4K HDR streaming
Google Assistant/Home integration
Amazon Instant Video on Android
Three ways to play
AGAINST
Controller isn’t console-quality
GeForce Now is still hit-or-miss
A bit pricey for a 4K streamer
There’s plenty to appreciate about the new Nvidia Shield. But out of everything – the 40% reduction in overall size, the integration of Google Assistant, the addition of Amazon Instant Video for the first time on Android TV – the best changes are the ones that happened to the streaming video box’s operating system, Android TV.
It’s far and away better than it was when the gaming-centric streaming box first came out close to two years ago. A greatly improved universal search function on top of a larger selection of apps on top of Google Home and Assistant integration have finally empowered Nvidia’s hardware to really shine.
Said simply, if there’s ever been a time to take a serious look at Nvidia’s already-great streamer, this is the time to do it.
But let’s hold on for a second. Maybe this is your first experience with the Nvidia Shield, the $199 / £189 ( about AU$260) 4K-capable, HDR-ready video streaming device that’s been developed by a primarily graphics card-focused company.
If it is, what you’re reading about is one of the most powerful streaming video players on the planet – one that can double as a gaming system, and triple as the center of your smart home. It has the power to stream your favorite shows like Amazon Fire TV or any one of the Roku players, but with the added perk of being able to play Android TV and some PC-quality games via GeForce Now. Finally, while other streaming devices might make you tack on a Bluetooth controller in order to really enjoy games ( cough, Apple TV) , Nvidia Shield comes with a completely re-designed gamepad that works much better than it did previously.
It has its shortcomings, but overall Nvidia’s Shield TV has enough on offer to persuade even the most ardent of skeptics to give this little streamer
Nvidia Shield isn’t quite like either of those. Nvidia eschewed traditional design years ago and has developed its own style for the Shield that’s neither round nor flat, but an interesting mix of criss-crossing lines, unique slants and stark angles.
The headline feature here is that the 2017 Shield is 40% smaller than before, bringing it from about 20cm ( 8-inches) wide down to about 13cm ( 5-inches) . It’s able to shed some plastic by dropping the micro-SD card slot that used to hang out on the back and retail in only one hard drive size – 16GB. ( Of course, Nvidia tells us that the 500GB version of the Shield will still be available at the old 2015-version size, too, but it will cost a bit more and be called the Nvidia Shield Pro, check out our original Nvidia Shield review for an overview of the hardware) .
So what ports are left? Spin it around and you’ll still find Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0a and two USB 3.0 ports. Although the box is compatible with 802.11ac Wi-Fi your best bet for consistent 4K video streaming or GeForce Now gaming is going to be running an ethernet cable directly from your router into the box.
All that said, its diminutive stature actually makes the console smaller than the included controller, something which has also gotten a facelift for the new year. The 2017 Shield TV controller is less bulky than its predecessor and much more angular.