Roku Ultra vs Nvidia Shield Pro vs Apple TV 4k - Which one to choose?

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Nitin K said:
Hi Amrut,

Basically , will be watching Prime, netflix , Disney , Lionsgate and will be playing movies from the pen drive/hard disk. I am not into gaming.
I thought Xbox one series S was more expensive at around 35k and shield was cheaper at around 24k
So basically wanted to know if overall the Xbox S is a better buy than the Shield and how easy it is to setup XBox for viewing through the receiver as I have absolutely no idea about both of them. How is the upscaling in the Xbox compared to the shield ?

Thanks a lot,
Nitin
Click to expand...

I don't think Disney and Lionsgate is available on Xbox. Series S is at 35k, which is th latest generation. But older generation ones can be had for 15k or less.
It is simple to setup like a phone, have a Microsoft account and sign in thats it.
I found the upscaling and visuals a bit better than Nvidia Shield, but the sound quality definitely inately miles ahead. Xbox even has 24p decoder maybe that can be one reason.

Love4sound said:
Kodi on Xbox? Also does it bitstream through usb? I sold my ps4 for this reason. Consoles are bad for playing blu ray remux files through usb play back as they don’t support lossless audio via usb.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does bitstream through USB. Someone over other thread pointed it out, I remember long time back when I checked on my Xbox One X it did not support. But few days back I tried playing few movies from my HDD on Xbox Series X and it played Dolby Atmos True HD and even Imax Enhanced movies. I was shocked! Cause I got nvidia shield because earlier xbox was not able to do this. But dunno if only latest gen consoles can play these.

@ankitbhargava used Xbox One S soley maybe he can clear few doubts.

This is the thread

Suggest me an upgrade to my Himedia Q5 Pro...

This player is still running and working wonderfully well. I thought i will upgrade my player and get a new one from U.S (since my bro is coming in few months) Suggest a good player which can play 4k videos , HDR10 / 10+ , DV files etc ..and play all kinds of HD-audio... atmos ..etc without...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
 
Love4sound said:
Kodi on Xbox? Also does it bitstream through usb? I sold my ps4 for this reason. Consoles are bad for playing blu ray remux files through usb play back as they don’t support lossless audio via usb.
Click to expand...
Kodi was developed for Xbox only first. If I remember right it used to be called xbmc.. Xbox media center
 
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amrutmhatre90 said:
I don't think Disney and Lionsgate is available on Xbox. Series S is at 35k, which is th latest generation. But older generation ones can be had for 15k or less.
It is simple to setup like a phone, have a Microsoft account and sign in thats it.
I found the upscaling and visuals a bit better than Nvidia Shield, but the sound quality definitely inately miles ahead. Xbox even has 24p decoder maybe that can be one reason.



Yes, it does bitstream through USB. Someone over other thread pointed it out, I remember long time back when I checked on my Xbox One X it did not support. But few days back I tried playing few movies from my HDD on Xbox Series X and it played Dolby Atmos True HD and even Imax Enhanced movies. I was shocked! Cause I got nvidia shield because earlier xbox was not able to do this. But dunno if only latest gen consoles can play these.

@ankitbhargava used Xbox One S soley maybe he can clear few doubts.

This is the thread

Suggest me an upgrade to my Himedia Q5 Pro...

This player is still running and working wonderfully well. I thought i will upgrade my player and get a new one from U.S (since my bro is coming in few months) Suggest a good player which can play 4k videos , HDR10 / 10+ , DV files etc ..and play all kinds of HD-audio... atmos ..etc without...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
Click to expand...
Thanks Amrut for the descriptive reply.
 
superczar said:
Few TVs do 120hz.
More importantly, None of the current streamers can do 120hz to begin with.

Unfortunately the android TV stack still has a major issue with frame rate switching so that compounds the problem..

Just to be clear, I am not recommending the ATV unequivocally - It makes sense to spend that much only if you are using iOS because of the seamless integration that is a great value add - but a disadvantage if your primary phone/tab is android,

Ultimately any device, streamer or otherwise that you choose will require you to compromise on something or the other.
But the general tendency on the forum is to blindly recommend android TV/shield - without factoring in some major disadvantages that it has.

The way I see it, shield and ATV are tier 1 choices if you want a premium streaming experience.
The choice should be made based on:
a) your phone platform and
b) whether you want an appliance that is focused purely on streaming and excels at it
vs a multipurpose device that is everything but the kitchen sink (e.g. be used as a plex server or NAS) and also does well on streaming albeit with some compromises

PS: Pretty much every streamer supports HDMI CEC
Also, 48khz that you mentioned is not the bitrate but the sampling rate
Click to expand...
There are no issues while using Amazon firestick 4k...if you want a seamless streamer you can go for fire stick 4k max... The firestick from last 2 years... Top models have no lag and definitely no stutter while streaming.

You're assuming that apple tv is better. It is actually not so the budget doesn't even come into the picture when comparing it to Nvidia shield.

Also budget doesn't mean that one spends money unnecessarily. Way I see it no matter how much money I have I will never spend money unnecessarily.

It is not that one cannot afford an apple tv, it is just that there is no need to buy it at such overpriced rates.


Also with Amazon fire stick I am sure there must be a remote even on iOS... On android yatse supports both kodi and fire stick and I don't know what other "seamless integration" you want from a streamer.


If one has extra money better to spend it elsewhere in the chain or donate it to a charity instead of donating it to apple
 
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msankadi said:
There are no issues while using Amazon firestick 4k...if you want a seamless streamer you can go for fire stick 4k max... The firestick from last 2 years... Top models have no lag and definitely no stutter while streaming.
Click to expand...
True about Firestick. I don't have nvidia shield so cannot comment about it. But between the 3 devices I have (Firestick, CC and ATV), I prefer Firestick followed by CC. My house is a 100% linux home. My son also uses Linux for both home and work. I have been a Linux user since 2001 (earlier a Unix user). I have never used windows till date. I have a macbook pro because OSX is also basically Unix. I have been an apple user since they launched the ipod photo in 2004. I was a apple fanboy. I have their Airport Extreme router, multiple airport express routers which also act as airplay devices. Except for macbook, none of other devices play really well with Linux. So ATV does have a very restricted environment. It is ok if you just want to use the atv remote to control it. But the moment it comes to controlling it with your raspberry pi, linux laptop you reach a dead end. Maybe using it with windows will also be a challenge. Apple does make good hardware and they are fanatical about reducing size and form factor. They pack as much electronic inside as they can, sometimes detrimentally. The worst is packing high voltage inside the ATV and airport extremes.

This is one product that I love so much and in fact playing it right now and I find it even better than bose sound dock. This is the apple hi-fi that is so good but totally flopped in the market.
 

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msankadi said:
There are no issues while using Amazon firestick 4k...if you want a seamless streamer you can go for fire stick 4k max... The firestick from last 2 years... Top models have no lag and definitely no stutter while streaming.

You're assuming that apple tv is better. It is actually not so the budget doesn't even come into the picture when comparing it to Nvidia shield.

Also budget doesn't mean that one spends money unnecessarily. Way I see it no matter how much money I have I will never spend money unnecessarily.

It is not that one cannot afford an apple tv, it is just that there is no need to buy it at such overpriced rates.


Also with Amazon fire stick I am sure there must be a remote even on iOS... On android yatse supports both kodi and fire stick and I don't know what other "seamless integration" you want from a streamer.


If one has extra money better to spend it elsewhere in the chain or donate it to a charity instead of donating it to apple
Click to expand...
I am not assuming ATV is better for everyone, nor is the shield .. In fact most users do not need a dedicated streamer to begin with.
Pretty much any current gen TV will work absolutely fine with its built in apps too.


e.g. If you (just as an example) do not have an ATMOS audio setup and dont plan to setup one either - there is no point in you searching for ATMOS support on your streamer
or if you have an old TV that does not support native 24p and you do not have any plans to upgrade anytime soon either, you shouldn't be bothered about 24p on streamer either

Now take user A with the following priorities
- ATMOS on all major streaming platforms > Native 24p support > good fluid UI that's yield marked improvement over TV apps > occasional local playback support from pre-existing NAS/ plex server

and user B
- AIO machine that can work as a NAS + plex server > fluid UI (as above) > High usage of local playback but with support for occasional OTT and ok with judder management being handled on TV > ATMOS support

A should get ATV, B should get a shield - or would you disagree? :)

As an aside, i have a FS 4K - it was and still is a great device for the price .. However its retired as it did not tick all the boxes for me ..
Yet, I would have gladly picked it today too if I needed to improve the user experience on an older TV and had no need for the other bells & whistles.
Horses for courses, that's all
 
superczar said:
I am not assuming ATV is better for everyone, nor is the shield .. In fact most users do not need a dedicated streamer to begin with.
Pretty much any current gen TV will work absolutely fine with its built in apps too.


e.g. If you (just as an example) do not have an ATMOS audio setup and dont plan to setup one either - there is no point in you searching for ATMOS support on your streamer
or if you have an old TV that does not support native 24p and you do not have any plans to upgrade anytime soon either, you shouldn't be bothered about 24p on streamer either

Now take user A with the following priorities
- ATMOS on all major streaming platforms > Native 24p support > good fluid UI that's yield marked improvement over TV apps > occasional local playback support from pre-existing NAS/ plex server

and user B
- AIO machine that can work as a NAS + plex server > fluid UI (as above) > High usage of local playback but with support for occasional OTT and ok with judder management being handled on TV > ATMOS support

A should get ATV, B should get a shield - or would you disagree? :)

As an aside, i have a FS 4K - it was and still is a great device for the price .. However its retired as it did not tick all the boxes for me ..
Yet, I would have gladly picked it today too if I needed to improve the user experience on an older TV and had no need for the other bells & whistles.
Horses for courses, that's all
Click to expand...
Exactly, its completely upto features/capability priority.
 
amrutmhatre90 said:
Yes, it does bitstream through USB. Someone over other thread pointed it out, I remember long time back when I checked on my Xbox One X it did not support. But few days back I tried playing few movies from my HDD on Xbox Series X and it played Dolby Atmos True HD and even Imax Enhanced movies. I was shocked! Cause I got nvidia shield because earlier xbox was not able to do this. But dunno if only latest gen consoles can play these.

@ankitbhargava used Xbox One S soley maybe he can clear few doubts.

This is the thread

Suggest me an upgrade to my Himedia Q5 Pro...

This player is still running and working wonderfully well. I thought i will upgrade my player and get a new one from U.S (since my bro is coming in few months) Suggest a good player which can play 4k videos , HDR10 / 10+ , DV files etc ..and play all kinds of HD-audio... atmos ..etc without...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
Click to expand...
Can you please check and confirm. I am very sure as per my research and tests that the consoles will not bitstream via usb.Also please check and confirm if every features of Kodi works flawlessly in the Xbox?
msankadi said:
Kodi was developed for Xbox only first. If I remember right it used to be called xbmc.. Xbox media center
Click to expand...
yeah but when I was researching and testing I got to know none of the consoles are good enough for an atmos HT. Read various users articles and forums. I also tested in my PS4, blu ray players and nothing worked flawlessly as shield for local play back and kodi. I have owned Ps4,nvidia shield2017, Sony bdb4500 and also used the Sony x700 4k player for a week. Haven’t tested Xbox and Apple TV alone in my chain. My only priority is to stream and local play back of blu ray movies that are 40-90gb in size. Nothing came close to shield of all the devices. It smoked them and hence I sold everything and currently using only shield pro 2019.Now I am on the hunt for a back up device if shield goes kapoot. If people can confirm Xbox will support kodi and local playback as good as shield I will buy it for yes closed as I am a hardcore gamer as well. Should be awesome with my Oled tv
 
Love4sound said:
Can you please check and confirm. I am very sure as per my research and tests that the consoles will not bitstream via usb.Also please check and confirm if every features of Kodi works flawlessly in the Xbox?
Click to expand...

Surely, What you want me to test ?
 
Some findings,
I am not able to play files properly in Kodi on Xbox Series X. Keeps crashing, similar with VLC.

Movies and TV app seems updated and plays almost everything, get the following results which I did not get earlier.

20211202_205306_copy_1600x1200.jpg20211202_205606_copy_1600x1200.jpg20211202_205351_copy_1600x1200.jpg

I might make a video comparing Xbox with Nvidia shield and Firestick too. ( I don't own one but might borrow)
This has been in my mind since long
 
amrutmhatre90 said:
Some findings,
I am not able to play files properly in Kodi on Xbox Series X. Keeps crashing, similar with VLC.

Movies and TV app seems updated and plays almost everything, get the following results which I did not get earlier.

View attachment 64796View attachment 64797View attachment 64798

I might make a video comparing Xbox with Nvidia shield and Firestick too. ( I don't own one but might borrow)
This has been in my mind since long
Click to expand...
As expected kodi is causing problems. Shield smokes all streamers and consoles with kodi performance.Kodi is flawless in shield.Now how are you playing atmos and imax dts contents through Xbox? And also are they MKV or M2TS formats?
 
Love4sound said:
As expected kodi is causing problems. Shield smokes all streamers and consoles with kodi performance.Kodi is flawless in shield.Now how are you playing atmos and imax dts contents through Xbox? And also are they MKV or M2TS formats?
Click to expand...
Playing it through Movies and TV app, mkv files. One downside, some movies if I want to switch the audio from Dolby to DTS video crashes.
Agree kodi is flawless in sheild, but video and audio quality is better on Xbox.
Ravi546 said:
Getting a series S or X(If available). Was contemplating on getting a PC altogether
Click to expand...
My cousin was thinking of upgrading to 3090 GPU, when I heard the price told him to get both PS5 and Xbox Series X
 
With so many FMs speaking great about Nvidia shield my interest in it has piqued. Here is a comparision between Nvidia Shield, Firestick, ATV and Roku https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/compare/

I see it supporting Apple Music. Since I'm more of a Music person, I have one question. Is any shield owner using Apple Music? Does the shield play it high resolution?

I also see it supporting Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon HD and YT Music. So I don't lose any of my existing subscriptions and need just one device.
 
Last edited:
amrutmhatre90 said:
Playing it through Movies and TV app, mkv files. One downside, some movies if I want to switch the audio from Dolby to DTS video crashes.
Agree kodi is flawless in sheild, but video and audio quality is better on Xbox.
Click to expand...
Well I need a device that can play atmos content flawlessly. I also liked the PS4 very much and I think audio quality should be on par with the Xbox. But sold it for this reason alone. Guess for Atmos setup we now have only two options. Bluray player for those who use discs and shield for local content or streaming atmos contents through kodi. Guess I’ll experiment HTPC next.
 
So far I have done testing between Xbox One S, FireTV 4K and Nvidia Shield Pro
Primarily comparing picture and sound quality on streaming Apps like Netflix and Prime
No other bells and whistles compared, just PQ and SQ as a normal user

Atmos & UDH4K status on Xbox/FireTV/Shield Pro/ATV 4K /Others - OTT content

All of us have struggled with finding out if UHD 4K and Atmos works on various Media Players while consuming OTT content and more specifically Netflix and Prime. I tried looking up any earlier threads consolidating the experience at one place and couldn't find one so I wanted to start this one...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com

My Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) is arriving next week, I will have opportunity to compare it with Xbox One S
Shall post my observation
 
Last edited:
amrutmhatre90 said:
Some findings,
I am not able to play files properly in Kodi on Xbox Series X. Keeps crashing, similar with VLC.

Movies and TV app seems updated and plays almost everything, get the following results which I did not get earlier.

View attachment 64796[ATTACH type="fu
ll"]64797[/ATTACH]View attachment 64798

I might make a video comparing Xbox with Nvidia shield and Firestick too. ( I don't own one but might borrow)
This has been in my mind since long
Click to expand...
It's the problem with kodi.it fails to play true hd files of 60+ gb seemlessly.it crashes .it happens with Kodi on all devices
 
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