Question Kodi alternatives ?

[SyCoREAPER]

Looking for something similar to Kodi in that it can read my local library (ext-hdd) without the need for a host/server. It needs to have a media center like interface. I'm using VLC in the meantime but it obviously doesn't have a media interface.

Kodi is a piece of crap that always randomly drops movies or shows from my library despite being on the drive and occasionally unfixable stuttering with certain episodes (not due lack of performance).

And I don't want a server because I don't currently have a place to put one.

 

[boohoo2u]

When you say you don't want a host/server, what are you currently using for playing your media e.g. Firestick or SmartTV hub software?

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Right now I'm having Kodi do on the fly transcoding/upscaling on a ShieldTV Pro. I only need it on one TV for now ergo the no server/host.

I fixed the playback issue with certain episodes last night but the library not fully importing despite numerous changes to names, formats, etc, I'm fed up.

Plex worked perfectly but again, that requires a host PC to do the transcoding.

 

[boohoo2u]

I haven't used Kodi in years as Plex is so much better as you say. I understand you can install Plex on a ShieldTV Pro (the non pro doesn't work apparently) which may solve your problem?

 

[Viking2121]

I use Jellyfin myself, its simple, less headache than Plex is, and my internet often goes out, country life, an Plex just doesn't work with no internet, you can get it to work, but then it makes all users Admin, yay! And you can't use hardware transcoding without an active internet connection regardless if you paid for it or not, another big yay!

Jellyfin just works regardless, But you do need to have a alright CPU or compatible GPU to transcode if your device doesn't natively support the format.

You can use Kodi as well to view your stuff you have on Jellyfin, I've done it once long time ago and I don't remember the steps.

Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby, Im sure there is more out there

Good Luck!

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I haven't used Kodi in years as Plex is so much better as you say. I understand you can install Plex on a ShieldTV Pro (the non pro doesn't work apparently) which may solve your problem?

Plex only acts as a client, I tried that unfortunately, it won't even look at local files.

I use Jellyfin myself, its simple, less headache than Plex is, and my internet often goes out, country life, an Plex just doesn't work with no internet, you can get it to work, but then it makes all users Admin, yay! And you can't use hardware transcoding without an active internet connection regardless if you paid for it or not, another big yay!

Jellyfin just works regardless, But you do need to have a alright CPU or compatible GPU to transcode if your device doesn't natively support the format.

You can use Kodi as well to view your stuff you have on Jellyfin, I've done it once long time ago and I don't remember the steps.

Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby, Im sure there is more out there

Good Luck!

All examples of what I don't want unfortunately. I do not want a PC doing the workload. I want a media frontend that runs on Android. So far the Shield and Cube 3 🤮 work perfectly with Kodi 🤮 but Kodi doesn't work perfectly. Even my 40GB Rips (I figured if im going to spend the time making my own Netflix, they might as well look good) of Blurays play without issue.

It's just that Kodi is doo-doo ka-ka.

 

[USAFRet]

Plex only acts as a client, I tried that unfortunately, it won't even look at local files.

Yes it does.

"Plex Media Server" will absolutely index your local files, on a local system.

Plex Media Server Requirements

Whether you want to run your Plex Media Server on your every-day computer, you’re looking to use a dedicated computer,...

support.plex.tv

The only reason I don't use it is because it will not work with straight DVD rips. ISO files, for instance.

Converting ISO, Video_TS, and Other Disk Image Formats

Plex does not support the use of ISO, IMG, Video_TS, BDMV, or other “disk image” formats. If you wish to...

support.plex.tv

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Yes it does.

"Plex Media Server" will absolutely index your local files, on a local system.

Plex Media Server Requirements

Whether you want to run your Plex Media Server on your every-day computer, you’re looking to use a dedicated computer,...

support.plex.tv

The only reason I don't use it is because it will not work with straight DVD rips. ISO files, for instance.

Converting ISO, Video_TS, and Other Disk Image Formats

Plex does not support the use of ISO, IMG, Video_TS, BDMV, or other “disk image” formats. If you wish to...

support.plex.tv

Interesting. I guess I never bothered checking (that's on me of course) because no other Android based device did (like Fire or Android on Phones or Tablets).

Fortunately I ripped them all (I hope I was smart enough to do so***) as mkvs for compatibility reasons.


***That is not in reference to your use-case/decision @USAFRet to use ISOs, just for me personally.

 

[USAFRet]

Interesting. I guess I never bothered checking (that's on me of course) because no other Android based device did (like Fire or Android on Phones or Tablets).

Fortunately I ripped them all (I hope I was smart enough to do so***) as mkvs for compatibility reasons.


***That is not in reference to your use-case/decision @USAFRet to use ISOs, just for me personally.

I leave them as ISO or Video_TS, because that retains all the functionality of the original DVD.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Well that was not at all Intuitive. Hopefully this helps someone else.

First, I didn't even know there was a separate Media Server App. It never showed up on the Shield but did on Google search results, so I pushed it to the Shield. Open it, nothing. Icon does nothing.

So I decided to try the Plex App that was installed beforehand. No media server.

I remove the regular Plex app, reinstall it, relaunch it, low and behold it suddenly sees there's a server.


They definitely could have made this way more user friendly to set up and the web guide more description in its steps. No wonder I never knew about the server portion.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Suddenly Kodi is looking like a Masterpiece.

Plex Server is running on the Shield, web portal sees all my content. Plex locally does not.

Edit.

Jesus God this is so ridiculously convoluted. I had to force stop the client app on the Shield, clear cache and restart for it to see its own library. Now comes the watching test.....

Edit

Despite all these frankly bizarre annoyances and technical mishaps, thank you everyone, especially @USAFRet for the links pushing me in the right direction.