Although many states of the US don’t have as big of an internet network as others, the necessity is all the same. And most of the states have somewhat average internet service. But some top-level service providers have started bringing better and more advanced technologies to such states like Spectrum (https://www.buytvinternetphone.com/spectrum/phone-number). They provide one of the fastest internet with their latest fiber optics connection.
So, in general, nearly every corner of the world is developing rapidly and adopting the latest technologies for fun, learning, growth, and more. And among such activities that people crave and enjoy is watching television. However, you need an Android TV box to have full control of the television according to your comfort and mood. And there is no better choice than the ultimate android TV and gaming machine – NVidia Shield TV pro.
The NVidia Shield TV pro is a beast of a machine. It has all the tools and qualities to be called all-powerful. It features a beautiful 4K resolution and supports a wide range of TV apps, a PLEX media server, and a wholesome streaming experience – all in a simple and convenient layout with easy setup and control. Still, we have barely scratched the surface of what this tiny powerhouse is capable of.
Good and Bad of NVidia Shield TV
First, let’s talk about the beneficial aspects of NVidia Shield:
- Complete Android TV, streaming, and gaming – all-in-one platform.
- Supports 4K resolution with a smart AI upscaling feature that turns up a notch on low-quality videos.
- Many free-to-play PC and Android games.
- Built-in Dolby Atmos sound.
Now, let’s come over to the drawbacks of NVidia Shield:
- The first major concerning point of NVidia Shield is that it’s expensive. The top NVidia Shield TV pro is priced at $199.99, which is relatively high compared to other TV boxes with the same specs.
- The complete GeForce Now experience requires a subscription.
- You will need to get an HDMI cable separately, as it’s not included in the box.
NVidia Shield Pro Specifications
Here are the complete specifications of the NVidia Shield TV box:
- Dimensions: 3.858 in. H. – 6.26 in. W. – 1.02 in. D, and weighs 250g.
- Hardware: NVidia Tegra X1+ processor, a 256-core NVidia GPU, and 3 gigs of RAM.
- Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie upgradable to Android 11 Red Velvet Cake with Android TV and built-in Chromecast 4K.
- Audio: High-resolution Dolby Digital, Dolby Plus, and Dolby Atmos sound.
- Video: 4K HDR resolution and AI upscaling for up to 4K 60fps.
- Storage space: 16GB built-in storage, expandable with USB flash or external hard drives.
- Connectivity: 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi bands and Bluetooth 5.0.
- Ports: Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.0b, and 2 USB 3.0 Type-A ports.
- Remote: Shield Remote with microphone, motion-activated backlit buttons, 3-way programmable, remote locator, and included 2x AAA batteries.
How To Setup?
Setting up your NVidia Shield android TV box is convenient and simple. However, after opening the box, it will take about 5-10 minutes to complete the setup.
- First, connect it to your TV set using the HDMI cable
- Connect to the network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable (recommended)
- Set up Google Assistant (optional if you want voice control)
- Download and log in to apps that you like and want (Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and others)
- For Gaming, connect to GeForce now with your subscription and link your Steam account. This will take another 20-30 minutes.
Gaming on NVidia Shield
Although the NVidia Shield cannot perform on the same level as gaming consoles, it can give you a fun time. You can link your Steam account with NVidia Shield and use it to play games on your TV.
Your gaming PC will do the heavy lifting, while the NVidia Shield will help with computing power. You need the GeForce now subscription to download and play games. Many games are available, including Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Far Cry, and many more. GeForce Now has three subscription tiers as follows:
- Free Plan – GTX 1060 or equivalent GPU required, gives Standard access to stream 1hr of games at up to 1080p and 60fps. Free of cost.
- Priority Deal – GTX 1080 or RTX 2080 or equivalent gives priority access to stream 6hrs of games at up to 1080p and 60fps. Costs $9.99/month or $49.99/year.
- High-Performance Package – GTX 3080 or equivalent gives exclusive access to stream 8hrs of games at up to 1440p and 120fps. Costs $99.99/year.
Conclusion
If you are a gaming and television enthusiast, then NVidia Shield is your best bet. After that, only one thing remains, having a decent internet and cable TV connection. For that, if you reside in a state like Virginia, you can easily find a quality ISP, such as AT&T, Verizon or any high speed fiber internet provider (https://www.buytvinternetphone.com/fiber-internet).
All in all, NVidia Shield is an amazing and robust device, capable of both – sitting back and relaxing with ‘Netflix and Chill’ and on the edge of the seat with some quality gaming.
