Powerful Android Stream Device Suggestions?

[cctaylor88]

I want a fast, snappy, and intuitive android box to stream and cast media. But I will never ever ever use it to "game." From what I can gather the Nvidia Shield is one of, if not the most powerful devices to stream media, however I know its geared towards gaming and even ships with a controller that I would probably just leave in its packaging as the unit also ships with a remote.

Are there any options that are just as powerful as the Shield that don't utilize "gaming" or controllers?

1. The box has to be able to download and utilize apps seamlessly (no tricks or installation of third party backdoor or sideloading software).

2. Has to run Kodi as close to flawless as possible (for example no sideloading etc, just want to be able to download and utilize Kodi)

3. Does the Shield run Kodi as any PC would? Are there any limitations/restrictions? Can I run any old repository just like I would be able to on a PC?

4. Is there anything comparable to the Shield in terms of speed?

5. If I do go with the Nvidia Shield, I don't have access to hardline ethernet in the room in which it'll be used. Will it still be noticeably quicker than my AppleTV as an example?

6. Can it utilize Chromecast? As in, if I want to stream (mirror?) a video from my phone/laptop to the Shield, is it simple?

7. ELI5 the difference between the Nvidia Shield and the Nvidia Shield Pro. Is the Pro actually faster, or does it just have more storage?

 

[Kartajan]

2/3) I am not a big Kodi user, but the SPMC fork of Kodi is specifically optimized for the android ecosystem
6) Yes
7) just more storage, and for the newest version (2017) the pro has more ports/ is bigger.

I have 2 of the 2015 non- pro models that I use for my home entertainment, and I never use the "game controllers". Both are hardwired, and the family uses them extensively- which includes my "technology- impaired" wife....

 

[vi edit]

I have the non-pro. It's got 16gb of memory and USB ports to add on additional storage. Another big difference is the remote. The non-pro has a different remote that is arguably better. It has a built in Mic that you can use to search things. There was a recent update that added Google Assistant to the Shield and it's amazing. The content it can pull back from the apps is incredible.

Speed wise, I've got this, an apple TV and a Fire TV. The Shield is night and day faster than any of them. It buffers quick and it plows through screens without a hiccup. I put a kodi front end on it. It was clunky but appeared to work. I never use it though. HBO Go and Netflix have me covered.

I also have never used the game controller. I did some emulators with it but I just don't game much anymore. Even without the gaming it's been a beastly little video streamer.

 

[Kartajan]

BTW: BestBuy, Newegg, & B&H all have the 2017 16GB model with remote only (no game controller) for $179.....