Best streaming device for 4K MKV files

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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I have an LG C9 TV and a 5.1 Onkyo TX-NR575 receiver capable of passing 4K video due to a firmware update (but I suspect it won’t pass HDR/Dolby Vision). Currently building up a library of 4K UHD MKV files.

For Plex, I have two options, neither of which are optimal:

  1. Plex app on my LG TV. It pushes HDR picture to the TV perfectly (HDR10 and DolbyVision) but sound goes to the receiver via ARC which doesn’t support lossless sound formats like DTS-HD MA and TrueHD. That said, for some reason my hardware combination (TV or receiver, not sure which) corrupts all DTS sound formats (bad channel mix); TrueHD mixes properly but gets down-coverted to basic 5.1. (HDR-yes, TrueHD-kinda, DTS-no). Do NOT want to go this route due to the sound issues.

  2. An older Roku Premier (4620x) that passes 4K but not HDR (tested by connecting straight to the TV, bypassing the receiver that I know doesn’t support HDR). It also doesn’t support Lossless sound formats, but by going straight to the receiver (i.e. not using ARC) at least the DTS format is not getting corrupted, but both DTS-HD MA and TrueHD are being down-converted to basic 5.1. (HDR-no, TrueHD-kinda, DTS-kinda)

My desire is to have a streaming box that will pass lossless sound (TrueHD and DTS-HD MA) and HDR/Dolby Vision. Of course I would also need to upgrade to a receiver that supports the upgraded video color.

All that said, what would be the best streaming device to get? Frankly, cost isn’t a factor.

Note: I’ve heard that Infuse on an Apple TV 4K will connect to PMS. True? Is this a good option?

(No need for Atmos…Basic 5.1 speaker setup)

Thanks for letting me ramble…looking forward to learning a lot.

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Nvidia Shield . SImple plug and play and works flawlessly with Plex.
Get the Pro Version and not Tube., Tube has trouble with 4k MKV rips.

Also Odroid N2 CoreELEC , but you’d have to fumble a bit with Kodi and Plex integration.

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The “new” sony bravia A9G passes all lossless modes through the plex app.

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please provide more details?

there are no known smart tvs that will pass lossless via internal smart tv app, if the a9g does, it will be the first and only.

smart tvs with E-ARC, will pass lossless from SHIELD or bluray/uhd player to an E-ARC receiver

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Not sure why ARC is being discussed…per my OP ARC is not a suitable solution.

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arc was only mentioned in response to slate52’s comment.

as far as 4k devices, nvidia shield is still (and will likely remain) the only mainstream device with truehd/atmos/dolbyvision support.

please read the whole thread if you haven’t, Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you

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e-ARC is the only way to pass lossless audio to an e-ARC audio receiver.
I don’t have a new enough receiver, but the Plex stream to the Sony states DTS-HD.
I spent time looking and the A9G is the only set, as of 2 months ago, that has on the Spec sheet that it has pass through of DTS-HD and Dolby True Audio and lossless Atmos and DTS-X.

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ok, so you have not personally confirmed/witnessed the a9g actually direct playing and passing through truehd with just the built in plex app.

There are none.

I welcome someone actually proving I am wrong.

External device > e-arc tv > e-arc receiver/soundbar = the only way for hd audio passthrough.

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Oh, and the A9G uses Chromcast for the Plex app…

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I’ll update after my spouse agrees to buying a. receiver with e-ARC.

1 Like
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No, the A9G uses our Android TV app, the same as the Nvidia Shield.

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