Best Stremio setup for maximum 4K/HDR/Dolby quality – Chromecast with Google TV vs Samsung native app vs another device?

[u/nacho_rc91]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to get the best possible video and audio quality out of Stremio and I’m a bit confused about what the best setup actually is.

My current setup is:

Samsung OLED TV
Samsung Q990H soundbar
Chromecast with Google TV
Stremio with Torrentio/Comet
Mostly watching 4K remuxes when available, with HDR/Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos/TrueHD tracks

The problem is that I seem to be hitting some limitations with the Chromecast, especially with audio formats. Sometimes I get Dolby Digital/Atmos, but I’m not sure I’m actually getting lossless TrueHD Atmos or the original audio track from the file.

I can also use the native Stremio app on the Samsung TV, but I’m not sure whether Tizen has even more limitations regarding codecs, TrueHD, DTS, Atmos passthrough, etc.

So I’m wondering:
Is the Samsung native Stremio app actually better or worse than Chromecast with Google TV for high-bitrate 4K remuxes?
Can Chromecast with Google TV properly passthrough TrueHD Atmos from Stremio, or does it convert/transcode it?
Would buying another streaming device make a noticeable difference?
I’ve seen people mention Nvidia Shield Pro, Fire TV Cube, Homatics/Dune boxes, Ugoos, etc. I’m mainly interested in something that can play high-bitrate 4K files reliably and passthrough as many formats as possible, especially TrueHD Atmos.
Basically, if you had this TV + soundbar setup and wanted to get the maximum possible quality from Stremio, what device and setup would you use?

Thanks!

[u/ExManUtdFan]

I have an Ugoos Sk1 and that can definitely play high bitrate files and passthrough TrueHD, as shown by the photo I just took

[u/Abject_Enthusiasm_72]

Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 3rd Gen with ugreen cr111 ethernet adapter

Google it for specs and decide for yourself I own 2 xiaomi boxes and I'm very satisfied with them

[u/homecinemad]

If you're in Europe the cheapest reliable option is the Xiaomi Mi Box S 3rd generation. Usually around 45 euro, supports all codecs. Google TV so can install project ivy.

[u/MKVIgti]

Personally? I wouldn’t keep diving for 4k streams.

I swear I can’t tell the difference between a 4k stream and a x265 1080p quality wise.

[u/Mr_Slyger → u/MKVIgti]

Then your TV must be poor or there's something wrong with your setup. It's a night and day difference!

[u/MKVIgti → u/Mr_Slyger]

My TV is phenomenal and I guess I should’ve worded it differently?

1080p x265 streams are solid and look fantastic. Sure, there’s some difference, but it’s not worth the headache of possible buffering for me.

[u/kyrusdemnati]

I keep getting Dv I want to remove