Kodi, originally known as XBMC, has evolved over the years, with some of its code dating back to 2008 under the name XBMC2008. Plex, a derivative of Kodi, is more user-friendly but is not open-source. Unlike Kodi, Plex operates under strict control by its provider, making it impossible to install pirated material on the platform.
Key Features of Plex
One of Plex’s standout features is its ability to set up a main server, such as your PC or laptop, and share media across multiple devices. This allows users to stream content on smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, and other devices like Roku and Firestick. However, Plex’s customization options can be complicated, which is one of its few disadvantages.
Overview of Plex
- Plex on PS4: Setting up an app in Plex is straightforward. Once installed, the app automatically discovers any Plex servers on your network. The server tracks your viewing habits, showing which content you’ve watched or are in the process of watching. Each file has a “watched” status indicator to help keep track of what you’ve seen.
- Plex on Roku: Roku, a media streaming box, allows users to stream movies, music, and TV series to their TVs. Plex is compatible with Roku, making it easy to stream media.
However, Kodi is not officially supported on Roku because it is a native C/C++ application, which Roku doesn’t support. While there is no official Kodi app for Roku, you can still use Kodi on Roku via the Screen Mirroring feature.
Conclusion
Plex is not a standalone streaming media player but serves as a versatile media playback system. It allows users to stream their movies, TV shows, music, photos, and any other multimedia content stored on a server to various devices. While Plex doesn’t directly support IPTV players, it offers the ability to cast content to devices that may not otherwise support IPTV playback, making it a powerful media-sharing tool for any home network.