Discussion
Had 3 of them since they launched in 2015. Longest supported Android device with constant updates from launch, Nvidia really have made an effort to look after it. There are two new models due, one seems to be a smaller, probably stick sized, version of the original and the other we don't know what it'll be, but probably a more powerful version. Unless you plan on playing the latest Android games at full wack the original is plenty, will do 4k HDR content without any trouble.
tankplanker said:
Had 3 of them since they launched in 2015. Longest supported Android device with constant updates from launch, Nvidia really have made an effort to look after it. There are two new models due, one seems to be a smaller, probably stick sized, version of the original and the other we don't know what it'll be, but probably a more powerful version. Unless you plan on playing the latest Android games at full wack the original is plenty, will do 4k HDR content without any trouble.
I'm hoping the current will come down in price when the new one comes out. £180 without the controller is a bit much for me.Best gadget I ever bought. I now use it exclusively for watching TV, no need to put the terrestrial channels on. The play store only has apps that are designed to be used with Android TV specifically and there are some ommissions such as the All4 app, but you can just cast from your phone if you want that and it works fine like that. You can also sideload apps if you can find them. The remote is a work of art.
Mr Pointy said:
'm hoping the current will come down in price when the new one comes out. £180 without the controller is a bit much for me.
Crazy price, I paid £150 with the controllers for each of mine in 2015! I've seen them discounted a fair bit last Black Friday, so worth waiting.Bought the 16GB version with a remote and two controllers in 2015, and paired it with a spare 500GB hard drive and connected it to a NAS also.
It's by far the best android TV box out there, and still receives updates.
However, it failed 12 months ago when it developed a HDCP fault, rendering it useless for streaming services-Netflix, Prime, Play Movies etc
NVIDIA support were good and tried everything including pushing out a specific OS version to it via an OTA update after reviewing lots of logs but ultimately they admitted it needed replacement, and no repairs would be covered under warranty or goodwill.
Now it runs a slideshow of our photos on a monitor which is setback into a bookshelf.
I had a MiBox3 in another room, bought at the same time as the Shield. A second MiBox3 and a Fire Stick replaced the Shield. They're a fraction slower in day to day TV viewing, but not that 99% of people would notice. The MiBox3's have also been good at receiving updates, albeit not as frequently as the Shield.
But at least they've continued working!
Unless you want the gaming options and Plex Server options the Shield can theoretically provide then save your money and buy a less expensive box. I mention theoretically because I gave up using the Shield as a Plex server. The Plex software on the Shield was buggy and didn't like working with NAS drives. The NVIDIA and Plex forums are still full of reports of such problems. Plex never resolved it as far as I know.
Long story short - the Shield is the Rolls Royce of android TV boxes. But very few daily drive a new Rolls Royce.
It's by far the best android TV box out there, and still receives updates.
However, it failed 12 months ago when it developed a HDCP fault, rendering it useless for streaming services-Netflix, Prime, Play Movies etc
NVIDIA support were good and tried everything including pushing out a specific OS version to it via an OTA update after reviewing lots of logs but ultimately they admitted it needed replacement, and no repairs would be covered under warranty or goodwill.
Now it runs a slideshow of our photos on a monitor which is setback into a bookshelf.
I had a MiBox3 in another room, bought at the same time as the Shield. A second MiBox3 and a Fire Stick replaced the Shield. They're a fraction slower in day to day TV viewing, but not that 99% of people would notice. The MiBox3's have also been good at receiving updates, albeit not as frequently as the Shield.
But at least they've continued working!
Unless you want the gaming options and Plex Server options the Shield can theoretically provide then save your money and buy a less expensive box. I mention theoretically because I gave up using the Shield as a Plex server. The Plex software on the Shield was buggy and didn't like working with NAS drives. The NVIDIA and Plex forums are still full of reports of such problems. Plex never resolved it as far as I know.
Long story short - the Shield is the Rolls Royce of android TV boxes. But very few daily drive a new Rolls Royce.
Edited by Corso Marche on Wednesday 14th August 15:10
Thanks, that's helpful. I'm not a great fan of updates. They usually just make more work for me to put things back the way they were.
I have a Plex server running on a linux-powered NUC so I just need the box to run a client. I might look at MiBox, i could buy 2 of those for the price of a NVidia box. Will the MiBox run Android apps, like Sky News and Netflix?
I have a Plex server running on a linux-powered NUC so I just need the box to run a client. I might look at MiBox, i could buy 2 of those for the price of a NVidia box. Will the MiBox run Android apps, like Sky News and Netflix?
Got one and I'm picky about my media streamers.
I used it to eliminate my WDTv, and Amason stick.
Stream my 4k torrent movies with full digital surround. All managed very nicely with plex
I noticed some audio lag on Amazon prime which may have been fixed now. Don't know as I use my TV directly for Prime.
As a media streamer it's excellent.
I used it to eliminate my WDTv, and Amason stick.
Stream my 4k torrent movies with full digital surround. All managed very nicely with plex
I noticed some audio lag on Amazon prime which may have been fixed now. Don't know as I use my TV directly for Prime.
As a media streamer it's excellent.
hutchst said:
Will the MiBox run Android apps, like Sky News and Netflix?
If the apps are available for android TV then yes, all will install from the android TV Play Store. There are other sources also, sych as aptoide, if you want to get geeky with it etc
Netflix comes pre-installed as Mi devices are officially licenced/approved by Netflix.
If for some reason an app wasn't available in the ATV Play Store then the easiest option is just to use the app on a phone or tablet etc and cast it to the box. That's what I do the odd time we watch something from one of the player services. You can also cast a video from a browser tab on your phone or tablet. Or use Puffin Browser for ATV which works simply with the tv remote and you can stream online videos in that; comes in handy for one-off sport events or similar, where you don't need to install an app on the tv box or your phone etc
Yes. Xiaomi are the manufacturer.
Mi is the name of their range of consumer electronics, and the name they use on their consumer stores internationally.
Here's a random link to a MiBox S which popped up on a search of Amazon;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Version-Assistant-...
Mi is the name of their range of consumer electronics, and the name they use on their consumer stores internationally.
Here's a random link to a MiBox S which popped up on a search of Amazon;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Version-Assistant-...
Oooh, handy thread! Do the Mi Boxes do google cast?
I 'upgraded' my 28" tv with a free 42" plasma from the olden days which only has 1 HDMI port. Ideal time to upgrade my old fire stick. After a few days of searching the Mi box S does look the job...
Can anyone recommend anything that isn't an Nvidia Shield because their expensive to:
Run a plex client (the PC is the server)
Chromecast from my android phone
Youtube App
Anything else is a bonus! The Mi S's are £55/60 too... Stopped myself looking at the really cheap android tv boxes though as I know they will be a world of pain!
I 'upgraded' my 28" tv with a free 42" plasma from the olden days which only has 1 HDMI port. Ideal time to upgrade my old fire stick. After a few days of searching the Mi box S does look the job...
Can anyone recommend anything that isn't an Nvidia Shield because their expensive to:
Run a plex client (the PC is the server)
Chromecast from my android phone
Youtube App
Anything else is a bonus! The Mi S's are £55/60 too... Stopped myself looking at the really cheap android tv boxes though as I know they will be a world of pain!
I took the plunge and picked up a MiBox S earlier (for about £60) so I'll see how it goes.
It looks as if it's got what I'm looking for, so I'll have a fiddle about with it.
And yes it appears to have cast built in although I don't use it, and it has Plex client and YouTube and some other stuff.
It looks as if it's got what I'm looking for, so I'll have a fiddle about with it.
And yes it appears to have cast built in although I don't use it, and it has Plex client and YouTube and some other stuff.
Edited by hutchst on Thursday 15th August 14:30
Cool, guess I'll take the easy option and see what you think first!
Although I have spent £15 on the issue, this box should solve my single HDMI and lack of audio out on the new* TV
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Extractor-Optic...
But my free amazon prime video sub ends in september, so I need to see what the stick does with an expired trial, if they do a Sky and still show all the videos I could watch but their useless that will be annoying... But I can stick with the fire stick for now
Although I have spent £15 on the issue, this box should solve my single HDMI and lack of audio out on the new* TV
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Extractor-Optic...
But my free amazon prime video sub ends in september, so I need to see what the stick does with an expired trial, if they do a Sky and still show all the videos I could watch but their useless that will be annoying... But I can stick with the fire stick for now
Yes, the MiBox 3 and the MiBox S do all the above. Plex client, official YouTube and Google Play Movies, Google Cast, Netflix, 4K, etc etc etc
As mentioned above I replaced my Shield when it kacked itself with a MiBox and the Shield is by no means worth the extra if it's just used as a client displaying stuff on your TV.
As mentioned above I replaced my Shield when it kacked itself with a MiBox and the Shield is by no means worth the extra if it's just used as a client displaying stuff on your TV.
For anyone interested in streaming boxes there is a huge amount of information on this forum:
https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=112
The name is a bit misleading as it's by no means limited to Kodi players.
When searching for a box start here:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916
Beware, discussions can get quite in depth but that page is meant to be a simple starter guide.
https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=112
The name is a bit misleading as it's by no means limited to Kodi players.
When searching for a box start here:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916
Beware, discussions can get quite in depth but that page is meant to be a simple starter guide.
So far it's pretty good, does most of what it says on the tin. It's running Plex, Kodi, Netflix, TVPlayer, YouTube, Sky News, RadioPlayer. No Prime but I expect that's the Amazon v Google thing.
The only issue/bug is that it wont cast BBC IPlayer from my Galaxy Tab to the box. Cast does work with other Apps, but not with iplayer. Not a problem for me but it might be for some.
Overall I'm quite happy, and well worth the money. You could buy 3 of them for the price of a Shield box.
The only issue/bug is that it wont cast BBC IPlayer from my Galaxy Tab to the box. Cast does work with other Apps, but not with iplayer. Not a problem for me but it might be for some.
Overall I'm quite happy, and well worth the money. You could buy 3 of them for the price of a Shield box.
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