[Staples] NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player- $179.99

poppy1337 wrote: ↑ Who does it go for more than its retail value?

crimsondr wrote: ↑Tube version does not play 4K via Plex properly. If you use Plex for 4K get the pro version.

madmox wrote: ↑ Try installing spmc, (kodi) and install the plex app in it. Works flawlessly on my 2017. It's all I use kodi for. You can set it to open automatically when you open kodi.

More_toys wrote: ↑ OP. You need to explain your math, or fix the price in your title/post.

Lush78 wrote: ↑ Pro. It has usb, 64 bit support, and extra ram.

This version has been in stock since the coupon came around.

crimsondr wrote: ↑ Tube version does not play 4K via Plex properly. If you use Plex for 4K get the pro version.

stroger wrote: ↑ I know Plex has all the clout, and the server isn't bad, but I've always had issues on the player end. I think using Kodi to access your Plex library is the way to go, albeit not as user friendly

willy0275 wrote: ↑ I've been using Kodi (on Vero 4K and Shield TV) for years through my NAS, so my Kodi library are files hosted on my NAS. Never had any issue with playback, even the most demanding video files like 2160p HEVC. I can skip, rewind, fast forward and so on. Never had a buffering issue. Kodi remembers where I was when I stop watching a movie or TV show, and allows to easily download subtitles. I can also easily create bookmarks. Would there be any advantage of using Plex Media Server over my current setup?

stroger wrote: ↑ Probably not tbh. If everything is working well already, i cant think of any advantages.

willy0275 wrote: ↑ Well thanks, but what's the usual advantage of using Plex Media Server versus a simple network drive where are the files are, for example? I'm just trying to grasp why Plex is so popular.

EDIT: I pondered this over a beer and maybe I managed to answer myself, you could confirm this. The problem with my setup is that I can only watch my TV shows and movies from the same device, connected to my TV. It's a static setup. The advantage of a Media Server like Plex is that it can broadcast the media and any device with the Plex app can easily connect and watch the feeds. So if I wanted to watch something over my phone, I'd simply install the Plex app on it, and I'd be able to watch videos from my library on the phone. If I wanted to connect to a network drive on my phone, and have access to my library, it would be a lot of work (if it's even possible). Would that sound like *the* advantage of Plex?

willy0275 wrote: ↑ Well thanks, but what's the usual advantage of using Plex Media Server versus a simple network drive where are the files are, for example? I'm just trying to grasp why Plex is so popular.

EDIT: I pondered this over a beer and maybe I managed to answer myself, you could confirm this. The problem with my setup is that I can only watch my TV shows and movies from the same device, connected to my TV. It's a static setup. The advantage of a Media Server like Plex is that it can broadcast the media and any device with the Plex app can easily connect and watch the feeds. So if I wanted to watch something over my phone, I'd simply install the Plex app on it, and I'd be able to watch videos from my library on the phone. If I wanted to connect to a network drive on my phone, and have access to my library, it would be a lot of work (if it's even possible). Would that sound like *the* advantage of Plex?

poppy1337 wrote: ↑I have the 2015 (non pro). Is this worth upgrading?

Kursor17 wrote: ↑ I think we're the only two RFD members with the Vero 4k+. I had the nVidia Shield TV tube but ended up selling it because I was only using it for streaming Youtube. But I can do the same thing with the Vero by 'sharing' (i.e. casting) from my phone via the Yatse app.

RE: Plex Server
You're right in that the Plex server allows you to watch with any device. You're not tied to watching on a single device. The device that's hosting the Plex Server is encoding the video and streaming it to your device. I.e. Your device (e.g. phone) isn't doing the heavy lifting of processing the video. It's just receiving the video and playing it.

willy0275 wrote: ↑ Wow thanks for the explanation, "Vero bro" So even a "weak" device would be able to watch 4K HEVC feeds because the transcoding is done remotely. That's a nice advantage, but since I only watch my media on my TV, the Vero 4K with Kodi is all I need! I also have the Shield TV for its nice "native Android" features like Youtube, but my Vero 4K is my main device for Kodi, I love it!