NHL.tv - Current Best Devices

I ran a search but most posts on this topic are slightly dated and don't exactly answer the question I'm looking for.

Context - I use NHL.tv and AdFreeTime to watch the Isles while living in NYC. This is my 2nd season and my primary viewing method is using Kodi and the NHL.tv addon on my HTPC or Laptop as it has a much better framerate than viewing in a browser. My biggest complaint with this method is:

(1) buffering, which some nights is horrible but non-existant on others; and to be fair to the NHL.tv addon developer it has improved dramatically, especially since NHL Gamecenter; and

(2) Kodi reports I am watching in 720p. The picture looks good and this may be inaccurate but if there is a 1080p option I'd prefer to be watching via that method. Information is scarce on exactly what devices are getting 1080p NHL.tv; and finally

(3) Nitpicking here but I do have a 5.1 audio setup and the Kodi addon does not transmit true 5.1 but stereo which can be remixed. Again, I'm not sure whether any devices are currently streaming true 5.1 (or for that matter whether the content providers are even providing 5.1 encoding) but if there were another device that solved the above problems and included this, it would be a nice benefit.

I recently came into a free Fire TV and was disappointed there was no NHL.tv app as I wanted to compare to Kodi. I also have some Amazon money burning a hole in my pocket and could purchase a new device if the experience is that much better than Kodi. My options as I understand them (in order of price):

(1) Chromecast - it seems like this is pointless considering I have a HTPC hardwired to my receiver but if it streams the NHL better for $35 I would buy it in a second;

(2) Apple TV - this is duplicative for me and I'd probably not buy one at $149 just for a slightly better viewing experience but maybe there are benefits it has over the HTPC/Fire TV combo I have that I'm not realizing;

(3) PS4 or Xbox One - a much more expensive purchase, but I do game and with about $200 in amazon funds could get a good deal. I mostly game on PC and am eyeing the Nintendo Switch as an alternative platform but I do love the EA NHL series and would probably opt for a PS4 if the Switch information coming out in January sounds disappointing. Again, if the NHL (and as a baseball fan MLB) streaming experience is that much better it would be added value for me.

Anyway, if anyone has experience across the above platforms I'd love some feedback. Thanks for reading.

Submitted by nyi22 | #Specialdealer Special Offer Online Shopping Store 2016