Not using one, but ran across this post on the SD forum and wonder if it applies to Channels DVR also.
"The Shield is no longer a recommended recording platform."
https://forum.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=392973#p392973
I ran Channels DVR & Client on the same Shield Pro for well over a year with an external 1TB SSD and an HDHR Flex tuner. While there was a debacle when the Shield got updated to v9 (Android 11), once nVidia fixed the firmware the Channels DVR ran fine for the most part. Recording was very dependable and the unit was very responsive with regard to trick-play functions during playback. I had only 1 annoying problem. After a couple days of running I would fast-forward through a commercial and the video playback would become choppy. The only way to cure it was to reboot the Shield which would disrupt any recordings that were under way at the time. I tried to hedge the problem by preemptively rebooting the Shield every couple days but didn't always remember and would get caught.
Two months ago I bought one of those sub-$100 mini-PC's running Ubuntu Linux. I installed a 2TB SSD and transferred Channels DVR to it from the Shield. Performance is superior, it runs for weeks without attention, the choppy video problem on the Shield is gone and I can reboot the Shield any time I want without fear of messing up a recording.
3 Likes
Shield is great if you already have one or are a single person with low needs. But considering the options out there, and how Channels DVR Server has to be installed on it now (outside of the Play Store), you’re better off with a little mini pc these days.
As I’ve always said, if you’re invested in Channels, you should invest in some hardware.
I used it for sometime but when I got a Mini PC it was like night and day. Works much better on the PC. I do however still use my Shield for TiviMate recordings. Works fine
1 Like
I am currently using my Shield as the server because I already use Shields throughout the house as my streaming devices, so it is just convenient to not have to buy something else to use as the server. It works fine, but it seems like the video CAN be choppy at times. Granted SiliconDust's native app is the same way. But I everyone says that the Channels DVR is way smoother and sharper than SiliconDust's app. The sharpness claim is DEFINITELY true. But just trying to maximize the experience on Channels. I really only use it for watching OTA sports because of the better PQ than the highly compressed local channels on YTTV. I also noticed that changing channels on the Channels DVR is also a bit slow. It takes what seems like 30 seconds to buffer and load it up before it plays. Also wondering if getting a Pi or another mini PC as the server will improve both the choppy-ness and the load time from channel to channel while going from channel to channel during Saturday and Sunday football on the networks this fall....
2 Likes
And you guys should invest in a native Windows client for Channels if this is your recommendation.
Certainly there are plenty of people that would like to be able to utilize Channels in Windows or build an all-in-one HTPC.
Seen some posts here, and had a few chats with past users of Shield as their DVR server, last year or two, flacky, unreliable, sluggish. And Nvidia/Google seems to have mostly abandoned it. Has not gotten updates in some time. It kinda old news now.
Apple TV (clients) and a mini pc ( Pi4 b for single user) is a far better experience
I recommend getting the Channels DVR Server off the Shield. When I transferred my DVR Server from the Shield to an ATOPNUC (running Linux) the instances of choppy video playback of recordings on the Shield seemed to go away -- but just for a short while. Every couple days, after skipping through a recording, the client loses it and the video goes choppy. Nothing seems to correct the issue other than rebooting the Shield -- that includes terminating the Channels client from the Shield's Settings/Apps menu. Since I'm running the DVR Server on a separate PC, there is no problem rebooting the Shield at any time, other than the annoyance factor.
As to the channel changing lag you are seeing: I've never experienced that. I go to the guide and select a channel on the HDHR and in 1-2 sec it is playing.
So I am confused about what you are saying. You recommend getting the server off of the Shield, but then indicate the same problem pops up using a mini PC and you have to reboot every few days? What exactly is your suggestion? Thanks
The problem isn't the mini PC, it's the shield. There is a reason why my shield is gathering dust on my shelf (I should throw it away like I did my firesticks). Switch to appletv and you won't look back. You will wonder why it took you so long. Btw I'm an android guy....
If there is actually a bug in just the way Shields playback this app simply as clients, then it is just this app only. Shields are absolute beasts for everything else. Far and away the best streaming device I have every owned.
No. There isn't
I use Shield as my primary client without any issues. It just works!
It was a different matter, however, as Server+Client
The Shield does not do well as a Server/Client. It is also a very limited Server just does not have enough memory.
1 Like
So the guy above, in your view, is wrong about the Shield still being buggy as a client only?
But in your view does well as a client only as long as you are using a mini PC or something similar as the server? But once you start using a Shield as the server, things start playing back choppy?
It is an outstanding Client.
1 Like
If you still have doubts about the Shield consider @slampman suggestion.
So many users share his view so I don't think they are wrong. But I don't use Apple products.
But I have to say as far as Playing Content I find Channels DVR player the least compatible ... I only use ChannelsDVR to record because of advanced Passes use EMBY for playback.
EMBY Does seamless FPS switching and Resolution switching.
I will join the fray to come down firmly on both sides of the fence 
I have an old Nvidia Shield 2017, not pro and (non-cylindrical), in one room and seems to work fine a a client and a ChannelsDVR server a) when coupled with a external HDD and b) for a single user. Nothing is choppy.
I will add that this shield seems to need to be rebooted maybe weekly or so to stay "unconfused" and I don't know why. As a general streaming client it also works fine.
I will add that the AppleTV client and a separate miniPC as a server has way more zip and handles more load much better. That's the primary set-up we now use. Neither every have to be rebooted to get "unconfused".
If I had lots of discretionary funds I might replace the shield with another AppleTV, but I don't and it works ok. It might be on my wish list that the AppleTV could run ChannelsDVR server some day but tvOS server not likely in the cards.