Can the Plex app on Nvidia Shield output bitstream?

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Hello,

I’m currently using an Apple TV 4K with official client to play Plex content. I’d like to bitstream all audio from my source content directly to my receiver and let it handle all the audio decoding. After googling, it looks like my only option besides a full blown HTPC is to use the NVIDIA Shield…

…however, some posts suggest the Shield Plex app only outputs PCM now, whereas other people are saying bitstream output still works.

Here is a thread saying it doesn’t work:
Shield sends all music to receiver as PCM - Plex Players / Streaming Devices - Plex Forum

Here is a thread saying it does work:
Audio Passthrough not working correctly with nvidia shield app - Plex Players / Streaming Devices - Plex Forum

Could someone please let me know whether the Shield is able to do bitstream output?

cheers
dray.

2

for what benefit are you aiming to export the audio as bitstream from a digital player to your receiver?

3

…

Clearly he feels the decoder on his receiver will be better than the one on the Shield.

4

The two threads discuss different topics. The first is about music files. The second is about movies/tv shows/video files.

Plex handles audio in music files differently than audio tracks in video files (movies, TV, etc)

Audio in music files - CD rips, MP3s, etc - is passed as PCM.

Audio tracks in Movies/TV Shows/etc - MKV/MP4 container - are bitstreamed, provided the attached audio equipment supports the audio format.

My setup:
Shield Pro (2015) <-- HDMI --> Denon AVR-X4300H <-- HDMI --> LG B7 OLED

For movies/TV/video, the Shield bitstreams every audio format in my library, including TrueHD Atmos and dts:X.

I’ve seen some posts that dts-HRA audio does not work - as in no audio output unless transcoded. It is not listed as a supported format in the Shield tech specs, so it may be a Shield, not Plex, limitation. I’ve no dts-HRA audio in my libraries, so cannot confirm.

I never did move my music library into Plex. I’ve 15K songs in iTunes and streaming via my ATV 3rd gen meets my needs. I might tackle the task one day, but for now it is stuck at #11 on the Top 10 To Do list.

If you do purchase a Shield, go with the 2019 Shield Pro. The Plex app on the non-Pro “tube” model has issues with high bit-rate movies. Plex is working on it, but the kinks remain. Search the forum with “Shield tube” or similar terms to see the threads.

5

I’d assume he wants bitstreaming because neither the Apple TV 4K nor the Shield can pass JOC data (Atmos/DTS:X) via PCM since Dolby’s MAT 2.0 is configured to support lossy eAC3 only on these devices (and obviously MAT won’t help with DTS)

6

What nx6 said.

I’d prefer to have the decoder on the receiver handling all audio decoding.

7

Thanks FordGuy61, this is exactly what I was after. Also appreciate the product recommendation.

cheers.

8

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