> Many services block surround sound and the highest resolutions on any full PC experience

I have 4k streaming from Netflix, Disney, Prime. I don't know about sound, but as far as resolution is concerned, I'm fine here.

> I'm forced to agree with the article's premise - everyone's gotten worse.

I also agree. Windows has native apps for most of the streaming services - have you tried that? You get full 4k, audio and all the usual bits (as far as I'm aware, but I haven't tested).

> Plex will randomly flash static on the screen when streaming plain old h264 from the local network

I have not experienced this.