A couple of notes, in case anyone here is using these.
There are various models, with newer ones having more memory and storage.
I have ripped a fair few BluRays in mkv. An older Firestick 4k was struggling, continually pausing.
This was either direct, using VLC, or via Kodi.
I bought a 4k Max, which made the issue far more nuanced.
I read that the Firestick 4k can have an issue with mkv.
I installed Jellyfin on the NAS, and used the Jellycon add-on in Kodi. In Jellycon you can force transcoding by the server, which I did, to mpeg-4. Things work much better with the older Firestick now.
Interestingly both Firesticks are fine with Internet streamed UHD.
The real solution is Nvidia Shield Pro, which is excellent. BUT, the smps impacts my system sound quality when plugged in, whereas the Firestick, in my Lexicon Processor, does not.
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I gave up on NAS streaming of 4K to any Fire4K device a while back. Ultimately I want is non transcoded.
But the bigger issue is the video processor in the Amazon devices is dire and where this really shows is when viewing older 480p DVD rips. They look amazing on the nVidia but literally unwatchable on the Fire4K. It’s ability to reconstitute an image with less information is hobbled.
My AV system is on a different circuit to the stereo hifi so the SMPS doesn’t bother me too much but it can be replaced with a better one. MCrU will even provide a Shield one IIRC.
For a smooth browsing experience, PLEX provides the best functionality but it will always do some transcoding even if transcoding is completely disabled. And you have to constantly keep upgrading the server to keep up with the auto updated client app version. Kodi reading direct from NAS via NFS or SMB is by far the superior experience I have found. Not to mention the simplest; nothing running on the NAS; everything set to passthrough on Kodi.
In general, I’ve decided UPnP is a bit of a solution in search of a problem and that streaming devices, both audio and video should just read direct over NFS/SMB and do away with additional software running on the NAS.
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I prefer KISS too.
With Amazon changing their Firestick OS, and removing side loading, allegedly, they may well kill the beast.
Having Firesticks gives my wife a consistent user interface, with which she is familiar. This is an historic hang over.
The UI on the playroom Samsung TV has become VERY sluggish. Two years old! The old Firestick has made it usable again, and requires no additional psu, being powered from the TV’s rear USB socket.
WRT MCRU psu: Good thought. Currently I am happy to only fire up the Nvidia for proper film nights, otherwise leaving it unplugged. Wasn’t an issue until the Oppo died.
I may well go full Shield in due course, or look at something less corporate!
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Full shield it is. I’ve been playing with various sticks as well (Apple, chromecast, fire tv) but the only one which really works is the Shield.
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The other option is that modern smart TV are entirely different to what they were 10 years ago. In 2015, a smart TV meant you got a TV with a highly proprietary Android/Linux OS that was out of date with no new software before you even took it home and capable of doing not much other than wind you up with frustrating laggy behaviour and limited options.
Now if you buy a smart TV, they have much faster processors and often have an third party managed Android deployment like Google TV on Sony Bravias. And a few years after purchase updates keep rolling in direct from Google, not Sony. The Sony TV in the second room has basically the same interface as the nVidia shield in the main room. Same apps. Same responsiveness. No extra box/dongle. Plays fine with Kodi and unlike the Fire4Ks I had, renders older 480p smoothely too, albeit not quite as jaw droppingly crisp as the nVidia but close enough.
Yes, looking at software provision is a good idea. But, I hate how Google et al are worming their way into too many aspects of my life.
You’ll own nothing, and be happy about it!
I am spending time ensuring my own media/rips are secure …..and may just go NUC.
I fully understand. And I think the same way.
But at times they have you over a barrel. nVidia still do major Shield OS updates after 10 years but next to that there’s really only Google and Amazon. Google do EOS 5-7 years after next hardware release. Amazon 7 years or until the hardware is incompatible (my 2015 gen 1 Fire 4K box still gets updates). But when I looked at others it was just 12-18 months to EOS after the next hardware release.
Eventually the goal is to leave Netflix etc. to the streaming device/TV and move NAS library viewing to a purpose built box that has LAN connectivity to the NAS but is otherwise a non internet connected bit of hardware. Literally just a (zero maintenance) movie player.
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Yes, we are swimming against a strong current.
I have just buried my father. The local Funeral Director’s AND the crematorium are owned by the same group. Comparing the costs of my mother’s funeral and Dad’s has little relationship to inflation.
More transparency and price discovery needed.
When media has truly gone then these ‘services’ will accelerate pricing increases.