[Staples] NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player- $179.99
- SCORE-5
- itrocks4u
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- Jul 29, 2008
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- bobonetsue
- Jr. Member
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- Oct 1, 2018
- 117 posts
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Thanks op been curious to try one as my pi has been giving me some issues. Cheers
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- madmox
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- Mar 30, 2008
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- Vancouver
- crimsondr
- Deal Addict
- Nov 27, 2005
- 3135 posts
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Thanks for the suggestion. I've always used the official Plex app. Used Rokus for years and it was great until I tried to do subtitles with 4K and no transcoding. Bought the tube earlier this year and it seemed to work at first but then crashed out all the time. I've already purchased two pros and they're working great. I'll try the workaround on the Tube so hopefully it's not totally useless going forward.
- alanbrenton
- Deal Expert
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- Apr 21, 2004
- 54422 posts
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OP / perennial Mr. thread capper / time machine guru can't even do the math right lol
This is my first down vote since the month down voting was permitted (gave a few to bullies but that was it).
$10 amazon.ca calculator link anyone?
This is my first down vote since the month down voting was permitted (gave a few to bullies but that was it).
$10 amazon.ca calculator link anyone?
- dineshabe
- Newbie
- Oct 8, 2012
- 28 posts
- 5 upvotes
- CALGARY
With the new google chromecast with remote around the corner this is not "hot" imo.
- Mrrfdxyz [OP]
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- shikotee
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- Mar 20, 2009
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- Toronto
I got the non pro for my parents, who really don't need Pro features.
My one critique of the Pro (which I got for myself about a month ago) is that it should also have a microsd slot (along with the 2 USB ports). Can obviously just use an adapter, but would be way nicer having a slot.
- slayerwulf
- Deal Addict
- Feb 13, 2005
- 1467 posts
- 1168 upvotes
Thank you, was not aware this was a tube specific issue. Gotta buy a pro now. I have been restarting the tube every time before watching a 4k movie and if I do that it allows me to get through without issue as long as I do not try skipping back/ahead or pausing.
- stroger
- Jr. Member
- May 26, 2016
- 116 posts
- 257 upvotes
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
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- Aug 5, 2015
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- Montreal, QC
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?
Happy Koodo Public Mobile customer :-)
- stroger
- Jr. Member
- May 26, 2016
- 116 posts
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Probably not tbh. If everything is working well already, i cant think of any advantages.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?
- willy0275
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- Aug 5, 2015
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- Montreal, QC
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?
Happy Koodo Public Mobile customer :-)
- crimsondr
- Deal Addict
- Nov 27, 2005
- 3135 posts
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The advantage of Plex is the UI. It's a great interface. I also use it to view my media on any device. The syncing feature is great as well. It will automatically download new episodes to my iPad which I can then watch offline while on the go train.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
- Member
- Feb 5, 2012
- 390 posts
- 111 upvotes
- Toronto
I have the 2015 (non pro). Is this worth upgrading?
- Kursor17
- Deal Addict
- Dec 16, 2001
- 1711 posts
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- Oakville
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 transcoding 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.
Btw, RFD is in love with the nVidia Shield as the be all and end all of media players. So we'll need to be careful of saying anything positive about the Vero 4k+ or face the wrath of RFD!
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 transcoding 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.
Btw, RFD is in love with the nVidia Shield as the be all and end all of media players. So we'll need to be careful of saying anything positive about the Vero 4k+ or face the wrath of RFD!
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?
Last edited by Kursor17 on Jun 30th, 2020 3:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Lush78
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- Sep 13, 2015
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- willy0275
- Deal Addict
- Aug 5, 2015
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- Montreal, QC
Wow thanks for the explanation, "Vero bro"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.
Happy Koodo Public Mobile customer :-)
- Kursor17
- Deal Addict
- Dec 16, 2001
- 1711 posts
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- Oakville
You're welcome Vero "Brah".
nVidia Shield (Android TV UI) is more user friendly and than the native KODI (OSMC) baked into our Vero 4k+.
Using a single device (Vero) was conscious effort to limit screen time for the family! 1 TV, 1 device.
nVidia Shield (Android TV UI) is more user friendly and than the native KODI (OSMC) baked into our Vero 4k+.
Using a single device (Vero) was conscious effort to limit screen time for the family! 1 TV, 1 device.
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!
- b31770
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- Nov 22, 2012
- 1295 posts
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- VANCOUVER
Food for thought for Plex/Jellyfin/Emby users.
I'd just get the tube and put the savings toward a sufficiently powered NAS. Run Plex/JF/Emby on the NAS and it'll serve and store the media, because you know, you'll need a place to store the media, right?
I'd only get the pro if you need to run 64bit apps.
I'd just get the tube and put the savings toward a sufficiently powered NAS. Run Plex/JF/Emby on the NAS and it'll serve and store the media, because you know, you'll need a place to store the media, right?
I'd only get the pro if you need to run 64bit apps.