Features, settings & updates

[Bri]

Will the Ultra 2024 model handle PGS and other image-based subtitles when playing MKV files via Plex media server app? 

Past Roku models have not, and forced me to abandon ROKU for Nvida Shield, which handles PGS subs without issue.   

[atc98092]

Short answer: no. Roku has not added premium features like that. Any Roku device will require video transcoding to show image based captions (PGS, VOBSUB). But Plex is capable of doing that so you should still be able to see your captions on a Roku device using Plex.

Besides the Shield, there are a number of other streaming players that will display image based captions without needing a transcoding server. Literally any Android based player can do so, either using Plex or another player app such as Kodi. This includes the Onn 4K Media Player, tons of generic Android boxes, and the Fire TV Cube can match the Shield by bitstreaming lossless audio to an external AVR. I use Shield players for my local media, but I did buy a Cube (3rd gen) for testing purposes and it works fine. I just can't stand the Amazon-centric user interface. And I'm a Prime member, so it's not that I'm anti-Amazon.

[snowfox]

Not too keen on recharge feature. Wallworts are a nuisance. 

Also the programmable  key on the remote look like they got sold off. 

[Dfresh567]

@Bri 

Interesting i didn't know that..... are the prices similar between the two? I don't know anyone with one so I haven't had a chance to ask.

[Dfresh567]

@Bri

I should of just googled it. So the NVIDIA Shield is really 200$. I'm not so sure that a good price point in this current market space. But I would absolutely expect and demand it do whatever feature it was on plex you wanted it to do and a whole lot more. That price is why I've never seen one in person. I've heard the name but that's it. It's probably great and if it wasn't that would be a problem. Is the NVIDIA the most expensive streaming device on the market? I can't think of another that's more expensive.

 

[Bri]

The Shield is the best, the fact it hasn't had a new model since 2019 says a lot about its quality.

It still hasn't been surpassed.

However, if you are just looking to stream, you really don't need it.  Roku is GREAT for streaming.

If (like me) you are an audio/video nut and convert blu-rays/4-Ks to lossless MKV files to create your own personal premium streaming service, the Shield is the way to go. 

[Dfresh567]

@Bri 2019 wow that’s impressive I totally get it as a high-end streaming player which serves a specific market. I’m glad there are a device out there that individuals have access to that want those feature and generally interested in specific area of this market. it looks cool. 

[atc98092]

The Shield Pro is $200 (occasionally on sale for a bit less) but there's also the Shield TV (sometimes referred to as the Tube) that is $150. The differences are the Tube has no USB port, and the operating system is 32 bit instead of 64 bit. It still has a Gigabit Ethernet connection, and has an SD card slot for expanding the internal memory (which is also a bit less than the Pro). I have both and the Tube had no issues playing my 4K Blu Ray rips with full lossless audio sent to my AVR, so I have no problem recommending the lower cost model for most users. 

There's one place the Roku beats the Shield, and that's in a couple of codecs supported. The Ultra can decode AC-4 audio to AC-3, and it supports VP-9 Profile 2, which YouTube uses for some HDR content. But YouTube appears to be moving to H.265 for HDR, and the Shield will play that. 

[jimsz]

Normally I would upgrade on of my 5 Rokus (the older ones) but I'm done. With all the garbage forced onto the home screen and in the app, I'm done.

Once AppleTV is update this year that's where I'm headed. Roku killed a great product by getting greedy.

[atc98092]

The "garbage" on the Roku home screen is nothing compared to a Fire TV device or any Android/Google TV device. I spend so little time on the home screen it's pretty easy to ignore what they post there. 

You also mention an "app". If you are referring to The Roku Channel, well it's provided for free so of course there's going to be ads there. If it's any other app, you can't blame Roku for what 3rd parties do within their own apps.