Today, you need a PC or NAS to run Plex Media Server to store and share your media files. Starting later this month, Nvidia Shield owners can use their TV box as a streaming server for Plex. It should support 4K videos, too.
Plex server on Nvidia Shield
The ability to run Plex Media Server on the Nvidia Shield box will be added with the next major update for Nvidia Shield that will also include things like HDR video/gaming and YouTube in 4K60p.
By installing Plex Media Server on your Nvidia Shield you can store all your movies, photos and other media files on the box and access them wirelessly through other devices such as Smart TVs, TV media player, phones, tablets, PC, and more.
Plex's server and receiver apps are free but you if you pay you will get additional features.
Plex confirms that the app will support “hardware-accelerated video transcoding” for MPEG2, MPEG4 (H.264), and HEVC. This means that it should support 4K streaming, too. It will also support multiple streams so several members of the household can use it at once.
Nvidia Shield Pro comes with 500GB of internal storage whereas the more affordable version has only 16GB. You can expand that with external storage.
The “Nvidia Shield Experience Upgrade 3.2” software update is scheduled for release later this month.
