NVIDIA unveiled Shield TV 2017 at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona last month. The entertainment hub offers an on-demand game streaming service, 4K HDR video playback, Google Assistant integration and the latest Android TV OS.
Shield TV 2017 offers top-end hardware and access to the NVIDIA GeForce Now Gaming library. It is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor that is company's most advanced mobile processor which was also there in its predecessor. Also, it runs the same Android TV software but it is 40 percent smaller now. Shield comes packaged with the controller, HDMI cable, power cable and USB charging cable.
According to Digital Trends, Shield TV 2017 is smaller than modern gaming consoles and even the tiniest gaming PC but it is larger than most every other streaming box on the market. The included HDMI and power cables are long enough to fit in most entertainment room setups but the USB charging cable is pretty small. The user won't be able to play and charge at the same time if the distance between couch and Shield is long.
NVIDIA Shield TV 2017 supports streaming of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and YouTube. According to CNET, Shield can output 4K resolution and supports HDR but it doesn't offer as many 4K/HDR apps as its biggest competitor Roku Premiere+. Shield TV with 16 GB storage comes at $200 and 500 GB version at $300 while Roku Premiere at just $95.
Nintendo's latest console, Nintendo Switch and Sony's PS4 Slim come at $300 with better features than NVIDIA Shield TV 2017. Also, its 16 GB internal memory is not enough for people who love to install many apps. Even smartphones offer more than 16 GB internal storage nowadays.
It might not support more apps than Roku but Shield TV 2017 does offer just about every must-have app. It will soon have the power to control home with voice commands. Also, it is three times faster than its closest competitor.
