Client advice

[moody_blue 0]

Hi folks, first post  here, so please excuse the "newbish style".

 

I have a DS411slim (armv5 processor) and an AppleTV3. I've been using Plex Media Server and PlexConnect. Both tools are now "dead" for me, Plex because armv5 support has been discontinued, and PlexConnect because development has been abandoned.

 

Therefore I'm looking for alternatives, preferrably ones that do not oblige me to replace all my HW and recode all my media. Emby looks promising to achieve this objective, even though I would have to replace the ATV3 with something else. ATV4 is way too expensive and lacks spdif (optical audio) output, required to connect my Denon A/V 5.1 receiver.

 

I am therefore searching a "tv box" that:

 

1) Is supported by Emby

2) Connects TV with HDMI 720p and/or 1080i

3) Has optical (or coax) audio 5.1 output

4) Decodes H.264 video (and other codecs if possible, such as H.263 and H.265)

5) Has native subtitle support (in order to avoid transcoding)

6) Decodes audio lossless format (preferrably alac, but I can convert my music to flac or another lossless format)

7) Has RJ45 (Ethernet) port (my wifi coverage is not acceptable to stream video)

8) Can be controlled using an Harmony remote (infrared)

 

Can you please suggest me some alternatives ? Thanks in advance.

Edited December 19, 2016 by moody_blue

[Luke 37046]

Nvidia Shield, Xbox One, Roku, HTPC.

[ebr 14910]

I don't believe the Shield has an optical output and neither will most Rokus.  That is going to be one of your most limiting factors so if you can eliminate that and use HDMI, that opens some things up for you (including supporting more advanced audio formats).

[moody_blue 0]

Thanks for your suggestions, but I would prefer a cheaper option, if possible. Would the Minix NEO X6 be a viable alternative ?

[PinchOfSalt 0]

My Roku 4 has SPDIF and HDMI outputs.  It supports 720p and 1080p but NOT 1080i.  It is the front end to my Emby server (running on a Synology 1813+).  I used to use the SPDIF output for audio, but now use HDMI due to other changes in my home theater configuration.  You should be able to get a good deal on a Roku 4 these days, as it has been replaced by a newer model.  I am not sure about the native subtitle support.  Someone else might know.

[1ch_h4lt 6]

Hello moody_blue

 

Although there is no spdif connector, my favorite is the amazon fire tv.

You can use the emby app or give kodi with emby plugin a try (via sideload). Last one is my setup with a Synology 1813/15+

 

Best regards,

 

1ch_h4lt

[LeftyCD 0]

I would suggest a good Kodi box.

There is a topic in the Kodi Forums with a nice list of boxes:

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916

[barat 27]

Maybe RaspberryPi 3 with OSMC/KODI or new Emby Theatre for Pi? For optical output (at least in KODI) You can use cheap USB audio card - it'll work.

For tests I plugged in FiiO E10k (but on kodi forum there is info about lot cheaper devices) and had DTS passed to soudbar.

 

As alternative maybe wait for new Intel NUC which will have native CEC support

[Luke 37046]

That NUC sounds very nice.

[solabc16 379]

Hello @@moody_blue

 

How did you get on, did you make a decision?

 

Best

- James