Nvidia Shield TV (2017) Media Streaming Box

[Sonnie Parker]

Anyone tried the Nvidia Shield TV streaming box?

Looking at the pro model with the 500GB hard drive that would work for holding all my music instead of the USB flash drive I am using now.

From all of the reviews, it's supposed to be the fastest and offers Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc... all of the pertinent streaming services.

The only issue I see is the cost... $299 for the pro... $199 for the basic with smaller HDD and no IR sensor (Bluetooth).

 

[ShpongleDMT]

An idea for the music: If you have a DLNA capable receiver you can use JRiver Media Center as a server and send the music your system from your computer. You can even control it from your phone using the JRiver Gizmo app or an app called Bubble UPnP. I like Bubble UPnP because I can also access my Tidal account and send the music to my receiver.

The shield is also marketed as a gaming device so that's jacking up the price. If your looking for a streaming device the Roku 4 is probably the next best option. Personally I just use my PlayStation 4.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I have the Roku Ultra now, but it doesn't like my JVC projector. According to the primary technician at Metra Home Theater, who is one of my distributors and carry most of the DPL Labs HDMI certified cables, they have had more issues with the Roku 4K than any other streaming box. Brent (their tech) does a lot of the testing on various units and the Nvidia is the one that has given them the least amount of issues. The only other streaming box that will handle HDR is the Nvidia, at least that I can find.

It may be possible to add JRiver to the Shield Pro... not sure. I have JRM on my laptop now for use with my headphones. I don't have a computer in the home theater room... no more room for anymore boxes at this point.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

A big thumbs up for the Shield TV Pro...

This is the one to get for streaming. Very VERY fast processing, ZERO audio dropouts... ZERO HDCP 2.2 handshake issues... it just plain out works. Saying goodbye to the Roku and in with the Shield. Looks pretty sleek too.

EDIT: See post #8

 

[Tonto]

http://bestreviews.com/best-streaming-devices

https://www.androidcentral.com/nvidia-shield-pro-vs-standard-which-should-i-buy

Looks like a great product! I like the PC & external HD support!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Interesting comments from Metra about the Roku 4K. Those folks know what they're talking about!

At least it eases your mind a bit, I'm sure. But having to buy another source? Ouch!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Well... I sent the Roku back for a refund, but the pro does cost over twice as much... however, it works!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Well... I will have to eat my words... it does NOT work!

As it turns out, I am having all kinds of issues... Netflix will not play, the unit cuts in and out. Not sure what's going on, but after working beautifully the first couple of times I used it, now it is choking on me. I sent in feedback to Nvidia and we'll see what they say, but as it stands it looks like I may end up going back to Roku and putting up with the few issues it has from time to time.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

This 4K HDCP 2.2 cabling is a complete disaster to say the least. As it turns out, I had a bad cable... or a cable that was fine and then progressively got worse until it quit. Seems like it would either work or not work, but no... it was a gradual transition to not working.

SO... the Shield is back in business in the theater room... and the Roku Ultra is now in business on the Vizio M70-E3 display. Both working fairly well.

I am going to be connecting the Shield and the Roku side by side for a bit of a comparison. I can't see where the Shield is doing anything better for basically 3 times the money of the Ultra. If anything, it offers less and the interface is not as flexible as the Roku with setting up your channels. But more testing is needed.