I have a 5.1 home theater setup that, for reasons I cannot currently change, can only accept a single TOSlink audio connection. I am looking for a hardware player that can run Plex, play 5.1 AC3 and DTS in Plex, and also play physical Blu-ray discs. Is there a single device (PS4? XboxOne? Some Blu-ray player with the Plex app?) that can do this? If not, is it possible to build a HTPC that can do this reliably, with a hand-held remote-control?
I’m currently trying to do this with a PS3, which works well for most of what I described above except for any 5.1 DTS or AC3 soundtracks in files handled by Plex (the rear channels aren’t handled correctly, despite changes I’ve made to the media server PS3 XML). Playing these same 5.1 media files through DNLA handles all channels correctly, but not all files play this way.
I’m hoping that there is a set-top device that can do this, as I would prefer to avoid building a HTPC due to cost.
This can be easily done using a Raspberry Pi 2/3, using LibreELEC + Kodi + Plex for Kodi Addon. This supports hardware decoding for MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264, and does DTS and AC-3 passthrough via HDMI. I’m not sure if you could use a USB-based audio controller that can output TOSlink (I don’t see why not, provided drivers are available).
I’m afraid your suggestion doesn’t address the Blu-ray component of my question, but thanks. Also, I cannot pass 5.1 over HDMI due to my TV not having a compatible ARC port, hence the toslink/optical requirement.
What are my choices for Blu-ray with an Intel NUC? USB 3.0 external drive, using LibreELEC I’m guessing, but will the Plex for Kodi addon play 5.1? Alternately, will OpenPHT play Blu-rays inserted into the system?
Kodi/LibreELEC will play blu-rays remuxed into a mkv container. I think the only option for playing inserted blu-rays would be outside of Plex completely and would require Windows with software such as PowerDVD. And yes it will do 5.1 audio over optical.
I’m not sure there’s a good solution to these odd requirements. Normally you play your blu-rays on a dedicated disc player, and have a separate client device for playing Plex. Trying to combine too many tasks into one box makes it a “jack of all trades, master of none” solution that one becomes frustrated with real fast.
Also remember you can’t pass HD audio over toslink optical. Really, you should upgrade your setup so these weird requirements aren’t such a handicap.
I believe newer Samsung DVD players allow installation of apps like a smart TVs.
Maybe the Plex app can be installed on one of those “Smart” Blu-Ray Players,
Dunno about 5.1 audio but probably does because it probably supports 5.1 for playing DVD/Blu-Rays.
My existing setup is an HDTV without an ARC port, and a 5.1 soundbar that accepts HDMI and optical. The soundbar decodes 5.1 AC3 and DTS natively (it has rear speakers and a sub, and I’ve verified with Digital Video Essentials that it is true 5.1). A PS3 outputs to the TV via HDMI and soundbar using optical. This solution works perfectly, except for 5.1 content in files played by the plex client – the rear channels are screwed up. Out of this setup, Plex is the only one at fault.
Trying to change my setup would cost well over a thousand dollars: I’d need to add an A/V receiver that can accept two HDMI inputs and I’d need to buy a second set-top box just for Plex… or, I’d need to replace my TV with one that has an ARC port. Both of these cost more than a PS4 or XBoxOne, which is why I was asking.
Fixing the PS3 client would be preferable, but Plex has abandoned it.
I did, but there are many models of varying quality, and no reports of 5.1 playback through Plex. The Plex app is usually through the Opera TV store on these units and the reports I’ve read complain it is very slow.
Well for that matter a PC with a Blu-ray drive.
Need an audio card with 5.1 optical out in this case I think…
Not sure how to add remote, maybe Alexa for plex at least.
Sounds like building an HTPC that runs Windows+PowerDVD+Plex is the only option guaranteed to work, with a 2017-model Blu-ray player a possible second. Thanks guys.
Xbox One and PS4 will do all you are asking. Xbox One S also does UHD Blu Ray.
Note that Toslink has been removed in the PS4 Slim. You’ll need PS4 Pro or PS4 Old.
No support for HD audio codecs in Plex on either system if you do ever replace your Amplifier for something newer with HDMI inputs. For that I would recommend the Nvidia Shield - a simple and small set top box that will play pretty much any kind of file including H265 at 4K without transcoding and with TrueHD/DTS-HD and even Atmos/DTS:X for that matter and is the best system for Plex I’ve used yet.
