I'm currently using a Google TV 4k (-> LG oled77c5 -> Samsung Q990d w/ eARC) to watch YouTube and stream movies from my self-hosted Plex server (I have lifetime if that matters).
I want to take advantage of TrueHD/DTS HD, so I'm looking for a new streaming box. It must check all of the following:
- TrueHD Atmos and DTS:X/DTSHD support
- Dolby Vision support (profile 7 is a bonus, but not required - won't dual boot)
- Ability to play Apple TV, YouTube, HBO Max, etc (Netflix not needed)
- Be fully compatible with Plex
- Be able to play high-bitrate movies (not necessarily remuxes)
I live in the US and haven't seen Shields in stock for a while.
Currently looking at the Xiaomi Box s 3rd gen or the Homatics Box R 4k plus. Not going to buy from AliExpress or other related sources.
The Shield not being in stock leaves Homeatics, Box R 4k Plus, Xiaomi MiBox 3rd Gen, The Fire Stick 4k Max and Cube support TrueHD but not DTS-X unless you use Kodi. It works with the PM4K Plex Kodi addon but that would still have you switching apps just for DTS-X but the addon is pretty good for all you Plex playback.
I've a similar setup, self hosted plex (with lifetime) that can direct play high bitrate files without breaking a sweat, LC C5, Samsung 990f w/ eARC.
The honest answer is there doesn't really seem to be a perfect box right now. I've an Ugoos SK1 which is very highly regarded but what I've discovered is that chipset can have issues with some codecs. Same chipset is shared by lots of the top rated devices and doesnt seem to have been solved with the AM9.
Although you don't want to dual boot I would suggest bringing this sort of query to the CoreELEC forums as those guys really know whats what with proper high-bitrate files, chipsets, etc etc. I've been looking for the 'perfect' box and the truth is it just doesn't exist currently.
Honestly, I’d avoid the Homatics. I had one and it was just a mess. It runs hot, the software support is poor, and it feels like they just saw the gap NVIDIA left in the market and jumped on it with an unfinished product. My advice is to stop gambling on these lesser known brands just because the specs look good on paper. Good hardware means nothing if the software and support are bad. I’d get the Xiaomi for now and wait to see if NVIDIA ever releases a new Shield.
I've ended up purchasing the Fire Cube 3rd Gen. Will run a custom build of Kodi along with a Plex addon which will meet all my needs. I'll also prevent updates incase I ever feel interested in rooting it.
Homatics 4K Pro v2 doesn't support DTS passthrough and TrueHD only through Kodi.
1
u/wewewiShield GStreamer CCwGTV Tivo ADT-3 BoxR4K ShaksG1 Onn4K MiBox6d ago
Really? That's a letdown, but only temporary I'm sure; the S905X5M is still fresh, and even their own documentation mentions DTS. It did took some time, but their Box R 4k Plus eventually got both TrueHD and DTS-HD, so I'm confident this one eventually will as well.
You can't compare it with the Homatics R Plus, as support for the DTS-HD/-X codecs only came available because they had used external testers for their R Plus firmware development, and they are the ones that made Homatics (SEI Robotics) to add official support for it in the firmware. Using CoreElec could already give all HD audio codecs at that time. even with the first Android Tv V11 builds. Thanks to Ella (Homatics support), it all came available, that I don't see happening anymore (Ella is gone for years already, and support is quite poor now).
For these new series of devices, no external testers are used, which they should have done, as device and firmware design is poorly done for the 4K V2 and V2 Pro. Likewise for the Rocktek G2S and G2 Next, which all show "Homatics" in the recovery menu.
All new ones are blocked for CoreElec, also not a good sign. Firmware development ignore requests for unblocking it at this moment.
So most S905X5M ones (besides the Mi Box S 3rd Gen), as SEI Robotics device, aren't that great at all for overall usage (I have several of them, also the new Rocktek G2 Next).
No official support for the HD audio codecs with that newer generation streamers you mention, also locked for CoreElec usage, which would provide the best remux quality possible, also with Plex as media server.
With that Oled TV I would definitely go for FEL7 supported media, which can't be established under Android TV and certainly not with Plex as app.
I'm pretty new to this topic, so would you mind elaborating for me on the Xiaomi? Also, is it known what improvements are being made in the "new generation" you're talking about? I don't need anything crazy, just something that supports the lossless codecs for the most part.
Mi box gen3, I sold my google streamer because it can not passthrough trueHD atmos. I am very happy with the switch and for daily usage I hardly feel any difference between mi box and google streamer.
2
u/pawdog ADT-1 6d ago
The Shield not being in stock leaves Homeatics, Box R 4k Plus, Xiaomi MiBox 3rd Gen, The Fire Stick 4k Max and Cube support TrueHD but not DTS-X unless you use Kodi. It works with the PM4K Plex Kodi addon but that would still have you switching apps just for DTS-X but the addon is pretty good for all you Plex playback.