiere and Mini, but sadly no Plex yet. Although I do see Vudu on my Mini…but not on my Premiere. Hmm…how about Roamio users? What are you seeing?
My Roamio’s downloading 20.4.7 now. One reader had a chat with TiVo Support – he was told Plex will be standalone and located under Apps & Games. He was also told it show show 24 hours after 20.4.7. They may do some PR around this, so it another day or so could make sense.
“he was told Plex will be standalone and located under Apps & Games”
So native app, but not located in the native ‘video providers’ category or location, and thus excluded from search and ‘bookmarking’, no?
It seems like a reasonable possibility. Yet CSRs don’t always have the complete and accurate story, will take with a grain of salt for now… especially since Opera lives under the same category and has a shortcut for favorites. But, again, why call it out so prominently if it’s an app-within-an-app. In either implementation, I’d assume no search and don’t know on bookmarking.
Went to sys info to see if I had the update yet. It turned out, no, but I noticed for the first time the line showing the battery level of my remote. Random, but cool.
“especially since Opera lives under the same category “
Ah. So not even necessarily a native app.
Disappointment all around.
“But, again, why call it out so prominently”
Yeah. That was my initial thought too. I guess it’s still a ‘get’, even if likely I personally won’t end up using it. But I’ll reserve final judgment.
“I’d assume no search and don’t know on bookmarking.”
If there is no search, it directly follows that there can be no ‘bookmarking’, no? That’s Rule #1 of OnePass technologies.
Rule #2 of OnePass technologies is that you don’t talk about OnePass technologies.
“Not to sound like a broken record, but the OS X client runs circles around all the others in all areas. (Obviously, there are multiple good reasons why many civilians wouldn’t want to mess with a Mac Mini HTPC, but that doesn’t change the basic fact.)
Actually, it’s about ethics in blog comments…”
Oh yes the OS X plex client (and probably the windows) is really the best but I was trying to compare to cheap Embedded system devices Of which Roku is the best. If this new TiVo client is as nice then this will be a huge deal. As really then the only thing missing from TiVo is HBO Go, NFL Sunday ticket app and then I guess a bunch of other individual channel apps that I see present on the Xbox one (showtime, starz, bravo, fox now, fx, usa, vh1, etc..). Well I guess that’s still a lot huh? Lol
“But, again, why call it out so prominently”
Also, as useless as I, (and perhaps, you), might find this particular implementation of Plex, think of the poor souls who have just lost their precious video podcasts, throwing their lives into existential despair. This offers them a viable workaround. (Given that I was totally unaware of the video podcast feature, it must have been hidden deep in the TiVo interface too.) And it also offers a workaround for all different kinds of local media scenarios for those who either don’t have a second input box, or are just addicted to input 1.
So, while I’m massively disappointed by the rumors of the implementation, in multiple areas, I can see why this makes sense for a certain subsection of TiVo users, and thus why TiVo would call it out…
(And speaking of video podcasts, I have zero familiarity with Jeff Jarvis’ act, and thus no opinion. But I do find it extremely unseemly the way he’s tried to ride the coattails of the brilliant @profjeffjarvis to increase his profile. Very bad behavior.)
“I was trying to compare to cheap Embedded system devices Of which Roku is the best”
I wonder why Dave prefers the Fire instead. I don’t use either, (other than trying the Roku implementation for a couple of days purely out of curiosity), so I have no opinion myself.
Gustovier – what’s your reasoning for wanting all of those individual channel apps? Would it be equally sufficient if they were to offer the OnDemand content from your cable company? I know Comcast has an app on TiVo for that purpose, I find that whatever I’m looking for is generally there.
For me, I’d love to see it support DIAL to the extent that it looks like a Chromecast. All of a sudden there’s a lot of mobile phone and tablet apps that would work.
While Plex is getting all the attention, the thing I’m really excited about today is the release of the TiVo Watch. A 42″ teevee on your wrist, plus a holographic TiVo mascot that periodically pops up to wink at you and tell you it loves you? They’re going to sell like hotcakes.
More powerful box, with presumed less remote transcoding. However, I didn’t realize it was stereo-only which obviously changes things. Still a Plex newbie… so many projects on the docket, yet barely touched. :)
Anyway to block Chuckles comments? Comments would be much more enjoyable to read.
Thanks!
“Anyway to block Chuckles comments? Comments would be much more enjoyable to read.”
And after I went out of my way to find a link to try to help you out on the whole “Googolplex” thing, Jack Mehoff. Such gratitude.
“especially since Opera lives under the same category and has a shortcut for favorites. But, again, why call it out so prominently if it’s an app-within-an-app. In either implementation,
Frankly, I will be exceedingly surprised if the Plex app exists outside of the Opera store. You can choose it as a favorite so you don’t have to go searching for it – but not at the higher level.
“Frankly, I will be exceedingly surprised if the Plex app exists outside of the Opera store. You can choose it as a favorite so you don’t have to go searching for it – but not at the higher level.”
Well, if I understand things correctly, (and since I haven’t messed with Opera apps, I might not), some Opera apps are ‘pre-installed’ as favs. And given the sketchy reports we’ve gotten from someone calling into customer service, that seems what the Plex app is going to be.
So, if that all holds, it’ll show up without users having to go into the Opera store. Minor point, of course.
@Chucky – actually Opera has two menu items; The Opera Store and Opera Favorites. Opera Favorites is empty until you specifically “favorite” an Opera app
I was thinking about this more… Another reason TiVo would shy away from making Plex a top level app is that it will not work for the casual user. You have to setup a Plex Server on local computer – this has the potential of generating a lot of support calls and customer dissatisfaction when the click on a new new menu item and simply displays an error.
I already expect to see a lot of complaining about the need to have a computer on anytime the app is used.
“actually Opera has two menu items; The Opera Store and Opera Favorites. Opera Favorites is empty until you specifically “favorite” an Opera app”
But if you go to “Apps and Games”, there are a number of ‘pre-installed’ apps, and my understanding, (which, again, may be incorrect), is that at least some of them (or all of them, perhaps), are Opera apps. Assuming that’s all correct, and our sketchy rumor is correct, that’s how it’ll be for Plex too.
“You have to setup a Plex Server on local computer – this has the potential of generating a lot of support calls and customer dissatisfaction when the click on a new new menu item and simply displays an error.”
Meh. While customer dissatisfaction is possible, I expect users would see an adequate explanatory screen telling them which direction is up. Lots and lots of TV’s and TV connected devices are shipping with Plex these days, and I wouldn’t imagine that’d be the case if it were causing massive consumer freak-outs…
@Chucky – Apps that leverage the Opera browser are not the same thing as Opera Store apps. The bulk of the options in that list predate the Opera store petty significantly – I am not sure about Moviefone and Huffington Post (I am just not sure I would call them Opera Store apps)
I would love to see it included at that level – I am definitely not arguing against it, I just don’t believe the rumor.
“Apps that leverage the Opera browser are not the same thing as Opera Store apps. The bulk of the options in that list predate the Opera store petty significantly – I am not sure about Moviefone and Huffington Post (I am just not sure I would call them Opera Store apps)”
Yeah. Like I was saying, this is most definitely not my area of expertise. Thanks for the info.
I’m sure I’ll learn much more about all this once Plex gets to my rig, assuming it’s not a native app…
Information about Plex and iHeartRadio has been removed from the 20.4.7 update info page. Note both were mentioned when the page first went up.
http://tivoproduction.force.com/Support/apex/SupportPortalArticleViewPage?artURL=/Support/articles/FAQ/TiVo-Software-Version-Information
Wonder if that means anything – like both are dead for now.
I hope they Just removed it until they are ready to actually flip the switch. If this gets delayed, I will have to stay off TCF for a while!
Now you know why I always take screenshots. ;) Figured it was premature…
Rumors are flying, one guy says a CSR told him they weren’t sure when or even if Plex would ever be delivered.
CSRs are often the last to know… or have partial information. Even the marketing staff at TiVo sometimes has no idea what’s going on, as recently evidenced by the whole Mini 2 thing. But where there’s smoke there is fire – too many references to Plex and that support note was more damning/promising than the accidental listing of HBO in that app update several months ago. That’s what I chose to believe, anyway. :)
I highly doubt TiVo would abandon the apps at this point, but it is reasonable to wonder if maybe they have been delayed. Did something go wrong in the last days of Beta testing?
No word from Tivo Margret, all references to the apps cleansed? Makes a guy go – hmmm…
“But where there’s smoke there is fire – too many references to Plex and that support note was more damning/promising than the accidental listing of HBO in that app update several months ago. That’s what I chose to believe, anyway.”
Wow. They included HBO in the damn release notes? Sometimes I think everyone there, excluding the actual hardware and software engineers, are drunk all the time…
—–
Look, obviously all this misdirection is masking the fact that they’re just about to roll out the ‘Roku inside the TiVo’ feature, with full OnePass integration.
Oddly enough, I never noticed the exclamation mark in the blog title before I saw your press pass. Blame the nature of URL’s.
Now I have to change my stylebook from “ZNF” references to “ZNF!” references. But properly done on your part, no matter my personal hassle of having to re-educate my copy editors!
(However, I’ll never stop referring to FiOS as “FIOS”…)
For the first year or two,
It was ZNF… Maybe I’ll go with an upside down question mark next. All less relevant and visible with my decision with this theme in 2013 to just stick a logo up top instead of title and slogan (“all your digital media goodness”).
“It was ZNF… Maybe I’ll go with an upside down question mark next.”
Whoa, Nellie. I just put my copy editors on a plane to North Dakota for the re-education camp. They’ll be there for two weeks just for this alone. Don’t overtax them. It’ll end up like Shutter Island if you’re not careful.
(For example, I don’t care what the logo looks like in TiVo ads. The intercaps will always stay that way. My staff would have aneurisms on the spot otherwise. Humane labor relations are important.)
“Amazon rolling out ‘X-Ray’ on television screens through Fire TV devices”
Wow. A BFD. That’s about half as useful as what TiVo has been doing for a while with “Explore this show”, especially since OnePass added OTT options to other movies for actors and directors.
—–
But enough with this Plex debacle. My real outrage with TiVo is that, many days later, it’s still not picking up Daredevil via search so I can add it as a OnePass. I’m strongly considering dousing my Roamio with kerosene and setting it on fire over this.
Jeebus. I may have accidentally made an actual productive contribution to kmmtg development!
I saw on a tivo forum where this was all removed. Any idea if this will come out in the next several months?
Chucky, Daredevil is showing up on my Roamio search. TiVo refers to it as “Marvel’s Daredevil” or something like that, so it showed up farther down the search list than I anticipated. After that, no problem for me adding the OnePass.
“Chucky, Daredevil is showing up on my Roamio search. TiVo refers to it as “Marvel’s Daredevil” or something like that, so it showed up farther down the search list than I anticipated. After that, no problem for me adding the OnePass.”
Thanks. Already doused my Roamio with kerosene and set it on fire. But thanks to your info, I’ve put in an order for a new one.
Thanks again, Ken. Solved the problem on my end by increasing my search limit in kmmtg from 100 to 200. Then it showed up.
And FWIW, this isn’t even TiVo’s fault. I’d already read that folks were having trouble finding it via search inside the Netflix app. It was showing up far down in the results there when you searched inside the app.
And look, I respect the Marvel™ #brand. But hell, something is fundamentally wrong with Netflix when they take that respect to the level that they make it hard for their customers to find the damn show with a simple “daredevil” search. You can call it Marvel’s whatever, but still make a keyword for it so it shows up in the obvious search…
“Jeebus. I may have accidentally made an actual productive contribution to kmmtg development!”
Woo-hoo! moyekj generously implemented my suggestion in a new kmmtg beta, and now we’ll all be able to do searches for an actor or director that picks up non-multicast options too.
(I mean, who knew a search for Kate Winslet would indicate that the great Holy Smoke is currently available on Netflix? Not me, until now…)
Wow, I didn’t know that “Holy Smoke” was on Netflix. I haven’t see it since it was in theaters. I’ll definately add that to my list. Thanks!
“Wow, I didn’t know that “Holy Smoke” was on Netflix. I haven’t see it since it was in theaters. I’ll definately add that to my list. Thanks!”
Neil Diamond FTW!
—–
(The thing I most love about this feature is the ability to do quick and easy ‘director’ searches, including both multicast and OTT, along with VOD if you’re on Comcast. Plus, you can even filter out the a-la-carte results if you choose, leaving you just with just the ‘free’ options. I’ve been regularly doing these ‘director’ searches ‘On the Tivo’ since OnePass rolled out, but each one takes me about ten minutes of cumbersome work to deal with the awkward 10-foot interface, which kinda curbs my enthusiasm. But moyekj to the rescue! As I said to him, half of why I love TiVo comes from Alviso, and the other half comes from him.)
Holy smoke! Zatz twits:
“Too annoying to keep TiVo Roamio Plus 1TB drive cleaned up. Just ordered this 3TB replacement to mimic Roamio Pro.”
and even more remarkably:
“Planning to decomission Actiontec and tell Verizon to flip household from MoCA to Ethernet.”
Banners, heralds with trumpets, and parades break out all over the land! Our long national nightmare is over!
“Supposedly SPs are backed up to the cloud, but who knows.”
Apparently too late to save you if they aren’t, (and my completely uneducated guess is that they aren’t), but if you had a time machine, you could’ve used kmmtg to quickly save them to a file on a computer, and then re-loaded them after the transplant. (Same deal with thumb ratings, if you’re one of those weirdos who actually uses them.)
Interestingly enough the release notes now show no mention of iHeartradio or Plex. Maybe 20.4.8 :(