Best way to watch 4K HDR content via Plex

[Redgie]

UPDATE: Bought an Nvidia Shield! See this post.

I currently have an ageing setup involving a Sony AV Receiver, custom HTPC and MediaPortal, all of which max out at 1080p. I've recently upgraded to a 10 bit, HDR ready 4K TV, and so want to start getting the best out of it. The way I see it, I first need to upgrade my AV Receiver to something 4K, HDR and HDCP2.2 compatible, but then it's a question of what else I need to start watching my digital 4K content.

1. I could shell out a decent chunk of money to upgrade the PC's CPU (my understanding is that I'd need Kabylake due to the licensing agreements Microsoft / Intel have managed to sign), board and GPU for £3-400, which I will probably only then use for Plex.
2. I could look at a standalone solution such as Rasplex or a Fire Stick
3. I could use the TV's built in Plex app (would prefer not to as will need to run the sound back down through the wall and the TV (Hisense) doesn't have the fastest interface anyway
4. Probably 20 other options I've missed?

Thanks in advance

 

[Redgie]

Ive a Minix Neo u1 great machines

This is a really interesting option... £99 for a standalone Android box that can (presumably) run Plex, and it seems to support 10 bit 4K@60fps... almost seems too good to be true...

EDIT: Looks like I may need the slightly more expensive Minix U9-H for HDR support (£139)

 

[Redgie]

Its not like its that new tech anymore, it should be easy by now haha.

Sean

I know, I'm amazed this is still so complicated... Has anybody used Plex on one of these Android boxes? I'm concerned that the bootup process might be to wait for the Android box, then have to manually pick an app, where currently I just wake my HTPC from sleep and it launches MediaPortal all in 2-3 seconds...

 

[Redgie]

Spent some time looking at it and it's looking like the Nvidia Shielf & Plex server combo is going to be the one I go for. I really liked the Minix Neo U9-H but the iffy details on HDMI2.0a and HDCP2.2 kill it outright - I'm not looking to switch again soon. I priced up upgrading the HTPC and it's coming out at around £325 using a 1030GT, but will still have the hassle of Windows running behind everything. By contrast, £150-£200 seems like a decent price for a full solution (Nvidia Shield) and will free up my HTPC's hardware to upgrade the server I guess.

If anybody else has any other ideas I would really appreciate them, my requirements are:
- 4K
- HDR
- 10bit (not sure if this matters for the device)
- HDMI 2.0a+ (my understanding is that I need 2.0a for proper HDR support, though plenty of places say HDMI 2.0 is fine)
- HDCP 2.2

Now time to look at a new AV Receiver to support all of this

 

[Redgie]

so £325 seems an expensive build for an htpc, is that for gaming/gfx power, since otherwise, (earlier) had thought they were £200, but there is below
Beelink AP34 Mini PC Intel Processor N3450 4GB DDR3 RAM 64GB SSD
(this dam text editor why does it continue formatting when you press return - I give up)


which is £150, so similar price as nvidia, reviews of older apollo lakes
seem favourable, don't know if you could add a uhd drive too
(Also fulfilled by amazon, I am never sure what the returns possibilites are with a win10 license too)

Interesting, I wasn't aware you could get an Apollo box so cheap (especially compared to my custom jobby that the above price was from)! That said, there's no mention of HDR, HDMI 2.0a+ or HDCP 2.2, so not sure it would really fit the bill here... though there may be some around that do, I shall have a look, cheers

 

[Redgie]

Decided to go for an Nvidia Shield Do now have the dilemma of either upgrading the AV Receiver or finding a workaround though... options I can see:

1. Upgrade the AV Receiver (~£300)
2. Split the HDMI cable coming out the Shield, run 1 into the existing AV Receiver to do the audio, and run the other to the TV to do the video (~£50)

#2 seems like a very "hacky" way of doing it, but is also much cheaper given I'm only ever going to be using the Shield or the TV directly and so don't really need a new AV Receiver...

 

[Redgie]

The Fire stick is definitely a great budget friendly option, but pails in comparison for compatibility for the higher end audio / video support to the Shield, and in my experience has always felt very sluggish to use? I may look at getting one for a secondary room however, as a media-only box.

EDIT: As a follow-up to my previous post; I bought a new AV Receiver. This 4K lark is expensive