Nvidia Shield Pro
Discussion
Our Sony smart TV is about eight years old now, it's "only" 1080p and was never particularly smart in the first place but a few of the online services apps like iPlayer stopped working a few months ago. Not keen to replace the entire TV as it still works and the picture is decent. I also have a PS3 which we were using for streaming but some of those apps have stopped as well.
Not looking easy to get hold of a PS5 and trying not to spend a lot of money just now so was looking at the NVidia Shield Pro which appears to cover most of the bases - Netflix, Prime, iPlayer etc., Plex client and between the native games for the kids and SteamLink and GeForce Now it appeals for gaming too.
Anyone got one of these and care to comment? Regards alternative options, I'm not seeing much that covers all the above bases, unless I've missed something?
Not looking easy to get hold of a PS5 and trying not to spend a lot of money just now so was looking at the NVidia Shield Pro which appears to cover most of the bases - Netflix, Prime, iPlayer etc., Plex client and between the native games for the kids and SteamLink and GeForce Now it appeals for gaming too.
Anyone got one of these and care to comment? Regards alternative options, I'm not seeing much that covers all the above bases, unless I've missed something?
I have the old version from a few years back - the rectangular one rather than the cylindrical one.
All I can say is - it's brilliant!!!
Even for something a few years old now, it keeps going. You can get all the players for Android TV - even the odd game from the play store. There are some dodgy ways of sideloading various other apps onto it that I've never bothered with. I have, however, downloaded a screensaver that displays the various scenic moves meant for Apple TV devices.
Support is fantastic. Just the other week it updated itself to the latest Android version and now it does 4k flawlessly and supports HDR!
I use it in preference to whatever's built-into the TV. I got a fancy LG GX OLEd TV in the autumn and the first thing I did was move the Shield over to it...
The only thing it doesn't do is Alexa - or at least, I haven't bothered to look...
All I can say is - it's brilliant!!!
Even for something a few years old now, it keeps going. You can get all the players for Android TV - even the odd game from the play store. There are some dodgy ways of sideloading various other apps onto it that I've never bothered with. I have, however, downloaded a screensaver that displays the various scenic moves meant for Apple TV devices.
Support is fantastic. Just the other week it updated itself to the latest Android version and now it does 4k flawlessly and supports HDR!
I use it in preference to whatever's built-into the TV. I got a fancy LG GX OLEd TV in the autumn and the first thing I did was move the Shield over to it...
The only thing it doesn't do is Alexa - or at least, I haven't bothered to look...
Yeah, I have a Shield Pro which I use instead of the TV's apps (which are fine).
What I like about it is that it does everything my old media PC did for a fraction of the power & size. I have it set up with an external drive (auto backup to/from a network location), wireless keyboard, webcam, alongside all the normal streaming stuff, and it all just works well.
Also, the upscaling seems great.
What I like about it is that it does everything my old media PC did for a fraction of the power & size. I have it set up with an external drive (auto backup to/from a network location), wireless keyboard, webcam, alongside all the normal streaming stuff, and it all just works well.
Also, the upscaling seems great.
I just use an android tv box. Through play store download whatever apps you want.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
tribalsurfer said:
I just use an android tv box. Through play store download whatever apps you want.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
Does that support Netflix/Amazon/etc... 4K playback? I was pretty sure that Netflix, Google et al would not certify boxes like those for DRM, and 4K playback in particular.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
Shield is still the best and most comprehensive solution, but it's reflected in the price.
We still use the 2015 version as our main TV.
If SteamLink and GE Force Now are important then it's a no brainer to be honest.
So streamer, gaming (with PC titles via Steam), Plex Server, and a multitude of other possibilities you won't get elsewhere. (You mentioned Plex Client, but the Shield will function as a fully functioning Plex Server so it removes the necessity for an additional laptop or desktop running 24/7).
I think I paid 240USD for ours with 2 controllers 7 years ago, and it's still the daily TV and entertainment centre, so the value is over the long term.
If you do pick one up then turn off the auto updates for the OS. The most recent update (within the last month) has created huge problems across the board for users. 3 hot fixes have been pushed out thus far to address problems, but it'll be some time before a stable point release is available.
So for now leave it on Shield Experience 8.xx (android 9), rather than mess it up with Shield Experience 9.0x (android 11).
We still use the 2015 version as our main TV.
If SteamLink and GE Force Now are important then it's a no brainer to be honest.
So streamer, gaming (with PC titles via Steam), Plex Server, and a multitude of other possibilities you won't get elsewhere. (You mentioned Plex Client, but the Shield will function as a fully functioning Plex Server so it removes the necessity for an additional laptop or desktop running 24/7).
I think I paid 240USD for ours with 2 controllers 7 years ago, and it's still the daily TV and entertainment centre, so the value is over the long term.
If you do pick one up then turn off the auto updates for the OS. The most recent update (within the last month) has created huge problems across the board for users. 3 hot fixes have been pushed out thus far to address problems, but it'll be some time before a stable point release is available.
So for now leave it on Shield Experience 8.xx (android 9), rather than mess it up with Shield Experience 9.0x (android 11).
aizvara said:
tribalsurfer said:
I just use an android tv box. Through play store download whatever apps you want.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
Does that support Netflix/Amazon/etc... 4K playback? I was pretty sure that Netflix, Google et al would not certify boxes like those for DRM, and 4K playback in particular.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-Mali...
Under £45
Might struggle with the game side of things but this supports 4k for when you upgrade your tv. Struggle to see the justification of an extra £130 for the Nvidia.
I've got the non-pro and as others have said, it's very good. One thing I learnt, don't run the in built plex server (I did, and pointed it to my NAS storage of movies). Nothing but problems. I now run the built in plex server on the NAS itself and the Nvidia has been flawless since - with regard to streaming downloaded movies.
tribalsurfer said:
It's an Android box, if there's an Android App then it will work. I've got a similar one but don't have a 4k tv either so can't comment but neither has the OP so 4k is a moot point.
Not necessarily, Netflix and or other media app provider needs to certify that the device is secure and supports what they want. Mostly they don't bother doing this with generic Android TV devices as far as I was aware. Not certifying the device can mean anything from: the app doesn't work at all, to: it can display but only up to e.g.: 480p or 720p. (Aside: apps also need to be Android TV compatible, or sideloaded to avoid that check).Edit to add: I accept it is a moot point if you don't have a 4k display.
Edited by aizvara on Tuesday 1st February 15:37
Highly recommend the Shield Pro. It's expensive, sure, but offers a lot.
Plex server has worked perfectly for me since day one, streaming all my 4K encodes smoothly from either locally connected media or from my NAS to the main TV or the bedroom TV.
The recent software update did stop Plex from working briefly but a re-install has rectified it so I'd also agree with previous poster about disabling auto update for now. Good shout.
If you're not needing Plex I'd probably say you can go with the Firestick 4k or 4k Max.
My IPTV app also runs perfectly on it so it's really my only device now - sold my Bluray player and Kodi box to part finance it! With a wireless keyboard you can run it really easily but even the basic controller is fine (just takes a while to type in something like a long web URL).
I wouldn't be without it now as the centrepiece of my TV experience.
Plex server has worked perfectly for me since day one, streaming all my 4K encodes smoothly from either locally connected media or from my NAS to the main TV or the bedroom TV.
The recent software update did stop Plex from working briefly but a re-install has rectified it so I'd also agree with previous poster about disabling auto update for now. Good shout.
If you're not needing Plex I'd probably say you can go with the Firestick 4k or 4k Max.
My IPTV app also runs perfectly on it so it's really my only device now - sold my Bluray player and Kodi box to part finance it! With a wireless keyboard you can run it really easily but even the basic controller is fine (just takes a while to type in something like a long web URL).
I wouldn't be without it now as the centrepiece of my TV experience.
The best option for this is the newest Google Chromecast with Google TV. It's the best because it does everything you want, without costing what the Shield costs and because it's straight from Google the OS is the most up to date implementation of Android you can put on a TV. The Shield is more powerful and better for games, but you're paying for that and it isn't necessary for playing 1080p.
I have a 10 year old server running UnRaid and Plex, it's setup so that you can open a phone app, search for a film or TV series and the server goes and gets torrents for it, downloads the files, moves the files to the Plex media directories and triggers Plex to load it all into the library, can take under 5 minutes from phone search to playing a film on Plex. It's not particularly powerful or expensive. The Google Chromecast works perfectly with this setup, but it is more limited than the Shield in terms of CODECs it'll stream natively. There's a handful of top-end 4k CODECs that it won't stream very well, but you can get around this by a) not downloading these formats in the first place as they're wasted on your 1080 setup. b) telling Plex to create a lower-res version and play that or c) use your phone or tablet to play the file and Cast it back to the Chromecast.
The remote control is great and has Google voice stuff built in. I actually have it setup in a cupboard in another room with a 7.1 surround amp, the IR on the remote will turn my projector on and the Home button will use HDMI CEC to turn on the amplifier, so it all works perfectly using just a few buttons.
You might find the Shield has a bit more flexibility for playing web-page based streams, I have a particular streaming service I use that only streams in browser and I can't find a browser on the Chromecast that will play it, again, I just Cast that from my PC or from my Phone without issue.
I have a 10 year old server running UnRaid and Plex, it's setup so that you can open a phone app, search for a film or TV series and the server goes and gets torrents for it, downloads the files, moves the files to the Plex media directories and triggers Plex to load it all into the library, can take under 5 minutes from phone search to playing a film on Plex. It's not particularly powerful or expensive. The Google Chromecast works perfectly with this setup, but it is more limited than the Shield in terms of CODECs it'll stream natively. There's a handful of top-end 4k CODECs that it won't stream very well, but you can get around this by a) not downloading these formats in the first place as they're wasted on your 1080 setup. b) telling Plex to create a lower-res version and play that or c) use your phone or tablet to play the file and Cast it back to the Chromecast.
The remote control is great and has Google voice stuff built in. I actually have it setup in a cupboard in another room with a 7.1 surround amp, the IR on the remote will turn my projector on and the Home button will use HDMI CEC to turn on the amplifier, so it all works perfectly using just a few buttons.
You might find the Shield has a bit more flexibility for playing web-page based streams, I have a particular streaming service I use that only streams in browser and I can't find a browser on the Chromecast that will play it, again, I just Cast that from my PC or from my Phone without issue.
I've got a Shield pro and it's excellent. Had to replace the remote the other week as it had been dropped one too many times but apart from that it has been rock solid. I preferred the older interface before Google made android tv more ad filled, I used to have a purer system but that isn't down to Nvidia.
It plays everything that is thrown at it, plex server is useful, remote is great, upscaling good. I did some retro gaming on it, Nintendo 64 and stuff but I had to sit close to get the xbox controller to be 100% perfect on inputs. Not sure if the shield being buried behind my tv is reducing the bluetooth range or something. All good apart from the price.
I also have the new chromecast which runs android tv, very good too but if I could only have one it would be the shield.
It plays everything that is thrown at it, plex server is useful, remote is great, upscaling good. I did some retro gaming on it, Nintendo 64 and stuff but I had to sit close to get the xbox controller to be 100% perfect on inputs. Not sure if the shield being buried behind my tv is reducing the bluetooth range or something. All good apart from the price.
I also have the new chromecast which runs android tv, very good too but if I could only have one it would be the shield.
I was just coming on here to post a question about an Android TV box, so I'll ask here. I have a WDTV, which has just gone wrong. I use it to stream video from my NAS, on which I can't run a plex server on, but which hasn't been a problem as the WDTV runs via DLNA/UPNP.
They sound like they can, but do the Android boxes stream from a NAS that isn't running a Plex server? I did try a Roku a while ago, but had to send it back as it didn't manage this very well!
They sound like they can, but do the Android boxes stream from a NAS that isn't running a Plex server? I did try a Roku a while ago, but had to send it back as it didn't manage this very well!
That all depends on the specific box in question.
Anything with licensed android tv will have the likes of Kodi, Nova, etc etc etc available from the Play Store and the TV style interface, network support, codecs etc necessary for playback from the NAS.
Grey boxes may not be as streamlined, but they may work perfectly too!
I use Nova to catalog and play our media library from a NAS. Kodi is used as a backup should Nova ever fail or lose support etc.
Anything with licensed android tv will have the likes of Kodi, Nova, etc etc etc available from the Play Store and the TV style interface, network support, codecs etc necessary for playback from the NAS.
Grey boxes may not be as streamlined, but they may work perfectly too!
I use Nova to catalog and play our media library from a NAS. Kodi is used as a backup should Nova ever fail or lose support etc.
Nvidia shield is probably still the best streaming box out there but for most people it's likely to be overkill. I've had android boxes for years which work great but recently got a Firecube TV box and have to say for £60 I don't think you can beat it. Netflix, Youtube, Amazon Prime etc all work great as does IPTV
Being able to turn on the TV, soundbar etc all at once just by asking Alexa also works great and makes it much more user friendly - for some reason the Mrs always struggled with the multiple remotes!
Being able to turn on the TV, soundbar etc all at once just by asking Alexa also works great and makes it much more user friendly - for some reason the Mrs always struggled with the multiple remotes!
We use a Shield, and my dad has a 4K Apple TV. The Shield offers lots of other capabilities, but a lot of people may not use them.
What surprised me most with the Apple TV was a) the remote makes navigation slower and trickier than the Shield, and b) the Netflix app is akin to the Shield app from 5-6 years ago. It's still lacking lots of basic, practical functions which NF have added to the android TV app. Why NF have held back on the Apple TV app I just don't know, but it came as quite a surprise to me. So much so that I went and checked for manual updates to TV OS and from the App Store. Everything was bang up to date!
What surprised me most with the Apple TV was a) the remote makes navigation slower and trickier than the Shield, and b) the Netflix app is akin to the Shield app from 5-6 years ago. It's still lacking lots of basic, practical functions which NF have added to the android TV app. Why NF have held back on the Apple TV app I just don't know, but it came as quite a surprise to me. So much so that I went and checked for manual updates to TV OS and from the App Store. Everything was bang up to date!
Most of what you want to do can be done with a Chromecast with Google TV. I use mine for iPlayer, Youtube, Prime and Plex, plus it's nice to be able to cast from a phone or computer. Can't do games like the shield though.
I switched to a Chromecast from a Firestick 4K as it couldn't handle iPlayer and a VPN without buffering occasionally, and found I prefer the Chromecast interface too, but apparently the latest Firestick is more powerful so might be worth a look.
I switched to a Chromecast from a Firestick 4K as it couldn't handle iPlayer and a VPN without buffering occasionally, and found I prefer the Chromecast interface too, but apparently the latest Firestick is more powerful so might be worth a look.
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