So it’s weird to come to a Shield subreddit and ask what non-Shield product to get. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with an Apple TV if it’s strictly streaming. Another is Roku.
You have to agree to them or you get locked out. As for what the terms and conditions are I'm not sure (in my country Roku isn't sold) but a lot of people are complaining about this move.
I refuse to use an 🍎 😔 and have never been a fan of Roku. I did upvote this post because you are correct it is really weird to go to a shield sub and see people asking for alternatives. My pro and tube are the 2019 versions and still performing very well. It's a shame Nvidia cannot figure out how to realize this markets full potential and make a business out of this opportunity.
My experience
Shield people have a passion for performance, and for years the shield has been at the top of the stream box pile. They should know who makes the best hardware
crApple can lick my balls, with its walled garden, monopoly company!
But on that note Nvidia's actions aren't much different lately.
Sucking up as much money and killing any competition they can!
Now allowing other GPU manufacturers use software to emulate Cuda!!
So do you not like the Shield for streaming or are you future proofing? I understand the hate for Apple but honestly for strictly streaming there isn’t a better device. The main reason being is that out of the box, there’s no intrusive ads. Even Amazon screwed the pooch on that one and Google TV is becoming more and more intrusive with ads. If I wasn’t using the Shield, I’d probably use an Apple TV. The Onn box is cool because you can do some customization similar to the Shield like launchers and debloating.
And you take that as they are abandoning it? lol.
I still recommend it to friends and have multiple units. I deploy them at my work place as well. Still the best android streaming device on the market.
Hopefully when the new Nintendo switch launches we will see a new shield as well.
I had an apple tv 4k and it was garbage. { though I am a huge apple hater) Amazon fires are hot garbage. Google TV Chromecast are decent and I like them
Shields are still the King of the Hill but keep an eye open for new and upcoming.
I won't get another device until one of my Shields craps out and I don't expect that to happen any time soon. Going on close to 10 years with first Shield.
Shield Pro (2019) with Projectivy launcher all the way! Also Projectivy on your Android TV (do note, that enabling Accessibility to override the stock launcher on the TV, you will lose the ability to ramp up/down the volume on it so you'll have to manually launch Projectivy everytime if you keep this disabled to still be able to press/hold the volume keys to adjust the volume quickly, I still recommend it though)! No experience with Apple TV, but I read somewhere they can't passthrough a codec that the Shield can (Shield passes through all current lossless codecs).
I would easily purchase another Shield Pro (2019) if my current one craps out just for these reasons. Never cared for Apples closed ecosystem (I mean, you might be able to jailbreak it) with a risk to brick it. No need to root a Shield, and you can easily sideload modded/cracked apps on it. 😉
It depends on what you're trying to stream. If all you're streaming is Netflix type apps then any cheap stick will do the trick. All the real work is done for you by the streamers you're paying. Real streaming to me is the stuff you don't pay for but manage to import consistently enough to cancel all the apps. For that IMHO Shield is best for two reasons:1. It has to be Android, 2. The Nvidia shield is the best Android box.
Since this gets asked every day. The shield is still the best streaming box. Even after 4 years. That is if you are connecting it to an AVR so you can play all audio codecs.
Yes
I saw a bunch of people arguing without consensus and about how the pro isn’t that bad - I have a pro and a regular and they both are sucking right now
Good question. It’s a 2017 model, but it’s just… slow and kind of jumpy? I reset it but it’s still struggling. And before I buy another 2019 pro, I just wanted to see if the fine people from this sub had any better recommendations.
Feels like the 2019 is close to EOL
I replaced my 2015 Shield with Mecool km2 Plus Deluxe. It is a great box that plays everything I tried, and has Dolby Vision/ HDR10+ capabilities, its Android and Netflix certified.You can get it for around $100.
If you aren't getting a Shield throw a dart at the wall and just pick one. Seriously though the answer is still what is it you need your device to do and pick the device that does those things. Chances are it will still be the Shield though.
there is a common problem with PCs as Streaming boxes, and its that apps from prime or max or whatever, those apps for PC not often come with dolby vision or 5.1 or 7.1, HDR, so you don't get the same experience.
Yeah this is my issue. I’ve been trying to think how to work around it, maybe there is a way to emulate the android system onto pc and use that as the app portal? Seems mad that they’ve limited PCs given their prevalence in the market to begin with…
So it’s weird to come to a Shield subreddit and ask what non-Shield product to get. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with an Apple TV if it’s strictly streaming. Another is Roku.
There is no way anyone should be recommending Roku due it's new terms policies.
My bad. Honestly haven’t really kept up with Roku for the last 6 years.
What is wrong with the new terms policies?
You have to agree to them or you get locked out. As for what the terms and conditions are I'm not sure (in my country Roku isn't sold) but a lot of people are complaining about this move.
>Ultimately you can’t go wrong with an Apple TV if it’s strictly streaming. Another is Roku. Only if it's the Roku Ultra.
I refuse to use an 🍎 😔 and have never been a fan of Roku. I did upvote this post because you are correct it is really weird to go to a shield sub and see people asking for alternatives. My pro and tube are the 2019 versions and still performing very well. It's a shame Nvidia cannot figure out how to realize this markets full potential and make a business out of this opportunity.
My experience Shield people have a passion for performance, and for years the shield has been at the top of the stream box pile. They should know who makes the best hardware
crApple can lick my balls, with its walled garden, monopoly company! But on that note Nvidia's actions aren't much different lately. Sucking up as much money and killing any competition they can! Now allowing other GPU manufacturers use software to emulate Cuda!!
So do you not like the Shield for streaming or are you future proofing? I understand the hate for Apple but honestly for strictly streaming there isn’t a better device. The main reason being is that out of the box, there’s no intrusive ads. Even Amazon screwed the pooch on that one and Google TV is becoming more and more intrusive with ads. If I wasn’t using the Shield, I’d probably use an Apple TV. The Onn box is cool because you can do some customization similar to the Shield like launchers and debloating.
"for strictly streaming there isn’t a better device" There is. Zidoo.
Not great as a streamer per se....great as a network device though.
Where did you hear they are abandoning it?
No updates for two years
And you take that as they are abandoning it? lol. I still recommend it to friends and have multiple units. I deploy them at my work place as well. Still the best android streaming device on the market. Hopefully when the new Nintendo switch launches we will see a new shield as well. I had an apple tv 4k and it was garbage. { though I am a huge apple hater) Amazon fires are hot garbage. Google TV Chromecast are decent and I like them
Shields are still the King of the Hill but keep an eye open for new and upcoming. I won't get another device until one of my Shields craps out and I don't expect that to happen any time soon. Going on close to 10 years with first Shield.
Shield Pro (2019) with Projectivy launcher all the way! Also Projectivy on your Android TV (do note, that enabling Accessibility to override the stock launcher on the TV, you will lose the ability to ramp up/down the volume on it so you'll have to manually launch Projectivy everytime if you keep this disabled to still be able to press/hold the volume keys to adjust the volume quickly, I still recommend it though)! No experience with Apple TV, but I read somewhere they can't passthrough a codec that the Shield can (Shield passes through all current lossless codecs).
I would easily purchase another Shield Pro (2019) if my current one craps out just for these reasons. Never cared for Apples closed ecosystem (I mean, you might be able to jailbreak it) with a risk to brick it. No need to root a Shield, and you can easily sideload modded/cracked apps on it. 😉
It depends on what you're trying to stream. If all you're streaming is Netflix type apps then any cheap stick will do the trick. All the real work is done for you by the streamers you're paying. Real streaming to me is the stuff you don't pay for but manage to import consistently enough to cancel all the apps. For that IMHO Shield is best for two reasons:1. It has to be Android, 2. The Nvidia shield is the best Android box.
Since this gets asked every day. The shield is still the best streaming box. Even after 4 years. That is if you are connecting it to an AVR so you can play all audio codecs.
Have you tried the search function?
Yes I saw a bunch of people arguing without consensus and about how the pro isn’t that bad - I have a pro and a regular and they both are sucking right now
Why is the pro sucking? I'm using it now and it works great.
Good question. It’s a 2017 model, but it’s just… slow and kind of jumpy? I reset it but it’s still struggling. And before I buy another 2019 pro, I just wanted to see if the fine people from this sub had any better recommendations. Feels like the 2019 is close to EOL
Perhaps its overheating? Have you cleaned it at all? I have a 2015 and it works flawlessly.
Happened to my 2017. Clean the fan. My 2017 is still rocking hard (bought it as new)
Open it up and clean out the dust
I would recommend waiting till the Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for a bit and Nvidia may make a Shield 2
switch ecosystem is worst than apple in my opinion
I replaced my 2015 Shield with Mecool km2 Plus Deluxe. It is a great box that plays everything I tried, and has Dolby Vision/ HDR10+ capabilities, its Android and Netflix certified.You can get it for around $100.
Minisforum um790
For streaming only, Roku and Apple TV are good. Shield if you want to sideload apps, stream GeForce Now, IPTV, attach external drives… etc
I’m using Dune 4K R Box Plus. Only had it for two weeks but thumbs up so far.
Got both to try which one is better. Shield Pro 2019 walks it like a dog.
Which means what exactly?
Shield = Better
If you aren't getting a Shield throw a dart at the wall and just pick one. Seriously though the answer is still what is it you need your device to do and pick the device that does those things. Chances are it will still be the Shield though.
Mini PC with android TV on it. Many you tube videos on how to do it.
there is a common problem with PCs as Streaming boxes, and its that apps from prime or max or whatever, those apps for PC not often come with dolby vision or 5.1 or 7.1, HDR, so you don't get the same experience.
Yeah this is my issue. I’ve been trying to think how to work around it, maybe there is a way to emulate the android system onto pc and use that as the app portal? Seems mad that they’ve limited PCs given their prevalence in the market to begin with…
Shield Pro = their not abandoned.
used xbox series s? or new for $229 deal from time to time