Look, this subreddit may as well be called /r/NvidiaShield
That's what the majority here has experience with and when they think of other devices they think of the barely useable first and second gen Mediatek crap.
So I'll give a dissenting opinion.
Yes, ironically enough even the now five year old original Shield is still one of the smoothest and more powerful Android TV devices - but the gap to the current gen built-in systems is far, far, far smaller than this subreddit is claiming. If you don't want to play any demanding Android games on your TV is almost non-existent.
The current gen Bravias are finally not just "fast enough" but actually fast and smooth. It's no longer just "fine" it's actually fun to use.
And you're getting a system with a fully coherent UI AND work flow that you can use with a single remote.
If you're looking at an Android TV powered TV anyways, just spend the money you'd be spending on a Shield into the next higher model - it's far better invested.
And, if years down the line, you're no longer happy with the built in hardware, you can still always grab whatever Android TV device is the one to get in 2025.
Shield my 2015 is still going strong 2 tvs later
Shield TV all day. Then buy the best TV panel you can afford. TLC 6 series if you’re on a budget, higher end vizios if you’ve got a bit more, then LG or Sony OLEDs if you’ve got the cash. Anything else isn’t worth buying. (There are arguments for high end Samsung’s for gaming but Dolby vision is beating out HDR 10+ so I’m out).
The shield is more powerful, and is supported with updates way longer than any tv, and is way more customizable.
If you need HD audio support for Bluray Rips then get a Nvidia Shield. You will not get HD audio support from Apps on any Smart TV.
Otherwise get a Sony X900H with it’s excellent powerful MediaTek MT 5895 chipset for running Android TV. That model has NO lag at all. It’s the most powerful SmartTV on the market.
Problems the Nvidia Shield has that the modern Sony‘s do not:
- no HDR support for YouTube or Google Play Movies. There is noticable daily increase of everyday HDR content now on YouTube. The Shield‘s chipset cannot decode that sort of Google encoded HDR video content at all.
- no Airplay2 support, Sony will also get AppleTV App support real soon
- MUCH better motion support for all video playback Apps. That is a major problem with all externally HDMI connected Android TV devices.
- no problems with correct DolbyVision color outputs
- no issues at all with colorspace SDR / HDR / DolbyVision & also resolution switching. Everything “just works” without stuffing around and needing to be an Android tech nerd to sort it all out.
What Im basically saying is everything “works” and is much better integrated these days on modern Sony’s.
The game has changed with recent mid tier / premium 2019 / 2020 Sony‘s. They now have decent or even excellent chipset tech under the hood and all the building blocks in place for long term Firmware, OS and Apps support.
All the oher previous Sony‘s were underpowered crap and needed to be avoided for Smart TV usage, even though some of the 2015 models were still getting support from Sony.
If a Sony X900H or similar 2020 Sony model is too slow, THEN get a Nvidia Shield. I doubt you will find a mid tier / premium 2020 Sony 4K HDR TV too slow for everyday Android TV usage.
If you've tv already try it, you'll get your answer. If you're going to buy both then shield or anything (most) but built-in will be better.
When your TV stops getting updates you can always buy a new TV. Why just buy a new Android box?
I would buy the best performing TV you can get, then get a shield if you want android TV. The SOC inside tvs are not great, you are stuck with the android TV that the TV manufacturer wants, and I personally do not like the android TV OSD to control a TV. If you get a high end set like an OLED I would not connect it to the internet, if you want a low-mid range maybe a roku TV from TCL since they are the best for the money and use the roku.
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If you get a Sony OLED maybe use the android TV builtin for a while.
Get Shield and sideload all the goodies. Its pricey then other cheaper ones but it will pay for itself. It seems to stream well even on slow connections. I run it on a DSL connection. Very pleased with my purchase. With Shield you are not tied down to the manufacturer's version of" Android TV".
For use with home theater system? Shield.
NVidia Shield cause the TVs will stop upgrading to the latest version at some point and it is easier replacing a set-top box than a whole TV.
if you've actually got a sound system you want a shield tv so you don't have to rely on ARC.
Buy the TV based on picture quality not the OS. You can always add the OS you like after whether it be roku,apple tv, android tv, fire tv. With that being said the shield 2019 is the best out right now as far as audio quality goes. Lossless bitrate audio