Slightly cheaper than recent Shield deals. Need eBay plus to avoid delivery charges otherwise its $212.10.
If you don’t have eBay plus, you can take advantage of the 4 months free eBay Plus trial for new users (Credits to doweyy)
Specs and features wise, this. It really depends on your needs and budget. This is more than double the price of VodaTV.
Depends what you want it for.
Just a media box + live tv then VTV is your go.
Grab this if you want to play android games, host a Plex server or perhaps just transcode 4k titles. Not sure if the VTV can do that.
Just a media box
Depends, the VTV can’t do frame rate switching like the Shield can, that’s one big minus against the VTV if you want to use it for Kodi. If that doesn’t bother you, then yeah the VTV is a great box (I have both).
Pros of the Shield over the VTV:
Pros of the VTV over the Shield:
Just be wary that Kodi on the VTV does not support Audio Passthrough so no surround sound for me…. I also get an annoying humming sound in Kodi on mine going through the receiver (doesn't happen with the MiBox)….
Bought both.
Shield blows away VTV.
Only advantage VTV has over Shield is inbuilt TV tuner, however every major OZ TV network has their own Android TV app, you get far more content than via normal TV turner + you can watch live TV stations.. However I understand some people may want to still watch TV without it going via internet/isp and wasting bw, if so VTV is a good option.
Had a really good experience with Warranty over the weekend with Nvidia, my controller decided to die, 10 minute live chat got it sorted to get a replacement! Also highly recommend this device, it's so good.
Where did you live chat ? Also did they ask for Proof of Purchase and also how to return the old one ?
Went to here and pressed "Chat Now", seemed like it was connected to America but they were able to help out anyway, just had to make sure I had the tax invoice and Serial Number available to send to them, super easy.
Waiting to hear from their replacement team via email about sending mine back, so not 100% sure about that yet.
They should issue you with a prepaid Fedex digital thingy which is a bit of a chore packaging up (specific fedex satchel and labelels) etc but one done they turn around within within 2 weeks. I had to replace my remote recently for a well known fault, nvidia support tried to palm me off denying support outside of 1yr warranty but after i advised of ACL and politely insisted my case be escalated it was approved for replacement. So, they can be bit shifty, but when pushed did the right thing.
@Xizor: Thanks for the heads up, hopefully everything else in the process should be smooth. I'd imagine the support was being good because I'm in warranty, I'm glad to hear you fought them and managed to get your replacement! Will keep it in mind in the future if I have any further issues.
Thanks heaps your legends.
I had the same issue with my controller gone dead couple of months ago. Had a chat session, provided a copy of invoice (still under warranty). Got a RMA to send it back and got new controller in 2 weeks after I returned the faulty one.
Anyone know if the shield runs all the Freeview apps - ABC, nine etc? We don't get TV reception and I want to cast stuff to the TV from the phone. Can do it with he old chrome cast, but looking at the Shield rather than a chrome cast ultra.
Yep - all five are now available via the Play Store.
You can also watch live TV via Kodi or the Live Channels app:
https://www.matthuisman.nz/2017/08/kodi-freeview-au-iptv-set…
https://www.matthuisman.nz/2019/01/live-au-iptv-channels-on-…
Yes. ABC, SBS, 7, 10, all working with official Android TV apps. Last I checked 9 didn't have a proper official ATV app, but there's workarounds if you want their content. I don't really watch any domestic terrestrial stations apart from ABC/SBS and I'm not at home right now, so maybe somebody else can check if 9 has a working ATV app yet. I believe they have a regular Android app you can sideload, but the interface will be designed for mobile/tablet. Otherwise Kodi will allow you to access everything you want :)
Can confirm there is 9Now app from the shield play store.
Every major TV network have their own Android TV app these days… you can also add ABC USA, CBS USA, BBC, PBS <- this is really good. Basically you donate ($20 USD minimum) on their website and they give you lifetime PBS Passport account which allows you to watch hundreds of high quality US documentaries. Check out all the shows you can watch with a $20 lifetime donation: https://www.pbs.org/shows/
BTW. Make sure you connect with USA VPN or it won't work. The network runs on public funds so don't be too cheap with your donation ;)
Thanks for the info. They make some awesome content. I've been watching via other, non-approved, methods.
Tried with/without dedicated American IP. Either way, it says Available to everyone who contributes $5/month or $60/year (or more)
Not coming down to 197 for me, even with plus. Just the coupon discount. Any tips?
You are using code PONCHO10 and not PICKLE right?
What's the total price its showing? Is it the delivery charge?
Just figured that out, egg on my face. Thank you!
This device has appreciated in price over the past 6 months. I remember a few deals back in November for $160-180
Yeah, I'd snap one up immediately at $160.
I’d wait to be honest. New one should be out soon. True to bargain culture I am sure it will be below $160 soon. It’s like buying a laptop. Would you pay more for a laptop that you could of got 6 months ago cheaper? Given technology moves up so fast it should be depreciating not appreciating
It's more of a case that the item needs to be used now. I have no device connected to the TV that can watch YouTube or Netflix.
I have a Sony x90 TV with Android TV system. Do I still need this one? Is it more powerful in playing back local 4K videos than the smart TV?
My folks have a 2 year old x90 tv and before getting the shield the server was constantly having to transcode 4k for the tv to play it. Lots of problems with playback pausing etc and putting unnecessary strain on the server. The shield accepts the 4k file and does all the work so the server just has to serve up the file (direct play). Completely solved any playback issues they had.
Was $170 a few months ago. I should have got one then.
Makes two of us. But I wasn't in the market for one at the time.
How is this better than raspberry pi steam link?
I'll answer this for you as I have looked into all and have a pi. The shield is more powerful an obviously more expensive. That being said depending on what you want to do it's a far better option. I wanted to android my tv, chrome cast and emulate n64 + snes. The shield does all of that buttery smooth as well as 4k streaming, Emulation for; N64, snes, nes, gc, sega ect, Android out of the box. Sleek design with sleek remote.
Steam link is discontinued and wasn't that great in those regards.
Pi3b+ which is the one I have. I find it sluggish, whilst I can emulate some things, with ARM architecture N64 and other demanding console emulation just doesn't work smoothly. I found it gets hot unless you add heat sinks, using kodi / emulation station or osmc I found the experience just wasn't smooth, long boot up, waiting, stutter. The Pi3b+ HW only supports up to 1080p 60FPS, no 4k.
It really depends on your usage requirements. If you want a little media center, don't care about stylish remote, smooth ui, 4k content or emulation pi is more suited because of a cheaper price range. That being said it will typically cost you around $100aud to get everything covered to have a cased working pi.
Honestly at $90 more the Nvidia shield is just a better long term option. It has a nice flixnet style GUI, it's smooth, it's constantly updated and supports everything above. If you want to turn your sluggish TV into an Android media powerhouse, with 4k, Chromecast, seamless BT remotes / controllers working out of box and emulation that finally works decently for consoles the Pi struggled with it's a solid solution and one of the best media players out rn, + you get a sleek aluminium remote so no tinkering with 3rd party remotes or kb and mouse.
for anyone curious, Vodafone TV running moonlight works surprisingly well, AVG decoding time is 22~24ms. Connected to 5GHZ. Ordering this to see how much better it is
More rumours of a new Shield:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/07/25/new-nvidia-shield-t…
https://www.xda-developers.com/new-nvidia-shield-android-tv-…
? This or vodafone tv any info is appreciated please.