A trinity of releases
Happy New Year! We hope you had a festive and safe celebration. I personally spent the minutes before midnight in fear, as our neighborhood apparently considers launching illegal fireworks as the island equivalent of having the greenest lawn or largest snowblower. Explosions which sounded like mortars shook the house, and rockets clearly on par with the best commercial fireworks shot overhead, one nearly setting a palm tree on fire. Add the staccato of long chains of firecrackers and clouds of acrid smoke wafting over the entire neighborhood, and it was probably the closest I’ve even been to a war zone. And where, might you ask, was Barkley during all this action? Tucked in, completely unfazed by all the antics.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, our triad of releases to greet the new year, as a harbinger of much awesomeness to come.
First up, we have a major update to the Windows 8 Plex app with a bunch of bug fixes, much improved support for keyboard navigation, audio/subtitle stream selection, universal search, a lovely interface to the channel store, and a new high quality (but experimental) option for video playback which allows re-muxing most H.264 video. It’s available in the Windows 8 store right now.
Next up, Plex/Web is kicking it Gangnam style with an awesome new release, including the much requested ability to upload custom posters, with drag and drop, no less (or from a URL), some sexy tag completion in the editor, support for retina-quality posters on retina devices, and lots of bug fixes. You’ll get the update automatically within the next few hours, or you can force an update, as usual.
You know it’s going to be a big year when we have two photos of Barkley gracing a release post! The second one of course celebrates the new new release of the media server, which has the usual bag of goodies and fixes. You can download it right now from the usual place.
- NEW: Music sections support searching by album.
- NEW: Massive performance improvements for some DLNA streaming scenarios.
- NEW: Allow players to specify a protocol and respect their port.
- NEW: (API) Support for filtering movies by studio.
- NEW: (API) Support for sorting by last view date.
- NEW: (API) Added endpoints for uploading custom media assets (e.g. posters). Used by Plex/Web.
- FIX: Some cache control header updates.
- FIX: A few crashes.
- FIX: (Windows) Workaround for Win 8 security model preventing Plex for Windows 8 from connecting on same machine.
- FIX: (Windows) Crash on start.
- FIX: (Windows) 100% CPU when Plex for Windows 8 is running.
- FIX: (Transcoder) External SRT files with BOM marker weren’t getting rendered.
- FIX: (Transcoder) Faster startup.
- FIX: (PlexSync) Transcoder now handles anamorphic video properly.
- FIX: (PlexSync) Sometimes converted files could be bigger than source files.
- FIX: (PlexSync) Ratings directory was missing.
- FIX: (API) New /channels/arts endpoint which returns channel background art.
- FIX: (API) Resolutions filter can be itself filtered.
- FIX: (API) Don’t return empty studios.
- FIX: (API) Global on deck has mixed parents.
- FIX: (API) Make sure recently viewed channels have identifiers.
- FIX: (API) Fix incorrectly escaping JSON.
- FIX: (API) Fixes for media asset uploads, and select/lock upload.
- FIX: (API) Fix alphanumeric paging with non-alphanumeric characters.
- FIX: (DLNA) Hopeful fix for some heap corruption.
- FIX: Fixed a few (very) rare deadlocks.
- FIX: Fixed iTunes channel for iTunes 11.
- FIX: (Sync) iPad 4s weren’t using the right profile.
- FIX: (Transcoder) Faster starting for transcoded audio.
- FIX: (Transcoder) Fixes for RTMP with new transcoder.
- FIX: (Transcoder) Speed up WebKit transcoder starts.
- FIX: (Transcoder) Fix for some remuxing cases with Win8.
85 Comments so far
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Excellent as always!
This update is for what type of users? Does it matter what version you have? I have Plex Media Server Version 0.9.7.9.375. I need this update! Please
Happy New Year, elan and team.. Thanks for the hard work..
Anyone testing this under the Wine libraries? (I have a need, stuck in Mac OS X 10.5.8 and thus PMS 0.9.5.3.)
Happy New Year Team Plex, you guys are awesome!
will this fix the plexsync video freeze glitches?
Does the Sparkle Automatic Update work?
@James: we haven’t turned on autoupdates yet.
Happy New Year!
Any chance the TVDB bundle metadata issues have been resolved in this release?
I love PLEX SO MUCH, Thanks
and Happy New Year!
Wheeeeeeeee thanks fellow Maui dude! We had a neighbor bring out a big box that shot 6 rockets in the air every 20 seconds or so for 3 minutes. Was cool to watch, but spooky watching how low they were on explosion …
Any update on when plexsync will be released for Android?
Is the updates for Plex/Web for PlexPass users only?
I still only see the same old 0.9.7.375 at plexapp.com/getplex/
@Johan Y: nope, Plex/Web has been updated for everyone.
@Johan S: as soon as we get it done, sorry for the delay, we’re working hard on it.
@mauirixxx: So you know exactly what I’m talking about
@Jordan: TVDB updates are pushed independently, and the fixes were pushed a while ago. If you still have issues please upload logs and we’ll have a look.
Thank you guy’s. Plex is great and it’s only getting better.
Great stuff guys!
Thanks for the hard work!
First, thanks for the numerous fixes and continued improvement. Your efforts are always appreciated. Any chance of bringing back watching local trailers in the Plex Client? This feature went away a while back; however, I have couchpotato download every trailer in my movie collection hoping for a return. This is def a wanted feature as can be verified on this post: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/38296-watch-trailers-from-video-library-again/
Thanks!
Could you elebrate which DLNA streaming scenarios are improved?
Thanks for the new year present
.
Now, one query in Plex-Media-Server-0.9.609, I was able pause/fast-forward DLNA streamed videos. However, in the newer version that is possible
. When will it be enabled again?
Oops, error in the query.
Now, one query, in Plex-Media-Server-0.9.609, I was able pause/fast-forward DLNA streamed videos. However, in the newer version that is not possible
. When will it be enabled again?
Excellent work, Plex Team! Thanks for the new release. Here’s to great things to come in 2013 for Plex.
I’m holding my breath for FLAC support soon on Windows Phone.
@elan the TVDB problems seemed to start around mid december, and there are two posts in the Linux PMS forum that contain my logs.
My latest logs from 9.7.9 are here http://bit.ly/ZX4LgE
Love PLEX! Thanks for all the hard work.
Will the server update allow for remote control of Roku boxes with the iphone/ipad yet?
The version detection in Plex for Windows 8 appears to be broken. On startup I receive an error stating that my Plex Server (0.9.7.9) needs to be updated. Upon canceling that message, it connects to the server anyway.
At least I can still use it.
I am little confused. Why remuxing h.264 video a client side (that too Win8) feature? If a client cannot play, say mkv but can play mp4, shouldn’t that be performed on server side? Sorry, if I am totally missing the point.
“Added endpoints for uploading custom media assets (e.g. posters). Used by Plex/Web.”
Great new feature. Will the folder.jpg/fanart.jpg be recognized for artists ?
One word….epic
Good works guys. Amazing what you are cranking out.
When will the ubuntu repository be updated?
Hey guys, I got plex app in W8 store for $2.49 but I can’t use it. I keep gettin the error msg: server cannot be found. I’m wondering, if I can buy an app from W8 store in my region, why can’t I be able to use such app i my region? PLEX note that your paid app is not working in Nigeria even when it’s available for purchase.
Great Job Guys!!! Keep up the awesome work.
Happy New Year Elan and Barkley!!
Just wondering when PlexSync will work without publishing the server? What’s the holdup?
-Martin
Newest release doesnt work with some files through transcoding/myplex. I had to revert back på 0.9.6.9 (since I only had the install file to that and not the 0.9.7.7).
@Martin: It’ll be in the next iOS release
The holdup is just getting the work done.
@DonTacos: That’s a separate thing, in the local media agent, which will be implemented in the future.
@Rob: Yep!
Thanks! Any update on when local trailer support will arrive?
Does this update include the Plex desktop app, with the new XBMC “frodo” sync to support HD audio?
@Viearical: read the post. there are three updates, and none of them are for the desktop app, which was covered in the last post
@Chinedu: are you running the latest PMS as downloaded from /getplex? Are you running it on the same machine as the W8 app? Make sure you’re running PMS 0.9.7.9.
@JantarMantar: it’s a server-side feature, but it needed client code to use the feature.
@Jordan: interesting, your TV show refresh failed because the agent took over a minute.
@elan: Thanks for the answer, the reason I was confused was due to your post being a bit confusing in my mind.
You said you had a “trinity”, meaning 3, of updates, and then go on to say “First up” for the Windows 8 app, then “Next up”, for the Plex/Web, and then you go on to say “The second one of course celebrates the new new release of the media server”. That made it sound as if you had only two updates, and being as how the Plex/Web and media server are tied so closely, and how you called it “the second one”, I thought perhaps you where counting them as one. I wasn’t sure if there was something left out
…needless to say, it’s a bit confusing with all the different apps and versioning …of which I’m sure, you guys who see this for each platform, are very aware.
@Elan: I don’t like your non-answer answer.
Please escalate this issue to your boss Barkley. I’d like to use PlexSync before the end of January 2013, without having to publish the server please.
-Martin
Keep it coming guys! Love your work!
any news on plex sync for Android?
Yet again the Mac client is forgotten about. Over to XBMC we go!
Hi guys, just a heads up. a couple of shows that I have newly converted to “iTunes compatible” with iVI will not stream to my iPhone anymore. After rolling back to the previous version, no problem.
Sorry I was talking about the newest Plex Server update.
Elan,
Thanks for the great updates, you guys going to be at CES?
The add custom artwork feature does not seem to work in the web client. When I try to drag and drop a poster, the browser switches to a new window with the image in it. Nothing is saved in the client. I have also tried browsing to an image file on my desktop. The window refreshes but the poster does not appear and is not saved. I can add custom art if I use the cocao manager. Am I doing something wrong in the web client? Has anyone else experienced this issue?
@James: I think you should check the previous blog post before you take dire measures
@Geo: some of us may be, yeah!
@portugoose: what browser and version?
@Dave: Can you open up a thread in the forums and post media details (as well as logs) so we can reproduce?
@elan: I’m using Safari 5.1.7 on Mac OS 10.6.8.
What’s the timeline for the Android PlexSync update? Are you committed to doing that?
@ingo: we’re very much committed to it.
Any news on support of Windows Home Server (starting the Server as a Service)? This would *really* be appreciated. Any commitment? Please
Viewing movies on a Surface ( I also see the version not supported error ), I’m seeing 7-800% proc usage on a quad-core Mac Mini ( 10.8 ) transcoding a single 1080p m4v. Haven’t seen usage this high with previous versions….
@elan. Slightly unrelated, but so far I have posted 4 topics / questions in Plex forums (3 of them as a Plex Pass member) and none of them had a single response from Plex team.
Since Plex is slowly turning into commercial product (I don’t have any issues with that) I would hope somewhat better support for paying customers.
@arunas: Our user-base is growing so rapidly, that it’s not always possible for our tiny team to view and reply to every post. As always, if you let me know what the topics are, I’ll have a look.
@elan Thanks. None of these issues are critical and some I resolved on my own, so I won’t waste your time on this. It just would nice to know that there is a way to get some support from Plex team. Nobody expects serious support from handful of enthusiast working during their free time. But as soon as you put price on a product people will expect more.
Hey Guys,
First i want to say that you doing a awesome job.
But i Have one/two Question.
Would be the Sync Feauture in the Plex App for iOs only a Plexpass Feauture or will it be in a Few weeks /months (or else) for the nirmal users too? (I want tompay for it like a inapp buy).
And second: i didnt have the choice to use a poster on my synology, is it onlx for mac and pc at the moment?
Would be nice to hear from you.
@ Instafrak
@Instafrak ~ PlexSync will always be a PlexPass feature. Synology should support posters, but I’m not sure specifically what poster issue you’re referring to
@elan
I mean the Movieposter for the Movies.
I have many Posters that doesn’t match the right one and i want to fix it with my own Posters.
In your Blog Entry you wrote that this will be possible now…but my Plex Server on my Syno. says im Updated, but i can’t find the Option to “Drag n Drop” the Poster…
Ok, i will think about the Plexpass…
Is it possible to have all my Metadata and Posters in my iPad or is it only for the Download of the Movies (like the .mpg data)?
I search for something like “Mymovies for iPad” where i can ever show my Movies in my Pocket…
would be nice if you answer…
P.S.: I am German, so please forget my bad english:)
-Instafrak-
@elan Can I ask who I need to approach to get a feature that was inexplicably removed from Plex back in? http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/56028-plex-background-music/ It’s been over a year since it was removed with zero response despite continuous flagging to add it back again. I’m stuck on an old version of Plex because I don’t want to upgrade to silence.
@Elan:
I have updated the PMS and now it has the Cover Drag n Drop thanks for your awesome work.
@Adam: We dropped it when we resynced to upstream code, and adding it back hasn’t been a priority based on the small number of people that seemed to care deeply about it. I’m really sorry, and I hope that we can address it in the future via a less “hacky” mechanism for kicking off a playlist.
@Instafrak ~ your English is much much better than my German
In the latest version of Plex/Web (the management UI) you can drag-and-drop upload your own posters.
@elan Thanks! Yeah sure, I understand that its just that it’s been a very centric part of the experience for me so it’s really disappointing that it’s not in newer versions, is it not possible to just pull the original code back across? — I mean it’s not a feature that needed to be in the UI to setup, was quite happy to manually drop the files out of sight of the main interface
The original feature was super Mac-only, and since the resync we’re cross platform (OS X, Windows & Linux), so it seemed like it didn’t make sense to pull in a feature like that which was tied to a platform. Plus, it’s never as easy as it sounds
Just downloaded this release and hoped this version would fix a problem I have had since last 3 updates but still keep getting a “PlexScriptHost.exe” popup every few seconds … it has nothing in it and it does NOTHING (even disrupting this reply)! What does/should it do? Can I delete the program?
Very annoying and unusable as it continually happens whilst playing a movie from the Media Centre.
I am running an up-to-date SP4 OS with Server and Centre on same box which ran Plex great prior to last 3 updates.
Any help would be appreciated.
Les
@Les: It almost sounds like you have an advanced preference set called “Launch plugins in debug mode”. Additionally, if the windows are disappearing that generally means the plugins are not able to start.
@elan, Thanks….problem solved, do not know/remember how this option was set but after unset all great!
Does Plex for Windows 8 allow to play live audio streams (webradios) from shoutcast?
Anyone?
Thanks.
@Jeff: Shoutcast is not supported, sorry.
Since updating to this server release, tv shows and movies aren’t grabbing metadata.
actually, a reinstall and a manual refresh got it working again.
Plex is actually the best app for streaming i ever used. no other applications, even those that cost money are not as nice and functional as plex!
would even buy this software
I see you added search by Album.. any chance you will be adding music playlist support anytime soon? Please !!
It’s really refreshing to see a piece of software being so actively worked on. Thanks very much for all the work on Plex – it has had a big impact on how I enjoy my media.
Hello! Your site is in English. I am from Russia. Do not know if I do not write there? I have a problem: I installed the server on your computer to watch movies on a smart TV. Half months it worked fine, but then the TV turns off suddenly and turned. As soon as I remove your server from a PC TV works fine again. Tried to reinstall your server again. The problem with turning off the TV remains arbitrary LG TV System windows 7. Please, please, can this problem remedied? Yours!
Doesn’t seem to be in the yum repo yet
What kind of filters are you using in your images??
I mean the dog’s images. Thanks in advanced!
@Sergio ~ VSCO.
Ohh yeah!… I love VSCO!
THANKS!