Anyone using any combination of Plex, Channels, PlayOn, or other variations? Any strategies you use, specifically for streaming shows?

@matt Yeah man! Stremio+Torrentio+RealDebrid works great!

@matt Yeah. That is the downside if you watch a lot on your phone.

@matt But… you can use the web browser on your phone.

@danielmrose I would need easy offline access (kids iPads) for trips and such.

@matt Ahhh…

Yeah, no idea how to stream offline. I mean I know Netflix will let you download stuff to your device.

@danielmrose Most mainline services (Disney, Netflix, etc) have ways to download a limited amount to device for that reason (but downloads expire).

And some of the tangential services (Channels, Plex) allow it as well. The challenge comes with combining the two (Disney + Plex for example) when wanting something more permanent.

Very well might be a problem without a solution unless going full on on the torrent route. PlayOn does have some potential solutions, and it can be integrated with Channels.

Lots of variables, one-offs, and potholes.

@matt Indeed. If you’re going to go torrent route, use Real Debrid. Way safer.

@danielmrose Good tip, thanks. I’ve never done much with torrents. So any advice is appreciated.

@Mtt I have both Plex and Channels running. I used to use Plex as a DVR with HDHomeRun and locals via antenna. Currently use Channels logged in to YouTubeTV to record shows locally, though there are a few networks that Channels can't access that way.

@Mtt use both Plex and Channels. On a friend’s server for kids shows on Plex and have my own lossless music library there. Use Channels with an HD Homerun and IPTV for Italian channels, mostly.

@bryan If you were starting from scratch, would you still want both (not considering music)?

@johnchandler What’s the reason for using both? One for live/streaming and one for your library?

@Mtt they Don’t do the same things for me. At least as far as I know. I can’t plug in an IPTV m3u address into Plex and populate a channel guide. I don’t pay for an online cable package, so it’s all ad hoc. That’s the appeal of a channels for me, the DVR part is just a nice to have feature.

@bryan What’s your preferred IPTV provider?

@Mtt not a provider…here.

@bryan If you don’t mind me asking, how’s that work for you. Let’s say I want to watch a random regional broadcast of a live football game that’s out of my region. You do that with IPTV as mentioned?

@Mtt No. They run news during those times. You have to figure something else out if you want to watch sports. I periodically pay for ESPN, MLB or catch Friday baseball on Apple TV+ (free with my cell phone plan). But I’m not as religious about sports, so this doesn’t work for everyone.

@bryan That last part has been my strategy so far. I typically pay for MLB and limit NFL to what I can access.

@Mtt I had Plex first just as a media server for our ripped DVDs, music etc. Then realized it could DVR the broadcast channels with HDHomeRun which we used for a few years. It's still running -- though mostly as an archive for all older music, movies, etc. (But I'm also considering going back to Plex + Tidal as my primary music service.)

We moved to an area with poor reception, so I added Channels because of the feature to record from YouTubeTV (and others). I still prefer the versatility of recording local copies over their cloud DVR when I can, and it's better for skipping commercials.

@danielmrose Just registered. But I am definitely confused. I’m logged in but not sure how to use the service. Let’s say I want to download “Show Name”. How do I do that?

@matt so from the torrents page you will need a bit torrent link. typically from something like eztv or pirate bay. paste it into the box. the service will download that file. then there will be a green box you can click to download the file to your computer.

@danielmrose Oh, so it’s a middleman type of thing. Got it. Gonna put it to work tonight. Thanks!

@matt Yup! It bit torrents on your behalf. And, if the file is already in their cloud then you can download immediately.

@danielmrose Thanks again for help. Went all-in and it's been great. I appreciate it.

@matt Brilliant my dude!