Best Way to Play 4k Video File in 2024

Spennyrich on 01/07/2024 - 09:17
Last edited 01/07/2024 - 12:12 by 1 other user

Hi OzB, I recently picked up the TCL C855 85" paired with a Q990D Samsung Sound Bar which comes with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos HDR10+ etc

I want to know what is going to be the best way to play a 4k video file on the tv, I've typically just been using VLC to cast from my laptop to a Chromecast.

From my initial reading it seems like the best setup would be casting to a Nvidia Shield through a Plex media server.

  1. Best media player: Would my Xbox series X or casting from my laptop (Lenovo Legion 4070) do the job?
  2. Best software: Is plex media server going to give me the best encoding?
  3. Best method: is there any loss when casting wirelessly, do I get better playback if I play the video file from a USB?

Thanks in advance.

Computing

Comments

  • askbargain on 01/07/2024 - 09:22
    +2

    CCwGTV + Plex/jellyfin

    Nvidia shield does not have hdr10+

    Casting doesn’t allow Dolby vision if it’s not mp4

    • tp0 on 01/07/2024 - 10:39
      -6

      The TV almost certainly will outperform the Chromecast. Plex running on the TV will be fine. Or any media playback app running on the TV. It sounds like OP doesn't realise what using Plex would require.

      • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 10:44

        Plex running on the TV won't passthrough Lossless audio like TrueHD 7.1

        • tp0 on 01/07/2024 - 10:53

          I’m not fully across the function of Google TV but technically it should be able to pass lossless audio out via eARC.

          If it can’t it’s a software issue with Google TV rather than a technical limitation of the hardware.

          • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 10:57
            +1

            @tp0: Technically it should but doesn't. It's presumed this is a software limitation to appease movie/tv distributors. It will passthrough for "Official" apps like Netflix/Disney+ etc but not Plex/Jellyfin/Emby

    • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 10:39

      Chromecast cannot passthrough lossless audio in Plex/Jellyfin. Would go Firecube or Firestick 4k max

  • randomusername2017 on 01/07/2024 - 09:30
    +4

    TCL C855 85" paid with a Q990D Samsung

    Post as a deal?¿

  • abs898 on 01/07/2024 - 09:41

    I am using a Plex server paired with Amazon Cube which is almost as powerful as the NVIDIA shield. It's going on sale for $100 bucks in the next couple of weeks.

    You can also easily plug the USB into the cube of the post isn't easily accessible on your tv

    • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 10:41

      Plex server but use Plex via Kodi on Firecube to passthrough DTS-HD Master Audio if required.

    • Pufff on 01/07/2024 - 14:43

      I read in the past Amazon put a lot of ads on their products. Is this still the case?

      • abs898 on 01/07/2024 - 15:01
        +1

        They are toning down on it.

  • jv on 01/07/2024 - 09:47

    How big is the file?

    • Spennyrich on 01/07/2024 - 09:53

      30gb and up!

      • jv on 01/07/2024 - 09:56
        +2

        😲

      • Stuj on 01/07/2024 - 11:37
        +2

        Ive got some at 90gb. Why else am i on here seeking 18TB HDD deals :)

    • iforgotmysocks on 01/07/2024 - 10:02
      +1

      85"

  • terlalu on 01/07/2024 - 10:21
    +1

    just HDMI your laptop to TV

  • foxmulder on 01/07/2024 - 10:22

    I personally use this old wdtv 1tb wired connected to router. Almost thought this thing is useless before I found out you can playback videos in it with VLC in Google TV. It plays also subtitle that inside the video not separate file. Fast forward and back with remote no lags.

  • Soundwave on 01/07/2024 - 10:26
    +1

    Don't cast from your laptop. Connect your laptop via HDMI to the TV. I use K-Lite Codec Pack and the Standard pack comes with Media Player Classic Home Cinema AKA MPC-HC and I use that to play my 4K HDR content.

    This would just be the cheapest option for you than getting an Nvidia Shield or investing in a Plex server set up.

    • askbargain on 01/07/2024 - 10:40

      no dolby vision?

      • Soundwave on 01/07/2024 - 11:08

        Unfortunately no. It's hard to find at least free PC media player software that play DV. I guess due to licencing. And if they do, it's usually limited to certain DV profiles. I don't think Plex does Dolby Vision either.

        • Sal in SA on 01/07/2024 - 18:48

          Plex can do DV.

  • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 10:49
    +2

    The best method for video/audio quality is to run a Plex Server and use a Am6b+ streaming box flashed with Coreelec and using Plexmod4kodi as a Plex client.

    Almost as good options are using Firecube/firestick 4k max or Nvidia shield.

    • Spennyrich on 01/07/2024 - 11:02

      Could i just get a nvidia shield then?

      • HaydosK on 01/07/2024 - 11:05
        +1

        You could but I can't play back Dolby vision fel and has the red push issue for P7 and p8. It's quite confusing but there is lots of info about it online. It's great for streaming just not for bluray remuxes especially compared to the am6b+

        • askbargain on 01/07/2024 - 11:10

          you can convert P7 to P8 now. not sure about development on FEL though

          • HaydosK on 01/07/2024 - 11:21

            @askbargain: From what I heard you can bake in fel but still the red push issue on the shield might be an issue if you care about absolute accuracy on both P7 and p8. Also the process is kinda hard if you want to do it for heaps of films. This is a video on it from the guy that makes the GUI dovi scripts. https://youtu.be/8BvXqw_cGJE

    • GreenRomeo on 02/07/2024 - 00:03

      This. I already have an Apple TV 4K for streaming and Nvidia Shield for playing remux 4K but it looks like I’ll have to fork out for an Am6b+ box now for that ‘ultimate’ 4K quality.

  • stickingly on 01/07/2024 - 11:08
    +1

    Can anyone really notice the difference between watching a movie 4K and good quality 1080p??

    I have a Sony 75 inch TV, raspberry Pi, Kodi media player, Yamaha receiver with good speakers and to me the difference is negligible

    • askbargain on 01/07/2024 - 11:11
      +1

      4K and 1080p has a big difference

    • HaydosK on 01/07/2024 - 11:24

      4k bluray vs 1080p Blu-ray the 4k will win because of hdr/Dolby vision. But in just resolution if you wont get a massive boost. 4k low bitrate streaming vs 1080p Blu-ray I think the Blu-ray will win on resolution but the hdr will probably make the comparison close and I wouldn't know what to choose.

    • Drakesy on 01/07/2024 - 15:19

      I went from the Netflix premium plan with 4k to the standard 1080p plan.

      It's slightly noticeable on my 65 inch but not enough to warrant the extortionate pricing Netflix is now running.

    • AwesomeAndrew on 01/07/2024 - 16:01

      For movies not really, because there is so much motion blur that it blurs out the higher resolution. For me 4K is only noticeable in some scenes where there is relatively little motion.

    • Sal in SA on 01/07/2024 - 18:49

      Oh yeah - 85" and remux 4k DV or disc vs 1080p is very very noticable.
      Assuming source is not just upscaled.

    • merriweather on 01/07/2024 - 18:49

      Really? For me it's night and day. Now that I watch most stuff in 4K anything in 1080 looks really fuzzy.

  • Pusdi on 01/07/2024 - 11:13

    How would Apple tv compare to Firecube/4k max?

  • Stuj on 01/07/2024 - 11:35

    ugoos am6b+ And coreelec , it will play the Dolby vision FEL and MEL and Atmos. Dolby vision is the single biggest improvement to picture quality.

  • DGrayson82 on 01/07/2024 - 11:43

    If its a local file, Zidoo or Dune

    Edit: Oh wow, didnt realise that CoreElec does all DV profiles now, thats awesome

    • Stuj on 01/07/2024 - 11:57

      Yes it is good, I’ve got the Zidoo as well but

  • SnowDragon on 01/07/2024 - 11:46

    I stream 4k content via Emby using the native app on my C845.
    Works with HDR and DV.

    • Bruceflix on 01/07/2024 - 12:02

      It won't passthrough lossless audio

  • Bignudge on 01/07/2024 - 12:16

    Idk about the actual hardware to stream 4K movies and videos… but in terms of software I have heard that Streamio+Real Debrid can work really well :)

    • DGrayson82 on 01/07/2024 - 12:25

      Shhh…….

      • HaydosK on 01/07/2024 - 12:45

        It's not a secret

  • emblurr on 01/07/2024 - 12:48

    I use one of those little Dell Optiplex 7060 that often come up on sale here. I added another 8GB of ram to give it 16. HDMI straight in with a little wireless keyboard/Mouse. Runs VLC, so plays anything.

  • AustriaBargain on 01/07/2024 - 14:08

    The best way? Having Denise Richards stand behind you, lean over your shoulders and reach for your mouse, and press the play button for you.

  • AwesomeAndrew on 01/07/2024 - 16:06

    Personally I just install VLC on the TV, and I use that to open the video file from the SMB file share from my NAS. Unfortunately I found out that my TV only has 100 megabit ethernet, so when I try to play some super high bitrate videos it does not work properly and the video starts stuttering. So in this case I just watch it on my computer or I re-encode the video with lower bitrate.

    The simplest option would just be to use a HDMI cable from your laptop to the TV.

  • Sal in SA on 01/07/2024 - 18:51
    +1

    Plex with NAS for storage, Shield as client for Tv.
    Do it right from the start - saves so much time and $.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 01/07/2024 - 19:24
    +1

    nVidia Shield, as always, with locally stored files.

  • Horacio on 02/07/2024 - 01:00

    Given the Shield or Fire Cube (apparently about $250-220) costs as much as a mini PC, are they vastly better than just using a PC, which then also be used for other stuff in future, or at least could do a few other minor server tasks at the same time?

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