Streaming audio from Emby server to stereo receiver.

[neutronJK 0]

Can anyone point me to a resource that outlines the advantages and disadvantage of various audio-only streaming devices that will interface between Emby and a home stereo receiver?  I've been playing around with a Moto Stream and it works,  but requires a phone to manage the stream and uses Bluetooth for connectivity.  I am wondering if there is an affordable device that will stream directly from the Emby server to the device without bouncing through the phone first?  Also, wifi or ethernet connectivity is preferred over Bluetooth.   Whatever resources you can refer me to would be much appreciated.

Bob Reed

[visproduction 315]

I think ideally, a notebook or workstation could receive the media stream and output it via HDMI to a AV amplifier or preamp.  There the audio is split off and the video is passed through to the TV from HDMI out from the AV amp or preamp.  Some AV Amps and preamps might have adjustable time delays.  This way the surround sound is correctly processed and synced with the video to the TV or projector.

If you have no AV amplifier or preamp, but just a old style surround sound without HDMI abilities, you can try receiving the media first with the TV and then pass the audio on to the stereo.  I do not think any TV's have surround sound RCA audio out and HDMI out, if there is something, may have a sync problem.  I have not tried this, but someone in the forum must know how that works.  If you are controlling the media playback from a phone or iPad, where there is no possible HDMI out, then you are trying to do it via Wifi or blutooth.  I would think there may be delay and audio quality issues.  I've heard the highest quality blutooth has solved this, but I never use it.

Finally if you want to try the HDMI cable connection but your stereo is pre HDMI, you can get a HDMI to RCA splitter for the audio.  There should be an HDMI passthrough out to go to the TV.  I've seen different boxes that do this for 5.1 for anywhere from $40 to $200 US.  I would rather find one that can delay the signal a little just in case you need it.  Some convertors do feature blu-tooth connectivity, but I wonder if that will work well enough for surround sound content.

Hope that helps.