Apple TV 4K vs 4K Nvidia Shield TV Pro

[mystickid]

Hey all, debating getting a Shield Pro 4k or an Apple TV 4K

Which steaming box do you prefer and why?

[zen007]

I use ATV4K. I have not used other players extensively apart from apps on TVs and Blu-ray players to comment on a comparison. I guess the selection would also depend on the ecosystem that you are on/prefer.

A note on ATV4K: No 4K videos on Youtube (If you watch a lot of 4K videos on YT. I use the app on the TV if I want to see something particularly in 4K on YT. The regular 1080p YT video works well on ATV4K though).

[D00mM4r1n3]

If you are going to use Plex get the Shield TV Pro, it handles all of the sound/video formats for direct streaming. (including 4K)

[JEArgumedo]

I use an Apple TV 4K. In my experience, iTunes movies are the closest in the digital streaming front in terms of matching discs. Great quality video and audio, plus most of the extras and sometimes exclusive ones. Great layout, easy to navigate, it's my preferred way to stream.

With Plex + Infuse, the AppleTV plays pretty much everything back without issue. Plex does some transcoding here and there since it likes to use Apple's native player. If you use Infuse, it's pretty much on-par with the Shield TV regarding direct streaming full 4K UHD Blu-ray encodes with Dolby Atmos support.

I know the Shield is more flexible in some areas, but if you're in the Apple ecosystem and have an iTunes library, you'll get the best out of it with an AppleTV.

YouTube is the only place it falls short since Apple and Google are in a spat over HEVC vs VP9, but otherwise it's a really solid streaming box that everyone in my family got the hang of instantly.

[avs commenter]

I’m not even a big Apple guy but I love the Apple4k

[Agent Kay]

Shield

It's not even a contest.

[bferr1972]

Does the Shield support Dolby Vision, and can you get iTiunes Movies and AppleTV+ apps on it?

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by bferr1972

Does the Shield support Dolby Vision, and can you get iTiunes Movies and AppleTV+ apps on it?

Shield doesn't have access to Apple eco-system. It's android.

2019 Nvidia Shield 4K vs Apple TV 4K- Which One to Buy? - YouTube

[dickdarlington]

If you can wait, the Apple TV will be the way to go.

All signs are pointing to a refresh with one of the A12 variants being put inside the box (either A12X or A12Z; same chipset in the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros) alongside additional hardware upgrades that have been on the more recent iPhones such as WiFi 6.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by dickdarlington

If you can wait, the Apple TV will be the way to go.

All signs are pointing to a refresh with one of the A12 variants being put inside the box (either A12X or A12Z; same chipset in the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros) alongside additional hardware upgrades that have been on the more recent iPhones such as WiFi 6.

From Mac Rumors 5/7/20, if you get double the memory that would be great.

According to Prosser, the *Apple TV* 4K will feature an A12X chip and 64 or 128GB storage options. The new *Apple TV* 4K could "drop any time," but Prosser does not know details on a specific launch date. It might come with the different remote also as a rumor.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

From Mac Rumors 5/7/20, if you get double the memory that would be great.

With 4K content streaming and not being saved on the device, it's not necessary for most. However, if you're using apps that save video content to the device itself, like VLC, then yes, the storage is needed.

Since we haven't seen a refresh since 2017, I would've assumed it would've arrived at the same time as the iPhone 11 last fall. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the hardware drops during WWDC this year; especially if Apple launches a new HomePod since they've been keen on cleaning out their inventory on that particular product.

[ij72]

Originally Posted by zen007

ATV4K works on Wifi only

Small correction - the Apple TV 4K does have a ethernet connection; that's how I have mine hooked up.

Picked mine up a few weeks back (yes, I was aware of the rumors of a new model) and going through the typical love/hate cycle with the remote. I already picked up a remote case, but still go back and forth about loving or hating the remote. I already had one of those OneForAll streamer remotes for my prior Roku Ultra, so I can use that if need be for most, but not all, of the functions.

[zen007]

Originally Posted by ij72

Small correction - the Apple TV 4K does have a ethernet connection; that's how I have mine hooked up.

Picked mine a few weeks back (yes, I'm aware of the rumors of a new model) and going through the typical love/hate cycle with the remote. I already picked up a remote case, but still go back and forth about loving or hating the remote. I already had one of those OneForAll streamer remotes for my prior Roku Ultra, so I can use that if need be.

Oh yeah! Just re-checked the port. I got confused with the optical audio port which was present on the ATV.

I use an orange color remote case as it also makes it relatively easier to spot the remote in the dark.