Streaming Only - Nvidia Shield vs Firestick 4k ?

by Reddituser703

So I'm in the market for an updated streamer, but I already have a gaming PC (i7 7700k, GTX 1080ti), so no streaming games needed for me. Sorry if this post comes off a bit blunt, but it's irritating there aren't any good reviews or comments that compare the streaming capabilities of the shield other than "best 4k streamer" (like wtf does that mean?)

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I currently use a Gen2 FireTV (non-stick, old school box-top), and it works pretty well and have been extremely happy with it. I am hugely invested and satisfied with the Amazon ecosystem. However, with it being a nearly 4 year old device, it's starting to show it's age (snappiness affected, can only play 4K at 30 fps). I use my FireTV for streaming (Playstation Vue, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Hulu, etc...).

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So why should I buy a Shield at $140 and not just upgrade to the new Amazon FireStick 4k for $50 ? Everything I've researched has concluded the Firestick 4k is the better buy for me; am I wrong ?

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I don't use/have a media server (no Kodi/Plex needed), I prefer to stream as it's vastly more convenient (even if I wanted to Plex etc... I'd just use my PC as the server). Nvidia homerism won't work for me, I don't care it's a nvidia device. Gimme actual reasons why it's superior and it's $90 price increase over Firestick 4k is justified as a strict streaming device.

  • - Both do can 4k and h256 at 60 fps
  • - Both have updated streaming apps? I have the impression FireTV apps may be updated more regularly?
  • - If I bought the Firestick 4K I'd also buy the ethernet adapter (I agree the lack of the ethernet port as a primary feature is stupid). So they'll both be wired devices
  • - Shield is more brand agnostic with Android, so I'd get access to YouTube TV. But then again, I'd continue to use PlayStation Vue anyways. SO that does not benefit me.

Thanks for your input and I hope this post (and participating replies) prove useful for others also interested in the nvidia shield

johnny-burgundy

Nvidia Shield is better and more adaptive. That being said, it isn't worth the extra cost based on your use. You just don't require the extra capabilities it offers.

rk_29

TBH in your use case the Firestick 4K is better. You would have use of YouTube with the Sheild, so whether that is important to you should be the deciding factor. In reality considering the difference in price and how little of the Shield's extra features that you would actually use, I reckon the the 4K FireStick is the better option for you.

PalebloodSky

NVIDIA Shield TV is the best streaming device on the market. It does nearly everything extremely well, has excellent performance, and receives regular and long-term Android TV OS updates from NVIDIA. It is recommended by nearly everyone on this sub. Supports 4K, HDR, 120Hz, controllers, etc out of the box. That been said it's relatively expensive at $140-180.

Apps you could install off the Google Play Store: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, ESPN, MLB, YouTube, ESPN, Fox Sports, PlayStation Vue, Chrome Cast, Spotify, Kodi, X-plore, VLC, RetroArch emulator, the list goes on.

For your simple 4K streaming uses, a Fire stick 4K should be fine also.

TheManDapperDan

pretty much nothing is better than Nvidia Shield

FlickFreak

I don't have an nVidia Shield TV but I have been using the Fire TV Stick 4K for the last week and I've used it with few of the streaming services available in Canada (ie. Netflix, Prime Video and UFC Fight Pass). The overall performance has been excellent in every way and the remote is perfection. At only $49.99 (CDN$64.99) the Fire TV Stick 4K is less than a third of the price of the nVidia Shield TV and if streaming is your primary concern there is no way that the nVidia Shield TV is 3 times as good as the Fire TV Stick 4K. It just isn't and paying $179 (CDN$229) for the Shield TV isn't worth it unless there is something particular to the Android TV eco system that you require or your interest is more in it as gaming system than a streaming device.

In reality if you really wanted the best streaming device that money could buy then you'd probably be looking at an Apple TV 4K, also $179 (CDN$229), as the Apple eco system offers more streaming apps and better stability. That's not even taking into account that from a hardware standpoint the Apple TV 4K wipes the floor with the nVidia Shield TV offering both a significantly more powerful CPU/SoC and double the storage capacity at the same price point. And if you want to talk about software update support then nVidia will likely lose there as well as Apple offers continuous updates for the Apple TV products on a regular basis. Most recently adding Dolby Atmos support to the TV 4K with tvOS 12.

I'm not saying that the the nVidia Shield is a bad device, it isn't. It is overpriced though. Being the best Android TV device isn't that hard because the competition isn't very good. Its kind of like a primary school teacher being proud of being the tallest person in their classroom. The Fire TV Stick 4K (and some of the previous Fire TV devices) represent the best way to experience an Android based leanback interface without emptying your wallet in the process.

For reference I also own two Fire TV Stick gen2's, a Mi Box 3, a Mecool M8S Pro L, a couple Chinese Android boxes and an Apple TV 4 so I'm very familiar with streaming boxes.

budderflyer

I have a 2017 Sony TV and I like AndroidTV on it, but it doesn't allow Dolby Atmos over ARC or optical so I will need an additional device. I can't find any reason why I shouldn't wait for BF and get a 4k Fire Stick for $35 over the Shield.

lseuf

I have recently swapped my Shield for a firestick. There are some semi minor drawbacks. You will need to sideload a Youtube app and cope with Amazon banners for their shows and other content. But at least you will have a device for which the manufacturer is paying Dolby and DTS licences and you will be able to fully enjoy your sound system.

Passthrough for Dolby and DTS doesn't work on the Shield due to this lack of licence.

BiggussDikkuss

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=336151

I bet the new Fire TV Stick 4K will be around the $35 price again this upcoming Black Friday.

Max_Roc

In your case, it's which interface do you prefer, and remote.

Checkout the new Jetstream Android TV too.

Reddituser703

Thx for all the feedback. I'll get a Firestick 4k

jagradang

i'm in a similar dilemma but i don't use amazon prime tv or netflix. primary use will be kodi (potentially youtube but have 4k app on the samsung tv for that) and other streaming aps (bbc iplayer, catchup tv and other'movie' apps) - is the shield overkill for what i want?