Synology + Nvidia Shield Pro + Emby

[bacardi8 19]

Hi All,

First of all I hope that I have posted my questions at the correct location, since this is not an Emby issue, but issues on clients running Emby.

I have some questions regarding using Emby server in the best and most powerfull way, so maybe somebody in here have, or thinking about a similar setup.

Currently im running Emby server on a Synology 1019+ (5 bay NAS), streaming content to LG and Samsung tv's, by using the tv clients app.

In the beginning this was also fine, but after adding bigger and bigger media folders to the server, these tv client's are simply too slow. It's a nightmare the time it takes on a LG tv,

just to search and to schroll down to the bottom in a music folder with around 500-600 artists. Just to navigate in a folder like this is a nightmare.

To get rid of this or to improve this, im thinking of adding a Nvidia Shield pro, to handle the things instead of the tv client app.

Music files are Mp3 and Flac.

Video files are Mp4 and Mkv (No Transcoding needed).

Question here is, where should the Emby server be installed for the absolute best performance, on the Synology or on the Nvidia..???

My idea is like this :

Keep Emby server (4.6.4.0) on the Synology (DSM 7.0-41890).

Use the Nvidia Shield Pro as Emby client, for streaming to the tv's.

Would this solve my navigation issues...??....and would this be the best setup..??....or what is actually the best and most powerfull setup for the mentioned things..??

Maybe Emby server and client both should be on the Nvidia, I have no idea, im simply looking for some idea's to run and use Emby the best possible way for my needs.

It would be nice with some feedback on this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Carlo 4561]

Hi, I would run the server on Synology and not on the Shield TV.  Use the shield only as a client which it is great for.

Put the server with the media which is on the Synology.

[bacardi8 19]

Hi Cayars,

Thanks for your quick reply.

This is also what my thinking was, but I don't have any experience with the Shield, so nice with your feedback.

I will try that out.

[bacardi8 19]

Hi Guys,

Just an update from my side to this small topic here, in case that this could be of some others interest.

For me personally, this is the way to go.

Emby server installed on Synology Nas (DSM 7.0)

Emby client on Nvidia Shield Pro.

Forget about smart tv's !!!!!

This is amazing fast, no matter what kind of media you choose. it is amazing fast to navigate around in Emby, no matter the size an content of the folders.

4K Ultra HD is fast loading and smooth in scrolling forward/backward and in chapter navigation. 

I'm preparing my movies and music before adding these to the server, means 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will be Converted into Mkv files. 

No transcoding is needed for me.

I can only recommend this setup, so Cayars thanks again for your suggestion.

 

[Carlo 4561]

I think it's an amazing setup that's about as easy to use as can be for this type of personal media server.
For secondary TVs in the house like bedroom a MiBox-S works quite well and very similar to the Shield TV without the complex audio features which typically aren't needed in a bedroom.
MiBox-S is about 1/3 the price so perfect price point for those secondary rooms as well.

[bacardi8 19]

Ahh okay, sounds interesting.

I will take a look at that.

Thanks.

 

[DJX 18]

Question. Things should be direct play in the house so why would the shield perform better than the TV app? Is it quicker to process or something?

[FrostByte 5392]

Most TV apps don't support all the codecs the Shield does.  For instance LG and Samsung both dropped DTS support several years ago which then either needs to be converted on the fly or you have to select a lossy audio track yourself before clicking play

So in order to get HD audio my setup is like this:

Shield Pro > Soundbar > Samsung TV

ATV can also directly access the location of your files (if set up correctly) thus bypassing the need to stream through Emby server.  I don't believe any of the TV apps can do that

[Carlo 4561]

Yes, I'd have to agree with that.  Shield TV is a beast with codec support or ability to passthrough audio as well as direct file playback support.

It offers flexibility to have your audio receive in the middle of the chain vs the end (going through the TV).

It can be set to match refresh rates of the TV to the media being played back.

It will surely be a lot faster processing and displaying menus then the built in apps on TVs which makes the UI pop.

It can do 4K HDR to 1080 SDR downscaling itself for HDR files without the server having to tone-map/transcode which is a nice bonus feature if you have it connected to a 1080 TV and have 4K HDR content.

Last but not least, IMHO it runs the most mature Emby client (Android TV).

[DJX 18]

Interesting and thanks both!

[DJX 18]

7 hours ago, FrostByte said:

ATV can also directly access the location of your files (if set up correctly) thus bypassing the need to stream through Emby server.  I don't believe any of the TV apps can do that

Would that still be through emby client or another client?

[Carlo 4561]

Only the Shield TV device coupled with the ATV Emby app can do this on a device.
Besides that combination the software based Theater for Desktop can do this as well.

This does take special setup with an extra step on the Shield TV.

This knowledge base article covers the setup:

https://support.emby.media/support/solutions/articles/44002058112-shield-tv-direct-file-access

[DJX 18]

That's really cool to know. Thank you for sharing. Something for me in the future I think. Currently I use a ds920 with the Samsung tv app but it's not ideal (bug with aspect ratio on mobile vids)

[Carlo 4561]

I feel pretty confident in saying that with an Shield TV in front of your Samsung TV you will fall in love with Emby all over again.

My main system right now is DS920+ -> Shield TV -> Receiver -> Samsung 75"

My son runs Xbox Series X -> Samsung 55" in his bedroom and he likes this better as well. Of course he basically lives on the Xbox so...

[DJX 18]

Haha amazing! I'm quite addicted to PS5... Shame it doesn't support browser for emby!

Edited August 19, 2021 by DJX