Plex adds Live TV support for Plex Pass subscribers on Apple's iPhone & iPad

Plex on Thursday introduced a Live TV feature for Plex Pass subscribers with antennas, letting them watch shows as they air in addition to taking advantage of existing DVR features.

Viewers must have a compatible tuner, Plex said, but the list has been expanded beyond HDHomeRun models to include ones from brands like Hauppauge and AVerMedia. Live streaming is limited to the company's apps for iPhone/iPad and Android TV, which can now browse a program guide and manage recordings as well. More platforms are promised in the future.

The developer has meanwhile improved its DVR engine, making it possible to watch and record simultaneously, while also better dealing with overlapping recordings on the same channel. Plex noted while that while most U.S. networks and many international ones are supported, its technology doesn't allow access to encrypted channels.

A Plex Pass costs $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 permanently. The company reserves new and advanced features for Pass subscribers, such as support for parental controls and multiple users.

The Live TV technology should eventually come to the Plex Apple TV app. All Plex clients require a connection to a device running as a Plex Media Server, typically a Mac or Windows PC.

14 Comments

eightzero 3145 comments · 14 Years

About 7 years ago

I'm not a Plex user, but this is good news. More and more options that employ the use of an antenna.

I'll get really excited when ATV has a coax port and a couple of OTA tuners added to it. Not holding my breath on that though.

Metriacanthosaurus 880 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

sog35 said:

eightzero said:

I'm not a Plex user, but this is good news. More and more options that employ the use of an antenna.

I'll get really excited when ATV has a coax port and a couple of OTA tuners added to it. Not holding my breath on that though.

never going to happen (ATV with coax port)

Why wait for Apple? Just get this Plex Pass or use the Channels App. I get OTA channels right on my Apple TV using HDHomerun/Antenna/Channels App. It works beautifully. And best of all ZERO monthly fee. Just buy the hardware ( $99 HD homerun, $20 antenna) and channels App ($25).

No need to switch sources. The App is right on AppleTV

Yeah, but if you're already paying for Plex Pass for its other features, this is a huge benefit. No need to buy the $25 Channels app, and Plex has the DVR capabilities, which can store the content on the same NAS that I'm streaming my library from. Instantly adding to the already existing local on demand library i have Plex for.

This update really completes the puzzle of Plex.

Now I just need to get an antenna and a HD Home Run.

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

Does it "clean up" the OTA signal? If you don't need the DVR function I'm not seeing the value.

Mike Wuerthele 6901 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

seanismorris said:

Does it "clean up" the OTA signal? If you don't need the DVR function I'm not seeing the value.

Depends on your viewing habits, I suspect. I don't sit and watch much television in a conventional environment, but I do have video streams on while I work.

And, I'm not sure what you mean by "clean up."

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

Mike Wuerthele said:

seanismorris said:

Does it "clean up" the OTA signal? If you don't need the DVR function I'm not seeing the value.

Depends on your viewing habits, I suspect. I don't sit and watch much television in a conventional environment, but I do have video streams on while I work.

And, I'm not sure what you mean by "clean up."

The OTA Signal isn't always the greatest. It goes from great HD to pixelated, it must be getting some kind of interference.

I've tried a signal booster but it didn't seem to do much. As a result I haven't turned on th TV in over a year, and consume media online.

I would be interested in the local channels for sports, but only if the signal improved.