Plex media server comes to non-jailbroken Apple TVs with new hack
Thanks to an innovative hack, owners of the Apple TV set-top box can now get access to the popular media server software Plex without having to "jailbreak" their devices.
Dubbed PlexConnect, the hack was developed by Plex users Baa, roidy, and f00b4r. It involves running a program that pretends to be Apple's Trailers app on a computer connected to the Apple TV and changing a network setting on the Apple TV. Those two acts combined essentially fool the Apple TV into accepting Plex content without having to "jailbreak," or hack the device to run unauthorized code.
The workaround gives tech savvy Apple TV owners a way to have access to yet another media service. Plex allows users to organize their videos, photos, and music, but the software has until now been unavailable on non-jailbroken Apple TVs.
Jailbreaking an Apple TV or any iOS device can be a risky affair, as users will at the very least void the warranty, and at worst could render their device non-functional. Jailbreaking iOS-powered devices like the Apple TV and iPhone allows users to run code not approved by Apple, opening up new features and capabilities.
As it is a workaround it is possible that future Apple TV firmware updates could disable PlexConnect. Given that the Plex community developed the hack, though, any such feature loss would likely result in a quick adaptation of code to reenable PlexConnect.
A version of Plex for the iPhone and iPad is available in the iTunes App Store. It allows users to stream and navigate content from their and their friends' Plex servers over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.
Dubbed PlexConnect, the hack was developed by Plex users Baa, roidy, and f00b4r. It involves running a program that pretends to be Apple's Trailers app on a computer connected to the Apple TV and changing a network setting on the Apple TV. Those two acts combined essentially fool the Apple TV into accepting Plex content without having to "jailbreak," or hack the device to run unauthorized code.
The workaround gives tech savvy Apple TV owners a way to have access to yet another media service. Plex allows users to organize their videos, photos, and music, but the software has until now been unavailable on non-jailbroken Apple TVs.
Jailbreaking an Apple TV or any iOS device can be a risky affair, as users will at the very least void the warranty, and at worst could render their device non-functional. Jailbreaking iOS-powered devices like the Apple TV and iPhone allows users to run code not approved by Apple, opening up new features and capabilities.
As it is a workaround it is possible that future Apple TV firmware updates could disable PlexConnect. Given that the Plex community developed the hack, though, any such feature loss would likely result in a quick adaptation of code to reenable PlexConnect.
A version of Plex for the iPhone and iPad is available in the iTunes App Store. It allows users to stream and navigate content from their and their friends' Plex servers over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.
Comments
How hard would it be for Apple to fix the 'hole' in an update?
Plex is a very smart program. I'm sure Apple will find a way to "fix" this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andysol
Plex is a very smart program. I'm sure Apple will find a way to "fix" this.
I doubt it. Unless Apple support starts getting a bunch of calls related to this, I can't see why Apple would bother. The percentage of AppleTV owners who will learn about this is probably in the single digits and a tiny fraction of them will try it out. If this were an iPhone or iPad hack, Apple would be all over it, but not AppleTV.
On the other hand... if this clues Apple in to a more generic "exploitable" issue with iOS in general, then yeah they will fix it. But then it really would be a fix and not a quote-unquote "fix."
I'd guess it would be pretty simple.
Quote:
Originally Posted by focher
Every time jailbreaking is mentioned in an article on this site, the statement is made that this voids the warranty. Apple has never made such a claim. They are always careful to say it "may" void the warranty because there are a lot of legal and regulatory restrictions under what conditions warranty coverage can be denied. Unless Apple can demonstrate that the jailbreaking actually caused the problem which the warranty coverage is being requested, it cannot deny coverage. This is settled law and not open to anyone's opinion that it should be otherwise.
quite..
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3743?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
How hard would it be for Apple to fix the 'hole' in an update?
Or they could introduce an Apple TV app store instead of blocking it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by focher
Every time jailbreaking is mentioned in an article on this site, the statement is made that this voids the warranty. Apple has never made such a claim. They are always careful to say it "may" void the warranty because there are a lot of legal and regulatory restrictions under what conditions warranty coverage can be denied. Unless Apple can demonstrate that the jailbreaking actually caused the problem which the warranty coverage is being requested, it cannot deny coverage. This is settled law and not open to anyone's opinion that it should be otherwise.
The only problem with jailbreaking is you cant service the device if its jailbreak. You need to put back the original solftware before. The problem is some users are unable to do it and they are left with a broken product.
I tried Plex media server and it seemed to take over my iMac. It was a chore to uninstall it! With iTunes I can stream videos to any Apple TV in my house, or any iPad, or iPhone. Apple has Netflix and Hulu, etc. I can also purchase a great deal of content from the iTunes store. I just don't feel that Plex is worth it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zBernie
I tried Plex media server and it seemed to take over my iMac. It was a chore to uninstall it! With iTunes I can stream videos to any Apple TV in my house, or any iPad, or iPhone. Apple has Netflix and Hulu, etc. I can also purchase a great deal of content from the iTunes store. I just don't feel that Plex is worth it.
Sounds like you are talking about Plex and not Plex media server. Two different downloads. The Media server won't take over the screen like Plex does which is what you are describing. I made the same mistake when I first set it up.
I tried Plex for a while with my MacMini and TV, but it somehow just didn't gel well. Apple then re-released the Apple TV in India and I went for it. Guess I am Apple's target market - make it simple enough!!
I can stream directly from my network storage to my Samsung TV. There's no need to have a PC running itunes or plex. I use the Apple TV mostly for Netflix and the occasional rental from itunes. I've yet to find a nice way to stream from TV websites though. Most seem to use flash so airplay won't work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjwal
I can stream directly from my network storage to my Samsung TV. There's no need to have a PC running itunes or plex. I use the Apple TV mostly for Netflix and the occasional rental from itunes. I've yet to find a nice way to stream from TV websites though. Most seem to use flash so airplay won't work.
Plex lets you watch any video including flash. Just go to the site and click the plex it link from your toolbar. Great work around for getting Hulu free on your TV and for watching pretty much anything you can watch on your mac on your TV