Choosing Gadgets for Streaming Chromecast TV vs. Apple TV vs. Roku:Which Media Streamer is Right for You? Chromecast vs. AppleTV vs. Roku:Which Media Streamer Is Right For You? Media streaming devices are simply awesome. Those little boxes that plug into your TV can add a host of entertainment options to your living room. But which device is best for you? Read More There's Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV, among others. You can even set up a dedicated Kodi box How to choose the best Kodi box for your needs How to choose the best Kodi box for your needs Do you want to buy a Kodi box but are not sure which one you should go for? In this article, we recommend particular frames for particular needs, helping you narrow down your options. Read more.
But there is another device that you may not have considered until now:nvidia shield . It launched in 2015 to little fanfare, but in the last couple of years, it's built up a loyal following.
I am a convert myself. I've always been a dedicated Roku user, but I bought a Shield on Prime Day and haven't looked back. To be honest, I haven't turned on my Roku since the Shield arrived.
But what makes this streaming device so remarkable? Here are seven reasons why the Nvidia Shield is the best cable cutter tool.
As you may know, Nvidia is one of the leading manufacturers of graphics cards. If you're surprised to learn that the company also makes streaming boxes, prepare to be more surprised as you read the rest of the article. Nvidia Shield is not just the best Android TV box The best Android TV box for every budget The best Android TV box for every budget Looking for the best Android TV box on the planet? We've rounded up the best Android TV boxes to suit budget, mid-range, and high-end needs! Read More
There are two versions of the Nvidia Shield, the $199 regular option and the $299 Pro option. The biggest difference is the amount of storage:the regular version ships with 16GB, while the Pro features 500GB. It sounds like it could be a deal breaker, but it isn't. I'll explain why later.
In 2017, Nvidia updated both devices. They are now smaller, faster and include some extra features. Don't let a discount tempt you to buy an older model, it's just not worth it.
If you like TV shows and movies, you must use Plex or Kodi. They're the two best ways to organize, view, and stream your locally saved content.
Kodi is available on the Shield through the Google Play Store, but the device really shines thanks to its Plex support.
I know what you're thinking:Plex is available on Roku, Apple TV, and all other streaming devices. What makes the Nvidia Shield so unique? It's because the shield is not just a Plex player - it can also act as a Plex server.
What does that mean in practice? Well, you don't have to invest in a NAS server or let your laptop run 24 hours a day. You can save all your content directly to the Shield and it will stream it to the whole world How to View Your Plex Media from Anywhere How to View Your Plex Media from Anywhere One of the most overlooked features of Plex is remote access, which allows you to view everything Your media from anywhere in the world. Read More
Unlike a Raspberry Pi, it's powerful enough to transcode multiple streams at the same time. And because the Shield connects to your Wi-Fi network, you can send files from your computer wirelessly.
Finally, remember that Android TV is one of the few platforms that currently supports the Plex Live TV feature Plex Live TV:Everything You Need to Know Plex Live TV:Everything You Need to Know Plex has added live TV channels to its service. , but what exactly is Plex Live TV? We've got everything you need to know about this exciting new option for cable cutters. Read more.
Yes, the regular model has only 16 GB of storage. If you plan to store a lot of your own content on the device, that doesn't sound like much. But don't worry, expanding storage is easy. And no, don't disarm your device.
Using a feature called “adoptable storage,” you can plug in any USB or flash drive and have the Shield recognize it as internal memory. Just go to Settings> Storage and reset to set it up. Please note that the drive will be encrypted on your Shield and cannot be used on other devices.
This obviously greatly increases the usefulness of the Shield as a Plex server, even if you're using the normal model. The only drawback is that the device stores the Plex metadata files in its internal memory; eventually, it will fill up. Nvidia is supposedly working on a setting that will allow you to save metadata to your adopted storage, but the company hasn't confirmed anything yet.
All newer Shield models are equipped with 4K resolution. You wouldn't expect anything less; Higher-end models from Shield's competitors are similarly equipped. But 4K and HDR? That is much less common..
For those who don't know, HDR stands for High Dynamic Range . It is the next “big thing” in the world of television.
Without getting too bogged down in technical jargon, it essentially makes everything on screen look more like real life. It provides better contrast (dark shadows and lighter highlights), a broader color palette, and better brightness levels.
By supporting HDR, Nvidia ensures that it is future-proof for years to come.
We've talked about Plex and Kodi, but what about content from the major streaming providers? You'll be happy to know that all the usual apps are present.
Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play Movies, HBO Now, Showtime, Disney Movies Anywhere, Hulu, Sling TV and Crackle are available and fully functional.
Because the Shield runs Android TV, you can also download any streaming app on the Google Play Store. That includes network-centric services like Bloomberg, but also aggregators like Pluto TV.
Nvidia has also shown that it is willing to stay ahead of app availability. When the company released the 2017 model, it was the first time Amazon Instant Video was available on Android TV. We can expect similar offers in the future.
The Google Play Store on the Shield only offers apps that are compatible with Android TV. All the usual non-video apps like Facebook, Spotify, and USA Today are there, but many developers haven't made their apps available yet.
But don't worry, that doesn't it means you can't install the app you want. In fact, you can install some Android app. You just need to grab the APK file and open it using a file explorer. You can download the APK How to download an APK from Google Play to bypass restrictions How to download an APK from Google Play to bypass restrictions Need to get the installable APK file for an app from Google Play? We've got you covered. Read More
Streaming videos is the Shield's bread and butter, but the device doubles as a fantastic gaming console. The 2017 model ships with not only a TV remote, but also a game controller.
As you probably figured out, any Android TV compatible game can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. That includes classics like Sonic the Hedgehog , modern hits like Grand Theft Auto , and long-running franchises like Final Fantasy .
But those games only scratch the surface of what's available. There are three aspects of Shield's gameplay capabilities that you should be aware of.
We're not done yet. Yes, the Shield doubles as a gaming console, but it also triples as a smart home.
Since the device is based on the Android TV operating system, you can access the Google Assistant. 10 things you didn't know. Google Assistant could do. 10 things you didn't know. Google Assistant could do Android's version of Android's Siri:-It's more powerful than most people realize. Read more . Once again, the Shield was a pioneer:it was the first Android TV set-top box to offer the functionality.
Using the Shield's TV remote's built-in microphone, the device is always listening to your voice. Say “Okay Google” and the Google Assistant is there for you. And this is not a gouache. “lite” App Version:Provides all the features you can enjoy on the Pixel or Google Home.
That means you can control your Nest thermostat, play songs from apps like iHeart Radio, NPR, and TuneIn Radio, and even control your Philips Hue smart lighting system.
If you have recently been thinking about what is the best streaming device for your needs, you can stop thinking right now. The answer is the Nvidia Shield.
Whether you want to play your own media, stream videos from third-party apps, play Android games on your TV, or control your smart home, the Shield is always on top. Frankly, it's hard for me to imagine a situation where I wouldn't Recommend Nvidia Shield.
Do you have an Nvidia Shield? Has the device impressed you? Is there something about that you don't like? You can leave all your thoughts, suggestions, and opinions in the comments below. And remember to share this article with fellow cord cutters on social media.
