So I have my PMS running upstairs and now i need a fast client for my home theater. I was going to use a lenovo M93p mini i7 PC (yes it is overkill) but someone told me to use an Android box instead they say it will be much faster. What are your recommendations?
It needs to play 7.1 audio I dont think android boxes do more than 5.1
and scrolling through movie covers needs to be quick with no lag!!
Stay with the HTPC.
Select the graphics hardware/interface carefully, so it is compatible with the newer surround formats and/or 3D or 4K which require HDMI v2.x
depends on what you are using, i my player on my Samsung TV, for me is not important to be snappy is important to work without interruptions and some friends of my use on windows plex player from win store (because they can sync) or plex media player, on the go something portable, i am searching for a tablet with default android ( beside Pixel C) if anyone know let me know
Look into ShieldTV. Wide codec support, beautiful and quick 10 feet interface, voice controls…
Otherwise Roku is a nice platform, but doesn’t support many codecs… So that, or htpc.
Odroid C2 with OpenPHT is silky smooth and will direct play pretty much anything you throw at it. Disadvantage is that there’s no Netflix, Hulu, etc. Just Plex.
agree with @OttoKerner @camnchar
If this is for a home theater with a screen size larger than 10" I would go with a powerful client that can directplay/stream your intended hi quality content in your selected container format.
stay away from any of the plex clients… they just cant cut it in the theater environment. appletv client is nuetered and does not take full advantage of the hardware and the PMP interface is pretty well disliked by most.
I have tried to make the appletv work for my 70" to simplify things for the family and get everything into one device but find myself routinely having to plug in my $40 pi with openpht as it plays more formats, passes more audio to my reciever and generally is a much better playback experience
the lowly pi with openpht / rasplex can pre-cache graphics making the scrolling of content very smooth and while I have never had an issue pushing even 30mbs+ content via a cheap wireless dongle on the pi… a wired connection even into its 100mbs port will substantially lower percieved lag.
for future proofing … look to a client that can play back 4k HEVC as that is surely right around the corner.
I believe that 2018 will be a watershed year as more devices and PCs come out with cost effective hardware accelerated HEVC… and appletv ‘may’ make hevc a native format even on Apple TV 4 and if its supported by their API layer playback engine plex ‘may’ take advantage of it but their client has been a dissapointment to date
a small pc is great if you want or need other services and I use to have a hackintosh under the tv for years with optical out so I could skype etc from the living room for holidays etc.
many many options… and the last time I looked each still have a list of plus and minus features and none did everything great… so there seems like there are always tradeoffs.
