Anyone using Plex to Supplement Kaleidescape?

[Edgar]

Hey folks, one of the reasons I prefer Kaleidescape is the convenience, in both arranging my collection on server and playing back that collection from server. However, there are at least 20 4K and 20 HD discs I have that aren’t in Kaleidescape. I’m debating whether to put in the time to at least rip those to my Plex server. Do folk here use Plex still? Or do you just play from disc when you need to?

 

[ht guy]

Don't use Plex (even tho I have a lifetime) - just put non-K on local server and play with z9x.

 

[gtherring]

I rip mkv to NAS and playback via Infuse on ATV. Nice UI for scrolling through the collection.

 

[thrillcat]

I kept the PLEX server when I shifted to Kaleidescape for several reasons.

It’s also our DVR.

I use it for clients - I can easily drop a file into a client-dedicated library and they can access on whatever type of screen/audio system they want to review on.

I have several laserdiscs digitized in there, titles that were never released again.

I have some titles that are not in Kaleidescape yet that live there, or things like 4K77 and the newly released 35mm scan of T2.

Of course, when I shifted to K I downsized it dramatically and I no longer have a huge server, moved it to a Mac Mini and no longer have a drive for ripping. And then my Blu-ray player died. Something’s gonna have to give in the future, not sure what.

 

[LoveCinema]

I keep the discs around with easy access. Grabbing one and popping it in is faster and easier than ripping and maintaining another system.

My "Better on Disc" or "Not on K" disc counts are in the hundreds. That's without 3D, which would put it closer to 1,000. If I only needed to augment 25-50 titles, I'd likely rip 'em.

 

[Transepoch]

Option D - import to costarred Kaleidescape Premier system (I would argue not spiritually equivalent to the first choice)

 

[JohnJ]

Option D - import to costarred Kaleidescape Premier system (I would argue not spiritually equivalent to the first choice)

Same here.

John

 

[lurch]

Same here.

John

That is my preference too.

 

[Kaycee2000]

I use my zappiti player, but it's basically similar to a plex scenario.. at the end of the day, some movies o4 shows are either not on kscape or overpriced there, so I use the older system still, but rarely, lol.

 

[randman]

I use both Plex and Kaleidescape. Except for a handful of must-have demo movies, I use Plex for all movies that I got before purchasing my Kaleidescape. I also use Plex for home videos. All new, must-watch-now (or ten minutes from now) are purchased from Kaleidescape. Some new movies I still get on physical disk if I want access beyond my Home Theater (putting a movie in Plex gives me access from any Apple TV, Shield, iPad, iPhone etc, and most discs come with digital codes so the movie can be enjoyed almost anywhere.... wish Plex works with Movies Anywhere). Also, some movies, even new ones, may not have a 4K version in disc, so the Kaleidescape 4K version is a must get.

 

[MikeKobb]

Y'all will not be surprised to hear that I also do Option D. ;-) Of course I _started_ with a Premiere system.

 

[mariyoshikong]

I use a combination of plex for family shows and movies and zappiti for my 3D and boutique discs.

I would really love an updated version of option D.

A 4K disc vault that allows for playback on encore systems would be awesome. I understand that it isn’t as simple as that since there is currently no movie guide data for 4k discs and it could possibly be seen as a competitor for the movie store but man would I pay a pretty penny to be able to dump the zappiti.

 

[rbienstock]

Y'all will not be surprised to hear that I also do Option D. ;-) Of course I _started_ with a Premiere system.

I do too, with one addition: I buy the 4K disk that usually comes with a Blu-ray and I put it in a category 4K disk only which reminds me not to play it on the Kaleidescape but to pull out the disk and watch it on a separate player. I include in that category 4K titles that are in the store with the theatrical version only but have extended versions on disk.

 

[Edgar]

Option D - import to costarred Kaleidescape Premier system (I would argue not spiritually equivalent to the first choice)

Isn’t Premiere only an HD legacy product? It’s not going to serve 4K disc files, right? I should clarify that it’s the 4K quality bar I’m solving for. It’s not worth it to me to go through that much effort for the handful (18) of HD disc titles I’m missing, just to get to HD quality, compared to the much larger quantity (51) of 4K disc titles that I’m trying to manage. If there were a way to manage all my 4K titles between K and disc in one UI, that would be wonderful!

 

[Edgar]

For now, it seems Plex is an adequate choice to get my 4K discs on screen without getting up to deal with the physical discs. But avoiding this hassle was precisely why I was interested in K in the first place. I guess ripping 51 discs is less hassle than ripping 250 discs. I’ll think about it.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

I like the enthusiasm!

However, the likelihood of a film that's not on "The Store" and in the UHD format is a very small number. Most good films NOT on "The Store" are in DVD and Blu-ray Disc Format. If you want something that's integrated and the whole family can use, then using an Alto+DV700, MV700, and other players, mentioned above, with a Co-Star.. is the way to go.

The only benefit to Plex is the capacity to stream your content to a friend, mobile device or other offsite location. Even then, if you've got a boat, then Kaleidescape has a solution for you.

 

[LoveCinema]

However, the likelihood of a film that's not on "The Store" and in the UHD format is a very small number. Most good films NOT on "The Store" are in DVD and Blu-ray Disc Format.

Actually, I find that most of my “Better on Disc” movies are 4K. Foreign discs, boutique labels, K not having contracts, or just K dropping the ball.

If I look at just the past few weeks of my own purchases…
Godzilla Minus One 4K (Japan)
The Crow 4K (Not on K)
The Name of the Rose 4K (France)
The Dreamers 4K (UK)
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 4K (Bought on K)
Crimson Peak 4K (Arrow)
Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 4K (Bought on K)

Seven movies; K could get three but only got two. And, those two got special features on other digital stores but not on K. I could cite another dozen examples from the same period that follow a similar pattern, they’re just not on my buy list.

Again, love my K, and it's unreasonable to expect most of the movies above. That's why I have a region-free player that takes external subtitles. I looked at the Premiere + Disc Vault + Co-Star option, but it would only address Blu-ray/DVDs and there's the complication of regions. If I had more time on my hands I'd do a lot of ripping and look at something like a Zidoo. For now, grabbing a disc and walking it to the player works.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

That means you're:

Option E: region free 4K disc player.

There is the other aspect of films in UHD, but not on UHD disc. (whole sub topic on this here). We can further shift the conversation that theaters aren't showing HDR content simply because we're still improving. Most of all if you watch movies with someone else, they really don't care as much as you do.

 

[Edgar]

I may go for Option F. Like LoveCinema, keep my Oppo handy for the more single-view 4K discs, and take Thrillcat's approach to transfer to Plex those essential repeat-view titles missing in 4K from K, like:

The Abyss SE
Aliens SE
Conan the Barbarian
Dune (1984)
Eastern Promises
The Fisher King
High Noon
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
The Martian EE
Rashomon (HD)
The Seventh Seal
The Seven Samurai (HD)
Star Trek The Motion Picture Directors Cut
Thelma & Louise

LoveCinema, I'm thinking of importing that Godzilla Minus One disk too, since I can play external subtitles. When I check Amazon Japan, the price seems nuts. Ebay seems slightly better. Not sure we'll see a 4K disc release outside of Japan, even if a Blu-ray comes out for the US.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

I may go for Option F. Like LoveCinema, keep my Oppo handy for the more single-view 4K discs, and take Thrillcat's approach to transfer to Plex those essential repeat-view titles missing in 4K from K, like:

The Abyss SE
Aliens SE
Conan the Barbarian
Dune (1984)
Eastern Promises
The Fisher King
High Noon
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
The Martian EE
Rashomon (HD)
The Seventh Seal
The Seven Samurai (HD)
Star Trek The Motion Picture Directors Cut
Thelma & Louise

LoveCinema, I'm thinking of importing that Godzilla Minus One disk too, since I can play external subtitles. When I check Amazon Japan, the price seems nuts. Ebay seems slightly better. Not sure we'll see a 4K disc release outside of Japan, even if a Blu-ray comes out for the US.

Option F is a duplicate of option E.

Edgar, it seems like you’re overcomplicating things with these additional requirements. Let’s be real here: you bought a Kaleidescape system, which is already a significant investment. If you’re not willing to spend a bit more for the convenience and quality it offers, maybe this isn’t the right hobby for you. The support group is for those who have already invested and are enjoying the system, not for endless nitpicking about cost-saving hacks.