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I've gone through many incarnations of HTPC's, plus tried with SageTV, Roku[1], Chromecasts, and several others... and can absolutely recommend the Nvidia Shiel

I've gone through many incarnations of HTPC's, plus tried with SageTV, Roku[1], Chromecasts, and several others... and can absolutely recommend the Nvidia Shield. It has a good 10-foot interface via Android TV (as opposed to regular Android), is kept updated, is a Google Cast target, has official apps for all the major streaming platforms, can run Plex and Kodi (for local content), and it's also possible to sideload APKs. Most importantly, it "just works". I was never able to build a HTPC that worked with all the video sources I wanted (Plex, Netflix, Youtube) and was possible to control without ever having to touch a keyboard/mouse (or resort to a janky air mouse/remote thing). With the Shield + a Logitech Harmony Hub, a single dead-simple remote controls entire setup (Shield, TV, external amp, plus a BluRay player that I never use anymore). [1] Note: I only have a Roku 2nd Gen. The newer ones look a lot better and are probably a fine option now, but I still really like the Android TV "Home" experience a lot more.

tempestn 7y ago
That's awesome. I used to be a big fan of Sage, before they sold out / shut down. Even did the direct capture from cable boxes. I've been planning to get a Shield TV, so good to see these endorsements!
- gregmac 7y ago
  Likewise. I still have some HD300's in my basement somewhere, along with a couple Hauppauge PCI capture cards, and a Silicondust HDHomerun. Shortly after Sage was shut down my cable company started encrypting all their channels, rendering most of my PVR setup pointless. After chasing issues with Youtube breaking API changes, I finally and begrudgingly pulled the plug on Sage. Several HTPC iterations later I feel like only now (with the Shield + Plex) do I have a comparable setup. I did briefly play with Plex PVR with my HDHomerun and an OTA antenna, but I don't get enough channels for it to be worthwhile, and never even bothered re-installing the antenna after my roof was re-shingled last year.
  - satyrnein 7y ago
    I actually had the HDHomeRun that supported a cablecard and got my Shield to show channels from it, but it was never great. I eventually abandoned the Shield when I needed to add another device, and I didn't want to return to the bad old days of having to use another remote to manage inputs.
mey 7y ago
Depending on your TV, the Shield can control the TV (volume and power) via HDMI-CEC (my decade old Sony LCD TV supports it). You have to go into settings but once setup, you can power on the TV and auto switch to the Shield HDMI connection with one button.

tempestn 7y ago

That's awesome. I used to be a big fan of Sage, before they sold out / shut down. Even did the direct capture from cable boxes. I've been planning to get a Shield TV, so good to see these endorsements!

gregmac 7y ago
Likewise. I still have some HD300's in my basement somewhere, along with a couple Hauppauge PCI capture cards, and a Silicondust HDHomerun. Shortly after Sage was shut down my cable company started encrypting all their channels, rendering most of my PVR setup pointless. After chasing issues with Youtube breaking API changes, I finally and begrudgingly pulled the plug on Sage. Several HTPC iterations later I feel like only now (with the Shield + Plex) do I have a comparable setup. I did briefly play with Plex PVR with my HDHomerun and an OTA antenna, but I don't get enough channels for it to be worthwhile, and never even bothered re-installing the antenna after my roof was re-shingled last year.
- satyrnein 7y ago
  I actually had the HDHomeRun that supported a cablecard and got my Shield to show channels from it, but it was never great. I eventually abandoned the Shield when I needed to add another device, and I didn't want to return to the bad old days of having to use another remote to manage inputs.

mey 7y ago

Depending on your TV, the Shield can control the TV (volume and power) via HDMI-CEC (my decade old Sony LCD TV supports it). You have to go into settings but once setup, you can power on the TV and auto switch to the Shield HDMI connection with one button.