Today, I’m going to share my experience with the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player. This powerful streaming media player has a lot to offer, from 4K HDR movies to live sports and Dolby Vision-Atmos support. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this device.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Powerful Performance: The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro is the world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player. It delivers top-notch performance and ensures smooth streaming.
- AI-enhanced Upscaling: The AI upscaling technology enhances HD videos in real-time to 4K, resulting in clearer and crisper visuals. You’ll notice a significant improvement in picture quality.
- Ample Storage and Expansion: With 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, this media player provides enough space for your apps and media files. It also features 2 USB 3.0 ports for storage expansion and connecting additional devices like cameras and controllers.
- Dolby Vision-Atmos Support: This device brings your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR and immersive sound with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus. You’ll enjoy ultra-vivid picture quality and a captivating audio experience.
- GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming: With GeForce NOW, you can transform your SHIELD TV into a powerful gaming rig. Play over 1000+ titles and enjoy the benefits of GeForce RTX 3080 gaming servers in 4K HDR.
What Can Be Improved
- Outdated HDMI Standard: The HDMI 2.0B standard used in this device is not future-proof, as newer TVs are adopting HDMI 2.1. It may become a limitation in the long run.
- Lack of YouTube HDR 60 FPS VP9 Codec Support: The device does not support the YouTube HDR 60 FPS VP9 codec, which may be disappointing for those who enjoy high-quality YouTube content.
Quick Verdict
Overall, the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player is a top-tier device that excels in performance, picture quality, and gaming capabilities. It offers powerful upscaling technology and supports a wide range of content. However, the lack of HDMI 2.1 support and YouTube HDR 60 FPS VP9 codec compatibility are notable drawbacks. If you’re looking for a versatile streaming media player with excellent performance, this device is worth considering.
You can find the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro on Amazon here.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
I recently purchased the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player from Amazon in the USA. The delivery was really quick, and I received the product within a couple of days.
Inside the box, I found the following items:
- NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro: The main streaming media player.
- Remote Controller: The voice control remote that comes with the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro.
- 2 AAA batteries: Required for the remote controller.
- Power Adapter: Used to provide power to the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro.
- HDMI Cable: A high-quality HDMI cable for connecting the streaming media player to the TV.
- User Guide: A comprehensive guide that helps users set up and get started with the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro.
Specifications
Here are some key specifications of the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro:
- Model Name: NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
- Color: Black
- Form Factor: TV Box
- Controller Type: Voice Control
- Supported Internet Services: Netflix, HBO, Vudu, Kodi, Spotify, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Browser, Fandango NOW
- Resolution: 4k
- Special Feature: Android Phone Control, Microphone Feature
- Connector Type: HDMI
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Brand: NVIDIA
- Date First Available: October 28, 2019
- Batteries Required: 2 AAA batteries
- Item Model Number: 945-12897-2500-101
- Country of Origin: China
- Product Dimensions: 1.02 x 6.26 x 3.86 inches
- Item Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Brand Name: NVIDIA
Documentation
The included user guide has been really helpful in getting started with the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro. It provides detailed instructions on how to set up the device, connect it to my TV, and navigate through the various features and apps. I particularly appreciated the section on using the voice control feature with the remote controller. If you need further information, you can find the user guide here.
Features – What We Found
1. Enhanced HD Video in Real-time to 4K
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player is equipped with next-generation AI upscaling technology, which enhances HD video content in real-time and delivers it in stunning 4K resolution. This means you can enjoy clearer and crisper visuals on your TV, bringing your favorite movies and TV shows to life with incredible detail and vibrant colors.
With this advanced AI upscaling, even lower resolution content can be transformed into a near-4K experience, providing an enhanced viewing experience for all your entertainment needs. Whether you’re streaming from popular platforms like Netflix and Disney+ or playing video files from your personal collection, the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro ensures that you can enjoy your content in the best possible quality.
Pro Tip: To make the most out of the AI-enhanced upscaling feature, ensure that you have a 4K-capable TV for the best results. Pairing the NVIDIA SHIELD with a compatible television will allow you to fully appreciate the enhanced visuals.
2. Dolby Vision HDR and Immersive Audio
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro takes your home theater experience to the next level with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Vision HDR technology enhances the picture quality by providing ultra-vivid colors, deeper blacks, and brighter highlights, resulting in a more immersive and lifelike visual experience. Additionally, Dolby Atmos delivers true 3D surround sound, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.
Whether you’re watching movies, TV shows, or playing games, the combination of Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos on the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro ensures that you enjoy the content the way it was intended to be experienced, with stunning visuals and immersive audio.
If you want to take full advantage of these features, consider connecting the NVIDIA SHIELD to a compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system or soundbar to truly immerse yourself in a cinematic audio experience.
3. Extensive 4K HDR Content Selection
No other streaming media player offers as much 4K content as the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro. You can access popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Google Play Movies & TV in crisp 4K HDR quality. Additionally, platforms like YouTube and Hulu also provide 4K content, ensuring you have a wide variety of options for your entertainment needs.
Built with built-in Chromecast 4K support, you can easily stream content from your phone or other devices directly to your TV. This seamless integration allows you to enjoy your favorite videos, music, and more on the big screen with stunning 4K resolution.
With the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro, you can explore the vast library of 4K HDR content and enhance your entertainment experience with vivid visuals and lifelike colors.
4. GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro is not just a media player but also a powerful gaming machine. With GeForce NOW cloud gaming, you can instantly transform your SHIELD TV into a high-performance gaming rig. With access to over 1000+ titles and nearly 100 free-to-play games, you’ll never run out of gaming options.
With the new GeForce NOW RTX 3080 membership, you can unlock access to GeForce RTX 3080 gaming servers in 4K HDR. This means you can enjoy the latest games with the highest graphical fidelity, including ray tracing and DLSS graphics for supported games, providing a truly immersive and visually stunning gaming experience.
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro enables you to stream games directly from the cloud, eliminating the need for a dedicated gaming console or high-end PC. Simply connect a game controller, like the NVIDIA SHIELD Controller (sold separately), and start playing your favorite games with low latency and high performance.
5. Voice Control and Smart Home Integration
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro comes with built-in Google Assistant, allowing you to control your media player using just your voice. You can use voice commands to search for content, change settings, and even control compatible smart home devices.
With the Google Assistant integration, you can easily access information, view photos, check the weather, get sports scores, and more, all displayed on the big screen. Additionally, you can use Google Home or Alexa and Amazon Echo devices to control your SHIELD hands-free, creating a truly seamless and convenient smart home experience.
Pro Tip: To fully utilize the voice control features, make sure to set up your NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro with your Google or Amazon account. This will enable seamless integration with your voice assistant devices and allow you to control your media player effortlessly.
Our Review and More
Our Score: 89.0
I recently purchased the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player, and I have been extremely impressed with its performance. The 4K HDR movies and live sports look stunning on my TV, thanks to Dolby Vision-Atmos technology. The AI-enhanced upscaling feature provides clearer and crisper visuals, making even HD videos appear like 4K. It truly enhances my viewing experience.
Another standout feature of this media player is its ability to transform into a powerful gaming rig with GeForce NOW cloud gaming. I can play over 1000+ titles, including the latest free to play games. The addition of GeForce RTX 3080 gaming servers in 4K HDR, with ray tracing and DLSS graphics, takes gaming to a whole new level.
The built-in Google Assistant and compatibility with Alexa make voice control seamless and convenient. I can easily access information, control my smart home devices, and navigate through apps using my voice. Plus, the 2x USB 3.0 ports and Plex Media Server built-in provide ample storage expansion options and convenient media management.
I highly recommend the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player to anyone looking for an all-in-one streaming and gaming device. It offers top-notch picture quality, immersive audio, and impressive AI-enhanced upscaling. With its extensive features and capabilities, it is definitely worth the investment.
Click here to check out the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player on Amazon.
Alternatives To Go For
If you’re considering purchasing the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player, there are a few alternative options that you might want to take a look at:
- NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Streaming Media Player: This is a great alternative to the Pro version. It offers the same 4K HDR picture quality, live sports, and Dolby Vision-Atmos support. It also has AI-enhanced upscaling for improved image quality and supports GeForce NOW cloud gaming. With built-in Google Assistant and compatibility with Alexa, you can easily control your media with voice commands. You can find more information about this product here.
- NVIDIA Shield TV: If you’re looking for a simpler streaming media player without the gaming features, the NVIDIA Shield TV is a great option. It still offers 4K HDR streaming, live sports, and Dolby Vision-Atmos support. It is a reliable and high-quality device that provides a great streaming experience. You can find more information about this product here.
- Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV: This streaming media player is an affordable alternative that offers 4K HDR streaming. It comes with a remote that has Google Assistant built-in, allowing you to easily control your media with voice commands. The Mi Box S provides a smooth streaming experience and is a good choice for those on a budget. You can find more information about this product here.
- Android 10.0 TV Box, KM2 Smart TV Box: This is another budget-friendly option that supports 4K HDR streaming. It is Google Certified and comes with USB 3.0 for fast data transfer. The KM2 Smart TV Box has Google Assistant and supports Dolby Audio for immersive sound. It offers reliable performance and is a good alternative for those looking for a cost-effective streaming device. You can find more information about this product here.
These alternative streaming media players provide similar features and functionality to the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro. Depending on your specific needs and budget, one of these options might be a better fit for you. Make sure to check out the links provided for more information and to make an informed decision.
