Recommendations for New Streaming Box

punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 07:42
Last edited 08/03/2024 - 10:37 by 1 other user

So my 2015 Nvidia Shield is slowly reaching the end of its life, so I'm starting to look around to see what newer streaming boxes are out there as a replacement.

Following a major update to the firmware a few years back, I noticed that the Shield's Android TV OS had become infested with annoying Google ads and other promotional stuff that got in the way of easily selecting my apps. Fortunately FLauncher cut all that out, but I'd like to be able to do the same thing again on a newer device if the interface becomes too cluttered.

Any recommendations?

Electrical & Electronics Home Server Media Player

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 08/03/2024 - 07:47
    +2

    Apple TV 4K is the best imo, unless you had some specific apps like pirate TV streaming you really need Android for.

    • punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 08:26
      +2

      Suppose that I do… ;)

      • AustriaBargain on 08/03/2024 - 08:57
        +1

        You could wait for whatever replaces the Shield, probably based on whatever chip the Switch 2 will be based on. Nvidia will be making them in the hundreds of millions so they'll want to adapt it into other products.

        • punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 09:17

          I didn't realise that was occurring - hopefully my ancient Shield can hold out a little longer for that. Cheers!

          • AustriaBargain on 08/03/2024 - 09:28
            +1

            @punkindrublic: Switch 2 soon is a certainty, Nvidia will be making hundreds of millions of new chips that they don't need to pay much licensing to anyone for so five years on a new Shield, or Shield-like device makes sense to me.

    • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:36

      Apple TV 4K is the best imo,

      Can I install Kodi on it?

      • AustriaBargain on 08/03/2024 - 12:50
        +1

        Technically, yes https://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Install_Kodi_on_Apple_TV_4_and_5_(HD_and_4K)

      • thatonethere on 08/03/2024 - 13:13
        +1

        It is a bit of pain to do Kodi. Easy mode is install something like Infuse (but it doesn't play music tracks weirdly)

  • abs898 on 08/03/2024 - 09:22
    +3

    Irrespective of the bloatware, Amazon Fire TV has been working really well, covers most codecs and as powerful as it gets.

    You can use a launcher on it too to cut on ads

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/03/2024 - 10:46
      +1

      fire tv

      wish there was a way could get it to boot straight into stremio on power up

      • abs898 on 08/03/2024 - 14:04
        +1

        You can use automation apps to open start an app automatically upon boot.

        I have done it on android boxes in the pass so reckon possible on this too.

        • Bargaphile on 10/03/2024 - 11:51

          Not anymore really, they have blocked ABD access via apps on latest update.

  • jaimex2 on 08/03/2024 - 11:14
    +1

    Nope, there's nothing better than a Shield. Hang on to it for another year, given Nintendos next console is due around then I'm sure we'll see a Shield 2 along with it.

    What exactly is playing up with your current one?

    You could try opening it up and giving it a good clean out?

  • morebunnings on 08/03/2024 - 11:19
    +2

    Depends on your budget, and if you like to tinker, but the mini-pcs are getting pretty cheap and capable, especially when it comes to 4K content.

    I got one of these for $465 delivered the other day. Looks like crap, but it has a Ryzen 5800U, 16gb ram, 512gb HDD, and a second nvme m2 HDD slot:
    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CCDCRSK6

    From there you could get bluetooth remote, and install Kodi to get all the streaming services in a google tv like experience.

    Just stay away from the ~$250 N100 or N95 CPU mini pcs. They drop frames playing 4K 60hz you tube content, and really struggle with high bitrate HDR content.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/03/2024 - 11:28
      +4

      Looks like crap

      thats no way to talk about the eye of sauron

  • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:35

    Hubbl, double toil and trouble…

    • Mechz on 08/03/2024 - 19:18
      +1

      Can't skip ads in Hubbl, what a flop.

  • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:36

    Shield's Android TV OS had become infested with annoying Google ads

    I've never noticed them. Where do they appear?

    • punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 12:45

      I've had FLauncher for ages now so it's a bit vague, but there was a fair bit of criticism at the time about ads being displayed on the top half of the default home screen. Perhaps it was toned down a bit with subsequent updates, but I'm not going back to the default launcher to find out!

      • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:46

        I'm just using the default launcher.

        • punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 12:47

          Ha, apparently people are still shitty about the default launcher!

          • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:49

            @punkindrublic: I've never seen anything like that…

          • spackbace on 08/03/2024 - 13:11

            @punkindrublic: Google puts suggestions up the top but eh, sometimes the suggestions are welcome. At the end of the day, it doesn't take much to skip to the app that you want.

            Maybe the launcher is what's fkn up your Shield tho?

            • punkindrublic on 08/03/2024 - 13:19

              @spackbace: Well yes, if all the next-gen options force me to click through self-promotional ads then I'll make do with it. But if I have the option to install a custom launcher that bypasses all that stuff, then I'm keen to take it.

              As for the third party launcher, it's a lightweight one so very certain it's not impacting the Shield. The problem is that I've got the 2015 box, so coming up to a decade of use and probably lucky to still be running as well as it has. I'm certainly hoping my next purchase will last as long as the Shield!

          • ihfree on 08/03/2024 - 15:16

            @punkindrublic: I never really noticed the ads until commercial tv ads started having promo tiles with none of the associated apps installed.

    • Azeroth on 31/05/2024 - 17:21

      Only problem is chrome cast, screen mirroring is really bad on firestick 4k max

  • kranix on 09/03/2024 - 11:47

    2019 Shield TV Pro is still da bomb. Shame that Nvidia's failed business model for streaming games makes it unlikely that we'll see an update.

    I've got mine set up with Kodi, Plex and various emulators (it's pretty good for anything up to DreamCast and GameCube, including PS1 but excluding Xbox).

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