I’ve searched around but not seeing a thread on this. Basically I’m just wondering if the shield tv (as a client) handles direct streaming for live tv and if that makes it a superior choice. Right now I am using a Roku as my main client, and live tv (especially sports) is sometimes choppy. I do also use an xbox one on a 2nd tv and that seems better. So I am debating upgrading my Roku and am thinking the shield tv seems most optimal as my understanding is it has the codecs necessary to eliminate any transcoding at all- is that true? I my plan an awesome plan?
Ok, I just realized I am searching and posting in the wrong forum since this is the media server forum. Ugh sorry, can delete or move.
I have both the Shield TV as well as a Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. I am able to direct play any content, HEVC encoded recorded TV Shows/Movies and Live TV on any of the three devices with no server transcoding. My Roku Stick requires transcoding for Live TV. See screenshot below where I am watching the same Live TV station. As you can see the Roku Stick is transcoding while the FireTV Stick and Shield TV are both Direct Play.
Thanks for replying and overlooking my screw-up! That is good to know, can I ask one follow up? Is there a noticeable difference in responsiveness to skipping forward/backward with live tv among any/all of your clients? Not asking you to test, but anything glaringly obvious? Thanks again!
I don’t watch much Live TV normally. More when testing new versions of PMS but not a lot then either. Normally start it up check to make sure it streams ok switch channels and check again. Most of my viewing outside of testing is all recorded content that has had commercials removed so don’t need to fast forward or rewind.
I vote upgrade the Roku to the Shield 16GB…I had similar experiences when using Amazon FireTVs as the client. I changed that out for the 16GB version and haven’t looked back! LiveTV Timeshift could use a bit of improving on the shield but if you’re playing content stored on your NAS you won’t have any issues, it seeks through that like nothing.
