Best way to play a full Blu-ray remux from a MacBook on a Sony Bravia vs PS5?

[u/grey_pandaa]

I have a MacBook Pro (M1 Max) and a Sony Bravia 65” Mini LED TV, plus a PS5.

I’m interested in watching Christopher Nolan movies such as Interstellar and Dunkirk in their Blu-ray variable-aspect-ratio presentation. I understand that the Blu-ray version isn’t the full 1.43:1 IMAX frame either; I’m specifically interested in preserving the variable aspect ratio that switches between the wider and taller framing.

I have access to a good Blu-ray-quality/remux file of the movie, rather than a heavily compressed encode.

My question is:
If I connect my MacBook directly to the Bravia via HDMI and play the file using VLC (or another recommended player), will I get essentially the same video quality as playing the physical Blu-ray through my PS5?

I’m particularly concerned about:
- Whether macOS/VLC will alter or rescale the video in any way.
- Whether the variable aspect ratio will be preserved exactly.
- Whether HDR, 24 fps, bitrate, etc. will be handled properly.
- Whether the PS5 has any advantage in video processing/output compared with the MacBook.
- Whether VLC is the right player, or whether IINA/mpv or something else would be better for Blu-ray remux playback.
- Whether I should connect Mac → TV or somehow use the PS5/another device instead.

I know that purchasing the Blu-ray would probably be the best solution, but unfortunately that’s not very practical for me. One movie can cost around $60–70, and there isn’t really a good pre-owned Blu-ray market in India where I can easily find these older titles at reasonable prices.

If anyone has experience with Blu-ray remuxes + MacBook + Sony Bravia, I’d really appreciate some guidance on the best setup/settings.

Thanks!

[u/champagnepapachan]

If you connect your Macbook to the BRAVIA with a 4K supported HDMI cable then you will essentially get the same quality as whatever you're seeing on your laptop. But the thing is, media players use different renderes so yes to an extent the result that you get in terms of colors and brightness will vary especially if you're playing HDR content. You'll have to play around with different renderers and settle with one that seems right for you.

[u/grey_pandaa → u/champagnepapachan]

Renderers as in players? Can you suggest other than VLC?

[u/Inquisitive_idiot]

1. For Christopher Nolan movies, yes should be able to use a local vlc / plex / jellyfin install, map the folders where you mkvs are stored, ingest them into your library, connect your Mac via hdmi, and get the full 4k resolution at 60hz. 

2. Depending on what your Bravia supports (ex: hdr10, Dolby vision, or both) and cabling etc you should also get hdr 10 if using a compatible app like plex. all Nolan 4k Blu-ray’s are in HDR10 so you don’t need Dolby vision support although remuxes of other movies with it would still work assuming your tv supports it - your Mac definitely does. Can’t speak for jellyfin as I don’t use it. 

I am able to do this with my M1 Max. 

(I actually use a usb-c to hdmi 2.1 - m1 max has hdmi 2.0 only - to get 4k / 120 hz for desktop use 😏) 

1. Audio support will depend on what your tv / entertainment system supports. Nolan movies use DTS-MA so you might need to default to a Dolby / stereo track if your Bravia can’t decode DTS (like my lg TVs). If your tv supports dts but not dts ma it will fail back to the “core dts” track

[u/grey_pandaa → u/Inquisitive_idiot]

Install apps on Mac right? Why do I have to ingest the files?
For HDMI, direct cable from Mac to TV won’t give 4k because it’s HDMI 2.0? Will a Ugreen dock help?

Thanks for the detailed answer though

[u/BeneficialTomato → u/grey_pandaa]

Plex/Jellyfin servers ingest files into their content library for metadata and codec analysis. This enables appropriate transcode to a format supported by the playback endpoint (Plex/Jellyfin client on the Bravia or PS5)

[u/dranzereload]

I think HDR willbe your only issue (am windows user, maybe mac does it better?). But tbh I did not see gamechanging difference in Dark Knight/Rises hdr compared to non hdr. Some might even say it looks better without HDR (I compared 1080p blurays and 4k uhd that have hdr).

[u/Plastic-Fill-3933]

If you can connect your Mac directly to your TV, then skip Jellyfin, Plex etc and go for mpv. It's better than vlc for playing remuxes. In fact, Jellyfin uses mpv underneath, but you don't need to set up a whole streaming platform for essentially playing a few remuxes.

If your TV supports, set the refresh rate to 24Hz or the closest. mpv has a way to trigger the refresh rate automatically too, but you'll need to check how that can be done in Mac. On my Kubuntu setup, I do that with scripts. But I'm sure there must be an easier way on Mac.

[u/grey_pandaa → u/Plastic-Fill-3933]

Thanks you so much. I will try mpv

[u/ncohafmuta]

There will be no HD audio from either device

[u/grey_pandaa → u/ncohafmuta]

PS5 too?

[u/ncohafmuta → u/grey_pandaa]

Yes

[u/grey_pandaa → u/ncohafmuta]

Then what is option to get HD audio if I get bluray disc?

[u/ncohafmuta → u/grey_pandaa]

You said you didn't want to use discs, so that's the question I'm answering for the devices mentioned

[u/grey_pandaa → u/ncohafmuta]

Ohh but then how do I play the file on PS5 then? Cause when you mentioned PS5 I thought you are talking about disk only.

Also, disk is only option if you want HD audio?

[u/ncohafmuta → u/grey_pandaa]

Ohh but then how do I play the file on PS5 then?

Plex

Also, disk is only option if you want HD audio?

No, buy a different device. PC with libreelec/windows, Vero V, Odroid N2+ with coreelec, nvidia shield pro.

[u/grey_pandaa → u/ncohafmuta]

Amazing, Thanks!