I use several Pis and I think the thing that needs to be said is that when you no longer need a Pi as a media device it can be re-purposed into many other roles.

The media boxes not so much.

elpenguino:

 

I use several Pis and I think the thing that needs to be said is that when you no longer need a Pi as a media device it can be re-purposed into many other roles.

 

The media boxes not so much.

 

+1 on what elpenguino said. I've been using a raspberry pi 4 as a desktop for a few months now and for the typical stuff is excellent. But video drivers for the Pi4 is still under heavy development. Tech specs says it can do 4k, which it can do as a display for websites etc. But 4k video no way...Yet. 1080 youtube is now possible with raspberry pi OS 64bit beta chromium browser. Six months time, things might have improved greatly.

Kodi as a media player is excellent if you are happy with upto 1080 video playback.

But if for netflix etc, android TV such as Mi Box over Pi4.

I saw on this forum that there are quite a few negative comments on Dish TV SmartVu (similar to the Mi Box S). Has SmartVu resolved their issues like Mi Box? There is a positive on the SmartVu as it has the official Freeview app - I am using the satellite dish for my regular TV and hated that. 

How difficult is it for someone to use the Pi after it is set up?

I know the Pi will involve quite a bit of setting up but is it easy to use on a day to day basis? I have no issues with the setting up part (which I can do) but my father who is in his 70s will be using it on a daily basis. When he travels to the US he uses a Roku so at least I know he can handle a standard android box. He will not be able to troubleshoot anything - the best he can do is restart the device.

I think the Shield is too fancy for my intended use. 

Using Kodi on Pi is fairly simple once installed and working. It's usually pretty simple to install. You sometimes have to do things like go into the Linux console to set things up if things don't work perfectly, but that doesn't happen often.

Mi Box S is WAY simpler, MUCH nicer to use, and is much more functional. If you want a media center get that. If my Mum wanted a media center I'd get her one of those.

After years of trying to find the ultimate media center setup, I purchased an Nvidia Shield 3 years ago and haven't looked back.

It's our daily driver for Freeview (IPTV), downloaded content on NAS as well as the usual Netflix/Youtube/Spotify etc.

Reading previous comments about OS issues and remote pairing issues on other Android TV boxes, I'd 100% spend the extra on a Nvidia Shield for 'it just works'.

FKM:

 

How difficult is it for someone to use the Pi after it is set up?

 

I know the Pi will involve quite a bit of setting up but is it easy to use on a day to day basis? I have no issues with the setting up part (which I can do) but my father who is in his 70s will be using it on a daily basis. When he travels to the US he uses a Roku so at least I know he can handle a standard android box. He will not be able to troubleshoot anything - the best he can do is restart the device.

 

 

 

Probably the best (and easiest to use and set up) Kodi version for the Pi is OSMC.
Very nice looking and simple to use UI.
However, while they have versions of OSMC for all earlier versions of the pi they are waiting on Kodi 19 to do a pi4 release

I have decided to go with a raspberry pi and dual boot with raspbian and LibreELEC. I am quite happy with the setup as it does everything I would like it to do.

For me personally:

• High budget: Nvidia Shield Pro ($459)
• Medium budget: ODROID N2+ with CoreELEC ($225ish)
• Low budget: Chromecast with Google TV (TBA in NZ but likely about $120)

Low budget: get the SmartVu device supported by Freeview. They were $99 at the Warehouse over the weekend. https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/dishtv-smartvu-android-tv-media-player-sv10/R2546404.html#q=smartvu&start=1

lokeynz:

 

After years of trying to find the ultimate media center setup, I purchased an Nvidia Shield 3 years ago and haven't looked back.

 

It's our daily driver for Freeview (IPTV), downloaded content on NAS as well as the usual Netflix/Youtube/Spotify etc.

 

Reading previous comments about OS issues and remote pairing issues on other Android TV boxes, I'd 100% spend the extra on a Nvidia Shield for 'it just works'.

 

Agree. I used an Android TV box, Raspberry Pi 4, and then got a Nvidia Shield Pro and love it. Everything just works, the AI-enhanced upscaling actually works well, fantastic remote (can ping from phone if can't find it), seamless streaming from PC, ...