cross-posted from: https://poptalk.scrubbles.tech/post/2333639

I was just forwarded this someone in my household who watches our server. That’s it folks. I’ve been a hold out for a long time, but this is honestly it.

They want me to pay to stream content that I bought from my hardware transcoded also on my hardware.

I’ll say it. As of today, I say Plex is dead. Luckily I’ve been setting up Jellyfin, I guess it’s time to make it production ready.

Edit: I have a Plex Pass. More comments saying “Just buy a plex pass” are seriously not getting it. I have a Plex Pass and my users are still getting this.

And for the thousandth person who wants to say the same things to me:

  • YES I know I’m unaffected as a Plex Pass owner.
  • My users were immediately angry at it, which made me angry. Our users don’t understand what plex pass is, and they shouldn’t have to, that’s why I had it. The fact that they were pinged even though it should have kept working is horribly sloppy
  • Plex is still removing functionality. I don’t care that “People should pay their fair share”. If Plex wants to put every new feature behind a paywall, that’s completely okay. They are removing functionality.
    • “But they have cloud costs”. Remote streaming is negligible to them. It’s a dynamic DNS service. Plex client logs in, asks where server is, plex cloud responds with the IP and port of where server is located. That’s it.
    • “Good luck finding another remote streaming” - Again, Plex just opens up an IP and port. Jellyfin also just opens up an IP and port (Hold on jellyfin folks I know, security, that’s a separate conversation). All “remote streaming” is is their dynamic dns. Literal pennies to them. Know what actually is costing them money? Hosting all of that ad-supported “free” content that they’re probably losing money on.

In short, I don’t care how you justify it. Plex is doing something shitty. They’re removing functionality that has been free for years. I’m not responding to any more of your comments repeating the same arguments over and over.

  • LandedGentry@lemmy.zipEnglish
    813·
    23 days ago

    You know all the certs and security and port stuff you need to do? Plex does that. You just download the app, point it at your folders with media, and you’re all set both at your home and beyond it. There is no self hosted solution that is that turnkey. I really don’t understand how so many people don’t see the appeal of that. It makes quasi-selfhosting possible for people with far less technical knowledge than those of us here.

    I could write a less than one page bullet point instruction and virtually anyone who knows how to work a desktop computer could get a server up and running in one or two hours tops. If they have any computer experience, more like 30 minutes.

    What’s more, people with literally no computer knowledge can easily open the app and watch your stuff. They just make an account, download the app, and they’re off to the races. TV, tablet, doesn’t matter. There is no self hosted solution that is nearly as streamlined as Plex. I say this as somebody who likes jellyfin a lot. They are completely different experiences that require completely different levels of knowledge

    • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
      151·
      23 days ago

      I run into you again! This time I get to wholeheartedly agree with you! You are spot on and nailed it.

      I use Plex for exactly the reasons you said because when I set it up I didn’t know anything about self hosting a media server and I wanted to share with family in other locations. I keep it because it’s so easy for my older, less tech savvy family members to access so I don’t have to be their support person for it.

      I’d consider Jellyfin if the end user access was more plug and play.

      The biggest thing about this is I don’t get why OP is so annoyed. If you have a Plex Pass you’re not impacted, you can still share and your users can still access your library for free, they can’t share with you without a Plex Pass but who cares.

      • Pornacount128@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
        2·
        23 days ago

        How exactly are you aquiring a folder full of media without technical know how in the first place? (Genuine question?)

        I suppose having Plex handle users is easier than creating an account but barely imo.

        Not shitting on Plex either, gotta do what you want I think the problems with this kind of thing is the change, people had a free service for years and now they have to change or pay. People hate change, lol

      • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
        0·
        23 days ago

        I’d consider Jellyfin if the end user access was more plug and play.

        It’s about as plug and play as any other website. They just open the app, type in the URL, and log in with their credentials and…that’s it.

              • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
                0·
                22 days ago

                I’m not telling anyone what to do, I’m just saying the VPN is not necessary. Mine is exposed.

                • stephen01king@lemmy.zipEnglish
                  1·
                  22 days ago

                  It’s not advisable to expose Jellyfin to the internet. Telling people they don’t need VPN means you are encouraging them to expose it to the internet.

                  • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
                    01·
                    22 days ago

                    It’s not advisable to expose Jellyfin to the internet.

                    Wrong.

                    Telling people they don’t need VPN means you are encouraging them to expose it to the internet.

                    Wrong again.

    • SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      51·
      23 days ago

      I LOVE Jellyfin but can only imagine the amount of work I’d have to do if I tried to get my parents and in-laws successfully using it. We all just split the cost of lifetime Plex pass the last time it was on sale.

    • kratoz29@lemm.eeEnglish
      21·
      23 days ago

      You know all the certs and security and port stuff you need to do? Plex does that. You just download the app, point it at your folders with media, and you’re all set both at your home and beyond it.

      I am just gonna read your comment until here, Plex does shit if you are CGNATED, and as it is 2025 I suppose most users are, I still needed to expose through IPv6 with a reverse proxy, using a VPS or a VPN to access my Plex Server, so yeah, Plex hasn’t helped me at all since many years ago with the noob friendly approach they have.

      EDIT: Oh and their relay feature is garbage, even for Plex Pass users, and I happen to be a lifetime one.

    • Semperverus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      24·
      23 days ago

      Any time you rely on another company to handle your data, you are beholden to their whims, end of story. Don’t like what they’re doing? Too bad. Give up the convenience and host it yourself, or continue to be a slave to their corporate interests.

      • LandedGentry@lemmy.zipEnglish
        31·
        23 days ago

        Turns out some of us make compromises and you’re just going to have to get over that.

        You use no services that have some info on you? Not one subscription service? Not one social media account? Nothing Google or Apple or Microsoft?