Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: BranDonk Kong on June 20, 2015, 02:06:45 PM
Title: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 20, 2015, 02:06:45 PM
I've had the 16GB version (with a 4TB USB 3.0 HDD) since June 5th. It's fantastic. It's more powerful than the Wii U, plays 4K content at 60FPS, and you can stream PC games to it from your PC or through Nvidia Grid, which works very well. Add in Kodi (formerly XBMC) and you have the best media center you can get. Highly recommended.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: Evan_B on June 20, 2015, 03:13:49 PM
You want me to buy a handheld to stream PC games?
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 20, 2015, 03:39:52 PM
It's not a handheld, it's a console.
http://shield.nvidia.com/android-tv
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: Evan_B on June 21, 2015, 07:46:15 AM
You want me to buy a console to play PC games?
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 21, 2015, 08:27:59 AM
Or you could buy a $6 HDMI cable to get the same functionality.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 21, 2015, 09:07:38 AM
I think you're implying that you could use a cell phone to do the same thing. If so, please show me one that has the specs of the SHIELD Android TV, lets you natively attach NTFS HDDs, includes a wireless controller that has a trackpad and microphone for voice search, does the PC game streaming, plays Crysis 3, Talos Principle, Borderlands 2 and Pre-Sequel, Half-Life 2 series, etc. Is it possible to do with a phone? Some of it - certainly not the 4K output or any of the new games that it can play.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 21, 2015, 09:42:19 AM
No, I meant just plug a PC straight into the TV. No need for a middle man.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 21, 2015, 09:46:12 AM
Well, I feel like an ass. Ah, yes, you can do that. You do need a somewhat decent PC to play those games. I don't know what the subscription will be for Nvidia Grid (the streaming service that uses Nvidia servers instead of your own PC) - right now it's free. It doesn't have every PC game, but there are a lot on the service right now.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: ShyGuy on June 21, 2015, 11:45:01 AM
How is it with Netflix-Hulu-Amazon-etc?
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 21, 2015, 01:11:27 PM
Haven't used Hulu on this device, but I imagine it's the same as any other Android TV box (same as the website more or less). Amazon does not support Android TV (officially), because the want to sell you a Fire TV (Stick) instead. Otherwise you can sideload the Amazon App Store and then Amazon Prime Instant Video, but it's not ideal (no official Android TV support, it's the tablet/phone app). Netflix works perfectly, streams in 4K if you have the $11.99 plan. HBO GO isn't on Android TV yet, but HBO NOW will be next month (or later this month), I believe, I would imagine HBO GO would do the same. The Shield does support all Chromecast casting though (unlike other Android TV devices, like the Nexus Player), so you can cast HBO GO from your phone (and probably Amazon Instant Video I would imagine) to the device for now.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: Ceric on June 21, 2015, 07:04:22 PM
This is cool until you realized you can buy a PS3 for less than $200 and its blu-ray remote which is really great at doing all the Media device stuff.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 21, 2015, 08:35:41 PM
Nothing wrong with a PS3 - I have two (one in the garage, one upstairs in my bedroom next to my other Android TV box). Not nearly as good for a media player though. Can't compete with Blu-Ray playback though (but you can play BD ISO images in Kodi, and actually a USB 3.0 BD-ROM would probably work as well), at least built-in Blu-Ray playback. Having said that though, Blu-Ray, like most physical entertainment media, is declining.
Title: Re: Nvidia SHIELD Android TV. Buy it.
Post by: pokepal148 on June 22, 2015, 11:50:36 AM
Plus its appeal to an extent depends on me having a gaming PC which I don't yet.
