soderlund91 4 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Hi I'm thinking about getting a Nvidia shield (not pro). But is it worth it today, I mean the product is 5 years old and right now I'm using the 4k chromecast with Google tv. The ccwgtv does a good job, sometimes it's not as snappy as I would like but not a big issue. Mostly I'm interested in the 4k upscale from the shield. So what do you guys think? I read some recent post on Reddit that is full of bloatware from recent updates and that it has started to be laggy from this.. Is it worth almost $190 (in Sweden), and/or is it worth going for the pro for about $40 extra? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution RanmaCanada 345 Posted March 16 Solution Share Posted March 16 No it is not worth it. It doesn't do AV1, and is more than likely going to be replaced when Nintendo releases Switch 2. The reason I state this replacement, is that the Switch is basically a Shield. If you want a replacement device, and Amazon Firecube V3 would be a decent upgrade, or even a homebrew Windows/Android/Linux setup on a micro PC like an off lease Lenovo Tiny, Hp Gx mini or Dell Micro. These machines can be typically had for about $100 USD, yes I know you're in Sweden, but I can't check prices there, sadly. Look for one of these machines, and then all you would need is an air mouse. Most modern machines can software decode AV1. On the plus side, you'd also be able to use said machine as an emulation system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibbes 431 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 I agree. Not worth it. It's running android 7 and not upgradable without some hackery. In other words, don't connect it to the Internet, as its a gateway to the rest of your network. If you want to do the hackery though, it pretty much loses all features that made the world worth it. You might as well get a Pi4 with ATV on it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neik 837 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 It really depends, if you want full blown audio support (DTS:X for instance) then I'm not sure you have much more choice than the Shield. I have the pro and it just plays everything I through at it. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebr 14913 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Full audio support is the reason to get the Shield. If you don't need that, then there are other options just as good and cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Droid 643 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 15 hours ago, Dibbes said: I agree. Not worth it. It's running android 7 and not upgradable without some hackery. In other words, don't connect it to the Internet, as its a gateway to the rest of your network. If you want to do the hackery though, it pretty much loses all features that made the world worth it. You might as well get a Pi4 with ATV on it... Android TV 11. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soderlund91 4 Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Thanks all! I'm good with 5.1 sound and i guess the CCWGTV does the job well enough. I have an old inte NUC laying around so might make a project with that one. I need this to be wife-proof aswell so i dont think a remote mouse and keebord will do it.. Lets hope for a 2024 shield! And again, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrostByte 5049 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 In the past a new Shield would come out after a new Switch as they share the same processor, etc. There have been rumors a new Switch may come out later this year. https://gizmodo.com/nintendo-switch-sequel-second-half-of-2024-lcd-display-1850692341 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibbes 431 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 (edited) On 3/17/2024 at 1:20 PM, Q-Droid said: Android TV 11. Yes, sorry... You're right! Point still stands though Edited March 29 by Dibbes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neik 837 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 4 hours ago, Dibbes said: Yes, sorry... You're right! Point still stands though What's the benefit of newer versions? Honest question. For me, and that's just for me, the Shield plays everything I through at it and that's the task it has fulfill. Whether it's running ATV 10, 11 or whatever version I don't really care as long as it does the job. Again, that only applies to me, others might certainly have different opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceboy 2493 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 more recent ones are significantly more snappy in menus and app loading 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Droid 643 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 3 hours ago, neik said: What's the benefit of newer versions? Honest question. For me, and that's just for me, the Shield plays everything I through at it and that's the task it has fulfill. Whether it's running ATV 10, 11 or whatever version I don't really care as long as it does the job. Again, that only applies to me, others might certainly have different opinions. Eventually in android world vendors stop updating the OS and developers stop supporting old versions. This cycle is much shorter than the same for Windows, linux and Mac where backward compatibility is high on the list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibbes 431 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 On 3/29/2024 at 5:52 PM, neik said: What's the benefit of newer versions? Honest question. For me, and that's just for me, the Shield plays everything I through at it and that's the task it has fulfill. Whether it's running ATV 10, 11 or whatever version I don't really care as long as it does the job. Again, that only applies to me, others might certainly have different opinions. Next to the snappyness that Spaceboy mentions and backwards compatibility issues that Q-Droid writes about, there are other concerns as well. End of life for Android 11 was in February of this year. This means that no further security patching will be available. Unless you go the length, these devices do still have access to the internet, which means that it becomes a gateway to your internal network and everything that's on it. Since most people nowadays have about everything there is to know going through their WiFi, unpatched (read: insecure) devices become a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all4dom 73 Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Just curious if those tiny pc's being sold can play all the HD audio formats like the shield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all4dom 73 Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 @ebrcan a mini pc replace an nvida shield & play all hd audio options as a passthrough & also 4k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 37066 Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 2 hours ago, all4dom said: @ebrcan a mini pc replace an nvida shield & play all hd audio options as a passthrough & also 4k? It should be able to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanmaCanada 345 Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 2 hours ago, all4dom said: @ebrcan a mini pc replace an nvida shield & play all hd audio options as a passthrough & also 4k? Yes, but it all depends on your OS of choice. LibreELEC would probably be the best option as HDR on windows is still hit and miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all4dom 73 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I was talking about a basic mini pc with windows. I have a samsung tv & sound bar & was thinking instead of a shield, which is old now, maybe a mininpc but I don't want to loose picture quality such as hdr. I thought emby is responsible for that though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBers 6771 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 3 minutes ago, all4dom said: I was talking about a basic mini pc with windows. I have a samsung tv & sound bar & was thinking instead of a shield, which is old now, maybe a mininpc but I don't want to loose picture quality such as hdr. I thought emby is responsible for that though. Buy a Shield Pro. Even though it is from 2019, they're still fully supported, as are the original 2015 an 2017 Shields. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebr 14913 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 33 minutes ago, all4dom said: I was talking about a basic mini pc with windows. I have a samsung tv & sound bar & was thinking instead of a shield, which is old now, maybe a mininpc but I don't want to loose picture quality such as hdr. I thought emby is responsible for that though. Yes but you will then be dealing with all the issues of an HTPC vs a streaming box that is designed for use on a TV and "just works". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillOatman 500 Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 On 3/16/2024 at 7:52 PM, ebr said: Full audio support is the reason to get the Shield. If you don't need that, then there are other options just as good and cheaper. I can't agree with this based on my current information. I have tried several alternatives and they were all painfully slow compared to the shield. But I'm always willing to learn, particularly when it saves me money What hardware is as good and fast as the shield (excluding advanced audio support)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanmaCanada 345 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 3 hours ago, BillOatman said: I can't agree with this based on my current information. I have tried several alternatives and they were all painfully slow compared to the shield. But I'm always willing to learn, particularly when it saves me money What hardware is as good and fast as the shield (excluding advanced audio support)? If you're in the USA you can buy an i3-8100T off lease micro PC off eBay for under $100 which will run circles around a Shield. Will easily run Linux or Windows or even Android if you want. The Shield is just a poor choice these days. If you want to do some retro gaming as well, you can get a Ryzen 5 2400GE for about $100-$125 which will also run circles around a Shield, and you can just use Batocera while installing the Kodi plugin for Emby on it. Both these systems can software decode AV1. The Shield is pretty much dead. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebr 14913 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 15 hours ago, BillOatman said: What hardware is as good and fast as the shield (excluding advanced audio support)? I guess it depends on your perception or requirements but I find the newer Fire devices as well as ChromeCast to operate just fine with Emby (sans HD audio). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibbes 431 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) 19 hours ago, BillOatman said: I can't agree with this based on my current information. I have tried several alternatives and they were all painfully slow compared to the shield. But I'm always willing to learn, particularly when it saves me money What hardware is as good and fast as the shield (excluding advanced audio support)? RPi4 with Lineage ATV13 works quite well though you have to figure out the remote. Otherwise a Nokia box 8000 if you want something cheaper and more ready out of the box... Forget about HD audio though Edited April 8 by Dibbes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillOatman 500 Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 (edited) 10 hours ago, ebr said: I guess it depends on your perception or requirements but I find the newer Fire devices as well as ChromeCast to operate just fine with Emby (sans HD audio). Thanks. I have both of those and find the performance (speed) much slower than my shields. I agree perception definitely comes into play. My kids are using those devices now and since they don't use them a lot, so slower speed do not bother them at all. Edited April 9 by BillOatman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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