Casey Liss, an iOS developer and podcaster, joins the discussion to showcase his new app, CallSheet, designed for trivia and details about movies and TV shows. He dives into his transition from an iMac Pro to a MacBook Pro and the tech setups he finds work best. The conversation highlights innovative spoiler management features in CallSheet and offers insights into optimizing media management with Plex and Sonos. Liss shares his experiences with crowdsourced databases and emphasizes the importance of user-friendly design in app development.
Plex provides a versatile solution for media management, allowing users to watch what they want, when they want, on any device.
Media management offers complete control over media consumption and access, ensuring easy availability of favorite movies, TV shows, and live events.
Plex offers a user-friendly platform to centralize and organize media, with the ability to customize the streaming experience and share libraries with friends.
Sonos speakers offer a high-quality audio experience, seamless integration with Apple devices, and compatibility with smart home systems for convenient control.
Deep dives
Media management with Plex
Plex is the cornerstone of my media empire, allowing me to watch what I want, when I want, on any device. I use Plex to store and organize movies, TV shows, and even Apple keynotes. I also utilize Channels for cable and over-the-air television, and have a dedicated library for concerts and Dave Matthews Band shows. Plex offers a comprehensive interface and the ability to download files for offline playback, making it a versatile solution for media management.
Ripping Blu-rays and storing media
To archive physical media, I use a Mac Mini and the HandBrake software to rip Blu-rays and DVDs, removing commercials and splitting files if needed. The media is then compressed and stored on a Synology NAS, which serves as the central repository for all my media files. For cable TV and over-the-air channels, I rely on Channels DVR with an HD HomeRun and cable card to record and stream content. This separates ephemeral content from long-term storage in Plex.
Benefits of Media Management
Media management allows me to have complete control over my media consumption and access. I can watch what I want, when I want, on any device, whether it's streaming live television, accessing archived content, or watching concerts and keynote presentations. Having a comprehensive media library ensures that I always have easy access to my favorite movies, TV shows, and live events.
Pursuing a Hobby and Owning Media
While media management may seem like a labor-intensive hobby, it provides the satisfaction of collecting and organizing media, as well as the peace of mind of always having access to desired content. It also allows for flexibility in acquiring and storing media, eliminating reliance on streaming services and potential restrictions or limitations. Additionally, media management can provide a tailored viewing experience, such as removing commercials, splitting episodes, and archiving content for long-term enjoyment.
Plex: A Versatile Streaming Service for Managing Media
Plex is an incredible streaming service that allows users to manage and access their media library on various devices. With apps available for TVOS, iPadOS, and iPhone, Plex can seamlessly integrate with other streaming services and purchased content. It provides a convenient way to centralize and organize media, making it easily accessible on different devices within a household. While Plex offers its own streaming service with TV shows and movies, the content may not be as good as cable TV, consisting mostly of older shows. However, Plex allows users to customize their experience and ignore services they don't need. Additionally, Plex serves not only as a platform for TV shows and movies but also as a means to store and share personal content such as home movies and family events. Another hidden feature of Plex is the ability to become friends with other users and share libraries, creating a personalized streaming experience among a group of friends. Overall, Plex offers a versatile and user-friendly solution for managing and accessing media across devices.
Sonos: An Impressive Speaker System for Home Audio
Sonos is a leading brand for connected speakers, offering a versatile range of options for home audio. With a Sonos setup, users can enjoy high-quality sound throughout their house, creating a personalized, immersive audio experience. Sonos speakers support AirPlay, allowing seamless integration with Apple devices. The Sonos app provides access to various streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Sirius XM, giving users the ability to choose from a wide range of content. One notable feature of Sonos is its excellent integration with smart home systems like Lutron Cosada, allowing users to control audio using smart remotes. Sonos offers different speaker options, including soundbars, portable speakers, and subwoofers, catering to different audio needs and room sizes. While Sonos can be relatively expensive, the sound quality and extensive features make it a worthwhile investment for audio enthusiasts.
Fastmail: A Reliable and Customizable Email Service
Fastmail is an email service that provides a reliable and customizable alternative to Gmail. It offers features like custom domain email addresses, fast and efficient syncing, and excellent iOS and macOS apps. Fastmail is committed to user privacy and security, ensuring peace of mind when it comes to managing personal emails. While Fastmail is not free like Gmail, the affordable pricing plans make it a worthwhile investment. In terms of usability, Fastmail offers a familiar Gmail-like interface, making it easy to transition from Gmail to Fastmail. The service also supports advanced features like server-side rules, allowing users to efficiently organize and manage their email workflows. Fastmail is an excellent choice for those looking to take control of their email and prioritize privacy and customization.
Casey Liss rejoins the program to discuss his new app Callsheet and to give David and Stephen a tour of the apps and services he uses to manage his media.
