lol not asking - but thanks to you and your comments i can say i am not insane ( i guess i was reading too many shield fan boy posts before i actually bought one and my experience has been nothing what they described it would be .)
But it also makes me wonder why is the roku version much better that the “official” shield app ?? Are there more users on Roku than Shield ( i don’t imagine that’s the case though )
Well, I’m lucky - PC Gamer since… well… PCs.
Consoles are the reason all we get are crappy console ports to PCs.
If I could carpet bomb every console manufacturer on Earth - I would.
and the app looks like hell too.
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I’ve a Shield Pro 2015 model and use it only as a Plex client. It works great for me. I chose the Shield because of the codec support, which matches up nicely with my TV and audio gear. It can passthrough TrueHD + Atmos and dts:X to my receiver. It also supports HDR10 video.
The 2019 models add support for Dolby Vision.
The 2019 Pro is preferred over the “Tube” model due to the extra RAM. This helps with certain high bit-rate movies. There are still some issues with high bit rate movies and audio drop-outs (both Pro & “tube” models). There’s a long thread somewhere covering the details. The fix requires an update from Nvidia.
I run PMS on a Synology DS918+, which meets my needs. I’ve no experience running PMS on a Shield, so cannot comment on reliability, etc.
@JuiceWSA and others use Rokus and speak very highly of them. I’ve no direct experience with Rokus, but based on their comments I would have no issue using one for Plex.
Essentially, it comes down to your requirements.
If you want a Plex client that passes TrueHD + Atmos and dts:X audio to your audio gear you have one choice, a Nvidia Shield.
If you do not need such audio support, then you’ve many other options. Roku and the AppleTV 4K seem like rock solid alternatives based on what I’ve read on the forum.
My setup:
Nvidia Shield Pro (2015) <—> Denon AVR-x4300H <—> LG B7 OLED
PMS on Synology DS918+
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Totally agree. I use Roku and Nvidia Shield and both are good.
One recent development is the latest release of the Android TV Plex app (v8.1+) has drastically improved the experience on the new Shield non pro device (tube). It resolved most of my issues and puts the Shield now on top for me.
One thing I would not do, though, is use the Shield as a Plex server. I would, given the choice, use a beefy Windows or Linux PC with enough horsepower to transcode and store media.
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Good to know. Thanks for the update.
He didn’t complain about the shield as a client, only as a server, which the Roku can’t do, he questioned his choice to spend $50 extra on the Pro for the Server capability.
For those of us that want lossless audio, the Roku is not an option. I’m looking to switch from my HTPC to the Shield/Pro because of simplicity and better TV control with HDR. Also my Smart TV doesn’t support DTS-HD/TrueHD ARC. Those of us with high quality speaker setups know the difference and want it. If it was for a bedroom tv then Roku would be ok.
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If you had one in the bedroom, you’d probably be spending more time there.
The app is the thing.
(that never seems to matter to Shield Fans tho - I will admit)
On an entirely personal level - I’d invent whatever workaround I had to in order to keep my Rokus in play. Just replaced a bunch of FireTVs with Ultras and I can stop right there. All is well.
I don’t need any super-duper anything they won’t do, so I’m lucky - I guess.
BTW: whatever is it that the Ultra won’t do - is the reason for $60-$80 Refurbs at Amazon so… keep 'em coming!
Simple thing: a nice app cannot make up for missing base features like lossless audio support 
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At YOUR house.
At my house - I don’t need it.
Funny Story:
Most of my stuff is AC3 5.1 - I’ve never heard 5.1 in my life.
My stuff, for some reason, downmixes it all perfectly and even though I only have 2 speakers - I hear it all through those 2 and - it’s in Stereo!
So… What’s LossLess Audio?
My first audio upgrade is going to be for AC3 5.1 - then by the time I need Lossless Audio - I’ll be dead, or The New Flagship Roku will have it! <—or they’ll upgrade the Ultras I have.
Everybody in this forum knows about your house already, just wanted to explain why shield buyers don’t care a lot about the “nice app” on roku. The chose the shield for a reason.
… and you don’t think everybody in the forum knows what Shield Fans are going to say?
I chose my Roku Ultra for a reason as well.
Three reasons, actually.
-
they were cheap enough I could buy the 3 I needed to ‘re-tool’ the remote Plexiverse.
-
they did all I needed them to do.
-
they use the Roku Plex UNO app.
Sold.
I most definitely would not watch in the bedroom over my theater because of UI differences, when movie playback is lower quality. It’s like recommending an aftermarket body Eco Mustang over a GT because it looks cooler. Ya it may look better but it performs worse. Honestly you’re a huge fanboy and I see that being dangerous for those who want lossless audio and 4k playback, and you’d just recommend the Roku and they’d end up disappointed. You act like it’s hard for PLEX to update their app yet they did it as stated above, and it’s pretty clear that they’ve worked with Nvidia since one of the Shield Pro’s advertised selling points is being a PLEX Server. Saying the Shield is boat anchor when you admitted that it plays back high bitrate UHD remuxes when your Roku can’t, makes no sense. Updates and features are important, but getting them POSSIBLY slower than the Roku is ok when it can perform it’s primary task still and better (playing movies).
It may be perfect for you, but not everyone.
And, of course, The Shield is perfect for everyone.
Really - I don’t know what I was thinking…
I didn’t say the Shield was perfect for everyone. The #1 deterrent is the price, and you could argue #2 is it’s not as “nice” as the Roku’s UI. For people that don’t care about 4K or Lossless Audio, the Roku would be the best option.
Realize that I don’t have a Shield or a Roku. I do have a FireTV Stick 4K but only bought it for when I put up the projector outside and it’s at my parents now. All I care about is performance/specs and which is best fit for the situation. I don’t fanboy over electronics, just look to best fit the need.
In that case you not only have my deepest sympathy, but my profound apology.
(the bruising isn’t immediately apparent over the internet)
It plays movies fine but I’ve only used it 3 times and I don’t care about the extra features as much. I read review and breakdowns and it had better file support than the regular Roku and I think even the Ultra so I grabbed it on Black friday for like $30? lol
Cheap enough.
They make great cat toys. Mine love 'em.
Another thing I had to consider was - the Family and Friend Technical Status.
(remove Technical from that sentence - see Note)
I factored in phone time up to the point where we determine I was going to have to drive there, then I factored in drive time and decided to eliminate the phone time all together.
I scheduled Spring Cookouts!
So they’d be in the yard while I was hooking it all up - then can get a burger and some cake.
The plan went off without a hitch - and I got cake.
I can do the text support for the fleet of Rokus - not so much for a Game Console with an attitude - even if I’d had the $600.
Note:
About a month ago I was talking my Friend through the installation of Plex for Windows - so he could get off that browser - and ease some pain over here. At some point I ask him to restart the machine and then he said he’d just lean over and turn it off…
… and I was like… “wha… wai… What?!”
Well I will say the Ultra is $100 and the Shield is $150 which isn’t TOOO much more buts till 50% more lol, and will add up when buying 4. The A.I upscaling is apparently super good so I’ll enjoy that. I think I’m gonna grab a Shield today actually, but debating which version to get. IDK if the USBs/RAM/HDD that I MIGHT use is worth the $50 lol. But I could take it places and have a usb stick with movies on it lol.
These people and their power buttons lol
I’ve bought 4 Ultras in the last 6 months - all refurbs.
Cheapest was $64, most expensive was $72 I think.
I got the 3 I needed for remote land for under $200.
Buying refurbs at Amazon is like playing the stock market.
The prices change daily it seems.
Buy low - don’t buy High - isn’t that how it works?
Anyway, I got what I needed and have the spare/new room tv plan unit - whichever comes first. Never know, I might meet another friend or something…lol
