Best Way to Stream MKVs to Living Room

[Nebor]

So I've had it with HTPCs. I've had one for a decade, but I'm sick of turning it on and seeing a billion java updates, power dvd updates, etc. I have hundreds of blu-ray ISOs that I've ripped to my NAS (Netgear Readynas 4+.) I'm currently converting them all to MKVs (no compression or sound tracks removed.)

I figured an Xbox One would be a good solution for streaming things around the network and off the NAS, but from what I'm reading the Video Player on the Xbox One can't play DTS. The best workaround seems to be using Plex, which will transcode DTS to surround that the Xbox One can handle, and hope that Plex and Microsoft can work things out in the future.

Are there any other streaming devices that work better? My Samsung TV can browse the NAS and play these MKVs (even with DTS) without issue, but the interface isn't very pretty (no cover art, information, etc.)

 

[Ketchup]

I don't know if this will help, but I have Samsung AllShare on my file server, and it shares just fine, all the way up to DTS (6.1 on my system). My mkv files look and sound good to me, and it is free software for my system (Samsung Blu-ray with WIFI).

 

[Nebor]

Yeah my Samsung TV can browse the NAS and play MKVs with DTS no problem. It's just that the interface is just a file browsing interface with no cover art or anything. I'd like something a little slicker.

 

[smitbret]

I know you said no HTPC, but have you considered a Chromebox running OpenELEC? You can set it up to boot straight into XBMC and the whole thing runs just like a streaming box. There's no OS to update and everything is just one integrated package. The only update you'd have to do is if you wanted to update OpenELEC which occurs about like a firmware update.

I replaced my WDTV Live with one and couldn't be more pleased. Easy for the wife and kids, too.

 

[WelshBloke]

Plex has client apps for the xbox1 and Samsung TVs doesn't it?
If there's a version of the Plex media server for your NAS that would be ideal wouldn't it?

 

[SolMiester]

So I've had it with HTPCs. I've had one for a decade, but I'm sick of turning it on and seeing a billion java updates, power dvd updates, etc. I have hundreds of blu-ray ISOs that I've ripped to my NAS (Netgear Readynas 4+.) I'm currently converting them all to MKVs (no compression or sound tracks removed.)

I figured an Xbox One would be a good solution for streaming things around the network and off the NAS, but from what I'm reading the Video Player on the Xbox One can't play DTS. The best workaround seems to be using Plex, which will transcode DTS to surround that the Xbox One can handle, and hope that Plex and Microsoft can work things out in the future.

Are there any other streaming devices that work better? My Samsung TV can browse the NAS and play these MKVs (even with DTS) without issue, but the interface isn't very pretty (no cover art, information, etc.)

Doesnt Samsung smart TV have Plex app?, Also Plex has a Xbox client too!...sorted!

Oops, beaten too it!

 

[poofyhairguy]

I know you said no HTPC, but have you considered a Chromebox running OpenELEC? You can set it up to boot straight into XBMC and the whole thing runs just like a streaming box. There's no OS to update and everything is just one integrated package. The only update you'd have to do is if you wanted to update OpenELEC which occurs about like a firmware update.

I replaced my WDTV Live with one and couldn't be more pleased. Easy for the wife and kids, too.

+1

The "best" way is a Chromebox

 

[Nebor]

+1

The "best" way is a Chromebox

I was also looking to have the Xbox One play actual blu-ray disks should the need arise. The ASUS CHROMEBOX-M115U looks like it would fit the bill... Can I just plug a USB 3.0 blu-ray player into and be good to go?

 

[ControlD]

Plex has client apps for the xbox1 and Samsung TVs doesn't it?
If there's a version of the Plex media server for your NAS that would be ideal wouldn't it?

This.

It looks like there is a version of Plex that runs on the ReadyNAS series. Get a Roku, Chromecast, Fire Stick, etc., browse to your Plex server and start streaming. Or if your devices have Plex apps ready to go then you are already set.

 

[n0x1ous]

Be careful about running the actual media server software on a NAS if you need Plex to do any transcoding. CPU probably won't be up to the task.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The ASUS CHROMEBOX-M115U looks like it would fit the bill... Can I just plug a USB 3.0 blu-ray player into and be good to go?

No, Linux lacks a software Blu Ray player like PowerDVD. You will either need a stand alone unit (which costs about as much as a USB Blu Ray drive) or you need to rip the Blu ray to the NAS beforehand as you have been doing.

You say you have had it with HTPCs, but I think you have had it with trying to force a Windows computer to be a livingroom appliance. What is nice about a Chromebox is that it is a computer that is successfully forced into being an appliance via linux. The OS boots straight into Kodi and there is no Java, updates, task bar or focus stealing. It also means there is no "blessed" path for playing Blu Rays because honestly it is not a full on OS and computer. Trade offs.

To be fair, you did ask for the best way to stream MKVs. And nothing does that better than Kodi on good hardware with a good configuration (aka a skin like Aeon).

 

[tential]

No, Linux lacks a software Blu Ray player like PowerDVD. You will either need a stand alone unit (which costs about as much as a USB Blu Ray drive) or you need to rip the Blu ray to the NAS beforehand as you have been doing.

You say you have had it with HTPCs, but I think you have had it with trying to force a Windows computer to be a livingroom appliance. What is nice about a Chromebox is that it is a computer that is successfully forced into being an appliance via linux. The OS boots straight into Kodi and there is no Java, updates, task bar or focus stealing. It also means there is no "blessed" path for playing Blu Rays because honestly it is not a full on OS and computer. Trade offs.

To be fair, you did ask for the best way to stream MKVs. And nothing does that better than Kodi on good hardware with a good configuration (aka a skin like Aeon).

Marcos may have stopped work on aeon. Hasn't been word from him I. Awhile apparently.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Marcos may have stopped work on aeon. Hasn't been word from him I. Awhile apparently.

Yup, I might have to change gears for Kodi 14.0 and find a new favorite skin.

 

[Nebor]

Sounds like I'll probably do Plex with the Xbox One or Samsung Smart TV app, that way I'll have the ability to play physical blu-rays.

I kinda doubt the Readynas has the horsepower to transcode anything though... Can I run the server on my always on desktop PC and serve the MKVs off the NAS?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Can I run the server on my always on desktop PC and serve the MKVs off the NAS?

Yup, just run the Plex Server software on the desktop, but have the library source be the NAS.

 

[Nebor]

Yup, just run the Plex Server software on the desktop, but have the library source be the NAS.

Cool. I'll give that a shot once all my blu-rays are done converting from ISO to MKV. I'm using the MakeMKV batch converter, and it takes about 30-40 minutes per movie. I've noticed that even though it only uses 30% of my i7 2600K according to task manager, it heats the processor up to within a few degrees of TJ Max. Out of curiosity, I paused the conversion and fired up prime95, which was able to create the same temps but was using 100% CPU utilization to do so.

So it sounds like Plex on my Samsung TV and Plex Media Server on my desktop will provide a good interim solution. Then I can use an Xbox One with Plex to play both NAS & physical disks.

 

[tential]

Yup, just run the Plex Server software on the desktop, but have the library source be the NAS.

Rapier, Nebula (One I'm currently using) and I think there is one more that seem pretty good. Nothing as great as Aeon though sadly.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sigh. And I already have some HEVC so I am looking forward to the next version, almost enough to run nightlies. Oh well.

 

[smitbret]

Rapier, Nebula (One I'm currently using) and I think there is one more that seem pretty good. Nothing as great as Aeon though sadly.

Which Aeon are you talking about? Please don't say Aeon Nox.

 

[tential]

Which Aeon are you talking about? Please don't say Aeon Nox.

I'm not positive about Aeon Nox. I only see mod's and no official release.

I think both Aeon MQ and Aeon Nox will be modded to work on Helix. I'm testing other skins until I have an official release though.
I really am enjoying Nebula and Rapier is good too.
Aeon MQ though is by far the most featureful skin out there.

Mimic is another option.

 

[Nebor]

When I got home yesterday my PC was off. I guess it hit TJ Max and shut down. And now Movies2kMKV Converter won't work due to some sort of java error, even after reinstalling java and the application. So I'm back to converting them one at a time.

Tried Plex out on the Samsung TV and it worked great with DD 5.1 @ 1080p.

 

[at80eighty]

Eminence is a fantastic XBMC skin: clean and fast

 

[tential]

Eminence is a fantastic XBMC skin: clean and fast

You missed the part where we were saying skins moving forward.
Eminence is Gotham only.
We're talking about XBMC 14.0 onward (Helix).

I'm sure most of the skin works on Kodi, but for stability sake, I would rather use a Kodi release skin as I've had all types of odd issues trying to use skins made for Gotham on Helix.

(sorry for the intermittent name changing, stupid new names are annoying).

 

[SlitheryDee]

My roku seems to play best with plex out of my streaming devices. The xbox one may be a decent solution, but you have to have plex pass currently to use it. I don't have that, so I can't say for sure. The amazon fire stick works ok with plex, but it is plagued by some odd hitching/buffering type behaviors that my roku (which is much farther from the router) doesn't suffer from. I installed xbmc on my apple tv 2 once to see how well that would work, but I could never get it to play mkvs satisfactorily. I figure the roku 3 with a wired connection to the router may play the mkv in full quality, but I don't know what kind of support it's media player has for things like different audio streams and subtitles. It's kind of difficult to come up with something other than an HTPC that will do everything without needing to go through a transcoder like plex or media browser.

 

[tential]

My roku seems to play best with plex out of my streaming devices. The xbox one may be a decent solution, but you have to have plex pass currently to use it. I don't have that, so I can't say for sure. The amazon fire stick works ok with plex, but it is plagued by some odd hitching/buffering type behaviors that my roku (which is much farther from the router) doesn't suffer from. I installed xbmc on my apple tv 2 once to see how well that would work, but I could never get it to play mkvs satisfactorily. I figure the roku 3 with a wired connection to the router may play the mkv in full quality, but I don't know what kind of support it's media player has for things like different audio streams and subtitles. It's kind of difficult to come up with something other than an HTPC that will do everything without needing to go through a transcoder like plex or media browser.

appletv2 + xbmc , I know some people swear by it, but I wouldn't really consider that to be a great way to test XBMC.

I mean, it's limited to 720p for christ sake...