Dumb TV devices recommendations

[DeanoVIP]

Hey, could someone recommend me a HDMI device for my TVs.  I currently use a Chromecast HD Gen 3 which I like but it only supports H264 and same with my older Roku Express 3930 which I believe are the same.

So two questions:
1. Am I right in thinking that my server is transcoding everything to h264 if it is h265.  If this is the case do this cause my more load over the network?  I get the server has to do more work, but I'm trying to avoid buffering over WiFi.

2.  Can someone recommend some devices that will support h265 and atleast WiFi 5.

My theory is my furthest TV on the network struggles when media is transcoded. While it has good WiFi in the mesh some content it buffers a fair bit. Unfortunately wired is out the question.

[TheDreadPirate]

1. Depends on your configuration. But probably. Your WiFi would have to be either very very slow/weak at the client or your HEVC video was already at an insanely high bit rate.

2. Anything new will support H265/HEVC. Most new devices also support AV1. Anything new will support WiFi5, most probably support WiFi6. Keep in mind that WiFi 5 came out like 10 years ago. So you're talking about really old devices that don't support WiFi5.

I've personally used the CCwGTV 4K and the Roku 4800X and was happy with both. I'd avoid any FireOS based devices.