4K media streamer, ditching the Pi3

oHUTCHYo · 14 Jan 2018 at 09:16

My little Pi3 running Kodi and more recently, Plex has served me very well. However I really want to make use of my equipment now to try 4K. I have a 65” Samsung KS8000 and a Synology 218+ running Plex Media Server. All wired connections.

Does a media streamer yet exist which will allow me to direct play 4K MKV from Plex? Ive read about the Intel Nuc and Roku boxes.

Ideally Id like to boot directly in to Plex player. Currently my Pi3 is always-on due to no fan noise and low power draw. Ideally Id also like bluetooth so my Harmony Smart remote can work without the need for additional USB dongles and what-not.

Any suggestions guys?

hornetstinger · 14 Jan 2018 at 09:19

Android TV boxes? £60 gets you octocore, they have IR control. Bought myself a Alfawise S912 based box, seems good enough.

deuse · 14 Jan 2018 at 09:22

I used to use Emby on both the Samsung TV and my Qnap. It played everything, including 4K HDR rips.

oHUTCHYo · 14 Jan 2018 at 09:40

Thanks both. The Nvidia Shield seems well regarded too?

brakeinup · 14 Jan 2018 at 10:41

oHUTCHYo said:
Thanks both. The Nvidia Shield seems well regarded too?

Excellent bit of kit, although it costs a bit more than the Android boxes out there. But it is very fast, stable and plays anything I throw at it. I'm using it on my home network through a Denon amp to a Samsung tv. Game streaming to the Shield from my PC works well as does playing files over the network from a server. Google voice assist works well. Can't fault it to be honest and its worth the extra cost imo.

Captain · 14 Jan 2018 at 11:09

You can play 4K MKV flies straight through the TV with no app needed.

Choose source and select your DiskStation.

Cyclone · 14 Jan 2018 at 11:41

I have the Shield as well and cant fault it. Plays everything. Recommended if you have the money.

hornetstinger · 14 Jan 2018 at 12:22

At 3x the price it better had be. That isn't a bit more that is multitude more.

jpaul · 14 Jan 2018 at 12:34

(there is always another codec around the corner) ... but afaik shield/appletv don't seem to support vp9.2 - used by utube hdr.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/975599/will-we-get-youtube-hdr-on-the-shield/
https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/6zpmem/apple_tv_4k_and_youtube_4k_hdr_does_atv4k/ (works via s/w transcode ?)
https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/TVs/KS8000-VP9-Profile-2-videos-via-USB/td-p/66967

... I have not tried it via plex on roku stick+ either (but its 1/3 of apple/nvidia cost)

oHUTCHYo · 14 Jan 2018 at 13:09

Clov!s said:
You can play 4K MKV flies straight through the TV with no app needed.

Choose source and select your DiskStation.

Crikey, never even thought to try this. Will serve to at least give me a showcase in 4K!

oHUTCHYo · 14 Jan 2018 at 13:34

Cyclone said:
I have the Shield as well and cant fault it. Plays everything. Recommended if you have the money.

Can you install Plex so it boots in to a stand alone environment? I wouldnt use the Shield for anything other than a Plex player. Hoping I can just boot from an sd card to Plex?

Cyclone · 14 Jan 2018 at 15:15

You can use plex, but I dont have it installed so I cant help on that.

seanyc5 · 14 Jan 2018 at 16:31

I have a KS8000 and have tried both Emby and Plex both in the Samsung app store - wired Ethernet to TV and they both stutter badly when trying to play a full fat 4k HEVC file. Playing of a USB HDD works flawlessly but is a inconvenience to transfer files to and from etc..

I am currently using MPC-BE x64 and MadVR - I have to turn the HDR windows toggle on first then play a file and its works well, if I dont toggle HDR first then the whole image is either massively over saturated or very washed out. If I toggle the HDR first it works first time and also switches to 24p refresh rate.

I dont see how other people are able to use plex/emby with the same TV. Maybe the ethernet switch I am using is not up to par?

Thanks,
Sean

markEP · 14 Jan 2018 at 17:59

+1 for shield, decides everything I throw at it including 4K remuxes with HDR. The only thing it can’t do is Dolby Vision Layer 2 which nothing can do at the moment. Given the close licensing ties with Dolby (shield has Atmos support etc.) I would imagine it’s on a matter of time.