Nvidia Shield
w that it has Amazon Video, the Nvidia Shield is finally a good enough streamer to go toe-to-toe with Roku. But it also costs a lot more.
It’s also a capable gaming device, with an improved controller and three different sources for games. But it’s no substitute for an Xbox One or PlayStation 4, let alone a full-fledged gaming PC.
Later this year the Shield will add Google Assistant, allowing it to do everything an always-on, always-listening Google Home speaker can. But you’ll need to use the game controller or a$50 plug-in accessory mic to do the listening.
Today Nvidia Shield is a lot better than it was when it first launched in May 2015. It actually includes a remote, it has more apps and capabilities, and it’s adding new ones seemingly every day. It also retains its heritage as a video geek’s dream machine, with stuff like 4K resolution(in 24p!) and HDR(high dynamic range), NAS access, native Kodi support, Plex server capability, HDHomeRun integration and much more.With all of those improvements, the Shield deserves a place in the upper echelon of streamers alongside the Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. All of those devices cost less, however. So unless you’re also getting the Shield for Kodi media center or file support, for gaming or for its potential as a smart home hub too, it’s not the best bargain. It’s more of a luxury splurge, albeit one with so many capabilities you could find it pretty easy to justify.