I’ve had a few different iterations of my setup since cutting the cord.
AirPlay from iOS to AppleTV.
Pros - stable.
Cons - you’re screwed if someone calls you. Fast-forward didn’t always work the way it should. Not friendly to have people over who want/need to operate the TV. We had someone staying at our house and he was kinda screwed.
PlexConnect/Trailers App on AppleTV to PLEX.
Pros - I could use my phone again. Harmony remote could be used
Cons - I was using a MacBook for my PLEX server so it’d hibernate. It also required a DNS server. Too many moving parts when something didn’t work.
Plex Home Theater/Plex Server
Pros - Fewer moving parts. Remote worked.
Cons - This setup worked well until we started using Sling. Sling didn’t have a Plex channel so I was stuck switching apps whenever we wanted to watch something on Sling.
Back to iOS, AirPlay, AppleTV
Pros - stable. switching between apps was easy.
Cons - Same as above. Also Sling destroys a battery in a very short period of time.
Roku 4
Pros - Apps for Tablo and Sling, as well as Amazon, Netflix and even Plex if you already have lots of Plex content. Harmony remote works - I can control everything as can anyone staying at our house. Press “Watch TV” and everything powers on.
Cons - There are a few little quirks, but this has been my favorite setup.
I wanted to wait until the new AppleTV came out, but it didn’t sound like Tablo was going to have an app ready to go day one. We have someone staying at the house in a few weeks and I wasn’t going to leave him without TV again. I also wasn’t sure if Sling or Plex were going to have anything ready to go either. My wife has been amazingly receptive. If she had her way, we’d just go back to paying Comcast $100/month.
“Native” apps on the device connected to the tv for playback is the best way to go … using “chromecast/airplay” solutions is wonky at best… I also recommend using roku/firetv/nexus/androidtv etc that supports native apps for playback.
I guess I just want to use the Mac Mini as much as I can the only thing it is being used for now is PLEX just thought I could get more use out of it, but maybe you guys are right at least the TV downstairs I can run a roku or the new apple TV keep it simple one machine to do it all AND I can use my harmony one remote might be a win win there !!!
I could just use the Mac Mini browser for tablo and sling then PLEX for my movies but again I think you are right keep it simple is the way to go I will do that either Roku or Apple TV.
My bedroom heck i might even do the same thing LOL I do have another Mac Mini would like to use it but the interface is prob better on the Roku and Apple TV It sounds like the PLEX tablo app is not getting updated or has not been updated and will not be the best solution.
If you recommend the Winegard antenna the white one i might also just go with that one as again i want to try to get the best I can without breaking the bank and to include all of your recommendations !!!
Honestly, I’d use the Plex server as a Plex server. There are tons of other things you can do with Plex. Rip DVDs, music, pictures…Roku has a Plex channel and I’m sure the other set-top boxes do as well. The Mac Plex thing might work for you, but between Tablo, Amazon and Sling, it wasn’t great for my needs. Hell, try it first and see how it goes.
As far as what to do with the other MacMini - sell it and cover the costs of a couple Rokus/AppleTVs.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m pretty sure I will just go with 2 roku4. Since I do have a 4k TV might as well head in that direction considering I do not own a roku or Apple TV.
I think I will also try my hand at putting up a website no idea what kind but just to tinker around and also a mail server again to tinker around.
Well I think I have my set up pretty much thought out thank all of you for the help !!!
Any other ideas or advice I’m always open to learn more or make things better !! Have a great weekend !!!
