Plex, which is a client-server media player system, is acquiring more and more features that theoretically makes things easier for its users. By incorporating a television recording feature, the system is pulling more and more tricks, especially when compared to the other media players in the market.
How Does It Work?
Forbes notes that users who already have HDHomeRun on their network, will be able to easily find the feature. Plex should be able to find the feature on its own and correspondingly detect channels. After which, users need to only use the Plex interface to record showings and later watch the same through any Plex platform.
How Is It Better Than Traditional DVR?
Like with most Plex features, the real selling point of its newest feature is the user interface, although this ultimately depends on the Plex medium. The feature provides suggestions to the user and even helps the user find whatever they wish to record. Furthermore, the feature lists down shows' details.
The feature is also relatively large-scale as users can record entire seasons with the [press of a button. These shows can then be downloaded, as long as the network is set up in such a way that Plex is allowed out of one's firewall.
What's The Catch?
According to C|Net, the feature is available for users only when they have the HDHomeRun, an external box that connects a television antenna, which is currently a $90 in value. Furthermore, the feature is only currently available at a beta testing level, for Plex Pass subscribers, who pay an additional $5 for extra Plex features.
Therefore, users that only have Plex for free will not be able to experience the new DVR feature. As Jason Williams, director of product and growth at plex, it is because the data needed to populate the program, which is currently provided by Gracenote, is not free.
The publication also claims that it is more limited than the traditional DVRs.
