Plex Redesign Overview

Plex is diving into the future of streaming with a significant redesign of its app, now available for testing on Apple TV. The company originally began rolling out this "reimagined" user experience on mobile devices back in November and is now ready to incorporate feedback from a wider audience on larger screens. While Plex acknowledges that this preview is not without its flaws, the excitement around new features is palpable.

New Navigation Features

One of the standout changes is the revamped navigation that prominently features options for Live TV and on-demand rentals. However, users who prefer to focus solely on their personal media library can easily disable these features, tailoring the experience to their preferences.

Joining the Preview

For those eager to jump into the preview, it's important to note that opting in is necessary, as the traditional Plex app remains unchanged for now. Users can find detailed instructions for joining the preview on the Plex website.

Enhanced Social Features

In a move to encourage community engagement, Plex is also enhancing its social features. Now, users can explore movie and TV show reviews shared by others, fostering a collaborative environment similar to popular platforms like Letterboxd. By adjusting privacy settings, users can make their profiles public, allowing friends and family to view their watching history, Watchlist, and even exchange comments on reviews.

Hardware Encoding and Video Quality Improvements

In addition to these exciting social enhancements, Plex is introducing hardware encoding for HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) to all Plex Plus subscribers. This technology promises improved visual quality at comparable bit rates, meaning users can enjoy higher-quality videos while consuming the same or less bandwidth from their Plex Media Server. Furthermore, HDR (High Dynamic Range) metadata will be fully preserved, enhancing the viewing experience for compatible content. HEVC encoding will be supported on platforms including macOS, Linux, and Windows, specifically for Apple, Intel, or Nvidia hardware.

Conclusion

Get ready for an immersive and interactive experience like never before with Plex’s new offerings on Apple TV! Don’t miss out—make sure to join the preview and be part of shaping the future of streaming!