2018-10-19, 04:03
There are NO external media players that can playback dual layer DolbyVision BD rips. There is no external media player software that can handle that proprietary Dolby data. Some DV capable TV's might be able to via USB.
Even the Apple TV 4K, that is DolbyVision streaming capable cannot do it. DV Netflix or iTunes streaming uses a very specific single layer DV profile which is different from that on DV Blurays.
Cheaper 4K HDR devices are the Gigabit equipped S912 chipset AMLogic boxes running DIY LibreELEC Kodi or CoreELEC Leia, such as the Tanix TX92, Vorke Z6, Tanix TX9 and Beelink GT1. None of those will give you 1080p Netflix, but they should do 4K HDR YouTube.
A Wireless remote like the MINIX A2 lite is highly recommended, one with a mini USB dongle. The A2's mini keyboard comes in real handy for Kodi shortcuts.
In fact the Gigabit S912 MINIX U9 sometimes comes with the A2 lite - it's the package I use for 4K HDR LibreELEC Kodi Krypton.
Even cheaper is the S905X 4K HDR AMLogic chipset devices. They come with Fast Ethernet only but are still fully HDR Kodi capable.
It pretty easy getting LibreELEC or CoreELEC Kodi running on those AMLogic devices these days. There is lots of online help.
You could use Optical out to an AVR, from a Smart TV to provide 5.1 Dolby Digital audio from the TV's Apps such as 4K HDR Netflix, Prime Video etc. anyway.
Just use the above DIY devices for SDR & 4K HDR Kodi with HD audio, they are great at that.
Or buy a Plug n Play Vero 4K. I even have mine dual booting from CoreELEC Kodi Leia (running from a microSDHC card) into internally stored OSMC Kodi Krypton - to play around with.
The Vero 4K+ will give you the best online support going around, it's what you pay a bit extra for. You get to have direct contact with the developers. Some people want that.
These devices running Linux based Kodi software like LibreELEC, CoreELEC & OSMC provide you with great flexibility when it comes to using 4K HDR Kodi. They are "set and forget" SDR & 4K HDR Kodi players, once initial device setup is done.
Even the Apple TV 4K, that is DolbyVision streaming capable cannot do it. DV Netflix or iTunes streaming uses a very specific single layer DV profile which is different from that on DV Blurays.
Cheaper 4K HDR devices are the Gigabit equipped S912 chipset AMLogic boxes running DIY LibreELEC Kodi or CoreELEC Leia, such as the Tanix TX92, Vorke Z6, Tanix TX9 and Beelink GT1. None of those will give you 1080p Netflix, but they should do 4K HDR YouTube.
A Wireless remote like the MINIX A2 lite is highly recommended, one with a mini USB dongle. The A2's mini keyboard comes in real handy for Kodi shortcuts.
In fact the Gigabit S912 MINIX U9 sometimes comes with the A2 lite - it's the package I use for 4K HDR LibreELEC Kodi Krypton.
Even cheaper is the S905X 4K HDR AMLogic chipset devices. They come with Fast Ethernet only but are still fully HDR Kodi capable.
It pretty easy getting LibreELEC or CoreELEC Kodi running on those AMLogic devices these days. There is lots of online help.
You could use Optical out to an AVR, from a Smart TV to provide 5.1 Dolby Digital audio from the TV's Apps such as 4K HDR Netflix, Prime Video etc. anyway.
Just use the above DIY devices for SDR & 4K HDR Kodi with HD audio, they are great at that.
Or buy a Plug n Play Vero 4K. I even have mine dual booting from CoreELEC Kodi Leia (running from a microSDHC card) into internally stored OSMC Kodi Krypton - to play around with.
The Vero 4K+ will give you the best online support going around, it's what you pay a bit extra for. You get to have direct contact with the developers. Some people want that.
These devices running Linux based Kodi software like LibreELEC, CoreELEC & OSMC provide you with great flexibility when it comes to using 4K HDR Kodi. They are "set and forget" SDR & 4K HDR Kodi players, once initial device setup is done.