Zidoo Z9X vs Nvidia Shield

Hi everyone,

I'm debating about getting the Zidoo because everyone so far has been raving about it, but there is also a huge fanbase and positive reputation for the Nvidia Shield as one of the best streaming boxes you can buy,

I know this is the Zidoo forum, but can anyone explain why the Zidoo would be the better purchase? Or worse? Just need to know if the Nvidia does anything better or worse.

My case use : I'll basically be using an external USB drive connected to it, watching full UHD Bluray rips, streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and Youtube. I know the Shield can also game, but I'm not using it for that application, purely as a streaming device and for watching Ultra HD rips (menus, everything unpacked).

Any thoughts, experiences between the two, pros/cons? Thanks for your help!

 

Zidoo devices excel at one thing - playing local media files. E.g., MKV files ripped from discs or ISO/BDMV files (to some extent). I am here because of the improved picture quality when playing these files in comparison to Plex client on Shield Pro 2019 & Apple TV 4K 2021.

Zidoo is not a certified Android device so using it for streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime may not work. I run those on my Shield Pro and Apple TV for that.

 

https://www.avforums.com/threads/gu...lone-zappiti-and-zidoo.2395791/#post-30045301
My overview of best players for local content which the Shield is not part of. Adds to the previous answer.

 

If audio passthrough is important to you than Zidoo is the answer.

 

If almost frame accurate playback is important then choose Zidoo, the shield is shocking - so glitchy.

 

So for best of both worlds you recommend Shield + Zidoo?

 

Does the Shield not offer audio pass through? That would be pretty shocking

 

Many thanks, will read through your thread now

 

That's exactly what I do, although I can't recommend the Shield anymore because despite them saying from the beginning that they have an advert free experience that has now been abandoned with the latest iteration of Android TV with massive ads at the top!

 

There ( Nvidia ) well overdue a new Shield what that will bring more adds ? Or lean more towards
a gaming Console to compete with the likes of X Box / PS5 as thats where the money is. ?

 

I didn't know that. My brother recently bought the Shield and is raving about it. He bought it especially to stream Netflix with Atmos sound. Granted he hasn't used anything else other than the built-in apps on his Samsung QLED TV.

 

Not a clue, but I wouldn't buy another one unless the get rid of the ads.

 

It's undoubtedly a great piece of kit for streaming but the new ads kill it for me. To be honest you're probably better off with an Amazon Fire TV - at least they're up front about advertising rather than sneaking them in dishonestly (in my opinion )

 

Theres been a few complaints over it .
That would drive me Nuts .

is there not a work around i heard to or not Mark ?

 

Yes there is but it's only temporary - basically you can revert to the factory installed version of Android TV but if you leave it long enough, it updates back and as far as I know there's nothing you can do about it - haven't checked recently though I must admit - the NVidia forums are a complete arse to navigate!

 

I used to use the Shield with Kodi in my cinema - one day I was doing a full on zero db demo (Deadpool - I'm sure you know the scene!) for a good friend of mine from the BBC and the Shield cacked up - very embarrassing and that was the last time I ever used a Shield for local playback.

 

Ah ok
I sold mine years ago now .

mmm i wonder if the New Zidoo chipset coming 2022 will get full Netflix + etc certification
Now that would sell S##T loads more boxes .

 

The Shield does offer audio passthrough. Almost everything will work except that I get constant audio dropout for TrueHD 96khz & 192khz sample rates.

 

That would be a dream come through if the new Zidoo has Android certification. It would mean that they can potentially do HT4 voice search using Google services.

 

I prefer Zidoo + Apple TV 4K.