Best Media solution on macOS ?
Best Media solution on macOS ?
This situation doesn't seem to have a viable answer right now. There simply isn't a suitable option available. I'd consider purchasing a used box from Craigslist, setting up a NAS, and using Jellyfin, while switching to Linux instead of Apple TV. However, I'm not sure that's the best path forward. I personally rely on a Linux-based HTPC at home, but it doesn't match the performance of an Apple TV.
I was planning to note this too—I don’t own a Mac. I only have an Apple TV and iPad, but even my Windows PC supports home sharing, and I can reach my computer from the Apple TV.
This suggestion is the least appealing in this discussion. Consider trading your functional Mac and Apple TV for a generic NAS and a Linux HTPC. The Apple TV and Nvidia Shield are far superior for viewing compared to any HTPC, particularly a Linux one, since streaming platforms restrict 4K HDR playback on Linux due to DRM limitations. Anyone using an Apple TV or Nvidia Shield shouldn't switch to a HTPC, especially a Linux system, unless they mainly play games on their TV. macOS offers native SMB support, making it the simplest method for sharing media at home. The Apple TV supports around a dozen SMB video players. I highlighted my top choice, Infuse, but there are alternatives available. He can also continue using VLC if desired.
The issues with Plex are clear—I've tested it on both a Raspberry Pi and a Mac Mini over the past couple of years, and it consistently performed well.
Free and open-source media player available at formulae.brew.sh/cask/kodi Kodi is a community-driven local media player that provides features comparable to Plex, letting you organize your music, videos, TV series, and images. It’s ideal for home theater use—through a Raspberry Pi or connected media center computer—since it doesn’t automatically share libraries with other devices or sync across multiple platforms (though setup is feasible if you know what you’re doing).