Any advice in regards to streaming video connection. Is it better to connect direct vie ethernet to TV or to A/V processor. Example I have Mcintosh MX 122 A/V processor and LG C9 OLED. If possible any advantage to connect to A/V processor then back to TV via HDMI as opposed to direct connect from router to tv.
Neither is the right solution. First, HT processors don't have video streaming apps built in for stuff like Netflix, Amazon, etc. Some will have internet audio streaming apps for Pandora, Spotify (the MX122 does). Second, doing the streaming using TV is good for video, but audio quality will take a dump.
You are best off looking to get a dedicated streaming device. The streaming device is just another source like a Bluray player or a satellite receiver.
For the cheapest ones, look at Roku or Amazon Fire TV cube. If you are planning on streaming Amazon, do not get an AppleTV. Amazon has limited it's Apple iOS player to only 720p and stereo audio (their way of influencing customers to buy their FireTV instead of AppleTV).
If you want a better quality streaming (especially for audio), you can look at the higher end media streamers such as Zappiti or Zidoo. The more expensive models even have linear power supplies (which further improves both the video and audio quality of stuff over HDMI).
auxinput would you mind explaining why say Zappiti would be superior audio/video vs my present connection sceme: ethernet to OLED from router (for video) and OLED arc via HDMI to A/V processor (for audio). If it makes a difference the OLED is the 2019/2020 LG C9 OLED. Please advise. Thank you
Is it better to connect direct vie ethernet to TV or to A/V processor
Like aux mentioned, I don't know of any AVR that has a streamer for video built in.
The biggest issues for me have been the compatibility of the Audio Return Channel (ARC) , as well as 4k support. I end up re-setting one component or the other to get ARC to work unless I leave everything on all the time.For this reason, using the TV's optical out has sufficed.
If my HT processor was 4K ready though, I would move all my inputs over to it, and use the TV's optical out to connect to my AVR for off-air channels.
I suppose you could try using ARC. However, ARC and eARC uses one single-ended data wire in the HDMI cable (usually not even a good wire). Whereas HDMI audio from a streamer source uses the combination of the four fully balanced HDMI signal wires (these are the important wires and are usually much better engineered in an HDMI cable). The power supply and digital circuits in the TV are usually not as good as something that is in a Zappiti or Zidoo streamer.
The ARC and eARC stuff was developed more for people who just want to mount a TV on the wall and expect it to "do everything". Also for people who want to simplify and consolidate their systems without any concern for sound quality.
Thank you all for your responses. This stuff is confusing. I have a pretty decent system and I want to get this best out of it. I initially went audio out via optical from the OLED tv to the A/V processor/. That worked okay. Now I am using the ARC hdmi from the OLED to the ARC HDMI of the A/V processor. I have Magico S5 for the front speakers powered by Mac 611's, Mcintosh for the center and two Mcintosh XR200 powered by MAC 452 for the surrounds. Two Subs are SVS Ultras. I noticed an improvement over the optical connection using the ARC via HDMI The ARC made a difference in the low end and the dialogue is improved through the center channel. The video quality of the LG C9 is the best I have ever seen. However if I can improve audio and or video I am willing the dish out the $1,000.00 for the Zappiti streamer. Do you people think it would be a waste of money or do you think I would see a improvement in audio and or video going from the Zappiti via HDMI to the A/V processor. Sorry for being redundant but I am ignorant when it comes to the tech stuff and sometimes don't understand the responses on this forum.
The video quality will likely not be better (but maybe). With a streamer you are dependent on how good your HDMI cables are. It also depends on how good the streaming app and receiver is in the OLED TV.7 I think the audio quality will be better though.
Actually, I plan to get the Zidoo UHD2000 sometime this year. I'm looking to switch to streaming instead of DirecTV satellite.
If you want to reduce your costs, you can buy a Zappiti One SE ($349) and then get one of those Teradak linear power supplies from ebay for about $200 or so. It's the linear power supply that makes the major difference.
However if I can improve audio and or video I am willing the dish out the $1,000.00 for the Zappiti streamer. Do you people think it would be a waste of money or do you think I would see a improvement in audio and or video going from the Zappiti via HDMI to the A/V processor.
Honestly I think it would be a waste of money. I have an LG B8 based OLED TV. I never use the TV’s streaming services, and "live" in the Roku ecosystem unless I’m watching a Bluray or off-air broadcast. The 4K high dynamic range stuff I watch off Amazon is amazing.
If LG has all the services you need, stick with it and stay simple. If you find an app / streaming service it doesn’t have, consider the Roku. Right now the Roku Premiere is $30 off their website. The "ultra" which just adds a faster CPU is $80. The Roku is there for me mainly because of Crunchyroll. I also think they have a nicer user interface in terms of switching apps.
Amazon limits the resolution to 720p and audio to 2-channel stereo on all iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, etc. However, the Amazon resolution is not limited when using an Android device (android phone/tablet and any media player that uses Android O/S such as the Zappiti or Zidoo players). If you know for a fact that the resolution is not limited on AppleTV, then maybe it is the exception. NOTE: that the AppleTV could still be outputting 1080p or 4K to the TV, even though the Amazon app is limiting the resolution internally.
As regards to Erik's statement. I have evaluated the Amazon FireTV cube. It is surprisingly good for a small device that uses a switching wal-wart power supply. However, the sound is a bit bright and harsh. I compared this to a TIVO unit that is using a Teradak linear power supply and tested Amazon streaming. The TIVO unit with linear power supply just blew away the FireTV cube in both video and audio quality. Video was sharper and more saturated and bolder in color. Audio was extremely good without any harshness. Both of these were tested using the same HDMI cable into the same TV.
Also, not all HDMI cables are created equally. They all have different results in both video and audio.
I use a Roku Ultra and have been very happy. I stream Hulu Plus and Netflix. It also enables me to stream my Blu Ray collection from JRiver Media Center through their media player. I still can't figure out (I would love too) why the surround sound tracks are not picked up by my NAD and have just about given up. It is really not a huge issue, because I really only use the feature when my son wants to watch his disney movies, so the physical disc stays in great shape.
@ozzy thanks. Just cut cable and I am thinking about getting a Fire TV Cube and using it with an aftermarket linear power supply to keep stock switching supply out of my main HT/HiFi system where I have concerns about both sound quality and noise. I just removed an Xfinity smart cable box from my main system and it made a big, big difference in the overall sound quality of all other sources. Even with power conditioning, that thing must have been really dirty, not to mention it ran hot and had a fan in it that was running all the time. I am using a Fire TV Stick with a TV in different room, and functionally it works great, but sound quality is not as critical there. If I go with the TV Cube and linear supply, I will report back on experience.
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