For those that missed the deal during the prime day deal.
$179USD + Shipping
Probably the best TV Streaming player on the market
Cheapest price for the 2017 model since it was launched. (other then the Prime Day special)
https://camelcamelcamel.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Streaming-Media-Pl…
Cheers
CamelCamelCamel.
This is one of the few instances where Kodi + Android isn't hot garbage.
Not sure where else you have experienced Kodi on Android but it's great on my 2015 Sony Android TV
Likewise. I use Kodi on Android TV through the Mi Box. Works great.
A Mi Box, an Amazon Fire TV gen 2 and a Shield.
Between refresh rate issues, shitty audio implementation (apparently even DTS implementation is too tricky for some) and general instability requiring constant reboots and reinstalls, the Shield was the only one I'd ever bother with again.
But went back to a NUC bolted on the back of the TV, since it just works and I couldnt be bothered tinkering with junk when I just want to sit down and watch tv.
I reckon that's a great option if you're into tinkering with tech. Alternatively you can get the Mi Box delivered for about the same price and just install Kodi straight on it.
The Mi Box will also play 4k HEVC files, the Pi will not.
Not to mention run 4K Netflix etc.
I have the 2016 model, and I'll share a few things to people who are thinking of buying this device.
Pros:
- Build quality is great, love the controller & remote
- local voltage is supported (you just need a travel adapter for our AU plugs). So no transformer or etc required
- you can hook up a bluetooth keyboard+trackpad to it(check for specific device compatibility first tho). I loaded the Google Chrome APK. It was cool to be able to have a web browser in the living room.
- After about 6 months of ownership, the remote controller's microphone failed. Nvidia US sent me a replacement (no charge on postage). No issues with the controller since. So yes, you still have warranty from Nvidia on this device (at least in my experience)
Cons:
- I had a lot of trouble getting content. A lot of the Android titles you'd want to play is region-locked to the US, with only a handful being available in Australia. There are probably multiple ways of getting around this, but I didn't have the time/patience to try.
- The Netflix app on the 2016 model has a lot of micro-stutters (you'll notice that the video/audio doesn't sync up exactly). This happens a few/some times per minute. This is a bug in the Netflix app which was never fixed. I resorted to using the built-in Netflix app on my Samsung TV (which is laggy when navigating through available movies/shows but plays content flawlessly).
- this is still no replacement for a full-on gaming console for games
- I later replaced mine with a PC in the living room (suits me as I web browse, YouTube and play games on my living room TV). But it may suit your use case.
- The Netflix app on the 2016 model has a lot of micro-stutters (you'll notice that the video/audio doesn't sync up exactly). This happens a few/some times per minute.
I have never experienced this. Are you playing back in 60Hz or 23.976 fps?
Two firmware's ago, there was an issue with the Shield's 23.976 being slightly odd, so that you would get one skipped frame every 5 mins, that is the only issue I have ever had.
I'm experiencing this on my Mi Box.
Good question. I've never attempted to change the refresh rate, so whatever was default was what I was always using. It was plugged to my 4K TV via HDMI 2.0. Playing videos files or YouTube was always smooth though.
In my time using it, I updated the firmware a couple of times, but that never resolved this issue.
I know I'm not alone on this. Just Google "nvidia shield tv netflix stutter" and you'll find heaps of other threads about it.
For now, my unit is sitting in a drawer. I'm hoping to one day re-use it again for Nvidia Gamestream, though I've never tried it.
Default is 60Hz, so you may (not likely but possible) had an issue with your TV and receiving 60Hz and not switching properly.
I had my Shield set to 23.976 for ages to ensure Netflix content was played correctly. I just recently switched it back to 60Hz, and now I use TVHZ app to switch to 23.976 when I load Netflix.
All content I watch on Netflix is 23.976, and most of it is.
Using the first gen 16gb model and never had any netflix problems you mentioned.
If it can't be resolved after a factory reset you may want to have a replacement?
I've got a first gen, I only experienced stutters when using a receiver that only supported 4k24. Upgraded to a better receiver and now things are smooth at 4k60.
Love being able to use a keyboard and mouse. It's also more power efficient than my pc for the home theatre setup (7w vs 200+w).
You can use a VPN and connect to a US server to bypass some locks on content.
Kodi is hit or miss nowadays. Some of the good plugins are no longer supported.
Xiaomi Mi TV Box is an excellent cheaper alternative for streaming media at a fraction of the cost $70-90 AUD. The main unique benefit of the nvidia is streaming games from your nvidia gfx card pc. If you arn't planning on gaming, save your money
I have a 2015 Shield and a couple of the Xiaomi TV Boxes, to me the main benefit of Shield is working refresh rate switching. No judder / skipped frames.
main unique benefit
Not unique and Steamlink is a lot cheaper …
I have a Mi Box, but you need to consider that it's about 6 months behind in terms of major OS updates (so far), doesn't have proper HDR support right now (should soon), and currently struggles with 4k/60fps (possibly an optimisation issue).
For those looking for something with fully functioning Google Assistant (when available) and smooth 4K HDR streaming, the Shield is still king, and the Tegra X1 spanks the competition performance wise. If it were $AU 170, it'd be flying off the shelves.
Agreed, I have 2 mi boxes and have a 3rd TV, but can't justify 3-4 times the cost of a mi box for the shield for my uses, but for the 150ish Mark I would jump and use it in the main room.
Unfortunately, like all other Android boxes, the Mi Box is not capable of framerate switching. Nvidia tweaked the OS so the Shield will allow apps to auto switch framerate. Without that, all other media streamers are simply not suitable for my needs.
And if you want ethernet like I do.
Not interested in trying to stream 4K with family of kids on the same wireless thanks.
Xiaomi has no ethernet. Only reason I've never bought it.
USB Ethernet adapters are pretty cheap. I don't have it but people have reported good results with this one for example:
I tried several with my Nexus Player, none were satisfactory, and those that did get them to work still had the odd issue. But that one you linked to looks decent, and well priced.
I use AC WiFi now anyway.
That's one sexy box. Would literally have no use for it though.
I read that so wrong..
The relevant thread on the Kodi forums is https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=304226. There's a lot of stuff I probably don't get about this box (the gaming for starters) but $250+ sounds like a lot of money for a streamer.
I wish I had a reason and the funds to buy this
Sounds fancy
Aww what, I paid $199USD a couple of days ago. Will Amazon come to the party at all if I ask?
Yes, it's their policy, start a chat session, they will refund the difference.
AFAIK Amazon changed / removed their price protection policy early last year and it now only applies to TV purchases. You may still get lucky but I have found it mostly to result in frustration dealing with the Amazon CS.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3074347/internet/amazon-stops…
Lots of grumpy people here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/forum/cd/discussion.html?ie=UTF8&a…
A shame really because it results in so much buyers remorse when they see an item drop in price immediately after purchase. If it hasn't shipped you can cancel and re-order I guess..
Thanks, shows you how long since I had to look at that.
I agree that content in Australia is on the slim side, and if you're buying it just as a streamer there are better options around price wise.
The reason I bought a shield is that it can be used as a Plex server, a silent and energy efficient one at that. saves the hassle of having to have a pc on 24/7
I've heard it's a pretty good option if you want to use it as a Plex server, and that it can handle 4k content pretty well, have you had any success/issues with 4k content being streamed off the shield?
I don't have a 4k tv so I wouldn't be able to tell you. most of my movie files are quite small (not uncompressed bluray rips) so I usually don't transcode anything bigger than 6 GB.
Trying to tell myself that being flat broke is saving me money here……it ain't working :(
Fantastic product! I bought the first gen version back in December of 2015 for a $US163 when the Aussie dollar was a lot stronger so managed to pick it up delivered for a little under $200. It came with the controller plus remote as well. Personally I prefer the first gen version as it comes with a microSD card slot and a funkier design. KODI runs brilliantly with full support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and HDR compatibility. The X1 chip is crazy powerful as well which is really useful if your into emulators - Gamecube, PSP, Dreamcast, N64 and PS1 games run really well on it. I also regularly stream my PC games to the living room in 4K with HDR so games like Resident Evil 7 look amazing on my LG OLED (apologies for sounding a bit like David Warner there).
Another thing that people don't really talk about is that you can get practically any game controller working on the Shield including PS4 and XBOX 360 controllers. The only thing really missing from the Shield is Dolby Vision support. Nvidia has also been very active when it comes to software updates and adding in new features. Hopefully enough people buy this unit so that Nvidia eventually release an X2 chip version at some point in the near future.
Dolby Vision can be added for software decoding now, no longer just requires a dedicated DV chip.
As to whether or not Nvidia want to pay for that license, well that is another story.
I prefer the first gen version as it comes with a microSD card slot
And IR receiver, now only the Pro version has those features.
I have the same version and bought around the same time.
I also have a HTPC, Raspberry Pi with kodi and steamlink (across various TV's) - but the shield is usually the go to device for the wife in particular as the user experience is nicer in general.
If you are looking for something just to watch media on I think it is a bit of a waste investing in a shield. If you are willing to spend the time to use the gaming functionality fun times can be had!
Never had, never will game with it. I couldn't find a cheaper solution for all I require. Stream local and non local (Netflix, Stan etc..) content.
Everything I looked at, and tried had issues that stopped me from achieving what I wanted.
Why Cant NVIDIA Man up and launch this bloody beast in Australia
To the two guys that said they gave up on the Shield and went to an Intel/NUC box, what O/S and what remote are you using? I seriously miss MCE.
Win 10/Harmony
win10 and logitech media KB(the one with the trackpad) and/or Steam Controller
why did you give up on the shield?
did they say why they gave up on shield?
Yes, read earlier comments.
This is the best price I've seen for a Nintendo Switch so far - good stuff.
I've never seen GTX 1080Ti's this cheap
I bought mine for sightly more than this price and consider it a great buy. It has been fantastic for streaming (US Netflix, US Amazon Video and HBO Now on it at the moment, so may have do reduce the number of subscriptions at some point). The gaming features are great too, as has been using it to play my Google Play music library, though just as a tv streaming device it has been great.
It says $199 for me :(
![NVIDIA SHIELD TV Streaming Media Player [2017 Version] $196.04 USD / ~$257 AUD Shipped @ Amazon](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/98/324998.jpg?h=39c115a7)
Not sure about best, but have been using Rpie3 + Kodi which has been awesome to say the least..Cost me around 75, Rpie3 + case + 16gb MicroSD. Kodi build is free to download.