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Infuse VS Universal Media Server

Compare Infuse VS Universal Media Server and see what are their differences

Contents:
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  3. » Reviews
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Infuse logo Infuse

Media player and media server with subtitles and wide codec support.

Universal Media Server logo Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server allows you to host your entire library of video, music, and pictures, and broadcast them conveniently to a wide variety of different devices.
  • Infuse Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-26
  • Universal Media Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-20

Infuse features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Infuse offers a sleek, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate interface that makes organizing and playing media files straightforward, even for less tech-savvy users.
  • Wide Format Support
    The app supports a broad range of media formats including MKV, MP4, AVI, and many more, eliminating the need for file conversion.
  • AirPlay and Google Cast
    Infuse supports both AirPlay and Google Cast, allowing you to stream media directly to your TV or other compatible devices.
  • Cloud Integration
    It integrates seamlessly with various cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud, enabling easy access to your media library from anywhere.
  • Subtitle Support
    The app offers extensive subtitle support, including support for multiple subtitle formats and online subtitle fetching from OpenSubtitles.org.
  • Trakt.tv Integration
    Infuse integrates with Trakt.tv, allowing users to keep track of what they've watched and maintain their viewing history and favorites across multiple devices.

Possible disadvantages of Infuse

  • Subscription Costs
    While the basic version is free, advanced features require a paid subscription, which might not suit all budgets.
  • Limited Customization
    The app offers fewer customization options compared to some other media players, which might be a downside for power users looking for tailored experiences.
  • Occasional Playback Issues
    Some users report occasional playback issues or buffering, particularly when streaming high-resolution content.
  • Hefty Initial Scan
    The initial media library scan can be time-consuming, especially for users with extensive media collections.
  • No Direct Disc Playback
    Infuse does not support direct playback from physical discs such as DVDs or Blu-rays, limiting it to digital files.
  • No Official Support for Some Platforms
    Despite its broad compatibility, Infuse is not available on all platforms, which can be limiting if you use diverse ecosystems.

Universal Media Server features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Universal Media Server is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible for users on various operating systems.
  • Wide Range of File Support
    The server supports a wide variety of file formats, including audio, video, and image files, ensuring compatibility with most types of media.
  • DLNA Support
    It offers DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) support, enabling seamless connectivity with a range of DLNA-compatible devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more.
  • Regular Updates
    The software is actively maintained and regularly updated to include new features and address security vulnerabilities.
  • Transcoding Capability
    Universal Media Server can transcode unsupported formats into compatible ones on-the-fly, allowing smoother playback across diverse devices.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making setup and media management straightforward even for beginners.
  • Free and Open Source
    UMS is free to use and open-source, encouraging community contributions and customization.
  • Plugin Support
    The server can be extended through a variety of plugins, adding functionality such as internet streaming and metadata fetching.

Possible disadvantages of Universal Media Server

  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be quite demanding on system resources, especially when transcoding high-definition content, which may slow down older or less powerful systems.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    While the basic setup is straightforward, more advanced features and customizations might require a steep learning curve and detailed configuration.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial setup can be somewhat cumbersome for users who are not technically inclined, requiring the installation of additional software components.
  • Inconsistent Streaming Quality
    Users have reported inconsistent streaming quality, particularly when high-definition content is involved, which might necessitate adjustments in settings.
  • Limited Documentation
    While the support forum is helpful, the official documentation can be sparse and inadequate for troubleshooting more complex issues.
  • Compatibility Issues with Certain Devices
    Certain devices may face compatibility issues or might not work optimally with Universal Media Server, requiring manual tweaks.
  • No Mobile Apps
    UMS does not provide dedicated mobile apps for remote access, requiring reliance on third-party apps or web interfaces.

Analysis of Infuse

Overall verdict

  • Infuse is generally well-regarded for its performance, flexibility, and ease of use, making it a solid choice for users who are looking for a comprehensive video playback solution. Its intuitive interface and robust playback capabilities make it stand out among other media player options.

Why this product is good

  • Infuse by Firecore is a popular media player app known for its sleek design, extensive format support, and ability to stream and organize video content from a variety of sources. It supports a wide range of video file types, including MKV, MP4, AVI, and more, and provides high-quality playback with features such as AirPlay and subtitle support. It also offers integration with cloud services, making it easy to access your media library across different devices.

Recommended for

  • Users who have diverse media collections and need support for multiple video formats.
  • Individuals who stream videos from cloud services and want seamless integration.
  • Tech-savvy users who appreciate detailed customization options in a media player.
  • Anyone looking for an elegant and efficient way to stream and organize media content.

Analysis of Universal Media Server

Overall verdict

  • Universal Media Server is a reliable and effective media server solution for users looking for an open-source option. Its cross-platform compatibility, broad format support, and active development community make it a strong choice in the media server space.

Why this product is good

  • Universal Media Server (UMS) is considered good because it is a free and open-source DLNA-compliant UPnP Media Server that streams media to a wide variety of devices. It is compatible with major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile and accessible. UMS supports a wide range of media formats due to its integration with FFMpeg, MEncoder, tsMuxeR, MediaInfo, and more, ensuring that almost any media can be played or streamed. Additionally, the software has a user-friendly interface, receives regular updates, and has an active community that contributes to its development and offers support.

Recommended for

    UMS is recommended for users who require a versatile media server that supports a wide range of devices and formats, those who prefer an open-source solution with regular updates, and users who appreciate cross-platform compatibility and ease of use. It's suitable for both tech-savvy users and those new to media servers due to its straightforward setup and configuration options.

Infuse videos

+ Add

Review: Infuse App To Play Your Videos Without Conversion On Apple TV 4

More videos:

  • Review - App tip: Infuse 6 for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
  • Review - 2019 Vans Infuse Snowboard Boots Review

Universal Media Server videos

+ Add

How to use Universal Media Server

More videos:

  • Review - Universal Media Server | Review
  • Review - Universal Media Server Part 1 - Installation

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Infuse and Universal Media Server)

Infuse

Universal Media Server

Media Players And Streaming Platforms
45 45%
Media Players And Streaming Platforms
55% 55
Video
32 32%
Video
68% 68
Media Player
50 50%
Media Player
50% 50
Video Streaming
100 100%
Video Streaming
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Infuse and Universal Media Server

Infuse Reviews

10 Best Callbox Alternatives for B2B Lead Generation in 2024
INFUSE is a B2B demand generation agency focused on providing high-quality demand strategies and outcomes for the biggest brands in B2B. The company offers a fully-integrated, data-driven demand generation engine with solutions that drive more qualified leads through multichannel outreach & demand generation.
Source: cleverviral.co
Top 5 Alternatives of VLC for iPad
Infuse is a suitable alternative to the VLC Player that you can launch on your iPad effortlessly. It has a modern and delightful interface that offers a comfortable environment to play video files. With 4K and HDR support, it streams the video file in the best colors. The modern layout of this media player offers quick access to information about the uploaded video files....
Source: videoconverter.wondershare.com
5 Best VLC Alternatives in 2023 for All Devices
Designed specifically for iOS users, Infuse is known as a versatile media player that can play various media formats, including video, audio, and even image files. This alternative media player has a sleek and modern interface that is very user-friendly.
Source: www.larkplayer.com
10 Best Kodi Alternatives You Should Use (2023)
If you are an Apple user, Infuse is the best Kodi alternative. You can enjoy live TV on your Apple device without any disturbance. With an excellent interface, Infuse comes with lots of features and plug-ins. It also cos with many customizable options with smart filters.
Source: techdator.net
10 Best Video Player Apps for iPhone and iPad [2020]
This video player supports all popular media file formats like WMV, MP4, AVI and MKV etc. so you need not to spend your time on conversion process rather you can enjoy your favourite video content anytime from anywhere. Infuse offers high performance silky smooth playback for 4K content and will help you stay in style with well organised interface.
Source: filmora.wondershare.com

Universal Media Server Reviews

10 Best Kodi Alternatives You Should Use (2023)
Universal Media player is a simple alternative for Kodi. This player lists the top 10 Kodi alternatives due to its simple and easy interface. The setup time is quite time-consuming, but its compatibility is extensive. Besides media, you can also connect gaming consoles to enjoy gaming.
Source: techdator.net
7 Best Home Media Server Software Choices (2022)
Universal Media Server is an open-source and fully free media solution, that though quite a bit more complicated than Plex, is just as stable and reliable. This software can be set up on a PC or NAS open-source software, with about the same setup burden, but if any steps of the process get you hung up, a fairly robust support community will be able to help you out.
Source: heavy.com
Top 10 Best Linux Media Server Software
Yet another simple addition to this list. Universal Media Server does not offer any fancy features but just helps you transcode/stream video and audio without needing many configurations.
Source: itsfoss.com
Top 10 Alternatives to Plex Media Server
Universal Media Server is a DLNA supporting multimedia platform for the purpose of streaming media of all type and format. Universal Media Server is a multiplatform platform that is available for PlayStations, game consoles, smart TVs, smartphones, DVD & Blu-ray player and much more. Universal Media Server is a free to use program who get itself updated time to time for free.
Source: www.easefab.com
Alternatives to Plex: an overview of the best media centers
The Universal Media Server is also an example of an open source program, written in Java. The spin-off program from PS3 Media Server was developed in May 2012 by the developer SubJunk, who had previously played a decisive role in the media server for Sony’s game console. As an alternative to Plex, the software is particularly impressive because of its broad device...
Source: www.ionos.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Infuse seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 73 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Infuse mentions (73)

  • Why I'm disappointed with the TVs at CES 2025
    I use Infuse on my Apple TV to access my videos on the network. It can pick up media from a samba share (or probably any other network share). There's more info on their site: https://firecore.com/infuse It can also serve as a front end for a Plex server if you run that. While this isn't "local files", it works well and serves a similar purpose. Note: there is a very fair, cheap monthly/yearly/lifetime... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ask HN: How many of you are consciously downsizing your devices/going retro?
    Not downsizing exactly, but I 'm still on my iPhone 12 mini. Partly because I prefer the smaller screen but also because its still very fast and reliable. I had previous had a Gen 1 iPhone SE which I only gave up on due to accidental damage. My Roku TV has wifi disabled and I rely on an older Apple TV for subscriptions (Netflix, PBS, Disney+). The main use-case for AppleTV though is the Infuse Pro app which I use... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Best media player for 4K ATMOS stuff?
    You should try out Infuse on the Apple TV if you haven’t already. You can use your existing stuff and will play Atmos. Source: over 1 year ago
  • A case for moving away from the cloud and embracing local storage solutions
    Infuse [0] is very nice (subscription, but the price is reasonable). [0]: https://firecore.com/infuse. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Plex Users Fear New Feature Will Leak Porn Habits to Their Friends and Family
    > The Apple TV app is slow and sometimes doesn't play sound. The main usage for me is via Apple TV… You can try Infuse an an alternative client to Plex, Emby, and Jellyfin: https://firecore.com/infuse. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

Universal Media Server mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Universal Media Server yet. Tracking of Universal Media Server recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Infuse and Universal Media Server, you can also consider the following products

Kodi - Kodi is an award winning free and open source media player that got its start on the Xbox console.

Stremio - Watch videos, movies, TV series and TV channels instantly.

Serviio - Web on Big Screen. Serviio enables playback of online sources like RSS feeds, live streams or web site content so that you can listen to your favourite podcasts or watch latest TV programmes published online.

Emby - media server for personal streaming movies tv music photos in mobile app or browser for all devices android iOS windows phone appletv androidtv smarttv and dlna.

Plex - Free movies and TV plus all your personal media libraries on every device. Master your Mediaverse.

Jellyfin - Jellyfin is a personal media server.

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