I was wondering what the best device to stream Plex to the TV is (ex: chromecast, FireTV, Apple TV, Roku, Raspberry pi, etc). Assume that the Plex server is already running off a NAS.
The constraints:
1.) The device needs to have native video format support so that limited transcoding is done
2.) Looking for a device that has 10/100/1000 network support (this is unbelievably hard to find right now… i find this very odd in 2018)
3.) Looking for a device that can also do Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc.
Basically, i’m looking at cutting the cable and would like a one device fits all scenario. We’re currently using a Samsung 2013 blu-ray player. However, it has buffering issues with some large 15 GB+ files on the Plex server. It also has issues with not supporting some movie formats (like apple’s proprietary formats).
As far as codec support goes the Shield TV is the best I know of I have one and it is OK BUT it does have issues that makes me use it less than I otherwise might. Like it sometimes freezes when playing back some formats mainly avi is where I have noticed the problem.
The Fire TV is also pretty good at codec support.
One thing I STRONGLY recommend is DO NOT USE WIRELESS if you want smooth streaming of the large files you mentioned. Large file imply high bit rate and that requires a connection that drops few or no packets. Wireless does not provide that much of the time.
The Shield and the regular Fire TV box both can be hooked up wired.
My favorite box is the Roku Ultra but it requires transcoding for many formats and it does not always handle extremely high bit rates well at all. I do not have large files or high bit rate files so I cannot really confirm that they will or will not work.
I’ve tried several devices including the Xbox One S, Roku Ultra, and a Raspberry Pi 3. The Nvidia Shield TV has been the winner hands down. I have used the 2015 model since it came out and added a 2017 model recently for another room. Even over Wi-Fi it is able to stream full Blu-rays and live OTA TV. I haven’t found a device that does a better job of supporting codecs and bitstreaming audio. I don’t run the Plex Server from it, but that is also an option if you need it.
I am n the process of cutting the cord and decided to use TiVo Bolt. Has 1 Gb ethernet or MOCA, and supports 4K. It does required the service fee for the guide service but I am glad it supports Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime which I already use. I am have been using the TiVo boxes on FiOS TV with a cablecars while I am installing the OTA antenna and upgrading my network to wired for my downstairs media center. It’s a process. I am using Plex Media Server on a NetGear ReadyNAS.
@Dtere1 said:
I was wondering what the best device to stream Plex to the TV is (ex: chromecast, FireTV, Apple TV, Roku, Raspberry pi, etc). Assume that the Plex server is already running off a NAS.
I’m pretty happy with the Nvidia Shield - it can play 4K without transcoding.
I’ve been using plex on both Rokus and Fire TV for a while. They work pretty well. But I just got an Nvidia Shield TV a couple weeks ago, and this thing is great. It Direct Streams everything I have thrown at it so far. And has been able to pass through the 7.1 audio tracks just fine to my audio receiver too. Where the Roku and FireTV would always have to transcode those.
I’ve been using the Chromecast Ultra that has the ethernet port since it was released and I’ve had zero problems casting any media from my library to the device. Plays all the 1080p Blurays with zero buffering issues
@“Tom Kristufek” said:
I’ve been using the Chromecast Ultra that has the ethernet port since it was released and I’ve had zero problems casting any media from my library to the device. Plays all the 1080p Blurays with zero buffering issues
Great device for sure, but not everyone wants to cast from their phones all the time. Works well for short media, but during long movie files I find that my phone always disconnects and then I don’t have control to pause easily anymore.
So no one has mentioned a console such as an Xbox one s. I realize they are much more than a fire TV but if you already have one, is that as good or better than a Nvidia shield?
I am speaking from being able to play the best quality 4k content, high bit rate etc…
No. It is not only not as good as a Shield it is far worse. I used an Xbox briefly about a year ago and I could not get it out of my house fast enough. At that time its interface made the worst of the Android or Fire TV experience look polished and smooth. I would not wish the Xbox on my worst enemy.
The only way I would recommend an Xbox for Plex is if you already have one and absolutely cannot afford a real streaming platform.
Technically the Xbox One X (and the S) has a very powerful GPU/CPU combo - unrivalled really unless you build an HTPC with a Xeon and a high end GPU… but the Plex app for Xbox One sucks at streaming so bad and it’s unbelievable that this is still the case. I’ve heard developers blame the platform but all other streaming apps on the xbox one work flawlessly and while the SiliconDust HDHomeRun player/app supports the raw/native OTA/MPEG2 streaming format, the Plex app requires an H.264 transcode for the same/exact HDHomeRun device on the same/exact xbox. If you’re not doing OTA TV with PlexPass and if your Plex Server is powerful and located nearby then it works for the most part.
So… as of Dec 2019 for the last couple months my Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k has been buffer / wheel spinning so badly it’s unwatchable content. Cat6 ethernet connection to gig switch back end… that device doesn’t have issues playing back any other platform or app and I use a lot of streaming. I also have a Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and 1st Gen that is having the same issues. this one uses wifi and has no issue with 4K content from Netflix or Amazon video. Plex it can’t handle.
PC is i3-3.4Ghz,8GB,SSD, system resources are low during playback, 30-50%avg. All videos transcoded to native format so no transcoding on the fly needed. or that’s the idea anyway…
What works well…
However… my XboxOneS, PC’s, iPhones, iPads… they all don’t have any issues playing videos back off the same plex server… same wifi,… same network. Even my 3 yr old Tivo Roamio connected to the same gig switch as the Fire TV Stick 4K is… no problem playing back the exact same media file. Something tells me Fire TV apps or hardware are having major issues right now and over the last few months… fix your code amazon
