No, it’s smoother than even my brand new Google TV chromecast that it replaced. I replaced the default launcher with something easier for my elderly mother to understand because she kept getting confused with other devices. It’s snappy, has all the apps I have needed, and was easy to set up. New apps are still developed and updated for it too since it’s so popular, and ostensibly the best pre-built streaming device short of manually configuring a mini pc. I don’t see software support officially or from the app developers dropping any time soon because of that.

Yep, all 5 years old. I don’t see a need for another one quite yet when even the newest streaming devices still don’t measure up.

I’ve used both, still prefer the shield. Hardware-wise they’re about the same insofar as I never had trouble with any lag at any point on either. This is what sets both of them apart from all other streaming devices. Chromecast, roku, fire sticks, they’ve all had trouble with some of the higher bit rate media on my jellyfin server. Apple TV and shield did not.

I prefer the shield remote.

The main difference comes down to software. Android TV is simply better. I can get the interface exactly how I like it, and run all manner of apps in the background, making the remote more useful among other things. Apple TV doesn’t even have access to the jellyfin app, you have to use swiftfin on the app store which has issues. You can sideload apps super easily on the shield. (Though for the jellyfin example, you don’t have to. It’s on the play store.)

Developer mode is also a great thing to have on the shield. I can now transfer apps and media from my pc super easily, speed up animations to make it feel snappier, (a feature sorely missed on apple TV) or even remote control the shield (which I haven’t found a need to do yet so I’m not counting that as a plus).

It’s still the best streaming device hands down. There’s not even any competition.

I’ve found the shield pro is better, especially for customizability.

Shield pro is the best, end of story

“This is good for bitcoin.”

🏴‍☠️

Why not matrix?

How did you steal my password??

Yeah I got it when I realized there’s no such thing as DVI-L haha

I use frugal usenet and usenet express for my providers. (for redundancy and speed, you only need one really.)

I use nzbgeek for search.

Both providers mostly saturate my 2.5gbps download speed, and when they don’t, my download automatically uses both of them at once anyway so I always saturate. (I limit speeds during the day so I don’t notice any network lag if an automatic download starts while I’m doing stuff.) I can’t recommend one over the other, they both perform great.

I use sabnzbd to actually download stuff, then the arr stack to trigger and control it.

Sabnzbd did require some extra configuration to saturate my bandwidth, so if you do run into any issues DM me and I can help.

All of this lets me download my publicly available and free Linux ISOs very quickly. Even the biggest ones download in a couple minutes. I still use torrents as a backup, as some stuff makes it to torrents before usenet, but I have usenet set as a higher priority. Both are searched automatically so I don’t miss anything.

Yes yes yes. Ever since I set up my arr stack on my home server, I’ve been blown away by just how easy getting everything I want in minutes is. It’s all automated. It’s actually insane.

I never didn’t own that I was a pirate. That’s not in question here. What’s in question is that the reason I am a pirate is I was tired of paying for and dealing with all of those streaming services, and the believability of having so many streaming services. Just because you don’t see the need doesn’t mean other people don’t.

And you are right, it is excessive. Several hundred dollars per month excessive. But that’s what a large portion of people do. Most people don’t know how to pirate.

Like you said, folks pirate because it is easy. Easier than the alternative. When Netflix was easier than piracy and it was the only streaming service around, I didn’t pirate (except anime but that’s another thing entirely)

Netflix, HBO max, Hulu, peacock, YouTube TV, crunchyroll, Amazon prime video, Disney plus, apple TV plus, paramount plus.

I have had all of those and a couple more. Personally, I’ve only had up to 8 at once, but if you’re asking that other person to prove it, it’s not outside the realm of likelihood.

All of those have exclusives. (especially for sports these days. I have to have 3 services just for football, I’m sure there’s ESPN plus or some shit for people really into sports) Needing all of those just to watch the handful of exclusives you want isn’t uncommon.

Login in this scenario means access. I. E. having 10 different apps and searching through all of them for one show.