Best Player

[mpg732 8]

I know this topic has probably been covered, I have read on a few articles that XBOX one and ROKU players are some of the top Emby players.  Is this true?  I have an XBOX one X and my experience was honorably disappointing.  4K movies would not play or I should say is it tries but some times loads some times doesn't or takes extremely long time to load.  I also have a ROKU Ultra and that was OK, but I do not believe it has the best picture quality as well as a bit sluggish.  Then I used the Emby app on my Sony Bravo TV and that worked great.  Great picture, smooth and fast playback.  My problem there is the Sony TV's have issues with Audio output with all apps.  So I am looking for what is the best player?  I also used the same network cable on all my test, So I know every ones first question will be to ask about network connections. Are the XBOX and ROKU just not great players or am I dong some thing wrong?

Edited April 28, 2020 by mpg732

[Luke 42078]

HI, I would try all of the devices and see which one works best for you. If you have an issue we're happy to help, please see how to report a media playback issue. thanks.

[mpg732 8]

HI, I would try all of the devices and see which one works best for you. If you have an issue we're happy to help, please see how to report a media playback issue. thanks.

So the link you offered told me to create a topic in the forum.  Is that not what i just did here?  LOL.  Outside of the logs I did say I was having issues especially with the XBOX one X app.  So let me ask you this, is the XBOX one X platform a good platform to use with Emby?  Especially when trying to play back 4k HDR hi bit-rate MKV's.  The ROKU was OK, just a bit slower then I would like at least compared to the Sony TV.  Do you have a recommendation for an alternative?

[Luke 42078]

Hi, yes Xbox one x is a great choice. I have one for testing and the app works very well with it.

[mpg732 8]

Playing with it every thing seems to work except for 4k HDR.  does it support HDR?  I noticed my TV did not switch over when I tiered to play a video.  the 4k is unwatchable, for audio drops in and out and playback is jerky.  I read through the other post about fast start vs slow start.  I am on slow start and that does nt seem to solve the issue.

[Jdiesel 1431]

I'm suprised nobody else has commented yet but the Nvidia Shield TV checks just about all the boxes one could possibly want in a media player including HDR. It should be very speedy to start as it should direct play almost everything.

[mpg732 8]

I'm suprised nobody else has commented yet but the Nvidia Shield TV checks just about all the boxes one could possibly want in a media player including HDR. It should be very speedy to start as it should direct play almost everything.

Yes it would be nice to be able to get one right now.  Every one is sold out and people selling them went up like double to triple the price.

[arrbee99 1815]

Would an Amazon Fire Stick 4K be worth a cheaper shot ?

[Deathsquirrel 745]

The ROKU and XBOX are absolutely not top end players.  Top end players have very broad format support and require little or no transcoding.  Those aren't traits I'd assign to either of those devices.  They're good but they don't match ET on a HTPC or Emby for Android TV on a Shield. 

 

KODI is also has an excellent playback engine and massive customization options.  I personally loathe it but I don't pretend that's a mainstream position.

[mpg732 8]

Thanks for the info.  I do not want to go cheep but don't want to over pay either.  All my movies are MKV and I want the best quality as I can get.  Right now I can not play any of my 4k HDR movies on the XBOX.  Is this an known issue with the XBOX or am I having a problem/doing some thing wrong?  The best so far has been my Sony TV.  Just to bad they have issues with eARC audio dropping out.  I may just have to limp by till i can get a shield.

[CBers 7450]

I believe @@FrostByte has an XB1X, so he may have some insight.

[lkem 1]

aTV + Infuse app, will direct play whatever you throw at it

[FrostByte 5392]

Luke has plans to replace the internal Microsoft player in the XB1X app with mpv, but until that happens I probably would not recommend the XB1X as your main streaming box.  There are many threads in the ET section detailing problems with 4K/ HD audio playback right now

[mpg732 8]

aTV + Infuse app, will direct play whatever you throw at it

Thanks but I ruse to buy another Apple product.  I can't stand them.  lOL

[Jdiesel 1431]

The Roku Ultra should handle most 4K HDR files granted you have text based subtitles and aren't using PGS subtitles. Most likely the HD audio track will need to be converted but that should be a minor hit on your server. 

[mpg732 8]

The Roku Ultra should handle most 4K HDR files granted you have text based subtitles and aren't using PGS subtitles. Most likely the HD audio track will need to be converted but that should be a minor hit on your server. 

ROKU ultra does work, its a bit slower then the Sony and I believe its a slightly down graded picture.  Its slight but non the less it seems to be. 

[Spaceboy 2573]

Shield all the way.

[Jdiesel 1431]

ROKU ultra does work, its a bit slower then the Sony and I believe its a slightly down graded picture.  Its slight but non the less it seems to be. 

 

Wired or wireless network connection?

[speechles 2055]

For the best picture on a Roku you need a 6-series TCL Roku TV. This model will support both DolbyVision and HDR10+. You just will not get HD audio only HDMI-ARC.

 

https://www.tclusa.com/products/home-theater/6-series

Edited April 29, 2020 by speechles

[mpg732 8]

Wired or wireless network connection?

Always wired on every thing

[arrbee99 1815]

Thanks for the info.  I do not want to go cheep but don't want to over pay either.  All my movies are MKV and I want the best quality as I can get.  Right now I can not play any of my 4k HDR movies on the XBOX.  Is this an known issue with the XBOX or am I having a problem/doing some thing wrong?  The best so far has been my Sony TV.  Just to bad they have issues with eARC audio dropping out.  I may just have to limp by till i can get a shield.

 

I don't know how well it works, but it apparently play 4K, hdr, hdr10, Dolby Vision, 7.1 etc.

 

If its doesn't work you haven't wasted much money and you can probably send it back anyway.

 

Admittedly a slight problem is lack of stock till 14th of May...

[mpg732 8]

I think it sounds like I should go with the Shield, once they are back in stock.  LOL

[maegibbons 1287]

Shield, MI Box 3, Firestick 4k is my choice.

 

Android TV/Fire TV app is by far the best for emby!!!

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

A 'like' is always appreciated!

[clarkss12 304]

As an Emby player alone, a sub $40 USD running CoreELEC (Kodi) and using the Emby for Kodi apk, plays EVERYTHING.  

 

Example player >>  X96 Air Amlogic S905X3

 

CoreELEC Rom for that device >>  https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/s905x3-x96air-p2-p3-4-32gb-1gbit-lan-how-to-config/8670

[vdatanet 1617]

aTV + Infuse app, will direct play whatever you throw at it

Apple TV 4K + Emby + Infuse = almost direct plays everything, except Atmos TrueHD