There are so many options on the market, but I feel like they all miss one thing or another. As my current setup is about to kick the bucket, I’d appreciate some input on your experiences and thoughts on the future.
Below are my thoughts and opinions, that are completely open to scrutiny!

  • The Nvidia Shield (and 2019 Pro) are aging and overpriced. Lacking software updates shows Nvidia’s priorities on other product lines. Will there be a new version now that the Switch 2 is launched, or are the possible profits pocket change for them?

  • Apple TV seems to be a great alternative, but it’s a locked down ecosystem. Tailscale is available here now, which is great, but there is no way to side load apps AFAIK. I am not giving up ad-free Youtube. Other than that, I see very few downsides with it.

  • Google TV Streamer 4K is basically a Chromecast with more memory, storage and a slight bump to the CPU. It does finally support AV1, but lacks support for many audio codecs and several relatively common DV-profiles. It has also more than doubled in price.

  • We don’t have Amazon, so I know very little about the Firestick, but I imagine it would be like the CcwGTV? Probably same with the Roku?
    To be fair, I’m looking for something with a bit more snappiness and punch than a stick for future proofing.

What are your thoughts? Waiting for the Shield 2 Pro? Happy with Apple TV or Google Streamer?
I wanna know how you play your obviously perfectly legal content on your TV’s, but it needs to have the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).

The server is a N100 NUC, so transcoding is no issue but I prefer not having to do it for everything.

Cheers!

  • Marafon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    21 hours ago

    Lol I hear that man. When Jellyfin isn’t working or starts stuttering my son is very vocal about his feelings on the matter. I agree with you, i feel like the hardware upgrades were paltry compared to the price hike from Chromecast to “Streamer box” or whatever.

    My other complaint is the stupid thing expects a spot somewhere to take up space on an entertainment center or shelf instead of dangling from the HDMI port like a good little dongle.

    If something better does turn up you gotta come back and let us all know about it lol Good luck out there, brother!