Plex with Chromecast with Google TV

[Natal1e7]

Hi, I’m trying to use Plex with the following setup:
Hisense 32" 4k TV
Chromecast with Google TV in HDMI Input
AUX Audio out (headphone jack) from TV to Google Max Speaker

So far as Plex is concerned:
Client: Chromecast with Google TV Plex App (latest version)
Server: Seedbox (offsite) (latest version)

Through reading in various sites it appears as though Chromecasts ability to direct play HEVC is trash, especially with something like DTS sound, for example. I’ve read that through Plex if the DTS audio must be transcoded, then the H265 video must be transcoded along with it. You cannot direct play a video stream and transcode the audio stream. Is this accurate?

If so, I am considering replacing the Chromecast with an Nvidia shield, except I have the following issues and questions:

Issues: My seedbox does not have a great capacity for transcoding. It is a rather expensive upgrade. Direct Play is my best option.

Questions: Will the Nvidia shield handle Direct Play better than the Chromecast? I understand, for example that Nvidia only has passthrough support for DTS. My audio is coming through a google Max speaker, through an analog headphone jack (that’s all Max is capable of). If the Nvidia cannot pass through, say DTS audio, to the Max Speaker, does this mean that it will force transcoding of both the video and audio streams, which my server will not handle very well? Or, since the Max is just a 2.0 speaker, will it convert any surround sound audio stream directly to stereo without the need for transcoding?

Scenario: I want to play a video file in .mkv container, HEVC x265 video, DTS audio. Will this direct play with an nvidia shield? It appears not to with the Chromecast.

I just don’t want to replace the affordable Chromecast with the expensive Shield only to find out that my only real option is to upgrade my seedbox to be able to transcode 4k video files that neither of these players are capable of direct playing.

I hope his makes sense. Thanks to everyone in advance who has advice and information.

[lostcowboy]

@Natal1e7

You cannot direct play a video stream and transcode the audio stream. Is this accurate?

Not sure, it may depend on your Plex Media Server. I am running windows Plex Media Server, in settings under transcoding, there is a check box to disable video transcoding. Here is what it says “Disable video stream transcoding
Disable transcoding of the video stream in transcoder operations. With this set, the transcoder may still transcode audio as well as remux video.”

About your setup, “Hisense 32” 4k TV" is not enough detail, need the exact model. www.displayspecifications.com is the best place I have found to get the specs of your tv. You need to know what audio formats it can handle. You need to know what video and audio formats the “Chromecast with Google TV “, Supported Media for Google Cast.
Currently, you have the Chromecast connected to the tv and the tv connected to the speaker by analog cable. There may be another way,” really not sure on this” but I think I saw that your speaker can connect to the Chromecast by WIFI. See if you can set up your Speaker with the google Home app, Set up your Google Nest or Home speaker or display then set up your Chromecast with the Home app, Set up your Chromecast with Google TV and Voice Remote. I am hoping that what will happen is the only the Video will go to the TV, and the Audio will go straight to the speaker by WIFI. Note, this may only work for casting from your phone. I wish you luck.