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!

  • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    The Shield just works, and is certainly still getting updates. Frankly, the only thing I learned about unlimited streaming is just how bad Hollywood is. All they do now is rip-off any film that was a success for decades. How many ripoffs of Aliens will people watch?

    • PlasticExistence@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      You’d be surprised. I worked for Blockbuster Video multiple times, and there was a population of customers who LOVED the ripoff versions of movies. Snakes On A Train for instance.

      I asked one of these customers one time what the draw of these movies was because he knew that they weren’t the originals. He told me that they served as something he could put on in the background and not feel guilty about only half paying attention to it.

      I guarantee that guy is streaming that same garbage constantly today.

  • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radioEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    We have been using Apple TV for about a decade. Before that a homebrew solution with a Mac mini and two DVB-T streaming boxes.

    The Apple TV just works.

    We got fed up with YouTube advertising and paid for Premium.

    The only three items that are annoying is that the Siri remote regularly needs resetting, that you cannot have two remotes, and that the volume control does not control HDMI audio levels.

    • Bronzie@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      Yeah, I’m not an Apple-man myself, but I know several who are and I get that once you’re in the ecosystem, it’s a very comfy place to be. And functional, of course. I just generally try to avoid walled gardens unless I “have to”.

      Personally, paying for Premium is not an option. It’s $17 here, which is just absurdly overpriced IMHO.

      Strange about the volume controls…
      Is the soundbar/amp connected via HDMI Arc?
      If yes, it sounds like some settings with HDMI CEC is messed up. Usually these things can be set manually on the TV or device itself.
      If you’ve tried everything, then ignore my uncalled for advice and enjoy the day.

      Appreciate the input as well, mate!

  • Marafon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    I actually just set my living room tv up with a new Google streamer thing yesterday. Super easy to add Jellyfin and it’s basically the same as the Chromecast that my wife and 4 year old are used to. I even bookmarked Overseerr in my wife’s phone and she’s able to download things for the 4 year old where as before it was a very manual process that involved me having to do everything and then put it on a Plex server. Fuck Plex though, I have seen the light. Everything about Jellyfin is better.

    • przmk@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      I have the latest Google streamer but I find it garbage. Not only is the UI not very fluid given the price of the device, it has ads on the home screen that you cannot turn off and, worst of all, the play store is hidden. I have to go deep into the settings to fucking find it.

      • Marafon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        1 month ago

        There is a setting to disable voice recording (under accounts? I think?) that disables ads and simplifies the home screen. Also you should get one of the downloader apps so you can side load whatever you want.

        • przmk@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          I supposedly have the simplified home screen but there are still ads for various streaming services. And I use fdroid for most of my apps but the overall experience with the streamer is very poor and outright hostile. I’m planning to get a random android TV box to replace it.