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

For those of you running audiophile grade surround sound setups, I'm wondering what your approach is to achieving HQ results from either
  • Netflix, which will naturally be compressed, lossy 
  • or Plex, which streams local network media.  Depending on your source can be blu-ray equivalent.
For example, when using a smart TV to stream both of these you have 2 choices for connecting audio to your A/V processor:
  1. HDMI ARC (audio return channel) with limited audio bandwidth support
  2. Optical with even less audio bandwidth support.
The verdict:  Smart TV streaming = bad

The solution: Use an external box to stream the services, which has full HDMI output to A/V processor.  Then A/V processor distributes to rest of your system.

Have any of you found a suitable box to stream Plex/Netflix in this way?  

On the short list is NVIDIA Shield Pro.  Although skeptical due to tiny form factor.  comments?

irave
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
From my laptop I run L/R to my stereo, HDMI to my projector. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367Stereo is the most audiophile HT can be. Surround is more, not better.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Ignore millercarbon as he always remarks very negatively about anything that is more than 2 channels.

First, Plex is basically media player software, which can play media that you own.  You basically have to own the DVD/bluray disc or actual movie file.  It is NOT a streaming service such as Netflix / Hulu / etc.

There are several devices that can stream Netflix/Amazon/Hulu.  Low end ones are things such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire Cube, Roku.  Sony bluray players also have streaming apps for Netflix/Amazon/Hulu.

If you really want to step up the quality, look at higher end media players from companies such as Zidoo, Zappiti and Dune.  They do range in price, but the top end models typically have linear power supplies and nicely engineered circuits.  Additional internal hard drives for content that you can rip or download.  Any google-play apps can be loaded (includes Amazon streaming, Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others). 

I have this on my future list to try.  The Zidoo UHD2000 would be the one I want to buy, but all three companies have good products.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Oh another thing, there are some media content that can only be available from a certain streaming provide.  Example would be title like "Stranger Things", "Altered Carbon", "Sense8", which are all only produced and available from Netflix.  Hulu and Amazon have their own shows.
irave OP
20 posts
 
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

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