Apps Infuse for Apple TV Released

[karansaraf]

Quick question - if I buy a new Apple TV 4K or the new 4th gen without 4K - will Infuse let me directly stream files from my NAS (like Kodi/XBMC would)?

I can't use Plex because my NAS is not powerful enough to support the Plex backend, will Infuse allow me to stream from NAS without the need to install any software on my NAS, like Kodi/XBMC would do?

My files are all x264, and if supported, I would be using x265.

If not Infuse, then is there an alternative?

 

[firecore]

Quick question - if I buy a new Apple TV 4K or the new 4th gen without 4K - will Infuse let me directly stream files from my NAS (like Kodi/XBMC would)?

I can't use Plex because my NAS is not powerful enough to support the Plex backend, will Infuse allow me to stream from NAS without the need to install any software on my NAS, like Kodi/XBMC would do?

My files are all x264, and if supported, I would be using x265.

If not Infuse, then is there an alternative?

Yes, Infuse on the Apple TV (or iPhone/iPad) will do all the heavy lifting, so you are able to stream from just about any device you can find. In fact, many people stream from an Airport Extreme or Time Capsule, which is essentially just a basic hard drive with no transcoding features whatsoever.

Both h.264 and h.265 are supported, along with many other formats. If you have anything that is 4K, I would recommend the Apple TV 4K as it has a much higher threshold for HEVC 4K videos.

 

[firecore]

A little Monday teaser of our all-new HDR rendering coming in 5.6.

#comingsoon

Before (Infuse 5.5.5)

After (Infuse 5.6)

 

[oneMadRssn]

A little Monday teaser of our all-new HDR rendering coming in 5.6.

#comingsoon

Before (Infuse 5.5.5)
View attachment 726843

After (Infuse 5.6)
View attachment 726844

As I'm viewing these photos on a non-HDR computer screen, the two should look the same in theory. Yet they don't. Shouldn't screenshots of a movie look the same on a computer monitor that doesn't have HDR.

 

[firecore]

As I'm viewing these photos on a non-HDR computer screen, the two should look the same in theory. Yet they don't. Shouldn't screenshots of a movie look the same on a computer monitor that doesn't have HDR.

In theory, an HDR image displayed on a non-HDR screen will appear similarly to the same imaged displayed on a screen that supports HDR. The difference being the HDR colors will only be visible on the HDR screen.

These 2 images in particular were included to simply showcase the difference in how Infuse 5.6 (correctly) handles HDR colors. These images should display the same on all monitors, as they were converted to non-HDR color profiles.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[andrewstirling]

In theory, an HDR image displayed on a non-HDR screen will appear similarly to the same imaged displayed on a screen that supports HDR. The difference being the HDR colors will only be visible on the HDR screen.

These 2 images in particular were included to simply showcase the difference in how Infuse 5.6 (correctly) handles HDR colors, and should display the same on all monitors.

Hope that makes sense.

As a matter of interest, can I ask how much control you have over how colours are mapped for SDR content played back through one of the HDR modes. Is this all handled by Apple? I’m assuming that switching modes is beyond the scope of apps for the time being?

 

[firecore]

As a matter of interest, can I ask how much control you have over how colours are mapped for SDR content played back through one of the HDR modes. Is this all handled by Apple? I’m assuming that switching modes is beyond the scope of apps for the time being?

We've optimized color mapping quite a bit, and so far the results are pretty good.

With regard to on-the-fly resolution/refresh rate switching, this is not yet supported on the Apple TV. However, the fact that they included 24Hz on the ATV4K indicates they are listening. We encourage anyone who is interested in this to submit a feature request to Apple, and a bit more info on how this can be done (along with a handy template to use) can be found here. https://firecore.com/forum/topic/15026

 

[geesus]

Infuse already handles high bitrate 2160p MPEG-H HEVC (as from uncompressed UHD discs) flawlessly, albeit currently with skewed colours, due to the lack of HDR support. I can't wait for the next version!

 

[andeify]

A little Monday teaser of our all-new HDR rendering coming in 5.6.

#comingsoon

Before (Infuse 5.5.5)
View attachment 726843

After (Infuse 5.6)
View attachment 726844

Excellent! I’ve got a couple of (4K HDR) films I’ve been waiting to play. I know everyone has their own viewing preferences and usage, I personally have only just discovered Infuse. I’ve been a Plex user for 5 years or so. I really like the Plex server and the user interface, and while Infuse has nice elements it lacks the user friendly view Plex has, and while the Plex client has a nice UI it lacks the playback capabilities of Infuse.

 

[Perene]

Great! Let us know if you hear anything back.

A reasonable approach would be to use the normal Siri remote volume buttons to control AirPod volume (when the Apple TV senses they are attached). Seems much more intuitive than having tap and talk to your headphones.

I just found out we can adjust the Airpods volume with them! That was exactly what I was looking for. I discovered that myself.

At first I just skimmed your post and was thinking you meant pushing some button to enable Siri (the one with the microphone worked, however redirected me to a search box).

I didn't know these buttons could adjust headphone volume levels. I thought they were only good for my TV.

The reason I didn't notice this at all was because I was using another remote control for the ATV, besides the one from Apple (and I tend to do that to keep the one that came with the ATV in perfect condition). And like I said, before tVOS 11 we had volume controls in the ATV 4 internal settings, and I thought this was the only way to adjust bluetooth headphones. Which didn't make any sense to me, since we need to adjust volume levels on the fly.

Granted, this isn't the volume boost I was expecting but at least now we can hear things more clearly.

 

[firecore]

Excellent! I’ve got a couple of (4K HDR) films I’ve been waiting to play. I know everyone has their own viewing preferences and usage, I personally have only just discovered Infuse. I’ve been a Plex user for 5 years or so. I really like the Plex server and the user interface, and while Infuse has nice elements it lacks the user friendly view Plex has, and while the Plex client has a nice UI it lacks the playback capabilities of Infuse.

We're always working to make things better, so if you'd care to share some of the UI elements of Plex you really like maybe we can work to implement some of them in Infuse.

 

[andeify]

We're always working to make things better, so if you'd care to share some of the UI elements of Plex you really like maybe we can work to implement some of them in Infuse.

Well when I open Plex all my shows and movies are right there. I have my “On Deck” (next up) TV Shows, below that a list of recently added, and then movies and so on... I feel like I’m going through loads of folders on Infuse to get to where I want to be.

Btw it’s a pleasant change to be listened to and to have such a quick response.

 

[andrewstirling]

Well when I open Plex all my shows and movies are right there. I have my “On Deck” (next up) TV Shows, below that a list of recently added, and then movies and so on... I feel like I’m going through loads of folders on Infuse to get to where I want to be.

Btw it’s a pleasant change to be listened to and to have such a quick response.

I’m not a fan of the plex UI but I would like the option for infuse to open straight into library mode.

 

[andeify]

I’m not a fan of the plex UI but I would like the option for infuse to open straight into library mode.

I don’t like the large scrolling posters in library mode it makes me dizzy, also it’s like what I was saying, there’s three menus before I get to a list of tv shows where I’m up to.

But having different preferences would be good, like you said an option to load straight into the library mode would be good for you and a plex style interface option for me and the people coming from plex.

 

[andrewstirling]

I don’t like the large scrolling posters in library mode it makes me dizzy, also it’s like what I was saying, there’s three menus before I get to a list of tv shows where I’m up to.

But having different preferences would be good, like you said an option to load straight into the library mode would be good for you and a plex style interface option for me and the people coming from plex.

Strange. I find the posters too big on plex. :-/ the library view on infuse allows me to see way more films at once....that’s why I prefer it. And there’s always the list view for those who want it.

 

[firecore]

Well when I open Plex all my shows and movies are right there. I have my “On Deck” (next up) TV Shows, below that a list of recently added, and then movies and so on... I feel like I’m going through loads of folders on Infuse to get to where I want to be.

Btw it’s a pleasant change to be listened to and to have such a quick response.

I’m not a fan of the plex UI but I would like the option for infuse to open straight into library mode.

One thing you might try in the current version is using Library, and setting some categories as Favorites. These will allow them to be listed right on the home screen.

More info on how this works can be found here.
https://support.firecore.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000074814-Library-101-tvOS-

Btw it’s a pleasant change to be listened to and to have such a quick response.

Happy to listen anytime.

 

[Videoman123]

I love Infuse a lot and will continue to use it. To have a server running, like with Plex, is absolutely no option for me. Additionally, the close contact Infuse, represented by James, has with its users is awesome.

Still, It's always room for improvements, and Infuse has a section for suggestions in it's forums.

As changes in Infuse in my opinion generally has been to the better, my experience is that the loading time of folders has increased during the last updates. It's not the end of the world, but it's a bit annoying, and I wonder if Infuse could comment on that?

 

[firecore]

I love Infuse a lot and will continue to use it. To have a server running, like with Plex, is absolutely no option for me. Additionally, the close contact Infuse, represented by James, has with its users is awesome.

Still, It's always room for improvements, and Infuse has a section for suggestions in it's forums.

As changes in Infuse in my opinion generally has been to the better, my experience is that the loading time of folders has increased during the last updates. It's not the end of the world, but it's a bit annoying, and I wonder if Infuse could comment on that?

Great! So glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Regarding folder loading, we haven't had many reports of this, but I can say one thing we are currently working towards is an all-new SMB implementation which should provide faster and more reliable streaming. We hope to have more news on this in the coming weeks.

 

[Videoman123]

Regarding folder loading, we haven't had many reports of this, but I can say one thing we are currently working towards is an all-new SMB implementation which should provide faster and more reliable streaming.

Thanx for your quick answer

I use the SMB protocol, and the loading and streaming of the movie itself is both fast and reliable. It’s only the folder loading (favorite folders) I found to be a bit slow, more than 30 seconds for some folders.

Maybe it’s because the disc on the NAS needs to start spinning? Maybe it’s because I have lots of files in each favorite folder and typically some embedded metadata?

Anyhow it seems to be a bit slower than before. I think maybe it happened when the library mode was released, but I’m not sure.

 

[Moriske]

Some files are not playing anymore?

MKV on Synology NAS -> AppleTV 4K -> Infuse = not working?

?
MKV on Synology NAS -> iPad > Infuse = working

MKV on Synology NAS -> iMac 4K > Infuse = working

 

[andeify]

One thing you might try in the current version is using Library, and setting some categories as Favorites. These will allow them to be listed right on the home screen.

I tried that but found that Infuse doesn't keep track of things like Plex does, Once Ive watched something in Plex - if there is another episode then it is moved to the front of the list. Also Infuse scanned a load of episodes for screenshots (which I don't really care to see, I'd prefer to just see the cover art) which marked them all as being part watched in Plex, this screwed up my whole "up next" stuff.

Ive removed all the TV show favourites and I'll just use Infuse for Movies for now.

 

[firecore]

Thanx for your quick answer

I use the SMB protocol, and the loading and streaming of the movie itself is both fast and reliable. It’s only the folder loading (favorite folders) I found to be a bit slow, more than 30 seconds for some folders.

Maybe it’s because the disc on the NAS needs to start spinning? Maybe it’s because I have lots of files in each favorite folder and typically some embedded metadata?

Anyhow it seems to be a bit slower than before. I think maybe it happened when the library mode was released, but I’m not sure.

Using Library may be a bit faster in your case since it won't need to re-scan the folders every time they are opened. Large folders that contain hundreds of videos will take a bit longer to open, but with Library Infuse will load a list of 500 items in about the same time it takes to load a list of 10.

Some files are not playing anymore?

MKV on Synology NAS -> AppleTV 4K -> Infuse = not working?

?
MKV on Synology NAS -> iPad > Infuse = working

MKV on Synology NAS -> iMac 4K > Infuse = working

Can you drop us a note from your device so we can look into what's going on here?
https://support.firecore.com/hc/en-us/articles/215090927-Troubleshooting-and-Getting-Support

I tried that but found that Infuse doesn't keep track of things like Plex does, Once Ive watched something in Plex - if there is another episode then it is moved to the front of the list. Also Infuse scanned a load of episodes for screenshots (which I don't really care to see, I'd prefer to just see the cover art) which marked them all as being part watched in Plex, this screwed up my whole "up next" stuff.

Ive removed all the TV show favourites and I'll just use Infuse for Movies for now.

The way Infuse should handle this is if you start and finish episode 1 of a season, that season will be placed into the Watching section of Up Next list so you can easily jump back in and watch subsequent episodes. The one difference here is that if you have watched all the episodes you have, and then add new episodes - Infuse would scan these, but display them in 'Recently Added' section of the Up Next list instead of the 'Watching' section. Recently added is available by scrolling towards the right in the Up Next list.

 

[andeify]

The way Infuse should handle this is if you start and finish episode 1 of a season, that season will be placed into the Watching section of Up Next list so you can easily jump back in and watch subsequent episodes. The one difference here is that if you have watched all the episodes you have, and then add new episodes - Infuse would scan these, but display them in 'Recently Added' section of the Up Next list instead of the 'Watching' section. Recently added is available by scrolling towards the right in the Up Next list.

I could get on board with the different layout but the main problem was that Infuse doesn't play well with my Plex Server, it scanned the files for a screenshot (when I browse through my TV Show Library on Infuse) which marks them as part watched. This is a pain for me as I have other devices that use Plex (such as an Amazon Fire TV 2 in the bedroom) and then I have shows appearing in "On Deck" and I don't know if its an old show that Infuse has scanned or wether its new or if the Mrs has part watched it. It just messes a lot of my media up.

If I could disable the scanning for a thumbnail/screenshot then it would solve the problem of un-organising my media, is there currently an option for this? Is there any planned Plex-friendly future development?

 

[firecore]

I could get on board with the different layout but the main problem was that Infuse doesn't play well with my Plex Server, it scanned the files for a screenshot (when I browse through my TV Show Library on Infuse) which marks them as part watched. This is a pain for me as I have other devices that use Plex (such as an Amazon Fire TV 2 in the bedroom) and then I have shows appearing in "On Deck" and I don't know if its an old show that Infuse has scanned or wether its new or if the Mrs has part watched it. It just messes a lot of my media up.

If I could disable the scanning for a thumbnail/screenshot then it would solve the problem of un-organising my media, is there currently an option for this? Is there any planned Plex-friendly future development?

Right now Infuse relies on Plex's DLNA feature in order to stream, but there has been some interest on our forums for more direct integration which we may look into for a future update. https://firecore.com/forum/topic/16075

An alternative option might be to connect using a direct method such as SMB or NFS. This would allow Infuse to scan whatever it needs without having to worry about Plex marking things incorrectly. You could also log in to trakt in both Infuse and Plex, and this would allow your watched items to stay in sync at all times. Trakt syncing is one of the best things about Infuse Pro, and a bit more info on how this works can be found here. https://support.firecore.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000070773

 

[andeify]

Right now Infuse relies on Plex's DLNA feature in order to stream, but there has been some interest on our forums for more direct integration which we may look into for a future update. https://firecore.com/forum/topic/16075

An alternative option might be to connect using a direct method such as SMB or NFS. This would allow Infuse to scan whatever it needs without having to worry about Plex marking things incorrectly. You could also log in to trakt in both Infuse and Plex, and this would allow your watched items to stay in sync at all times. Trakt syncing is one of the best things about Infuse Pro, and a bit more info on how this works can be found here. https://support.firecore.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000070773

Thanks, Im familiar with Trakt but prefer not to use it. Im happy with just using Infuse for movies for now. Im impressed again with the quick response. While I have you, how long should I expect to wait for v5.6?