Tolerant 74 Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 What is the best low cost streaming device (similar to WDTVLive) that works with Emby's DNLA that lets users browse/play video files from a PC to their TV using their Wireless LAN? Looking for a possible WDTVLive SMP replacement without breaking the bank. Thanks.
pir8radio 1312 Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 I'm just asking, I know you specifically asked for DLNA devices, but any reason you want to stay away from things like roku or firetv stick?
Tolerant 74 Posted January 20, 2017 Author Posted January 20, 2017 (edited) I don't want to stay away exactly, but I want something that lets me play files from my PC over my network to a TV (like the WDTVLive SMP does.) I don't so much care about online sources (Hulu, Netflix, Youtube, Amazon, iTunes) via the internet but I do need support for Emby upto 1080p and current file types. Currently Emby does not seem to be supporting the WDTVLive like it used to Although the WDTVLive will play via network shares from my network, I was hoping there was an alternative that will display a users favorites via Emby, and basically fill the hole being left by WDTVLive's SMP. So.. looking to play local content via Emby from my PC to a TV(s) in the house more then any other use. I did find a review that suggested $200 for nVida's shield box for playing local content to a TV, and $50 Roku stick for online services (some, not all).. but would like to hear from actual Emby users running on Windows. Edited January 20, 2017 by Tolerant
pir8radio 1312 Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Ok Understood.. Honestly I use roku sticks, and fireTv sticks in my home. Like you I don't use all of that other junk just emby installed on them to connect to my windows emby server. The only reason I asked is I personally never liked the GUI's of DLNA devices.. So hopefully someone with more experience in those type of devices can help you... But for giggles I found this on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEXBOX-A95X-4K-S905X-Quad-Core-Android6-0-Smart-TV-Box-WiFi-DLNA-HD-Media-Player-/301989458563?hash=item464ff97283:g:958AAOSwImRYQPFr I'm sure its an unofficial version of android but it should be able to browse your DLNA library and if you don't like the DLNA, i'm sure you could always install the emby android app on it and play around.
Luke 42079 Posted January 21, 2017 Posted January 21, 2017 Have you tried your WDTV with the latest Emby server release?
Tolerant 74 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Posted January 22, 2017 Yes, it is still removing the content source during playback at some point.
arztonyou 17 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 If you are willing to include $200 in your definition of low cost, then the Nvidia ShieldTV is fantastic. I've used both the Emby Android TV app and Kodi with the Emby for Kodi addon on the Shield with very good results. You can also use either for Live TV if you have a HDhomerun tuner or something else similar. Plus you have access to most of the major streaming apps (the original Shield is missing Amazon Video but it's supposed to be added this month), so you probably wouldn't need a separate Roku if you ever did decide to use streaming apps. The next step down in cost would be the Roku and FireTV boxes, plus a bunch of other Android streamers that I don't know much about. I tried a Roku a few years ago, and didn't care for it much at that time. Lots of my movies are mpeg2 video, which needed to be transcoded by the server, and I didn't want to convert all of them. I also didn't like the interface much. But those things might have changed by now. My kids use the original generation FireTV and are pretty happy with it. It's not great for Live TV if that is important to you at all, but both the Emby app and Kodi work pretty well on it. If you truly don't care at all about streaming services, you could try a Raspberry Pi with Openelec or Librelec and use the Emby for Kodi addon. Plus, Emby Theater is now being run on a Pi, although that's a brand new development, and they are still working out all the kinks. The video playback on a Pi is very good, but sometimes the menu navigation can be slow, so you'd want a fairly simple Kodi skin. Hope that helps.
Koleckai Silvestri 1154 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 $200 is a pretty high cost for a streaming box unless you want to play video games as well. I mainly use Roku devices with the Emby Client. Rarely have any problems. We have a couple Chromecast/Googlecast devices as well and I can play stuff from my computer directly to the device if I need to. The Rokus are nicer since they have their own remotes. Have never tried DLNA playback on anything.
arztonyou 17 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 Yes, the Shield is expensive compared to some of the other streamers. The only reason I mentioned it in a low cost thread was because Tolerant mentioned it in the original post. I'm glad you like the Roku boxes. Do the newer Roku play mpeg2 without transcoding now? Do you use the Neon app or the official Emby app?
speechles 2055 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 (edited) Do the newer Roku play mpeg2 without transcoding now?Unfortunately, as of the current firmware version, the answer is no. But, if you use a rokuTV model, then the answer is yes, as a matter of fact they do. Because of how OTA is handled on the rokuTV models, requires an mpeg2 decoder. The emby apps can take advantage of this. The rokuTV also has an mpeg1 decoder available the emby apps can take advantage of. Presently, only the blue neon app supports direct mpeg1/2 on rokuTV (enable "direct play mpeg1/2" in preferences). The new preview beta I am not sure supports this. The present official app I know for a fact does not. Edited January 23, 2017 by speechles
arztonyou 17 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 Thanks for the info. I assume the RokuTV is the platform used by the smart TVs that advertise having a Roku built in. Never tried one of those. I usually like to keep my streamer and my TV separate so I can upgrade one and not the other, but I'll have to give them a look when I decide to upgrade to a 4k TV.
Koleckai Silvestri 1154 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 (edited) I'm glad you like the Roku boxes. Do the newer Roku play mpeg2 without transcoding now? Do you use the Neon app or the official Emby app? To be honest. I don't have any mpeg2 video. However, I specifically built a server that can transcode at least four streams at the same time without problems. Almost all of my video is h.264 with at least a 2 channel AAC track (most have better audio). I don't really have much transcoding going on. I have both the apps on my Rokus plus the new beta. The Roku is best for my needs. That is the problem with "Best". It is subjective and everyone is correct. Edited January 23, 2017 by Koleckai Silvestri
Luke 42079 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 Roku TV devices support mpeg2, yes, to answer the question, and the emby app can take advantage of that. But not Roku set top boxes.
maegibbons 1287 Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 My vote would be Fire TV 4k. Krs Mark
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