I'm thinking about just using my Nexus Player with my TV as it would be a better experience, but the only downside is that is does not output 4K content, so I suppose I could just use the built in applications for 4K content or just rely on upscaling. How many of you do this? I have a Samsung UN55HU6840 (I believe that is the correct model), it's a 2014 model so it doesn't even have Tizen.
EDIT: Is there a way to use Amazon Video on it?
The only way to use amazon TV is to continually contact them asking for it, til they give it.
Not just customer service, letters to managers.
My LG WebOS TV is retarded crap. I have a Nexus Player and a SteamBox hooked up to it and I wish it had a "dumb" mode - it's not even "smart" enough to auto-switch to the only active input (even though it detects which are active and pops up a stupid dialog telling me the current input is inactive and asking if I want to go choose an input).
I once tried to cast to it - only supports miracast - waste of 2 hours of my life.
I own a Sony TV (not Android) with Plex, TED, Youtube, ... but I still bought an Nvidia Shield and I am extremely happy with it. I know that when (not if) I upgrade to a 4K TV, I'm all set to enjoy the content provided. I used to Watch Youtube on the Smart TV, use Kodi on a Raspberry Pi and watch Netflix on my pc.
Now I can do it all on one device. I will never go back.
I have a Sony TV with Android TV built in but still use the SmartTV apps for some as the TV stations here in Australia haven't released catchup apps for Android TV yet.
I have a Vizio smart TV, and I just my Shield TV instead of the built in apps.
Vizio's UI is really slow. It's not even worth it. Also the remote control is crap and cheap.
My older Sony TV is pretty okay. No reason whatsoever to use the smart TV apps other than Amazon Video.
I have an Nvidia Shield TV and purchased it specifically to use instead of my Samsung TV's menu. I wanted my entire TV experience to remain in the Android TV interface, in 4K, with casting abilities, and so that it works with my receiver as well.
I made adjustments to my configuration so that I can use the Samsung menu for the Amazon video app with my receiver, but I haven't touched it since setup. They're exclusivity with Sony has made me less and less inclined to use their video services and I doubt I will even if they change their tune in the future.
There's a workaround for Amazon. Try this and see if it works on your nexus player: https://plus.google.com/+IsraelOliverJr414515/posts/ai4gczSwTAH it works in my Shield TV without root or anything special, you just have to do a sideload install.
I have a Sony Bravia Android TV with Amazon client on it (Sony obviously did a deal with Amazon) and together with the Google Cast protocol support, Kodi and Youtube clients I make much less use of my Fire TV and Chromecast.
Apart from the bugs/niggles (hopefully firmware releases will address them over time) it's a fantastic example of a 'connected' TV where internet streaming is just as important as regular TV reception. I know that I probably use it more for streamed media (off internet or my NAS) than I do for regular over the air broadcast TV.
I can see how people might be dissatisfied if they bought it to use as a regular TV though - but I'm a bit of a techie and wanted all that internet type stuff so I put up with the foibles. It's way better than the previous Samsung (with it's crappy Smart Hub system) for Smart TV stuff but not as good at being a plain old 'dumb' TV.
Why not get an Nvidia Shield? It supports native 4K output, but it does cost more. Aside from that I can't really help you out, all of my TVs are dumb TVs. So I exclusively use my Nvidia Shield for everything.