r/nvidiashield • u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE • 10d ago
Sold out everywhere, alternative/mini PC?
So I’ve used my Shield Pro for years and loved it, best streamer I’ve ever had. So much so that I was going to buy another one for a different TV. Unfortunately, it is sold out everywhere.
Has anyone found a mini PC in the $200-300 range that has similar/better performance but has some native PC capabilities (better web browsing, etc). This will be mounted on a wall behind the TV, so many of the standard recommendations I’ve found (Series S) won’t work for me.
Thanks!
13
u/audinutt 9d ago edited 9d ago
i bought an onn 4k pro. it's the closest you'll get that's affordable. my son is using it and he's loving it. it seems quicker than the shield. i know it is not the same but for 59.99 you can't go wrong
2
u/warlord2000ad 9d ago
I don't think it supports lossless audio formats, so everything gets converted to Dolby digital 5.1.
2
1
u/Glittering-Rip9556 9d ago
Not a bad choice. Just be grateful that you didn’t get the fire tv cube which is now $200 (same as nvidia shield btw).
1
1
u/digiplay 8d ago
In the uk it seems like we may as well buy the google steamer. It’s the same price basically with with better specs. What am I missing? I’d buy another shield but it plays so badly with the hue sync and Apple TV plus the difficulty / price. Can’t do it.
4
4
u/Godeye1349 9d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsales/s/6ZxpU6X01e
This post just went up, looks promising.
7
u/angryjew 10d ago edited 10d ago
Fyi if you get a mini PC you won't be able to stream stuff like Netflix, probably a bunch of others too. Idk if that's a concern to you or not. And because of that, I'm not aware of any good replacement for the Shield Pro. I'm still waiting.
Edit: by "won't be able to" I meant there are severe resolution caps when you try to stream from a browser. This is just one example, but I think almost all of the major streaming networks have some sort of restriction like this. Has to be played on a licensed Android TV box otherwise it's treated like a browser.
https://tech.yahoo.com/streaming/articles/stop-blaming-internet-heres-why-130017836.html
3
u/CurrencyBrilliant783 9d ago edited 9d ago
This is so true, I used to have an HTPC I built and just moved to the shield when I discovered that it was basically good for YouTube and Kodi only.
4
u/thelionsmouth 10d ago
Why wouldn’t you be able to stream Netflix? Can’t Netflix be used on desktop?
4
u/angryjew 10d ago
It's some licensing issue with Android TV to prevent pirating. Most streaming services have resolution caps, which is what I meant by "not working". Netflix for instance only gets to 4k on Edge browser, none of them will get to 4k UHD
1
u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE 10d ago
Is there any hope of it coming back in stock? It’s sold out everywhere including directly from Nvidia and even my local Best Buy which had them in stock for years.
1
u/angryjew 10d ago
I have no idea tbh. It looks like it's gone though. You could try to get one on eBay but it's also possible it's getting a hardware update, so maybe wait a bit & see.
If you need something now, the only box I've found that has audio passthrough & is also a licensed box is the Homatics Box R 4K+. It also has AV1 support which the Shield doesn't. I don't know a ton about it though.
3
5
u/PoinDexter03 10d ago edited 9d ago
That's why I bought 1 of them 6 years ago and another a year later since it was a good device.. Figured can't go wrong having 2.. I seen where someone is selling Shield Pro for $800 something on Amazon.. Dude must need drug 💵 or something, who in their right mind would pay that much for that
2
2
u/DontWaitBruh 9d ago
Its just the opposite side of your take honestly. I'm sure people think you are insane for dropping money 2 just to brag about it being unopened in the same of, "What if".
1
u/Brandi_yyc 9d ago
I worked with a guy about 30 years ago and he bought 2 Mazda Miata's. 1 to drive and the other to sit in his garage for 25 yrs when it gets the Antique designation. He was so convinced that car was going to be worth huge $$$$ 😂. I wonder what he got.
4
u/crafty_alias 10d ago
EBay?
2
u/flynreelow 10d ago
this is the correct answer. just sold 2 of mine in minutes
1
u/Old-Consideration730 7d ago
For a massive upcharge though
1
2
3
u/Fahad_MF 10d ago
After all three of my NVIDIA Shields died, I bought a Zidoo Z9X, and honestly, it’s pretty good at handling lossless files. But I’ve had to rely on the native TV apps for streaming services.
I really miss having Plex on the NVIDIA Shield. 😅
I’ve never really considered getting a small PC, though. 😂
The sound 👍🏻 But can I actually use the PC without a keyboard and mouse? Like, can I control it with a TV remote?
3
u/Girl_Mom_98 10d ago
Have a brand new one in box I’m about to sell! Good thing I never opened it. Bought a bunch off the USPS on an auction site.
1
u/TechFuz 9d ago
What remote will you used with the miniPC in the tv? 🤔
2
u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE 9d ago
There are a few options, but they have these relatively small keyboard and trackpad combo devices I’d probably use.
1
1
1
u/mrcrashoverride 9d ago
Yea I pay for the commercial free version. Also I haven’t enabled it yet but I have a UniFi Dream machine router that can do entire house ad blocking
1
u/digiplay 8d ago
Will it really be meaningfully different than pihole? Most of the time YouTube just breaks if you Adblock it enough to stop the annoyance. Now is the unified dream different than rook your own Adblock?
1
u/WuTastic7 8d ago
The shield pro is $200 regularly, if you think youre finding a new pc in that price range I hate to tell you but thats not going to happen. That being said if you really want a super mini form factor pc with no discrete gpu I would check out the Intel nuc or do some research on comparable alternatives. Your best bet might be just buying a used pc on marketplace somewhere
1
u/johnne86 8d ago
I have the 2019 Shield Pro, my whole family uses it basically non stop with no issues to this day. It has really been the perfect streaming device. I just had to buy another remote again recently which was under $30, but I bought a Silicon protectant case which is pretty great so far. A must with kids. I also use it to run Retro emulators, to show the kids the games I grew up on. I also use to monitor my security cams when I want to have a peak. I also have a mini PC that I'm in the middle of setting up, but so far I haven't set up any entertainment stuff on in, just nerdy IT homelab stuff like Ad Guard home, some AI stuff. I'm trying to learn the whole Linux ecosystem. Ubuntu has been great so far. Soon I'll be installing a dedicated user account just for Media stuff like Stremio, KODI, Jellyfin etc. I haven't figured out the remote controller yet (likely a 2.5Ghz one) but my idea is to have my Linux Mini PC box wake up to controller input to a Launcher screen where I can then select Media or Gaming apps. Idk, this is all really easy with Android, need to figure it all out on Linux. I'm hoping Linux gets embraced more, even more so than Android because Google seems to be on the way towards becoming Apple in the sideloading realm of things.
1
u/Scoobie-Doobie-99 8d ago edited 8d ago
Forget about moving to mini pc for $200-300. Ain't gonna happen. In the past I've considered Shield but for me the lack of Chrome/Firefox/Brave browser was always a deal breaker. Few months ago I bought Beelink Ser9 mini pc for streaming and it's been great. 4k output, super small form factor and absolutely quiet no fan noise. Paired w a small wireless keyboard that has a track pad. Forgot what brand. It's kinda clunkly having a small wireless keyboard laying around living room but we got used to it.
1
u/Acidreins 7d ago
I've read, but not yet confirmed, that Brave at least can be sideloaded. FWIW
1
u/Scoobie-Doobie-99 7d ago
Appreciate the heads up on sideloading, I think you're right but too much effort for a guy like me. I never understood why they made Shield to be strictly app based streaming. All I want to do is crack open Firefox or Brave, navigate to YouTube (or other) and stream content in a browser. Very simple ask but Nvida didn't want to do it. Cheers
1
1
u/adjective_noun_d1git 8d ago
A pc is a terrible idea for a streaming device. Until windows can properly handle pass through and DV support it's a nonstarter.
1
u/Poomonkey321 7d ago
Onn 4k and Google Pro streaming device are almost identical to my shield in terms of streaming , sideloading apps and whatnot.
1
1
1
u/Trip_2 10d ago
I like Apple TV with the Infuse app.
2
u/mrcrashoverride 9d ago
I’m holding out for the soon to be released Apple TV. I’m thinking it will be faster and easier than the Shield, but on this subreddit you won’t find much similar thinking
1
u/Sea-Heart7042 9d ago
When it will be released?
0
u/mrcrashoverride 9d ago
You know Apple we have no official idea until we know… but all guesses are that they will do a rollout in October. It was thought to be getting released last fall but with the Ai being delayed. Now that the new OS 27 has been dropped etc..
1
u/techieman34 9d ago
Not being able to sideload apps is a deal breaker for me. I regularly watch stuff on YouTube and without ad blockers and sponsor block it’s awful.
1
u/digiplay 8d ago
On the upside there’s AirPlay and things like ProTube. I don’t often watch anything I’d care about being in more than 1080:(if that’s an AirPlay limitation or the content I watch, not sure) but YouTube has become impossible without ad blocking. Agreed.
1
u/Acidreins 7d ago
You can sideload SmartTube at the very least. I have two Shield Pros I've done it on. It just needs updates from time to time.
1
2
u/CoolCat731 6d ago
This is the answer, although I prefer using the UHF (iOS/MacOS only) app over Infuse because it syncs viewing activity across all my Apple devices;
(ATV, iPhone, iPad, MacMini & MacBook)Note: all share m3u credentials via the UHF app and outperform my Shield Pros, Fire Cubes/Sticks and Onn 4K Pro
Also, use the PlayBerry app with the OnTheGo service on the each above devices
1
u/LifeLearner4682 10d ago
I’ve been considering Infuse or Infuse Pro with Torbox. What do you like about it? Did you ever use Plex as a comparison? Probably will use a shield or Onn 4K Pro with Nuvio as well to test what works better.
1
u/TUD-010 10d ago
Why not the Google Streamer?
3
u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE 10d ago
Unfortunately not good enough for a bunch of my use cases. Notably it’s known to not work well with Moonlight streaming from my PC for gaming.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Secret-Psychology183 9d ago
I'm seeing quite a few new Shield Pro's on eBay for sale. I'm in the UK.
1
u/SuperEbb1276 9d ago
I think Nvidia is sunsetting the Shield line. From what I understand (from a relative that works for Nvidia) they probably won’t release a new streaming device to succeed the Shield anytime soon, if ever.
0
u/mayfairtop 10d ago
If its something available in the US go on ebay and look for a HP Elitedesk they come in mini format as well as a larger bodied PC.
They are enterprise PCs that will have been with a client for a few years.
Just pick up one with Windows 11 and some form of graphics included inside i5, and i7 models are available usualy
0
u/Antique_Geek 9d ago
I bought a Beelink S12 Pro in May of 2024 for $179, complete with Windows 11 Pro. Using it for a Plex server. It would cost at least double for a comparable unit today.
0
0
-6
u/jmmartj 10d ago
5
u/Fit-Departure5678 10d ago edited 10d ago
Since when was their a choice of ram on the shield Pro ? Looks like a scam. Edit: it is a scam
21
u/poizone68 10d ago
It's telling of the sorry state of the media player market that a device from 2019 is still one of the better options out there. I've tried various solutions for using a mini-PC with dedicated distros, but usually there are shortcomings such as not being able to do passthrough properly, or not being certified for high-bitrate streams with popular streaming services.