Having recently transitioned from Plex to Emby server, I wanted to share my candid opinions after a week of using Emby. For those considering a switch, here’s a breakdown based on my experience.
Emby Server: The Pros That Won Me Over
Emby has impressed me significantly in several key areas, addressing frustrations I encountered with Plex.
1. Unwavering Reliability and Playback
The most immediate and impactful improvement is Emby’s sheer reliability. Since switching, I haven’t experienced any playback errors, and neither have my remote users. This stability extends to 4K movies, which direct play flawlessly on Emby. Previously, content that required transcoding on Plex now plays smoothly without issue on Emby, streamlining the streaming experience.
2. Deep Customization for a Personalized Media Server
Emby offers an impressive level of customization. The platform allows for granular adjustments to tailor the server to your specific needs and preferences. This flexibility is a major advantage for users who like to fine-tune their media server environment.
3. Simplified User Management
User setup in Emby is straightforward and user-friendly. There’s no need for cumbersome invite systems or account creation hassles for individual users. This streamlined approach simplifies adding and managing users, making it easier to share your media library.
4. Stable and Non-Disruptive Updates
In my short time using Emby, I’ve already encountered two updates, and both were implemented seamlessly without causing any disruptions. This contrasts with experiences where Plex updates occasionally introduced new issues, highlighting Emby’s focus on stability.
5. The Brilliant Skip Intro Feature
A standout feature for TV series viewers is Emby’s “Skip Intro” function. This automatically detects and skips TV show intros, providing a more streamlined and enjoyable viewing experience, especially during binge-watching sessions.
6. Exceptional Community Support, Especially from Luke
A significant highlight has been the outstanding support within the Emby community forums. Specifically, Luke has been incredibly responsive and helpful, answering my questions promptly and thoroughly. This level of dedicated support is invaluable and a major advantage for new users navigating the platform.
Emby Server: Minor Drawbacks to Consider
While Emby excels in many areas, there are a few minor cons to consider, particularly when directly comparing it to Plex.
1. Missing Standalone Music Player App like Plexamp
For dedicated music listening, Emby currently lacks a standalone music player app comparable to Plexamp for Android. This might be a drawback for users heavily invested in music streaming through their media server and accustomed to Plexamp’s dedicated music experience.
2. Roku Scrolling Issue in Movie Library
On Roku devices, navigating the movie library using the alphabet sidebar (# – Z) can experience freezing. Currently, scrolling needs to be done in segments (e.g., # – M, then M – Z) to avoid this. While this only affects movies and not TV shows, and doesn’t exist on Plex, it’s a minor inconvenience on the Roku platform that hopefully will be addressed in future updates.
3. Trailers and Theme Songs Require Manual Addition
Unlike Plex, Emby doesn’t automatically provide trailers for all movies or theme songs for all TV series. These need to be added manually by the user. While Plex’s automatic availability of these features is convenient, the manual addition in Emby allows for more control over content and potentially higher quality sources if curated manually.
Conclusion: Why I Recommend Switching from Plex to Emby
Overall, despite a few minor drawbacks, my experience with Emby has been overwhelmingly positive. For users frustrated with Plex updates that disrupt functionality or concerned about Plex’s increasing shift towards a broader streaming service model, Emby presents a compelling alternative. Emby’s reliability, customization options, and strong community support, especially from individuals like Luke, make it a robust and user-friendly media server solution. If you’re seeking a stable, customizable, and dependable media server, I highly recommend considering switching to Emby. Now, the next step is encouraging my remote users to embrace the switch and install the Emby apps!
