For some time, my search for a media player that matches the capabilities of the Nvidia Shield has come up mostly empty. The goal is usually the same: find a device that handles Dolby Vision Profile 7 and Profile 5, lossless Dolby and DTS audio, and 24p frame rate switching without requiring significant technical workarounds.
While I have previously examined devices like the Ugoos AM6B+, they often required a level of modification that made them less than user-friendly. But the other day I picked up a Vero V, a device from the open-source OSMC project that is being positioned as a dedicated high-end player for media enthusiasts.
Check it out in my latest video!
The Vero V is priced at approximately $200 and must be imported from the UK, which puts it at around the same price point as the Nvidia Shield. Unlike the Shield, which runs on Android TV, the Vero 5 is built on a minimal Linux installation running the OSMC fork of the Kodi media player. This means it lacks mainstream streaming applications like Netflix or Disney Plus. It is a specialized tool intended for playing back local media or files served from a home server.
The Vero V has an AM Logic S905X4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. While the Wi-Fi is limited to 802.11 AC, the inclusion of a gigabit Ethernet port provides the necessary stability for high-bitrate 4K files. On the back, it features HDMI, optical audio, and analog outputs, alongside USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports. In my testing, the device booted into its interface in under 30 seconds, and the setup process for audio passthrough and resolution switching was straightforward within the OSMC menus.
Since there is no native Plex application for OSMC, I utilized the PM4K for Plex add-on. The interface differs slightly from the standard Plex client but remains functional, maintaining metadata, watch history, and library organization. During playback tests, the Vero V handled Dolby Vision Profile 7 and Profile 5, as well as lossless formats like Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and DTS:X. It also demonstrated capable tone mapping when playing HDR content on a standard 4K display.
A significant point of discussion for enthusiasts is the level of Dolby Vision support. Currently, the Vero 5 supports the Minimum Enhancement Layer (MEL), which is comparable to the Nvidia Shield’s capabilities. However, the developers are testing a beta firmware that aims to support the Full Enhancement Layer (FEL), a feature typically found only on standalone 4k Blu-ray players.
Choosing between this and more established hardware depends largely on one’s specific needs. The Nvidia Shield remains a more versatile device for those who want a single box for both Plex and subscription streaming services. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, recently promised to support the Shield “for as long as we shall live” given his personal affinity for the now decade-old media player.
However, for those looking for a dedicated player supported by an active community of enthusiasts, the Vero V serves as a reliable alternative that functions effectively right out of the box. Having a hardware option that does not rely on a large corporate ecosystem provides a certain level of security for the future of high-end home media playback.