Google tv I feel is the best value android box. Better than the shield.

by Dr-Coktupus

I’ve recently purchased 5 top end devices

2 shield pros 1 shield tube 3 google chrome casts with google tv 2 mi box pros

After testing these devices with movies, popcorntime, emulation (n64, psx) general navigation and solving device limitations (google tv fat32 usbs vs shield ntfs)

I’ve come to a conclusion that I’ve returned all devices besides the chromecast google tv.

Why? Firstly the voice controls on it make even the shield seem haphazardly used, it’s not as seamless on any other device even with special keyboards and tweaks. Google does this the best by far.

Second, the shield is much buggier via the ccgtv that both of the shields have issues with initial setup, bugs and overall problems a 200 dollar device shouldn’t. It’s a massive complaint I have and I can repeat and replicate the problem.

The mi box we won’t talk about them; to be honest their the bottom of the ladder here.

Overall after testing all devices, with torrenting, popcorntime, emulation I have to say the sheild seems 10-15% better vs the google tv in n64 and psx.

However, I feel the google tv with a usb off dongle and a usb stick without any additional power supply beyond the stock device it works perfectly.

At the end of the day I don’t think there’s any better value device and until the shield gets a higher end chip (cough tegra 2012 technology) it’s not worth it.

It badly needs a refresh to compete today. I also want to note that using a dex compatible tablet with the google tv allows for higher end emulation, storage workarounds etc.

Google tv is my conclusion the best device in 2021 more so on sale.

pawdog

Depends on what you need to do of course. If you don't need Dolby Vision, The ONN UHD is a better value that CCwGTV. If you want TrueHD Atmos the CCwGTV is not the one. Every device has it's thing it does better. I would never choose the CCwGTV over the Shield because my main use is 4k remuxes with Atmos. I wouldn't tell anybody to get a Shield if all they did was streaming. Pretty much any modern device can handle that just as well as the Shield. I don't know what kind of setup problems you could have had since both devices are Android TV. I don't know anything specific the Shield does differently than any other Android TV device. Just set up a Tube a couple of months ago and it was seamless.

tlogank

If we're talking best bang for your buck, then I strongly disagree. The $20 Onn box from Walmart is the best value, hands down. It has a way better remote than Google's device and it's less than half the cost with the exact same (if not a little better) performance.

Mothmalog

The remote sucks though. Wish there was a remote that worked 100% including IR codes for tvs. I've tried the shield remote with the CCwGTV, and most buttons works, except the nextflix button and I can't configure it's IR coded to work with the TV I have (pana plasma), since it only allows volume control over IR, not CEC.

DesmonMiles07

You may want to consider Firestick 4k for your testing

2parks

Respect your opinion, but strongly disagree. I've tried many different streaming options including the ccgtv and the shield pro 2019 is the absolute best hands down. The premium price was worth it for me just for the upscaling and its performance is unmatched by any other android streaming device.

m-p-3

It might not be as powerful as the Shield, but the price/performance ratio on top of being directly supported by Google makes it a strong contender.

Se7enLC

It's absolutely the best value. With the Netflix deal the Google TV is like $6.

But it's not a good device. It's built to the minimum spec to be able to function. Barely enough free storage to handle the current size of applications, forget any level of future proofing.

Unfortunately for everyone, that device is the reference design for pretty much every device on the market. With the exception of high end expensive devices like the Nvidia Shield, they all have the same grossly undersized storage.

If there were an in between device for $50-$100 with more storage it would fill a gap in the market. But given that it doesn't exist, I'll pay my $6 and hopefully in a year when this device is worthless something better will be available.

sighcf

It is still running Android 10. Not a great sign when it comes to Google who have the bad habit of abandoning products for the next shiny thing.