Yet one more that asks for advice..

[watchdog]

Hello people, trying to find some reviews and answers about our beloved boxes, I found this particular forum.

Recently I got a used 49" 4k LG TV to replace my old one (40" Samsung FHD).
I was using for years a Raspberry Pi2 for Kodi (mostly) because I could use it for some coding too..
The issue here is that RPi cannot be used for 4k content, so I'm stuck with FHD.

For sound output I use a Sony soundbar (https://www.sony.com/electronics/sound-bars/ht-rt3). For now I use the following connection:

RPi -> (HDMI) -> TV -> (Optical) -> Soundbar

Since now, I haven't tested if I get the 5.1 output of the soundbar for sure, maybe, maybe not. But anyway, I want to change the RPi.
The reason I'm here is that I need some help from the experts to find a TVBox to deliver 4k content on TV and 5.1 sound on soundbar.
So the needed capabilities good enough for 4k and surround sound (optical port) 5.1 DTS etc. I use ethernet for network mostly (close to the router).
I don't think I will use it for gaming, so thats an optional feature..

I've seen some for a reference. All of them are below 100 euro price range. And I would like to stay close to that price.

Beelink GS1 6k
H96 Max H2 or H96 Pro Plus
Tanix TX9 Pro
Mecool M8S Pro
Tanix TX8 Max
R-TV Box S10

*And some with RK3399 chip (don't know if its better or not).

Thanks in advance !

Regards,
Teo

[gefattern]

Hi ,

best to look for a Box with good Rom support , the Meecool M8S Pro , H96Pro+ and new Beelink ,

(if a Dev from here will make support for it) are i think the best choises , maybe the S10 if there is

nothing else .

I am not really a Pro in 4k & 5.1 , but to be sure you can best read and later ask in the specific Rom

Threads from here for more Info and is 5.1 not dependent from the input of Content ???

good luck / greetings / gefattern

[watchdog]

and is 5.1 not dependent from the input of Content ???

Of course it is, but as far as I know, not all boxes support it.
Even if they have optical (spdif) audio output.

Thanks for the welcome.

[gefattern]

Hi ,

best is to read and ask in the specific Threads of the Boxes , if 4K & 5.1 is working well .

The 5.1 unsupport Problem on Boxes , has or had todo with the Licence that is needed

for that , they must pay for it & you know "how stingy" they could be .

I am not sure if it still must payed , month ago i read something about that , here in the

News , posted by trebor , i think , but not sure if it 100% fits , wont write anything wrong .

greetings / gefatttern

[mitchell4you]

5.1 depend on content, player used, firmware, hardware
see:

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=289735

https://forum.xda-developers.com/app...oding-t3696673

most android device have optical pass through limited to 5.1
Some have HDMI pass through but.. it requires a compatible HDMI amp (some have handshake issues )

4k sounds great. but where to get 4k content?
Only 3 devices have 4k optional content Netflix / YouTube (HDR) :
xiaomi box / nvidia shield TV / Chrome ultra (HDR) from what I have read

[watchdog]

I have some 4k content that I could test till more will come.

I know that 5.1 output has to be "licensed" and everything you both said, gefattern and mitchell4you

The connection I would like to do is:

TVBox - - - > TV (HDMI)
......| - - - - > Sony Soundbar (5.1) with optical

Which one would you suggest for best performance regarding 4k and 5.1 sound ?
Which would you buy ? Propose another if you think.

Beelink GS1
H96 Pro
H96 Max H2
Tanix TX9 Pro
Tanix TX8 Max
MeCool M8S Pro
R-TV S10

Thank you in advance, again.
Regards,
Teo