Hey guys,
What are the spec requirements for streaming 4K files?
A friend got a 65" 4K Samsung to and has a 2012 Mac mini i5.
Does the Samsung plex app play 4K? Can the Mac stream 4K files? Seems to be a lot of variables for 4K streaming at the moment. I can’t seem to find the devices which can play 4K files through plex.
Any help appreciated.
EDIT: Should have been posted in 4K forums.
@Emmmo said:
Does the Samsung plex app play 4K? Can the Mac stream 4K files? Seems to be a lot of variables for 4K streaming at the moment. I can’t seem to find the devices which can play 4K files through plex.
Yes and Yes.
Plex and many Plex clients have supported 4K H264 video for a while. I think what you are really asking about is 4K HEVC (H265). Whether it is 4K or 1080p, HEVC will only playback if the device support it and the file can be direct played. If the file has to be direct streamed or transcoded, the HEVC must be converted to H264. My lowly (4000 passmark) server can handle some 1080p HEVC transcodes, but just barely. There isn’t a formal recommendation yet on what you need to handle 4K HEVC, just know it will be a lot more than for 1080p H264.
The current clients that support HEVC are Fire TV 2, Roku 4, PMP/PHT, AndroidTV (some), and Samsung (2.x versions).
Thanks for the quick reply.
So 4K files in h.264 should play fine. Will these be direct play on TV? Would there be any benefit of a roku 4 box over the Samsung tv?
when you say Samsung 2.x versions what does this apply to? To OS version or plex app?
4K H264 can be direct played but it depends on the client. If you have a 4K TV, it shoould work. If the device is not 4K, some (my Android phone for example) will downscale it internally to match the screen, some (non-4K TVs) can’t and will need PMS to transcode it to 1080p. You’ll need to be more specific, which TV.
The Roku 4 and the Samsung app have totally different UI’s. Also, the Samsung app can utilize the power of the TV itself and can direct play more codecs. The Roku 4 is limited to what all other Roku’s support plus HEVC. I don’t know the update status of the Samsung app as that is done by a non-Plex person, Orca. The Roku 4 is an official Plex app and is maintained and developed by Plex and is still being updated.
Samsung 2.x is the app version. There is an older 1.x version for older Samsung TVs.
Tv was only bought in the last week so I imagine with the 2.0 app. Interesting the Samsung app is not an official client.
Plex server should display if the file is direct play or transcoding as well shouldn’t it? I think
There is an entire section dedicated to the Samsung AP. I’m not an expert on Samsung App. The developer is on there and he is very good about answering specific questions. https://forums.plex.tv/categories/samsung-smart-hub
Yes, when playing on the Samsung app, PMS will tell you what it is doing.
Thanks for the help
@Emmmo said:
Does the Samsung plex app play 4K? Can the Mac stream 4K files? Seems to be a lot of variables for 4K streaming at the moment. I can’t seem to find the devices which can play 4K files through plex.
Yes and Yes.Plex and many Plex clients have supported 4K H264 video for a while. I think what you are really asking about is 4K HEVC (H265). Whether it is 4K or 1080p, HEVC will only playback if the device support it and the file can be direct played. If the file has to be direct streamed or transcoded, the HEVC must be converted to H264. My lowly (4000 passmark) server can handle some 1080p HEVC transcodes, but just barely. There isn’t a formal recommendation yet on what you need to handle 4K HEVC, just know it will be a lot more than for 1080p H264.
The current clients that support HEVC are Fire TV 2, Roku 4, PMP/PHT, AndroidTV (some), and Samsung (2.x versions).
Don’t forget the xBox One ((1080) and the nVidia Shield (4K). My personal preference is the Shield. It’s still lacking somewhat on the UI but it probably has the best playback abilities of any hardware device and only rivaled by a powerful/high-end computer (for playback).
The Shield can also playback 4K material if it’s hooked up to a 1080p display via down sampling and it looks really good (better than native 1080p.
Of course if you have a 4K TV like a Samsung then Orca’s program is defiantly worth a look/try. I still prefer using the Shield on my 75" Samsung for what that’s worth. It’s fast.
The biggest problem I’ve seen with HEVC is if you use subtitles or don’t have the required audio in the file. Plex will transcode the video which may not work if you don’t have a powerful server.
Carlo
PS for anyone looking for native HEVC playback also check to see if said device handles 10 bit as well as 8 bit files. Don’t assume they all play 10 bit files. 
What about Visio with 4k? will it take the HEVC?
A good read on 4K H.265 vs 4K H.264
http://www.winxdvd.com/resource/h265-vs-h264.htm
I personally use DVDFab to rip my 2K and 4K content, but using "mkv H.265. and my Epson ProLite LS10000 4K project I cannot tell the difference
For the more interesting read (Very technical).
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?reload=true&tp=&arnumber=7254155
