NVIDIA Shield gets external storage support for PLEX

PLEX: NVIDIA Shield support for USB drive, microSD drive

PLEX released an update to its app today that allows NVIDIA Shield owners to store large media libraries such as movies and music to external storage devices.

The upgrade means that 16GB SHIELD owners won’t have to use any of its hard drive storage for serving a PLEX library. NVIDIA Shield TV has had options for external storage since its release in 2015. But users were confined to writing metadata to the Shield’s hard drive.

With PLEX’s update, you can write data to USB drives — either adopted as internal or removable storage. NVIDIA Shield TV (2015 models) will also be able to write to microSD drives.

What USB drive is recommended for NVIDIA Shield TV?

–SanDisk Extreme CZ80 USB 3.0 Flash Drive

• SDCZ80-032G-GAM46
• SDCZ80-064G-GAM46
• SDCZ80-128G-G46

–SanDisk Ultra CZ48 USB 3.0 Flash Drive

• SDCZ48-064G-A46
• SDCZ48-128G-A46
• SDCZ48-256G-A46
• SDCZ48-064G-UAM46
• SDCZ48-128G-U46
• SDCZ48-256G-U46

How to Migrate a PLEX Server storage location on NVIDA Shield

Before migrating PLEX server data, you need to update your PLEX app and PLEX Media Server app to the latest versions on the Google Play Store.

1. Connect your USB storage device to Shield. You can also use the SD Card if you own a 2015 model Shield. Then you have the option to adopt your storage to Shield, but you don’t have to. 
2. Open PLEX on your SHIELD and go to Settings -> PLEX Media Server -> Storage location
3. Select the storage location – either adopted storage: Select Internal (user accessible location), or removable storage: select the storage device by name
4. Migration process will begin and may take several minutes to complete, depending on the size of your library

NVIDIA Shield remains a top cord cutting streamer

The 16GB Shield has been priced at $199 on Amazon, which includes the remote and game controller. The remote-only version of the Shield continues to be priced at $179.

I reviewed a NVIDIA SHIELD Pro last summer, and tested how it worked with PLEX’s Live TV & DVR. It remains a key part of my setup, especially now that I have a TCL Roku 4K TV. I can stream 4K HDR content on the SHIELD and use it to record and watch OTA channels that are pulled in from my HDHomeRun Quatro.