Looking for a Plex Hardware Player = No Transcoding & Audio Passtrough

General Discussions
1

I’ve got a library of bluray converted to mkv with untouched audio & video. I’m looking for a device that is able to play them without any transcoding (through ethernet). I’m currently using xmbc with a hi media q5 but I’d like to come back to Plex. Any ideas ? Thanks in advance.

2

Forgot to say I use a synology 412+ as Plex server !

3

They say that this Q5 box has Play Store access. So you could try to use the Android TV app from Plex on it.

Next nominee would be the nVidia Shield TV box. Usable as both client and server (to a point).

If you’re not shy of a little bit tinkering, get an Odroid C2. ‘Direct Play’ HEVC up to 4K and bitstream almost all surround sound formats. Runs OpenPHT, which makes it a ‘Plex only’-type of client.

4

I tried with the Q5. Plex is somehow clunky on the device and last time I tried media were transcoded. Concerning the Nvidia Shield it seams there is issues with sound (transcoding). I’ll look into Odroid C2.

5

NUC is the only thing guaranteed to not require any transcoding with all codecs.

6

Dell R210-II. absolute workhorse, half sized server, 1U and cheap to find on ebay.

7

Well, I’d like to avoid using a computer. I know how it will end : I’ll spend hours tweaking it. Calibration using LUT files, insane image enhancements & post processing, there is too much to explore. Better not go that way. I just want to watch my films without bothering of anything (but without damn transcoding).

8

I recommend PopcornHour A410 or there is the new A500
the A410 which I already have does not require any transcoding from the server I have the Synolgy 1815+ and all mkv files ripped from bluray it plays anything your through on it and pass-through audio as I require
the A410 has an analog output which is very handy if you listen to concerts and have a high end processor
its a bit tricky at the beginning to set it up with the config file on nas to be able to stream through samba for subtitles to work but once done it is working fine
sometimes It restarts in certain films the client was not updated since 2013 latest version on popcorn is 1.0.9
that is your best bet till now I did a lot of research
this is a sample of my config.xml file that I store on my synolgy and every once in a while I reload it on plex client form preferences

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<config>
	<playback>
	    <replace_policy>
	        <replace from="/volume1/Video/Movies" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Movies" />
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/TV Shows" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/TV Shows" />		
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/Documentary Movies" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Documentary Movies" />
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/Documentary" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Documentary" />
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/Kids" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Kids" />	
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/Romance" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Romance" />		
		<replace from="/volume1/Video/Music Concerts" to="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Music Concerts" />
			
			
	    </replace_policy>
	    <login>
	        <server path="smb://192.168.10.2/Video/Movies"" username="XXX" password"XXXXX" />
			
			
					
	    </login>
	</playback>
</config>
9

@maoundi said:
Well, I’d like to avoid using a computer. I know how it will end : I’ll spend hours tweaking it. Calibration using LUT files, insane image enhancements & post processing, there is too much to explore. Better not go that way. I just want to watch my films without bothering of anything (but without damn transcoding).

I just posted my recommendation for you

10

Thanks guys. I guess I’ll stick with the Q5 and Xmbc for a while and will keep an eye on what’s coming up (image quality is very good by the way). Might try the popcorn… I’ll let you know.
Cheers!