NVIDIA Shield TV Review: 8.7/10 - The Ultimate Media Center Streamer
Overview
The NVIDIA Shield TV is a compact streaming media player powered by the same Tegra X1+ processor that has made the Shield lineup legendary for performance and longevity. Released in its current cylindrical form in 2019 at $149, it offers features no other streaming device can match: AI-enhanced upscaling to 4K, GeForce NOW cloud gaming, Plex media server functionality, and full Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. It remains the best streaming box for media enthusiasts and gamers alike.
Design and Hardware
The Shield TV takes a cylindrical tube form factor, measuring 6.5 inches tall and 1.2 inches wide, designed to sit discreetly behind the TV. The Tegra X1+ chip with 2 GB of RAM provides excellent performance for streaming and AI upscaling tasks, though the interface is not quite as snappy as the Apple TV 4K’s A15 Bionic. Connectivity includes HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2, two USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, an infrared receiver, and a microSD card slot.
AI Upscaling
The Shield TV’s AI upscaling is its signature feature, using a machine learning model to upscale 720p and 1080p content to 4K in real-time with impressive results. The enhanced detail and reduced artifacts are particularly noticeable with streaming content, YouTube videos, and older TV shows that were never mastered in 4K. You can toggle between AI-enhanced and basic upscaling to compare, and the effect is genuinely transformative for lower-resolution content.
GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming
The Shield TV is the best streaming device for cloud gaming, with native GeForce NOW support that lets you stream PC games at up to 4K 60 fps with ray tracing enabled on the Ultimate tier. The USB ports allow connection of Xbox, PlayStation, or PC controllers directly, and Bluetooth 5.0 supports wireless controller pairing. The 120 Hz refresh rate support via HDMI 2.0b makes compatible games feel fluid and responsive.
Plex Media Server
The Shield TV is unique among streaming devices in that it can function as a full Plex Media Server, directly serving your local media library to other devices on your network. The Tegra X1+ chip can hardware-transcode multiple 4K streams simultaneously, making it an excellent home theater PC replacement. Direct playback of virtually any media format including MKV, ISO, and full Blu-ray remuxes is supported without compatibility issues.
Android TV Interface
The Shield TV runs Android TV 11 with the Google TV interface overlay available through a recent update. The platform offers access to the Google Play Store for thousands of apps and games, plus native support for Chromecast built-in for casting from mobile devices. NVIDIA has an excellent track record of software updates, with the 2019 model still receiving regular feature updates years after release.
Verdict
The NVIDIA Shield TV earns an 8.7 out of 10 as the most capable streaming device for power users. The AI upscaling is genuinely impressive, the Plex server functionality is unmatched, and GeForce NOW integration makes it a compelling gaming device. The aging HDMI 2.0b port (no HDMI 2.1) and the occasional Android TV interface jank are its main weaknesses, but for media enthusiasts who want the most versatile streaming box available, the Shield TV remains the gold standard.
Where to Buy
Looking for the best deal on a NVIDIA Shield TV? Check current prices and available listings on eBay to find new, open-box, and certified refurbished units at competitive prices.
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