ive been using kodi (xbmc was better moniker) since google killed sagetv. i recall attempting plex, but it seemed to lack some open/extensibility (its been awhile).
i have a side project i want to make as a modular plugin generating a cable layout with original air orders and networks/channels… kodi seems most optimal, but ill admit its been a long while since i looked at plex.
so why plex over kodi?
ha, yeah those kodi forums are somethin else.
for ease of use, ive separated kodi from the scraping (mediaelch!), forcing it to go local for initial data load.
ive only really forced updates in kodi for necessity, which is almost never.
youre right, the lack of client/server architecture sucks donkey balls. forced me to jump through a lot of hoops to get a default, auto configuring install for house machines.
i wish kodi would just incorporate something like jellyfin natively… they work so well together anyway.