If you have money to burn, go for it
it will cost more than a Shield Pro and yet offer less.
it will cost more than a Shield Pro and yet offer less.
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Xbox series S as media player
Anybody using Xbox series S as a dedicated media player? (Not just as a gaming console)
Wanted feedback regarding streaming apps, local media playback and overall performance compared to the previous generation Xbox one.
Thx.
Wanted feedback regarding streaming apps, local media playback and overall performance compared to the previous generation Xbox one.
Thx.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
There is a use case for a video console + streamer, still cheaper if I want to game as well and have to get a shield and a console. Hope that makes sense. Let’s try and stick to the topic now. What do you have to say about it’s streaming performance compared with say shield? What extra benefits do I get with shield that I don’t with Xbox? I think the streaming services are all pretty much the same, the only big problem was lack of audio passthrough for local media playback but MS is now allowing that for apps as well. Plex is working on it at the moment. With that in mind, what is a big plus for shield which Xbox doesn’t have?If you have money to burn, go for it
Xbox Series X review
In-depth review with focus on gaming, media/apps, and new HDMI 2.1 features
www.flatpanelshd.com
Xbox doesn’t do frame rate matching and it forces HDR. Not sure whether the latter is still the case. Just get the ATV for streaming imho.
Your OP says use it as 'dedicated' streamer. That's what my answer is based on.There is a use case for a video console + streamer, still cheaper if I want to game as well and have to get a shield and a console. Hope that makes sense. Let’s try and stick to the topic now. What do you have to say about it’s streaming performance compared with say shield? What extra benefits do I get with shield that I don’t with Xbox? I think the streaming services are all pretty much the same, the only big problem was lack of audio passthrough for local media playback but MS is now allowing that for apps as well. Plex is working on it at the moment. With that in mind, what is a big plus for shield which Xbox doesn’t have?
It is an OK streamer if you occasionally use it and mostly use it for gaming.
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
There is a use case for a video console + streamer, still cheaper if I want to game as well and have to get a shield and a console. Hope that makes sense. Let’s try and stick to the topic now. What do you have to say about it’s streaming performance compared with say shield? What extra benefits do I get with shield that I don’t with Xbox? I think the streaming services are all pretty much the same, the only big problem was lack of audio passthrough for local media playback but MS is now allowing that for apps as well. Plex is working on it at the moment. With that in mind, what is a big plus for shield which Xbox doesn’t have?
I have the Xbox series X, and Nvidia shield pro 2019. As a streamer, the series S should be comparable to the series X.
Series X/S
- Plex supports lossless 3D audio for local content (TrueHD Atmos, and DTS:X)
- Plex plays ripped Blu-ray and ripped 4k Blu-ray at the framerate of the content (my display switched to 23.976 hz, but I did not test my 1080i concert content)
For Plex, the X/S is comparable to Shield Pro.
But, The Shield pro has a AI upcaling. I was unable to compare that to the Xbox Upscaler.
Shield does not do a good job at changing the display refresh to match the source. It's in beta. And the beta feature only works on some apps. That was my experience. Works with Netflix for certain. never got it to work with HBO max. And I can't recall Disney plus. I stopped using the beta feature months ago because it was crap. You could download the refresh rate app for the shield but I don't think that's being developed and supported anymore.
In terms of refresh rate, at least with the shield you can set the output of The Shield always be 4K 23.976 HZ. Cannot do that with the Xbox.
In terms of audio, Microsoft recently fixed the bitstream pass through. So native DD+, Atmos, etc works with Disney plus and HBO Max. It does not work with Netflix and hulu. The app developers have to do something special with their app to take advantage of bitstream pass through API. So until Netflix and Hulu and the other apps take advantage of bitstream pass through, their audio will be converted to, best case, 7.1 PCM depending on how you have the Xbox configured. But the PCM won't be lossless naturally. Since the PCM output will be based on a lossy input that the streaming service provides
The Shield has Google assistant.
I did find that the Netflix app as of a few days ago plays everything in hdr. I have no idea why the app developers are forcing HDR in the Netflix app. Disney plus, HBO max, hulu, do not force HDR.
I don't use my series X as a dedicated streamer. But I have been experimenting with it for it's streaming capabilities.
I guess the bottom line is that if you can live with the shortcomings of the Xbox as a dedicated streamer, then you can do that.
However, if I were in your shoes, I think I would purchase the Xbox as a gaming platform. Use it for all of your local content and Plex for the lossless 3D audio, and the display rate change. Then... Purchase a low-cost streaming dongle just for streaming services.
The streaming dongles have much better voice integration. I have the Chromecast with Google TV, and the fire stick 4k, on secondary televisions. As a streaming device, I rank the shield first followed by the Chromecast with Google tv, followed by the fire stick 4K, followed by the Xbox. Xbox is last because I place a premium on interacting with my streamer using voice. I prefer Google assistance.
I have not experimented using voice with xbox. I know it has Google assistant and Alexa integration built in.
Probably way more information tha you asked for. Just trying to help out.
-T
I appreciate that, thank you.I have the Xbox series X, and Nvidia shield pro 2019. As a streamer, the series S should be comparable to the series X.
Series X/S
- Plex supports lossless 3D audio for local content (TrueHD Atmos, and DTS:X)
- Plex plays ripped Blu-ray and ripped 4k Blu-ray at the framerate of the content (my display switched to 23.976 hz, but I did not test my 1080i concert content)
For Plex, the X/S is comparable to Shield Pro.
But, The Shield pro has a AI upcaling. I was unable to compare that to the Xbox Upscaler.
Shield does not do a good job at changing the display refresh to match the source. It's in beta. And the beta feature only works on some apps. That was my experience. Works with Netflix for certain. never got it to work with HBO max. And I can't recall Disney plus. I stopped using the beta feature months ago because it was crap. You could download the refresh rate app for the shield but I don't think that's being developed and supported anymore.
In terms of refresh rate, at least with the shield you can set the output of The Shield always be 4K 23.976 HZ. Cannot do that with the Xbox.
In terms of audio, Microsoft recently fixed the bitstream pass through. So native DD+, Atmos, etc works with Disney plus and HBO Max. It does not work with Netflix and hulu. The app developers have to do something special with their app to take advantage of bitstream pass through API. So until Netflix and Hulu and the other apps take advantage of bitstream pass through, their audio will be converted to, best case, 7.1 PCM depending on how you have the Xbox configured. But the PCM won't be lossless naturally. Since the PCM output will be based on a lossy input that the streaming service provides
The Shield has Google assistant.
I did find that the Netflix app as of a few days ago plays everything in hdr. I have no idea why the app developers are forcing HDR in the Netflix app. Disney plus, HBO max, hulu, do not force HDR.
I don't use my series X as a dedicated streamer. But I have been experimenting with it for it's streaming capabilities.
I guess the bottom line is that if you can live with the shortcomings of the Xbox as a dedicated streamer, then you can do that.
However, if I were in your shoes, I think I would purchase the Xbox as a gaming platform. Use it for all of your local content and Plex for the lossless 3D audio, and the display rate change. Then... Purchase a low-cost streaming dongle just for streaming services.
The streaming dongles have much better voice integration. I have the Chromecast with Google TV, and the fire stick 4k, on secondary televisions. As a streaming device, I rank the shield first followed by the Chromecast with Google tv, followed by the fire stick 4K, followed by the Xbox. Xbox is last because I place a premium on interacting with my streamer using voice. I prefer Google assistance.
I have not experimented using voice with xbox. I know it has Google assistant and Alexa integration built in.
Probably way more information tha you asked for. Just trying to help out.
-T
I made my decision a few days ago. I am going to get a series S or X when I get time and I can easily find one of them around my area. I am not in a hurry. I feel my Sony TV is premium enough to upscale well and I did not find any flaws in PQ with my xboxone S, which I am moving to the basement. I feel it does the job of playing streaming services and local content well enough for my needs. I don’t want to use multiple devices because it confuses the wife and we also are not into using the voice assistant. A standard IR remote is good enough for our needs.
I played around with some some streaming services and Plex on my Series X last night. When I first got the Series X and discovered its limitations regarding Local Playback of content on my NAS, I removed all streaming services and apps and just used it for Gaming. It's one of the reasons why I upgraded from a 2015 Shield to a 2019 Shield Pro.
Now that I'm able to stream content from my Plex Server with no transcoding involved, I was very impressed with the Series X's performance. I watched my 4k Copy of Alita Battle Angel, and streamed "The Tomorrow War" from Amazon Prime. I literally forgot that I was using the Series X rather than the Shield, until I noticed the Power light on the X was lit.
Now that I'm able to stream content from my Plex Server with no transcoding involved, I was very impressed with the Series X's performance. I watched my 4k Copy of Alita Battle Angel, and streamed "The Tomorrow War" from Amazon Prime. I literally forgot that I was using the Series X rather than the Shield, until I noticed the Power light on the X was lit.
I am looking forward to comparing the upscaling this weekend between the XsX and the shield Pro AI upscaling with Blu-ray rips. I would be amazed if it rivaled AI upscaling. But ya never knowI played around with some some streaming services and Plex on my Series X last night. When I first got the Series X and discovered its limitations regarding Local Playback of content on my NAS, I removed all streaming services and apps and just used it for Gaming. It's one of the reasons why I upgraded from a 2015 Shield to a 2019 Shield Pro.
Now that I'm able to stream content from my Plex Server with no transcoding involved, I was very impressed with the Series X's performance. I watched my 4k Copy of Alita Battle Angel, and streamed "The Tomorrow War" from Amazon Prime. I literally forgot that I was using the Series X rather than the Shield, until I noticed the Power light on the X was lit.
-T
Well, I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part. I did a comparison tonight. I couldn't take screenshots so I had to use a 64 MB phone camera standing really close to the screen. The Shield AI upscaler is still much better than the Xbox series X. Seems like the Xbox is using the same kind of upscaling that the streaming sticks use. Nothing special.
I'm used to the shield pro and my go-to film was Avatar blu-ray rip. Several minutes into the movie when they show the spacecraft with a lot of intricate scaffolding.
-T
I'm used to the shield pro and my go-to film was Avatar blu-ray rip. Several minutes into the movie when they show the spacecraft with a lot of intricate scaffolding.
-T
I’m going to chime in here with an unpopular opinion around these parts.
The shield TV pro is absolutely terrible at just about everything. It stutters, frame rate matching is abysmal, mine constantly reboots itself, and worst of all it cannot stop spying on me. I need to use smart DNS it’s basically impossible on this device. When I use a VPN, it leaks DNS. Google is so integrated that you quite literally cannot get away from reporting back to them.
Add to that the fact that they’ve just taken over the screen with adverts effectively, and all I have is regret buying this.
Additionally in the UK things are quite limited. No Britt box, no ITV live channels, several other major services lacking support.
I have to be honest, I also do not think the AI upscaling is particularly good. Most of the time I turn it off and watch whatever the natural feeders because in the end it just looks so crunchy it’s intolerable.
I’m relatively surprised that this device is so popular here and in my experience I would urge people to just find any other streaming solution whether it’s an Xbox or an Apple TV or frankly, a fire stick 4K which I also think is a better device.
Support is also nonexistent
Obviously we all have different experiences and if it works well for you that’s great. I’d love to know what you’re upscaling that looks good. My guess is USA app support is better too. I do think that there needs to be some balance with regards to the device, so I’m posting here as it’s been recommended several times. I bought it based on countless overwhelmingly positive reviews, I’ve given it 3-4 months, it’s just not for me.
The shield TV pro is absolutely terrible at just about everything. It stutters, frame rate matching is abysmal, mine constantly reboots itself, and worst of all it cannot stop spying on me. I need to use smart DNS it’s basically impossible on this device. When I use a VPN, it leaks DNS. Google is so integrated that you quite literally cannot get away from reporting back to them.
Add to that the fact that they’ve just taken over the screen with adverts effectively, and all I have is regret buying this.
Additionally in the UK things are quite limited. No Britt box, no ITV live channels, several other major services lacking support.
I have to be honest, I also do not think the AI upscaling is particularly good. Most of the time I turn it off and watch whatever the natural feeders because in the end it just looks so crunchy it’s intolerable.
I’m relatively surprised that this device is so popular here and in my experience I would urge people to just find any other streaming solution whether it’s an Xbox or an Apple TV or frankly, a fire stick 4K which I also think is a better device.
Support is also nonexistent
Obviously we all have different experiences and if it works well for you that’s great. I’d love to know what you’re upscaling that looks good. My guess is USA app support is better too. I do think that there needs to be some balance with regards to the device, so I’m posting here as it’s been recommended several times. I bought it based on countless overwhelmingly positive reviews, I’ve given it 3-4 months, it’s just not for me.
Wow. I have to say other than the framerate switching issues I love the Shield Pro 2019. I will say the upscaling works incredibly, incredibly well if you are feeding it a high quality signal. It doesn't have to be 1080P but....it has to be a clean signal. Hulu 720P upscaled looks incredible on my 75" TCL. Netflix 1080P looks incredible also. YouTube TV looks like crap on most of the bit-starved channels. I mean, garbage in garbage out....right? If the source material has tons of macroblocking and mpeg compression noise to start with, the Shield can only upscale what it is given.
I've had times when I thought it was pretty sucky but I've come to realize it was the source material that was the cause. I have realistic expectations and for most of the good quality source material it delivers incredibly well.
However, I will agree that I a low quality stream can look worse when upscaled. That's just how it is. You can toggle it on and off for those times.
I've had times when I thought it was pretty sucky but I've come to realize it was the source material that was the cause. I have realistic expectations and for most of the good quality source material it delivers incredibly well.
However, I will agree that I a low quality stream can look worse when upscaled. That's just how it is. You can toggle it on and off for those times.
Is there any difference in image/audio quality when using xbox series S for a local hdd playback of mkv bd rips compared with series x?
I plan to get S just for Plex/media app for ability to play loseless audio and i tried x for a day and it worked fine with all the formats.
Wondering if S can play in same quality (audio/video) considering its gpu is weaker.
I wont game on it much so i wont need 4k gaming but if i get the same quality for movies i can save some $. X is double the price here in Croatia so its too much for me to pay 600$ just for media. If theres no downgrade of audio/video S is a top of my list. I need this answered please. If anyone compared the two.
I plan to get S just for Plex/media app for ability to play loseless audio and i tried x for a day and it worked fine with all the formats.
Wondering if S can play in same quality (audio/video) considering its gpu is weaker.
I wont game on it much so i wont need 4k gaming but if i get the same quality for movies i can save some $. X is double the price here in Croatia so its too much for me to pay 600$ just for media. If theres no downgrade of audio/video S is a top of my list. I need this answered please. If anyone compared the two.
I'm not sure, but isn't the series s limited to 1440p output max? If you're playing 1080p content then it is ok, but if it's 4k then there could be issues.
It is 1440p for games but video playback is still 4K.
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