NVIDIA Shield

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dafman

3925 posts

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#224298 11-Nov-2017 18:39

I'm looking at a Nvidia Shield on Amazon - link here

Questions:

1. Will this be able to replace my WDTV Live for playing video files from a Synology NAS?

2. Given I already have Netflix and Lightbox on my Panasonic OLED, what else can the Nvidia offer me for streaming options or other useful services or functionality?

Senecio

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#1899360 11-Nov-2017 19:47

1. Yes. Install Kodi, point it at your NAS and you're away.

2. You won't get much more that isn't already on your TV to be honest, provide your TV is relatively new. For a start you won't get Lightbox. What you will get a faster experience and Apps that are up to date. Most TV manufacturer's are pretty poor and updating Apps. You will be able to use it to cast from other devices

lookout

626 posts

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#1899477 12-Nov-2017 07:20

Have you considered an Apple TV? I’ve found of all the media players, Apple TV has the most NZ streaming services covered - TVNZ, 3Now, Lightbox, Netflix and Fanpass.

There’s an excellent app called Infuse that will play files off a NAS all sorted with metadata.

driller2000

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#1899489 12-Nov-2017 08:00

Cut and Paste from another Shield thread I posted in:

Love my Shield.

NF, YT, Amazon Prime and Vimeo give me 4k material. (NZ Accounts only.)

Other video apps I use incl the usual TED, RedBull, Vevo etc.

Prefer SPMC (to Kodi) as it allows HD Audio ie. DTS:X and ATMOS - also allows voice search. Usual addons in use.

Spotify, Google Music and CloudRadio (for Soundcloud acct access)...for music.

Cast Lightbox from Ph and SkyGo from Chrome on Windows PC.

Old school gaming via Mame4Droid - using their gamepad.

Have an original Shield so installed an SD card as internal storage so I could install other Android Games - drivers , shooters etc for casual gaming.

Has been bulletproof and reliable - highly recommended.

Also integrated with My Harmony Touch (using the shields IR sensor) and various macros - and works great.

Best tech purchase I have made in recent years.

Note: Only downside has been the pissant battery in the remote supplied remote which needs charging more frequently than I would like.

TL:DR - Shield does a sh&t load more than a Smart TV or WDLive and it does it better - incl streaming/casting options.

peejayw

1841 posts

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#1919321 13-Dec-2017 21:29

Can I ask how you got Amazon Prime video to function on the Shield? It doesnt show up in the Playstore and I had to to through a process of installing it on my phone then backing the app up and copying across to the shield. Prime started then stopped working.

Then I tried casting from my phone but that wont work either.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

driller2000

935 posts

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#1919339 13-Dec-2017 23:11

peejayw:

Can I ask how you got Amazon Prime video to function on the Shield? It doesnt show up in the Playstore and I had to to through a process of installing it on my phone then backing the app up and copying across to the shield. Prime started then stopped working.

Then I tried casting from my phone but that wont work either.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Got APK from a site like Apkpure.

Installed using ES File Explorer.

Job done : )

peejayw

1841 posts

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#1919366 14-Dec-2017 07:26

Thanks. I tried that, apk installs and runs OK but when I try to play a video the app closes down, very puzzling.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

driller2000

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#1919375 14-Dec-2017 08:20

Ohh that's odd....

Unfortunately I can't test it again as I let my Prime trial lapse - not enough content imo - but it did work previously.

As an alternate - google Terrarium TV apk. (You can thank me later :p)

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

razor2000nz

218 posts

Master Geek

#1919536 14-Dec-2017 13:01

the prime video app should already be on the shield, shouldn't need to side load it, got mine a month ago and it was part of the apps already on the box

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1920315 15-Dec-2017 18:12

Senecio:

For a start you won't get Lightbox.

I thought the Lightbox APK could be sideloaded and worked fine?

This is important to me, as I am currently mulling the Shield vs Apple TV vs a second-hand PS3 as the best option as a streamer. I was inclining to the shield, but absence of Lightbox could be an issue.

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#1920330 15-Dec-2017 18:38

Got mine about 8 months ago, app wasn't included.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

driller2000

935 posts

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#1920339 15-Dec-2017 18:57

JimmyH:

Senecio:

For a start you won't get Lightbox.

I thought the Lightbox APK could be sideloaded and worked fine?

This is important to me, as I am currently mulling the Shield vs Apple TV vs a second-hand PS3 as the best option as a streamer. I was inclining to the shield, but absence of Lightbox could be an issue.

You can cast Lightbox to the Shield and you can also sideload the Lightbox apk - and from memory it worked - but I haven't tested for a while.

PS: And seriously - try the Terrarium TV apk ....kinda like the Covenant/Exodus Kodi Addon Covenant - but it works....

lchiu7

6474 posts

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#1920364 15-Dec-2017 20:10

In case anybody's interested it's down to US$149 at the moment

https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Streaming-Player-Remote/dp/B075RXV2VR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513321747&sr=8-2&keywords=nvidia+shield

and $12 shipping to NZ

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.