Nvidia Shield TV Pro 2019, Regretful Purchase?

conza on 17/04/2020 - 15:06

So I've bought an Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 (whenever it arrives). I wanted to replace my long lasting 4th gen Apple TV, it's only 1080p but it has been a fantastic device, received as a gift and have used it basically every single day, much better (in my opinion) than using a console, previously used a PS3 for this.

So I wanted 4K, and there's clearly the Apple TV 4K, however I learnt that it doesn't do YouTube at 4K, surprising but disappointing, YouTube is what I watch the majority of the time, so had to give it a miss.

Found this product, was interested in the up scaling feature, even if for some content I'll turn it off, and it seems the right choice since I didn't want/need the game controller that came with previous models, the Tegra X1+ is suggested to be up to 25% higher performance, it comes with a 'better' remote controller, and I selected this over the non-pro model for it's extra storage for apps and having more than a couple of movies (8GB vs 16GB), but most importantly for the extra RAM going from 2GB to 4GB.

For the non-pro model it is a much more reasonable price, it has a micro SD card slot for expansion, and other than not being able to run a Plex server (can still be a Plex client), the only down side is aesthetics which are subjective, and the 1GB less RAM.

Then I learnt that unfortunately other than the up scaling feature, the Tegra X1+ offers virtually no improvement over the previous 2015 and 2017 models with the standard Tegra X1. The 2015 model and I think the 2017 Pro also offered a 500GB model which would have been nice as well. The 2015 model also has all of the same IO except, it also has an micro sd card slot.

Finally if you plan on using one of these for emulation, there seems to be very little support from the XDA community yet for the 2019 model, the 2015 and 2017 models have been hacked and upgraded so you can overclock them if you wanted more performance, this seems either more difficult or not yet possible on the 2019 models (either Pro or non-Pro).

So was it a bad buy? I think as a streaming box, it's probably still the best ever made, but I'm thinking I possibly should have instead looked for an older unit?

Anyone else looking for one of these, have the older or current models and what have your experiences been? Do you have an alternative?

Entertainment Media Player Nvidia Android

Comments

  • cray on 17/04/2020 - 15:22
    +1

    Owned the 2019 Tube but just upgraded to the 2019 pro for the plex server. If you don't need dolby vision pass through or plex server I don't really see a reason to get the 2019 pro. Pro 2019 also supports 4k remux comfortably on plex, which is a limitation for the non pro as it stutters/remote stops responding etc.

    For your needs maybe just get the 2017 version. I do like the AI up scaling. It really improves the quality of SD content for me especially on YouTube.

    Bought my tube 2019 for around 230 from Amazon US during a sale and the Pro for retail price at 399 locally.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/dsfvg0/201…

    • notout50 on 18/04/2020 - 16:57

      Is your media stored on a NAS?

      • cray on 18/04/2020 - 17:03

        No. Just hooked up a 2tb portable hard drive to the shield and use SMB to transfer movies to the drive. But slow but does the job fine for my needs.

  • 0FoxGiven on 17/04/2020 - 15:23
    +1

    The AI 4K up-scaling and the remote itself makes its a better buy over the older models if you don't care for the Gaming controller. The RAM will make no difference unless you were gaming and apparently even then it is almost negligible.

    I guess it would depend on the price you paid if it was worth buying over the older models. If you paid anything less than $260 i think you did alright. I sold my 2017 model gaming edition for $210 last week and I had purchased it brand new for $240ish

  • stratbargain on 17/04/2020 - 15:34
    +3

    For those complaining about the remote on the older version (and I concur, it is absolutely the worst), consider grabbing one of these for ~$14AUD

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33013372706.html

    I have the voice/gyro version and it works amazingly well on the Shield. Honestly night and day compared to the original remote.

    • astrotrain on 17/04/2020 - 15:54

      My remote stopped working after one of the updates ended up putting the app on my phone and just use that as my remote now.

      • lonewolf on 17/04/2020 - 16:29

        which app? Do you need to do any config on the shield as well? I have the 2015 and the 2017 versions. The 2017 remote was atrocious, the batteries would get stuck in there and i would have to semi break the remote to get them back out. The 2015 being rechargeable didnt last as long as well as sometimes firmwares would screw it up. It was the biggest gripe i have about the shields.

    • rfc850 on 17/04/2020 - 17:01

      Great suggestion! I've been looking for the new SHIELD remote but the prices are ridiculous

  • yozza on 17/04/2020 - 16:00
    +4

    2 things you missed that I think make your purchase a good one:
    * 2019 versions have Dolby Vision
    * 2019 pro has USB ports (much cheaper than microSD storage expansion, free to air TV, etc.)

    Based on your comments (want better image quality with 4k, and local storage), these seem like significant points of difference.

    For what it's worth, I also went from a PS3, but went to the 2015 version of the Shield :)

    Recently upgraded to the 2019 pro, mainly for: DV + remote.

    Enjoy your purchase and rest easy :)

    • conza on 17/04/2020 - 19:04

      Thanks yozza, yeah, people either love or hate the up scaling, but hearing from someone that upgraded is good to hear you're happy with your purchase

      • Kangal on 17/04/2020 - 22:02
        +1

        I think the upscaling is okay, definitely heard a lot more good than bad about it.

        As for Android Apps, and Android Games; this will do all of them at 60fps on High-Highest Settings. Since it is not portable, there really isn't a thermal limit, so it will suck as much electricity as it wants… which isn't much. They say it is +25% faster, but I think its only 5% for the CPU and 15% for GPU… but overall something like +10% which isn't anything to write home. The reason for the re-release is because this is basically the Nintendo Switch Lite on the inside. The newer software, Dolby Vision, and Nvidia Remote are good additions.

        For $300-$400 it isn't the best-value option, but it demands that slight premium because its the only high-end TV Box out there. Remember most of the Chinese stuff are slower and/or worse. Especially since most lack the "Level 1 Rating" for Security so they can't do Netflix at HD (or higher) and forget about all those Banking Apps.

        As for emulation, keep in mind its only 10% faster than the 2015 model… and that thing is built using 2014 technology, technology that was licensed back in 2012. Its definitely slower than the likes of the Exynos 8890, not to mention the QSD 835, QSD 845, QSD 855, and now the QSD 865 (which itself is only as fast as the Apple A12, a chipset that's much slower than the Apple A14X). It's not much better than a current day low-end chipset like the QSD 632.

        Here's a good video! The emulation it can do are:
        Atari, MAME, Sega, SNES, GBA, MS DOS box, N64, NDS, PS1, Dreamcast, PSP.

        It's just powerful enough to do PS2 Emulation (but there aren't any good/optimised PS2 Emulators available).
        And it's not quite powerful enough to do GameCube emulation. Wii Emulation is slightly more taxing. N-3DS emulation is slightly more taxing than that (but not fully optimised yet).

        There's a lot more performance needed for PS3 emulation (nothing on Android). And slightly more for WiiU emulation (also unavailable). And slightly more for the Nintendo Switch emulator (again absent). It's going to take a decade to get to this stage. Forget about Xbox emulation, there's just no demand/developers for it.

        • conza on 18/04/2020 - 08:24
          +1

          Thanks Kangal, yeah I used a Roku from Telstra on another television for a few years, everything about that device was terrible, the remote was IR only with a limited range, it had terrible buttons, the lag was insanely bad, I can't speak for the newer units but that was a really bad experience so definitely wasn't going to go cheap.

          I think the non-pro is probably really good value, but the extra 1GB of RAM
          , and now others smart observations that a USB stick for additional storage is easier to bring to and from a PC than a micro-SD card, but otherwise it's going to be pretty much as fast.

          Yeah ETA Prime does great videos so thanks for that, have seen it already, I think wanting a super powerful emulation solution, this isn't super powerful, you'd think it would have similar performance to a Switch but it's clearly not as powerful running android underneath, still, plenty of stuff to do on it, older Nintendo titles, and all those others you mention will be good.

          So when root support (or some other way to overclock it) will bring Gamecube and possibly Wii/U into contention for some titles at least, might depend on how much thermal headroom there is too, but I am hoping it can perform much better when fully overclocked vs the older models, it might actually be 20% faster or so when pushed to the limit so we'll see

          • Kangal on 18/04/2020 - 12:42
            +1

            @conza: Here's a video you'd be interested in.

            I wouldn't put my hopes up. When it comes to emulation, software is more important than hardware. A little bit faster processor/hardware helps a bit, but a little more improvement in the emulator/software helps a lot. Emulators are built on Windows as x86 allows for extra features and has more power to boot. So they'll always perform better or more efficiently there.

            I think the Intel Atom x7 (Z8750) is only about as fast as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 429. Both on 14nm lithography, both with Quadcores, and roughly equal performance all-round. The Snapdragon tops emulation at roughly the DreamCast level, whereas the Atom is able to do upto 3DS emulation.

            For the BEST home-theatre experience, you'll need a SFF PC running Windows10 Pro with a dedicated GPU. Nothing fancy, a Core i7-2600k and GTX 1650 are plenty. You can have Live Digital TV through the antenna, Stream Videos at the best quality, Have the largest movie collection, and play actual high bandwidth BluRay Discs. Not to mention you'll have a great support for 4K-HDR to the TV, have Gsync/FreeSync too, and Dolby Atmos to your Amp.

            It'll have all the best Apps, I mean Programs. Play 2015 AAA-games really well, and the latest games at a reduced quality (ie 1080p/Medium/50fps). Not to mention backwards compatiblity with thousands of previous AAA-games. Thousands of Web Games. Emulate the likes of: PS2, 3DS, GameCube, Wii, WiiU… and in the future for PS3 and Switch as well. Not to mention it can also Dualboot with macOS, Linux, and Android. So all those Games and Apps are available too.

            And when it comes accessories, it's the best. Wireless remotes, Wireless touchpad-keyboards, SteamPad, DS4 controller, XB1S controller… not to mention running a long hidden wire for some Gaming Keyboard and Low-latency mouse. There's also the Valve Vive for best VR Headset and tracking.

            …the only thing you miss out on is few exclusive games that are on the PS4, whilst iOS exclusives can be solved by owning an iPhone. Nintendo Switch exclusives will come to the PC sooner than later, whilst Xbox exclusives can be played on the MS store.

            • conza on 18/04/2020 - 15:13

              @Kangal: That's all true, and I have 2 HTPCs so, one is decent with an RX 570 4GB so that would pretty much do the trick. Why I've not just gone that route, personally, don't want to just use PCs for everything, it is insanely better for emulation, other video options you've mentioned, and naturally gaming in general. I have a gaming PC so I will 'try' the streaming service, there are some games I'd just rather play on a TV with a controller so that may be a nice benefit.

              Yeah I think I'm convinced it was a good purchase, just jumped in without doing my usual level of detailed research, but I think I've lucked it in this time. Thanks for the comments and the videos, hadn't seen that second one I'll check it out.

      • yozza on 20/04/2020 - 13:50

        No worries :)

        Pretty sure this isn't what you meant, but just in case: Dolby Vision isn't up scaling. It's HDR with dynamic, frame by frame, metadata.

  • Caped Baldy on 17/04/2020 - 16:46

    I've got the older model which I bought on a whim since it was on ozb. It's been good when I've used it, mainly to tell the google home to turn off the tv. Hopefully when I upgrade the PC I'll be better able to stream games to it. That said, I've regretted the purchase at times.

  • charzy on 17/04/2020 - 19:20
    +1

    I bought a 2019 and sold my 2017. I purely wanted it for the dolby vision and dobly atmos on netflix. A bonus is the controller is much better than the older models.

  • armyofme on 17/04/2020 - 21:14

    I was almost about to buy a shield pro too. But posts in ozbargain suggests hooking up a NAS to Apple tv works flawlessly with an app called Infuse. Also, all of my other devices are apple. I can't seem to decide what to buy.

    • conza on 18/04/2020 - 08:12
      +1

      So I'd rather android for NAS use, don't know how Apple will play with other video players, but they tend not to mix, I think the Nvidia Shield would be a better choice for that, but I have an Apple TV and haven't tried it. I'll miss not using AirPlay, but it was so rare that I did use it (online videos that don't have an iOS app basicaly) that it's not a great loss. Remember, Apple TV can't do YouTube in 4K, it's baffling, must be a good reason.

  • idjces on 17/04/2020 - 21:36
    +1

    Cbeck out the shield app too, its very handy.

    You can create shortcuts to apps, and games. Use your phone up as a mousepad, keyboard or typical remote. The mouse is useful for adjusting a streaming pc (remote play games, etc)

  • zan5hin on 17/04/2020 - 22:57
    +1

    I've got a 2017 and it's hands down the best android box, I'm even tempted to sell this to get the upscaling and new remote. Initially I had some buffering issues over wifi so upgraded my router, and a new PC, eventually a new hard drive fixed it, I can even stream 60mbps 4K HDR movie with Dolby Atmos over my home wifi without stuttering now.

    • conza on 18/04/2020 - 08:15

      Hey so you can buy the new remote on its own, but yeah haven't seen anyone get up scalling to work on the older units. Am interested in if you think your router played a big part in that, my Apple TV currently stutters and then plays super fast on YouTube, can't tell if it's a wifi issue or a device issue. When you say a new HDD fixed it, do you mean on your PC?

    • 0FoxGiven on 18/04/2020 - 12:25

      Same here.. I sold my 2017 model and i'm on the lookout for a good deal on the 2019 model now

  • conza on 20/04/2020 - 15:03

    Well I'm cancelling my 2019 on order - no not because I don't want a 2019 order, but because I bought it from the theiving Kogan.

    I used PayPal so if I process the request today I'll get my money back in 19 days, but they just lied to me.

    I get that there's delays etc, but right now on their website they're falsely advertising (to maintain business no doubt) that it will be dispatched by Tuesday if you purchase something today. I can assure you that is not the case, save if they've just hired, today, dozens more staff to make this possible.

    I put in my order last Sunday (not yesterday, 8 days ago now). I was given a tracking number immediately, which itself is a bit of a red flag but who knows maybe that's fine. Then that's it, no updates, nothing from Australia Post just that it is 'coming', but it's not moved anywhere, I bet the item itself, if it's even still in stock, is sitting on a shelf in a warehouse while they're desperately trying to process requests from over a week ago, before they'll "eventually" get to mine.

    So yep, I'm out looking for another one now, I think I'll stick with the 2019 model, appreciate everyone's feedback that it's been good for them or it's the one they'd buy, thank you!

    • yozza on 20/04/2020 - 17:44

      Btw, I got mine for $320 from HN. So now you've your cancelled order, you can save some cash and feel even better about your purchase!

      • conza on 21/04/2020 - 11:35

        Wow $320! That's amazing! They attempted (or rather didn't, another story) delivery today so I think I'm out of luck unless I want to return it to them, oh well I'll have it in hand by the end of today most likely

  • conza on 21/04/2020 - 22:57

    So Day 1 impressions, not too bad.

    Firstly I will say, the AI upscaling, I'm a fan, but it just doesn't seem to come up on the content I play, because, lots of YouTube isn't at 30fps, it's at 60fps, and 60fps is not supported. This is very disappointing, if I turned the quality down to 480p, it works again. Didn't see anyone having this issue, probably when running older movie files that are 720p, it would work amazingly, but so far not much use out of it.

    Not having a controller is actually a pain. I'm using a PS4 controller, which was flat, so plugged it in and then it insisted on using it as a USB audio device, had to disable that in developer settings, but then it worked well, I'll see how I go getting that to go wirelessly in the morning when it is charged.

    Netflix, 4K, I can't go back to 1080p now it's great to finally have 4K on my TV, extra detail is awesome. Sadly older 4:3 content on Netflix, again doesn't seem to be a high enough resolution or a supported resolution, for AI upscaling. Damn.

    YouTube is completely better, I'm not sure if the Apple TV could run at 60fps, but everything is just improved, no more lagging and the video speeding up to catch up with the audio, or pausing for a hot second when I went to like a video, no I can hit down and the video continues seemlessly, I can go hit like or navigate to the quality setting without the entire system needing to focus on doing that one little thing, huge quality of life improvement personally. It's also more zoomed out.

    Sound seems louder, and I kept the Apple TV plugged in and did a back to back comparison for the same show on Netflix for the 4K vs 1080p (Ozark), and the sound went up when I went back to the Nvidia Shield from the Apple TV.

    Overall then, I think saving money and getting the 2017 model, then spending the extra on a new controller would probably be the way to go, having the USB ports is great, already used a thumb drive and plugged in my PS4 controller over USB, only issue is this controller is great. Haven't seen how much the game controller is on its own, it's a shame it isn't included, at least with the pro model now.

    I don't like the button layout, at all, the Apple TV layout is much better, and surprisingly the touch controller was some how nicer than the concave button layout of this new controller. It's surprisingly not as big as I thought, but definitely as long as I thought, just too long, and I keep hitting the power button instead of the menu button, anyway I'll get used to it.

    Still tweaking it, haven't done much just developer options, sped up the animations which is good going to 0.5x from 1x when going from 1080p 60hz down to 4K 30hz, sort of compensates for the perceived lag that you feel.

    • cray on 22/04/2020 - 03:10

      Sound seems louder prob due to better audio quality in general. I find most YouTube videos I watch is around 30 fps. Anyway you can download the app 'refresh rate' and it can tell you each time you play a video and can do auto refresh rate too.

      No problem with controller on my end. The 2019 control is pretty good.

      Don't find the need to speed up animations the shield for me since everything is running seamless at the moment.

      Just one thing to point out I'm not sure why you'd set the resolution to 4k30hz? I'd recommend 4k59hz or 60hz and turn on dolby vision if your monitor supports it.

      AI up scaling is supposed to work only on certain lower res videos, seems to work fine for me on 720/1080 videos and it makes SD content to almost HD like and HD content looking almost 4k. It's supposed to be seamless so you should just leave it on and let it do its thing or turn on the demo mode and check the difference yourself.

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