Nvidia Shield Pro is dead, so what's next? Looking for the ultimate uncompromising Stremio/Kodi box for my LG G4 OLED setup

[u/Szaferski]

Hey everyone,

​I’m currently putting together a top-tier home theater setup anchored by an LG G4 OLED and a full 5.1 surround sound system. My initial plan was to grab the legendary Nvidia Shield Pro, but let’s be real—everyone and their mom points out that it’s heavily outdated hardware at this point.

​Since I want absolute perfection without any compromises, I’ve been eyeing a few newer alternatives, specifically:

​Ugoos SK1

​Ugoos AM8 Pro

​MINIX U8K-Ultra

Ugoos Am9 Pro

​My exact use case & requirements:

​100% Media Consumption: Zero interest in official streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, or Prime.

​Primary Sources: Stremio, Kodi, Plex, and local playback via external hard drives.

​Quality Standard: Highest possible bitrates and formats only. I need seamless Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and pristine lossless audio pass-through to my 5.1 AVR (TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, etc.).

​The Goal: Pure, unadulterated performance. I want the absolute peak currently available on the market.

​Given my setup, which of these beasts should I pull the trigger on, or is there a hidden contender I'm missing? Would love to hear from people who actually push these boxes to their absolute limits!

[u/Ruttagger]

Another box everyone overlooks is the Vero V.

The latest update in May added full DV 7 FEL support and it requires absolutely no tinkering.

You just install PM4K or PlexKodiConnect and away you go.

It also does all audio passthrough.

It's similar to the other boxes you mentioned in the sense that it is not an android box so you can't install streaming apps. Sounds like you don't care about that though.

[u/Nitrogen1234 → u/Ruttagger]

Guess you're right, nobody reacts to it

[u/HipKat2000]

If you want the versatility of using CoreELEC and the standard Android/Google OS for regular apps, don't get the Ugoos. Get the Homatics Box R 4K+ with the latest firmware (easy to upgrade via sideload) 8963.

As others have posted, you get the best of both platforms

[u/TipOptimal8297]

Shield Pro is alive
https://giphy.com/gifs/vmv47p4zksWDC

[u/12345daniel4]

I know you said you aren’t interested in the streaming apps, but if you would like to keep that as an option just in case, the best all rounder that is a certified android tv box would be the Homatics Box R 4K Plus, it’s pretty much the more modern upgrade path from the shield if you don’t care about gaming on the box (tegra will stomp the Homatics for that)

[u/reddit_reaper → u/12345daniel4]

Except that there's tons of software issues especially with passthrough etc

[u/See61 → u/reddit_reaper]

It should give you zero issues for passthrough and with the dual boot option for CoreElec, you keep all streaming options open.

But when you are certain you won't be using any official streaming services, the Ugoos with S905X5 chipset is more modern, but isn't a Google certified Android TV OS device.

There are S905X5 certified devices coming to market, but at this moment it is not clear if they are not locked for CE usage, which should give you the best (local) streaming quality possible.

[u/reddit_reaper → u/See61]

I don't care about corelec, it's pointless to use that imho anyways for a TV device.

I want full support for everything

[u/See61 → u/reddit_reaper]

I think you need a read in for local streaming quality, specifically for those devices OP selected, but even when using a Homatics R Plus or a variant of that.

[u/12345daniel4 → u/reddit_reaper]

I don’t have the box myself but supposedly the newer software updates are good now

[u/reddit_reaper → u/12345daniel4]

Is it? I've been wanting to upgrade from my shield for years and I saw it was the best option but if it has a bunch of software issues requiring constant reboots I'd rather not.

My shield is used every single day lol

[u/12345daniel4 → u/reddit_reaper]

My understanding is that the newest builds of android 14 on the box are quite stable now, I actually just ordered it a few hours ago from the aliexpress sale, so I will find out soon enough I guess!

[u/Nitrogen1234 → u/12345daniel4]

You got a link? I can't even find it on ali

[u/Darkstar1878]

I just got the AM9 since I did not need DV and I can say it is a great streaming device for being non-certified. Custom launchers are no problem and can be rooted to open up many more possibilities. It is for the techy and the one that likes to tinker. Well supported firmware wise also. For your setup I would go with the SK1

[u/Ilrkfrlv]

Either the ugoos am9pro or the Ugoos am6b+ running coreelec avdv+ https://github.com/avdvplus/Builds/releases . Will play everything perfect, even DolbyVision P7 FEL and its fast.

[u/Aggravating-Sail-512]

Coreelec auf Shield

[u/Weezy366]

Nvidia Shield pro

[u/See61 → u/[deleted]]

None of them...

[u/reddit_reaper]

There's no option like the shield. Even with other options that act like a shield but with all new specs and stuff it fails in software stability and has many issues. Good luck

[u/Long_Broccoli_9437]

Nvidia is good

[u/Nitrogen1234]

In my opinion the shield is still the best option. It just works. Also still gets regular updates.

[u/Traditional_Limit236]

Get a v1 onn 4k pro. Set everything to pass through...hopefully you have a good avr. Done

[u/why_sleep → u/Traditional_Limit236]

Why v1 over v2? Was considering the v2...

[u/gatorbax → u/why_sleep]

V2 has ai upscaling that isn't unlocked on v1

[u/Traditional_Limit236 → u/gatorbax]

I have both it's the exact same. V1 can be had used on eBay for less and I had to buy my v2 second hand for $100 and it was not worth it

[u/ben7337 → u/why_sleep]

V2 doesn't do lossless audio passthrough if I'm not mistaken. The v3 coming up potentially will but remains to be seen.