Nvidia Shield or Intel Nuc HTPC??

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Nvidia Shield or Intel Nuc HTPC?? – Help me choose

brandynz

35 posts

Geek

#217994 21-Jul-2017 14:50

Hi guys, hoping to get some advice.

Currently have an old Desktop PC sitting under the TV being used as an HTPC (used for Live TV through Windows Media Centre, Kodi, Music, Photos, Slingplayer, some emulators, general web-surfing, playing DVDs etc)

Doing the job fine, but appears to be getting more and more sluggish.

Looking at updating this – but am undecided between a Shield or going down the path of an Intel Nuc.

Any thoughts/advice on which path to go down?

I like the look of the Shield but also like the idea of sticking with a Windows based PC.

Whats the latest with TV Tuners in NZ with the Shield? – Anyone have any success with this

Thanks

reven

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#1826619 21-Jul-2017 14:57

Ive used HDHomeRun app with a nvidia shield, that works pretty well. im not a heavy broadcast tv users, i may watch something once a year if that (im not even sure why i bothered buying the hdhomerun, other than i wanted to play with it).

so, given that, i would go with a nvidia shield tv. it has a better experience for netflix, google play movies, plex (the best plex client IMO is android tv, i wish they made all clients look like that one instead of the old xbox 360 style interface). kodi works great on it if thats what you like too.

nvidia also lets you stream your games to it (if you care about gaming, i do this with a ps4 controller).

i know a full windows pc can do more, but it also tends to be more work, and often needing a KB/M for somethings (no great netflix player for a HTPC/remote for example).

gcorgnet

1078 posts

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#1826639 21-Jul-2017 15:28

I am in the same situation and have just purchased a Nvidia Shield to replace my aging HTPC.

This does mean that I will have to drop LiveTV (as I had a PCI Tuner canrd and not an HDHomerun) but I figure we don't use it as much and would end up using the OnDemand apps if required.

I haven't received the Shield yet but can report back later...

A NUC is not totally out of the picture for me as I could end up buying one to use as a Plex/Emby server (transcoding)
I am waiting to see how much transcoding is required by the Shield before making a decision (I am hoping it doesn't need much if any)

Blanch

254 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1826650 21-Jul-2017 16:01

TVNZ and Three now have streaming apps, I'm so close to hitting buy now on a shield.

Stu

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#1826654 21-Jul-2017 16:09

TVNZ and Three Now apps aren't available on Android TV. Neither is Lightbox.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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reven

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#1826656 21-Jul-2017 16:12

Stu:

TVNZ and Three Now apps aren't available on Android TV. Neither is Lightbox.

lightbox is on sony android tvs, no idea why they limited it to sony tvs. but you can probably sideload it.

Blanch

254 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1826657 21-Jul-2017 16:16

Stu:

TVNZ and Three Now apps aren't available on Android TV. Neither is Lightbox.

Can you not cast to the shield like a chromecast?

darylblake

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#1826659 21-Jul-2017 16:21

Im just using a PC. The Shield looked cool. But I like being able to do pretty much whatever I want with my pc.

Runs Plex/Kodi and I can use it for some games too, if i choose to do so. If you want the freedom then get a NUC. They don't use much power. I have an old laptop with an AMD A10 chip in it i might use in a spare room. So its on par with a NUC.

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Stu

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#1826661 21-Jul-2017 16:25

reven:

Stu:

TVNZ and Three Now apps aren't available on Android TV. Neither is Lightbox.

lightbox is on sony android tvs, no idea why they limited it to sony tvs. but you can probably sideload it.

If Lightbox runs on a Sony Android TV, you'd think they'd make it available to download from the store. Another special deal, but with Sony instead of Samsung this time?

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Stu

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#1826663 21-Jul-2017 16:27

Blanch:

Stu:

TVNZ and Three Now apps aren't available on Android TV. Neither is Lightbox.

Can you not cast to the shield like a chromecast?

Shield TV shows on the network as an actual Chromecast device, so yes you can cast to it.

The actual 'on demand' apps aren't available in the store, however. This has come up in various other threads. Mind boggling as to why they're available to Android devices, unless it's a registered Android TV device.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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macuser

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#1826696 21-Jul-2017 17:17

If you do decide on a NUC, make sure it's Kaby Lake