Is it worth it to buy this device right now or is there anything else on the horizon?
Is it worth it to buy this device right now or is there anything else on the horizon?
I would wait a week for Google Io to happen. Maybe they will release something interesting there. If not, then go with the shield.
I'm hoping (even expecting) that we hear Google announce a 2nd gen Nexus Player at I/O this week, probably to be released in a few months when the finalized Android N rolls out. Google went two years between the 1st and 2nd gen Chromecast. The original Nexus Player was announced at the 2014 I/O and released later that year. And that device hasn't even been available to buy since last fall! We really need a less expensive, more-TV and less-game focused, Android TV box available than the Nvidia Shield TV. I'm hoping that a 2nd gen Nexus Player will have a little faster processor and more RAM than the original, ethernet and USB 3.0 connections, and will support UHD/4K streaming apps, along with 24p/23.976p video output for film-based material and DD 5.1 surround sound. And if they could work out a deal with Amazon to include the Amazon Video app (currently only available on Sony TVs with Android TV built-in), that would make it perfect!
I bought one last night, should be here tomorrow. I have been using Kodi on my Mac which is a pain to hook up to HDMI and then not have a remote to control it from across the room. This should free things up quite a bit.
Coming from someone who's had the shield for a few months and honestly doesn't do Kodi or the like, couldn't be happier. Between Netflix, Hulu, Plex for media from the PC, and OTA (which I onky use to watch the news in the morning while drinking coffee), I'm set. Seeing native ESPN app this morning just made it even better for me!
Still the most powerful box out there. I use mine every day, no complaints.