Nvidia Shield Android TV Review: Not the box I bought three years ago

The device we currently know as “Nvidia Shield” is not the first name. This honor goes to the mobile device launched in 2013, and the Schield Portable was later renamed. After that, the Scheield Tablet, and finally the Shield Android TV came in 2015. This was not the only way to get Android TV, but the NVIDIA box is the only one who had any survival force. Three years later, this device got 20 updates across three Android versions. I can’t think about another Android device that provides a great value after more than three years of use. For this reason we take another look at the shield-it has changed a lot. NVIDIA has added integration with services like Plex and SmartTHings, and there is now advanced GeForce service. While Nvidia launched a smaller and smaller shield, the original devices get all the same updates and features. Android TV looks completely different from what it was in 2015, not always for the better. If you want a powerful Android TV box, there will be no other option. For all intentions and purposes, the shield He is Android TV, but this is not all it is.Note: For this review, you were using the 2017 model that has been renewed. However, most of this applies the same to the original 2015 version.

Design, devices, what is in the box

The current repetition of Shield TV is a wedge -shaped swarm of about 16 x 10 cm. The surface consists of FASCets that look like a surreptitious plane. Along with the incandescent gap that acts as a LED lamp for power, the shield is a little on the cheerful side. Fortunately, it’s small enough to be placed away from view (if this is not your aesthetic).

The original SHIELD TV box was much larger, making it difficult to hide on a component holder or an entertainment center. If you put this version in the optional vertical pregnant woman, it has a real “staller”. Again, the renovated devices are less imposed even vertically. My only real interest in the new design is so light that the cruel HDMI cable can pull it out of its place.

Around the back, the shield is characterized by a range of ports including energy (ownership), HDMI, Ethernet and USB 3.0 (x2). The original had a microSD card, but NVIDIA dropped it in the update. This is a bit of problems, but you can still add a USB engine to expand the 16 GB internal storage. I hope NVIDIA will guarantee a little more space, but the only other option is SHIELD TV Pro with a 500 GB tablet at $ 300. This is not a good value when USB drives are very cheap, and the professional uses the large shape of the original shield.

The basic model shield comes with remote control, which has changed the original version. It uses a replaceable currency cell battery (it must last from six months to a year) instead of the rechargeable battery from the old remote control device. He no longer has a headphone socket for private listening (what these days?). Note one upgrade: It has infrared amplifiers to control other devices. Still Bluetooth, and there is a microphone for vocal orders. The buttons and directional pillow have good touch feedback, but I am not a fan of controlling the touch-sensitive storage unit-I set it constantly by chance. The remote control device must have real buttons to control the sound level. I love the remote control device, but it seems to sleep somewhat quickly. It may take again for the first button, press the registration when it wakes up.

You can only get the game control unit in the most expensive gaming group, but it is worth a small added cost if you plan to play games. As a piece of devices, the console is very good. Figure is largely comfortable than the old suite control unit-similar to a mixture of Sony and Xbox control units when calculating the general shape and thumb position. As for whether a good Mix, this depends on your personal preference. I hope D-Pad and Left Stick replaces places, but the buttons and sticks are all very high. Fortunately, there is still a headphone socket on the console.

I appreciate that Nvidia is trying to maintain the cost of the shield, but it would be great if it comes with some additional accessories. You can get the console, power cable and remote control device in the box. With a game pack, you can add the console. There is no HDMI cable or a position. The latter is an additional $ 20, although each shield shot shows it on the platform.

Android TV, developed

When the shield was launched, one of the promising Android TV boxes was, and now it is only Android tv box. These other devices fell on the side of the road, but NVIDIA continues to update and add new features. Each box of Android TV is running the Oreo TV shield, and the feature of features exceeds Google TV.

NVIDIA launched update its twentieth shield program a few months ago (upgrade of the experiment 7.1). This is an unprecedented level of support for a piece of devices that bought some people three and a half years ago. Among these updates were some of the excellent allocated features that improve on Android TV. For example, there is a Plex integration. Not only does I mean that you can run the PLX app – any Android device can do this. No, the shield can operate the Plex server to flow your content to other devices. It works even when the shield is asleep, and Tegra X1 can transfer the symbol like a hero. The shield is, nothing, the best PLX server you have ever used.

If you have a shield, you also have a smart center for the house waiting to be unleashed. The USB SmartThings transformer allows you to control compatible devices across the shield. This means that it is also connected to an assistant because NVIDIA included this in updates as well. In addition to the standard assistant features, the shield supports the shield operation and stopping it, opening applications, controlling the sound level, and more.

NVIDIA does not make any major changes on the Android TV interface, so this aspect of the shield is the same on all devices. Google changed the facade in Oreo, and has found it a bit tired. The drawing site is embarrassing, and the additional application shortcuts to the left of the channel’s inspections are not using. The channels rarely show me anything of value. Perhaps I only run 10-12 applications on the shield regularly, so adding it to the favorite menu is an acceptable solution.

Most of the use of my shield consists of watching the video, and this is where the device shines. It has supported 4K since launch, and Nvidia HDR added in an update. While there are cheaper ways to get video broadcast on the TV, 4K HDR options are limited. You can get Chromecast Ultra, for example, but this is $ 70. For more money, the shield offers additional features. The fishing you need actually nursing About these additional features to justify expenses.

The main difference between the shield and other broadcast boxes is to link games. NVIDIA works with publishers to get original games such as DOOM and Tomb Raider, which has been transferred to The Shield, which is impressive from an artistic point of view. Then there is GeForce Now, which was returned to the status of the experimental version after the disappointing launch in 2015. NVIDIA was looking to impose $ 8 per month to flow a library of old games, but you still have to buy the latest things to use in the service. Well, GeForce is now free again, connecting to steam and heroism. Some games are previously loaded in the cloud, but you should install others. Playing sessions are currently limited to four hours, and you may need to reinstall each session.

As before, GeForce Now games are offered on the NVIDIA server and flow on your screen. After using GeFORCE now and Google project, I can say that NVIDIA still has great progress. The image is more severe, and there is almost no delay compared to the Google experimental width. I will admit that I am not using GeForce a lot often because I have a game computer, but it is not really a producer of people like me. Not anyone may be frankly. GeForce is now elegant, but I don’t know if there is a business model here. Real gaming boards like Xbox One S constantly hovering about $ 200 for sale, and you do not need to worry about a difficult internet connection with data covers. It will be difficult to persuade people to pay for anything that becomes GeFORCE now, even if it is a great technique.

Should you buy it?

YesIf you need a well -backed strong flow box. If your main goal is to flow some Netflix on your TV, you will not need a shield; Just get $ 30 from Chromecast and save some money. If you are looking to get Chromecast Ultra, you should at least think about the shield. It is more expensive, but you get a few broadcast options (for example

I was pleased with the support of the NVIDIA of the shield over the years. It has passed through many major Android courses, HDR support, assistant, and updates only lasted. Add the possibilities of the Plex server, especially for me. I have a NAS box installed on the shield with the video content that I can flow anywhere, at any time.

The Shield is a large group of media – it seems that the 4K HDR output appears to be incredible, and the operating control with a remote control is best to use the phone. As a game device, the shield is amazing. GeFORCE now with steam integration is interesting, but I don’t know if this is something I will pay for use. I love the trend that Nvidia is going through compared to the old subscription model.

If you bought a shield three years ago, you got a great value for your money. It is still worth buying the shield now if you need what it offers. There is no better way to try Android TV. I know this may not seem like great praise with the slow growth of the Google TV platform. However, perhaps there will be Android TV anymore without the shield.

Purchase it if …

You need a strong flow box with a remote control and like the idea of ​​playing games on the same device.

Do not buy it if …

You just need something to run Netflix on your TV.

He buys: Nafidia, Amazon