Replace xbox streaming from nas

[hersh]

Hi all
After some advice
Currently stream my movies from a synology nas via an xbox to smart tv
Works very well but the xbox is getting old and slow to boot (xbox 1), sony tv can be a bit patchy playing some file types so would prefer the hardware playback decoding
What's the best option to replace the xbox ?
Needs to be simple (for the wife) and able to stream/decode all file types
Am willing to throw a couple of £100 for the right system
Tried plex but found the software finicky in file format requirements
Did look at the nvidia shield but that looks past its sell by date
Would appreciate all feedback
Thanks in advance

[markiii]

what playback software on teh xbox are you using?

[hersh]

None
Just native software!
Works fine but really slow

[ARH]

Anything like roku, firestick or android tv box will do it easily with a choice of software. I would go Android TV, but that is just because it's what I like no other reason.

[hersh]

ARH said:

Anything like roku, firestick or android tv box will do it easily with a choice of software. I would go Android TV, but that is just because it's what I like no other reason.

Thanks

Hadn't considered that, will have a look at android tv

[eeLee]

The answer is:
- Apple TV
- plus Infuse

This will connect to SMB shares on your NAS. It will download artwork. It is a beautiful, silent, future-proof solution that does not care if you are Apple or not.
It will play everything if you pay the annual or lifetime fee.

I have this hooked into Jellyfin - slightly more complex and something you might be able to do with your Synology too, depending on age and oomph.

[Stu R]

eeLee said:

The answer is:
- Apple TV
- plus Infuse

This will connect to SMB shares on your NAS. It will download artwork. It is a beautiful, silent, future-proof solution that does not care if you are Apple or not.
It will play everything if you pay the annual or lifetime fee.

I have this hooked into Jellyfin - slightly more complex and something you might be able to do with your Synology too, depending on age and oomph.

This is the way.

[Dave.]

Stu R said:

eeLee said:

The answer is:
- Apple TV
- plus Infuse

This will connect to SMB shares on your NAS. It will download artwork. It is a beautiful, silent, future-proof solution that does not care if you are Apple or not.
It will play everything if you pay the annual or lifetime fee.

I have this hooked into Jellyfin - slightly more complex and something you might be able to do with your Synology too, depending on age and oomph.

This is the way.

Or a firestick and Kodi for about a quarter of the price

[ARH]

Dave. said:

Stu R said:

eeLee said:

The answer is:
- Apple TV
- plus Infuse

This will connect to SMB shares on your NAS. It will download artwork. It is a beautiful, silent, future-proof solution that does not care if you are Apple or not.
It will play everything if you pay the annual or lifetime fee.

I have this hooked into Jellyfin - slightly more complex and something you might be able to do with your Synology too, depending on age and oomph.

This is the way.

Or a firestick and Kodi for about a quarter of the price

Exactly but as everyone know Apple just works

Oh so does android, roku, a pc or a raspberry pi. Anything computer based can connect to SMB shares its the reason they exist.

[Stu R]

Dave. said:

Stu R said:

eeLee said:

The answer is:
- Apple TV
- plus Infuse

This will connect to SMB shares on your NAS. It will download artwork. It is a beautiful, silent, future-proof solution that does not care if you are Apple or not.
It will play everything if you pay the annual or lifetime fee.

I have this hooked into Jellyfin - slightly more complex and something you might be able to do with your Synology too, depending on age and oomph.

This is the way.

Or a firestick and Kodi for about a quarter of the price

I'm not inclined to recommend Kodi when they struggled with Plex. You do you though.

[ARH]

Any media player on any device should be able to connect to a nas without issues, no need to use something like plex or kodi if its a bit complex for the OP. VLC will play anything from anywhere, although the UI will not impress many.

[Dave.]

Stu R said:

I'm not inclined to recommend Kodi when they struggled with Plex. You do you though.

I never got on with Plex when I tried it, granted it was a while ago...

Biggest faff with the firestick is physically getting the Kodi installer on there, but there are plenty of guides and only takes a few mins....

I've no skin in the game so I genuinely couldn't gaf which way the op goes, just making him aware that there are other options....

[slievenashaska]

hersh said:

Currently stream my movies from a synology nas via an xbox to smart tv
Works very well but the xbox is getting old and slow to boot (xbox 1), sony tv can be a bit patchy playing some file types so would prefer the hardware playback decoding

New TV...

The new TV should be able to connect to SMB shares and should be able to play the formats you have on the NAS.

[WrekinCrew]

slievenashaska said:

hersh said:

Currently stream my movies from a synology nas via an xbox to smart tv
Works very well but the xbox is getting old and slow to boot (xbox 1), sony tv can be a bit patchy playing some file types so would prefer the hardware playback decoding

New TV...

The new TV should be able to connect to SMB shares and should be able to play the formats you have on the NAS.

Yes, why do you need a separate box? Just install something like Jellyfin (free), Plex or Emby on the TV. At least one will be on the App Store for your brand of TV. I use Jellyfin on my LG with a Synology NAS. All have an interface pretty much like Netflix or Prime

[shtu]

WrekinCrew said:

Jellyfin

Came here to post exactly that. Really nice UI for a free product.

Have a play with their demo, https://demo.jellyfin.org/stable/web/#/home

[slievenashaska]

shtu said:

WrekinCrew said:

Jellyfin

Came here to post exactly that. Really nice UI for a free product.

Plex is still free to use in your home, assuming you don't need to transcode, and is easier to set up than Jellyfin.

[eeLee]

Will Jellyfin run on his Synology? Maybe in Docker, maybe not. It adds complexity (even though I run Jellyfin and love it).

For years, I ran Mezzmo as a DLNA solution to my TV native; then to VLC on Apple TV.
I've also run Serviio but DSM7 and the root model (rightly) broke that.

If you have not seen Infuse (yes, sorry, Apple device - I am no fanboy, I have been travelling this road for 15 years).
It's really feature-rich, SIMPLE and beautiful. It also requires NO TINKERING once it works and connects to his SMB shares.

I have it connected over Tailscale to Jellyfin but note that I did not suggest that, it's not overly-complicated but it's not that simple.

[slievenashaska]

eeLee said:

If you have not seen Infuse (yes, sorry, Apple device - I am no fanboy, I have been travelling this road for 15 years).
It's really feature-rich, SIMPLE and beautiful. It also requires NO TINKERING once it works and connects to his SMB shares.

But you have to pay for Infuse, unless you want it not to work with certain files at random.

[hersh]

Hi all
Lot of great info here
Before I spend cash, perhaps I'll try jellyfish
Couldn't get on with plex, it was too fussy on file names to work properly
The tv is only a few years old but stutters on some movies, maybe jellyfish might cure that
Will report back in approx a week

[ARH]

Does your TV have google TV, or is it some Sony OS. If it google just install VLC and try to play the movies before trying to set up Jellyfin which is very similar to plex or kodi to setup.

If VLC can playback the file then Jellyfin may be a good option?

Are you connected via wifi or Lan cable? wifi may be your limiting factor. A 2 year old TV should be able to easily play any format without stuttering.