Getting the most out of streamed video: Netflix and Plex (with NVIDIA Shield Pro?)

millercarbon, I'm sure your 2-ch setup is stellar, would love to hear it.  I have a setup with separate 2-ch side and surround side, where front L/R are always powered by 2-ch pre/amp.  Surround equipment can remain off when playing music.

auxinput, the Zidoo looks great - first I've heard of it.  

Previously I was considering something like  Sony UBP-X800M2, which provides 4k blu-ray + streaming, but apparently they are drawing back on their app support, which includes the dropping of Plex.  

It seems to be a challenge to find something that supports good 4k blu-ray and Plex/Netflix at the same time.

I've been using Plex for a long time - find it great for tracking what episode you've watched.  You're right, it's not a streaming service like Netflix but it is still network streaming (DLNA style).  Essentially DLNA with a better UI.

Have you found anything specifically that can do  4k blu-ray+Plex/Netflix?

Quarantinewhile, I'll look into the 3 brands you mentioned. Thanks

Roku Ultra.

If you're worried about the 2019 Nvidia Shield Pro size ,that's just a plus (easy to conceal as it uses Bluetooth for remote operation) as it's the King of streamers as far as I'm concerned.I run mine to my Marantz 8805 and then to my Sony 940e. The shield will playback Netflix,Vudu in both Atmos and Dolby Vision if you have opted for the 4k tier (Netflix) Vudu will playback any movies you've purchased via digital at the level you purchased them. Don't for get Netflix recently bumped the audio Quality and as it was before they never limited bandwidth for audio. The Shield will also playback Youtube in 5.1 which is the first streaming device to do so. Another thing the 2019 shield has an advantage is the new AI upscaling for non 4k sources which is just plain fantastic.

@auxinput,

Thanks for your recommendation on Zidoo UHD2000. It would be interesting to compare this with my Apple TV 4K. For now, Apple TV 4K does a great job of providing access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube (my top 3) channels. 

@irave - I don't think there's anything that can do everything in one box and also be the best quality.  Zidoo cannot play bluray discs directly.  You can use computer software to rip blurays into an .ISO file or some sort of movie file, then store it on the Zidoo for playback, but this is a complicated and time consuming hassle.  It's just much better to have an actual bluray player for playing physical disks.  Then use your media player for streaming and everything else (unless you also have a satellite receiver).

The Plex media server is available as Android software on google play, so you can load this onto the Zidoo as well if you want. There is literally a ton of different apps available on googleplay.  Zidoo runs on Android OS, so anything Android is compatible.

@lalitk - I have the Amazon FireCube.  Actually, it is not too bad for audio and video quality.  Audio quality is not the best, however.  I have done a side-by-side comparison between stock Firecube and a Tivo unit with a Teradak linear power supply - for streaming Netflix. The Tivo with linear power supply just beat the crap out of FireTV for Netflix streaming in both audio and video quality.  FireTV audio was bright/thin and a bit harsh in comparison.  This is feeding both audio and video through HDMI to a receiver.  There's no substitute for linear power supply and good digital circuits.  They say AppleTV has somewhat better audio than Amazon FireTV.  You can always upgrade to a linear power supply for your AppleTV.

Zidoo, Zappiti and Dune all make high end media player units.  Their top of the line models all have linear power supplies.  If you don't need analog audio outputs, it seems the Zapiiti Pro 4K only has digital outputs (HDMI, coax, toslink).  You guys can always buy one of the lower models and then add a Teradak or SBooster linear power supply for a big improvement, but it's much easier to have the linear power supply built into the same unit, lol.