My media servers don't have internet access. I basically have a private network with a couple of old servers. I was accessing it using the WDTV box but it stopped working and I am looking for a decent replacement that can also use ethernet. The Nvidia Shield looks good, but everything I am reading says to use Plex which I don't think will work with multiple servers and a few Android TV boxes
Ahhh, those WDTV boxes are like the streaming boxes before legit streaming boxes got popular, like Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, etc.
You're due for an upgrade.
Plex is a great media center. Kodi/SPMC would work for you as well. Emby is gaining popularity. There's a lot of options like these that are more than just traversing a file tree with UPnP/DLNA. If you're sitting on your couch, there are much prettier ways of finding something to watch.
if your server are samba compatible, that wil not be a problem with the the nvidia shield tv, if not you can by ftp, upnp access is available to but limited in some apps like kodi. i have access to one local windows server, a nas, a hard drive connected to router and my pc (all by samba), and use sftp for internet server. about apps SPMC, Archos player, Emby, Plex (in order of preference)
The shield tv can be your plex server itself and you can add the other severs as network folders. Then it will traverse all the folders and you media will all appear in plex. You only need the internet for metadata and if you setup a family account. But even with the family account it might not be an issue on the shield since it is the client and server.
If you can get Plex to the servers (flash drive or something) you can install it without internet.
Plex server also acts as a DLNA server so find a DLNA player that you like and it will pick up the Plex DLNA servers automatically
Kodi can access FTP, NFS and samba shares with no issue, what do you mean access your media?
The shield itself is a fucking Plex server, and a good one from what I've read able to transcode.
I'm having trouble on why you can't consolidate your servers into one but are looking to buy a $200 media player that's focused on online and gaming and complete overkill for what you seem to need
There's no reason Plex won't work with multiple servers, and it can serve anything from any of your servers to any of your boxes. The Shield can even act as a Plex server, meaning you can use it to transcode video for your other devices.
If you'd rather not use Plex, you could always simply use a video player app like VLC. But there's really no reason not to use Plex.
You don't need Plex to access data - e.g. Kodi, Archos Video Player and some others will read and index Samba shares directly.
So any Android TV device will work well.
Use either of these on any Android TV platform connected to a NAS or SMB File Server:
Heck even some Home WiFi Routers include a SMB File server these days.
.
Archos Video Player
VLC
Kodi
SPMC
dude, just hook your computer up to your tv. if you dont have hdmi buy a 15 dollar video card. get the k400 keyboard.
FYI, plex doesn't need internet to run.