Currently running Kodi 19.3 on my Mi Box 4K and use it solely to stream 4K content through add-ons.
This is all I need the box to allow me to do; launch an add-on in Kodi, authorize RealDebrid, select an add-on, launch a stream and go. Preferably work with my TV's remote through CEC. I need it to play ball with my 7.2 Denon x2600h AVR (ARC) and cinema setup that supports Atmos, DTS, TrueHD and God knows what else. My panel is a recent 4K 65" LG OLED.
It works on my Mi Box (mostly), but it's sluggish to the point of frustration. It plays 4K HDR streams MOST of the time without too much hassle; I just have to be patient to get to a stream. It also has the tendency to freeze every now and then, and sometimes has handshake issues with my LG OLED and Denon x2600H AVR. While a(nother) reboot often fixes this, the whole ordeal is anything but smooth.
I have been looking at upgrades, and haven't really found a clear answer apart from "just get a Nvidia Shield Pro 2019". Is this the only upgrade path? I only need it to run Kodi streams, so I was thinking that maybe a Shield is overkill. It costs €200+ here as well.
I don't mind tinkering a little, but I'd rather not faff about with an Odroid N2+ or Pi4, unless it's definitely worth it over a Shield.
Let me know if I missed anything. Thanks! :)
If you use it solely for Kodi and Kodi add-ons, you don't need to run AndroidTV at all. You can put Kodi on just about anything.
Refurb workstation Dell from eBay if you want really cheap. Tiny little NUC from Amazon if you want it to be small.