If you do buy a new soundbar, make sure it has HDMI inputs.
You will still want to use your Shield instead of the Plex app on the TV.
Shield ← HDMI → Soundbar ← HDMI → TV
- Limited audio codec support
TV based apps cannot passthrough high bit rate, lossless audio such as TrueHD, even when using HDMI-eARC (TV manufacturer, not Plex, restriction). As a result, when you play a TrueHD audio track using the Plex app on a TV, it will be transcoded to a different format, and any Atmos information is lost.
LG & Samsung TVs do not support dts audio. Playing dts audio using the Plex app on those TVs results in the audio being transcoded. Other TVs may have similar restrictions. Check the list of supported audio formats in the TVs tech specs.
- Limited Subtitle Support
The Plex app on LG & Samsung TVs has limited subtitle support. Enabling PGS or VOBSUB subtitles results in a video transcode.
On LG TVs if the audio is transcoding, enabling SRT subtitles results in a video transcode. The same has happened with Samsung TVs in the past. I’m not sure about current models (it varies based on the Tizen OS version).
Android based TVs (Sony, etc) should handle subtitles the same way as the Shield and other Android TV devices. PGS, VOBSUB, & SRT should not force a video transcode.
- Possible limited audio passthrough connected devices
Connecting the Shield to the TV can be problematic with some TVs. Some, such as current LGs, block dts audio passthrough for devices attached to HDMI inputs.
Check the TV reviews at rtings.com. They test audio passthrough for connected devices. The review will tell if the TV supports passthrough for TrueHD and dts audio formats.
See [INFO] Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you - aka the rules of 4k for additional details.
