Android MiniClient vs Extenders (HD300, HD200, etc) vs Full Sage Client (Windows)

[stuckless]

I just wanted to start a thread that would potentially help people understand the differences between each of these solutions.

Ultimately I'd like to provide a Table with a Check List. If people could post some pros/pros, in format something like...

H265
Android: YES
HD300: No
Full Client: MAYBE (full client might do software decoding, but could possible do hardware decoding if video card supports it, and using XXX decoder)

DVD PlayBack
Android: NO
HD300: YES
Full Client: YES

Here is the Feature Comparison List

I think ultimately the list woud provide a feature gap analysis between HD300 and the Android client, but, also, I think that it would help people understand what kind of client they need. (ie, if DVD playback is really important, then the Android Client is not likely the right choice)

[KeithAbbott]

This sounds like a great idea. For DVD playback, you may want to be more specific (i.e. Clients can playback physical DVDs), and as far as ripped DVDs go, you may want to specify the format type(s) (vob structures, iso files, etc.)

Also, there are hardware differences. For instance, HD300 can utilize IR remotes, and can utilize a remote IR to be able to hide the unit. Probably quite a few other hardware differences beyond that...

[SageWizdom]

Originally Posted by stuckless

H265
Android: YES
HD300: No
Full Client: MAYBE (full client might do software decoding, but could possible do hardware decoding if video card supports it, and using XXX decoder)

When you state support for H265 above is that straight payback support or can I make the assumption that it is H265 support for all (most) features? ex. comskip, ff/rw, other? I think much of this really happens on the server, but not sure.

My question is really around H264, but may apply to 265 also. I notice that specifically with transcoded video, FastForward 1 & 2 (or rewind) are very unhappy. However I'm not sure if that is the server end or the decoder end.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by SageWizdom

When you state support for H265 above is that straight payback support or can I make the assumption that it is H265 support for all (most) features? ex. comskip, ff/rw, other? I think much of this really happens on the server, but not sure.

My question is really around H264, but may apply to 265 also. I notice that specifically with transcoded video, FastForward 1 & 2 (or rewind) are very unhappy. However I'm not sure if that is the server end or the decoder end.

Yeah H265 uses hardware decoding on Android TV boxes so it fully supports skipping, etc.

When you Transcode, on the fly, FF/REW will not be as responsive, but h264 encoded files should play just fine (they do for me, and all my recordings are h264).

[pdermody]

Native Output Switching
Android: No
Full Client: No
HD300: Yes

[valnar]

Originally Posted by pdermody

Native Output Switching
Android: No
Full Client: No
HD300: Yes

Yeah, this and embedded CC/Sub support is available on the HD300's too. Until those are replicated in some fashion to a different device, the HD300's are worth their weight in gold. I'm also a big fan of the Sigma Design chips in general.

[stuckless]

I create/updated the Feature list

[valnar]

The Windows client supports embedded subtitles now?

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by valnar

The Windows client supports embedded subtitles now?

I just assumed so... if that is not the case, then I'll update the list. (I don't run windows, and I've never used the windows full client, so, I can't say for sure).

[valnar]

Nope, the Windows client doesn't support embedded subtitles in MKV/MP4 files. One of the big reasons those extenders are so popular. If an enterprising developer wants to fix that, I'd open up those Intel NUC's as decent replacements.

[Clift]

What about 1080i ATSC?

I know it says mpeg2ts, but I just want to make sure since most ARM based devices don't do mpeg2 deciding in hardware. Is this a Shield exclusive or does it decode in software?

[valnar]

I'm not at home to check, but I'm not sure Windows support native output switching either.

[EnterNoEscape]

Originally Posted by Clift

What about 1080i ATSC?

I know it says mpeg2ts, but I just want to make sure since most ARM based devices don't do mpeg2 deciding in hardware. Is this a Shield exclusive or does it decode in software?

The Shield, Nexus Player and FireTV (not FireTV Stick) all have hardware MPEG2 decoding support.

Although I have to say the Nexus Player is probably the worst at dealing with interlaced MPEG2 content. The HD300 kills it quality-wise.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by Clift

What about 1080i ATSC?

I know it says mpeg2ts, but I just want to make sure since most ARM based devices don't do mpeg2 deciding in hardware. Is this a Shield exclusive or does it decode in software?

NVidia Shield and Nexus Player both support hardware decoding of MPEG2 streams. Basically the MiniClient will use hardware decoders for mpeg2, h264 and h265 if the device has support for it.

[KeithAbbott]

How about including a row for which java heap the device uses (client = client, HD300/Android = server). After all, that is one of the big selling points of the client.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

How about including a row for which java heap the device uses (client = client, HD300/Android = server). After all, that is one of the big selling points of the client.

That's kind of a hard one to put down empirically... I run a 700mb JVM on Linux and I connect 3-4 MinClients and I've never had an issue with memory. I know on windows it seems to be a different story. It would be a hard one to put into #s into the chart, though. It's almost a seperate JVM/Connections chart

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by valnar

I'm not at home to check, but I'm not sure Windows support native output switching either.

It does not, that's exclusive to the hardware extenders (unless the Android clients do).

[phareous]

So can you maybe post a suggestion on the comparison chart on how to deal with lack of DVD/Bluray playback? I'm assuming the only solution would be to convert the ripped folders into MKV/H264?

[panteragstk]

That's what I did. MakeMKV has a batch version that will scan a folder and output .mkv to another (or same if you want) with whatever settings you choose. Worked very well for me.

Having said that, I don't use SageTV for movie playback any longer. I've been using Plex and it works great.

On my Windows clients I was using the external player plugin to use MPC-HC for movie playback. Much more reliable than Sage due to directshow being a PITA.

[sacrament055]

I'm wondering if anyone else is seeing the same sorts of issues I'm seeing with the ShieldTV mini client.

I'm seeing with IJK PLayer occasional slow motion on the video which then catches up (much like when I start watching something). I've seen it crash back to the ShieldTV desktop a couple times.

EXO Player seems to play better except when I try to skip it loses track of the video but audio keeps playing.

I figured I'd check if it's just me so that I can figure out what on my system is causing this or if it's a known issue.

I do not see any problem using my HD300 for playback so I'm assuming my server side setup is ok.