Opinions on Android TV and the Nvidia Shield

by mrmikedude100

Hey all, just a few weeks back I made a post here saying I was ordering a Shield. After a few weeks of having the Shield I would just like to share my thoughts. (Hope this isn't considered a junk post).

Nvidia Shield: I'm incredibly pleased with my purchase. Even as a 1080p user I truly feel that it was a great decision to buy this box. The system is snappy, easy to use, and powerful. I've ended up using more features than I previously thought I would (gaming, home assistant, audio streaming to the controller, and phone casting).

Android TV: The UI and apps alone makes me glad that I decided to not choose a Roku or a FireStick. At first I was gonna go with a Roku but then it lost Twitch, soon after FireStick is "now" having a spat with Google. Sideloading app is a breeze, I feel that I have more freedom to do as I please. I really haven't yet had any issues with the OS but I'm sure I'll end up stumbling into something sooner or later. Either way I have had a good experience with the OS. My only problem and it seems to be a big issue is that of the recommendations bar (which thankfully can be turned off). I had Logan Paul stuck on my home screen for a few days. I hope they wind up giving us recommendations that suit us.

I'm probably forgetting a couple of things but I just wanted to share my experience. Take care! :)

mosley93

Android TV is the best tv os, but still there is a room for improvement.

Using web app for YouTube on google's own platform is disgraceful. The YT recommendations were implemented badly and are completely useless right now.

None of TV channels providers in my country bothers to implement Live Channels Api. So instead of switching between 10 apps to check what's on the TV, I'm not watching live channels at all..

Android TV has great gaming potential, but no one actually makes good games for it, or when it does puts annoying micropayment. So there is no hope that it is going to become a competition for console systems.

Zuluuk1

The android tv platform needs good applications and games in general. The current state is really lacking.

Breaking the category into different sections.

  1. Games on the shield is low, even having the online subscription is not great. Triple A titles are not added. Native android games is bland. The only thing that's decent is the retro emulator.

  2. Media consumption such as Netflix, YouTube etc work really good snappy response low load time.

  3. Using the shield for ip TV works really well as long as your provider is stable and your Internet is good.

  4. Streaming games from your PC works well, the joypad have been redesigned and is comfortable. Officially supported games work out of the box configuration free.

Would I buy the shield again? Definitely. It is well worth the price, just lacking the developer for content, applications and games.

WildSide_VR

I switched from FireTV to Shield because the FireTV was slow and kept buffering all the time. I am consistently amazed by the shield performance. The interface is so much faster and the WiFi is better too because I don't buffer at all anymore. Everything comes up quick and plays smooth.

I recommend installing the weather app. Then go to settings > homescreen and turn off all suggestions except weather and controller updates. Now where you used to see adverts is just the weather. Such control. Much satisfaction

darkstar3333

Shield is the best Android TV device on the market, its expensive but a good overall value.

Kevin84333

Yup, it sure is the best, had an mi box and it was slow and buffer, shield blows it out of the water.

NavarrB

Audio streaming to the controller?

What's that?

Dikkekoko

I recently placed my mibox in the bedroom and bought a shield for in the living room and it is MUCH better.

Havent had a single issue with it while the mibox drives me crazy

Lets hope Nvidia gives us updates for a decent time

cali8112

Was about to get one when all the android issues on the 2015 Bravia started after the big update.

ZerrethDotCom

I regret I ever sold it to a friend. Buying @ 160€ is still too expensive. Do a hardware refresh with a 100€ pricetag and I'll buy one again.