NVIDIA Shield TV console focuses on streaming and AI

Posted on Thursday, January 05 2017 @ 10:32 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
NVIDIA logo
As expected, NVIDIA showcased its new Shield TV console at CES 2017. The company is not going the traditional route and firmly markets the Shield TV as world's most advanced streamer. The device is capable of streaming 4K and 4K HDR content from a variety of services like Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and VUDU, and also uses streaming to offer gamers high-quality AAA games on this Android 7.0 based box. Furthermore, NVIDIA will also be expanding the Shield TV's capabilities with AI features like Google Assistant integration and SmartThings Hub support.

Shield TV is available for pre-order and will ship later this month for $199.99, this will include the console with 16GB storage, a controller and a remote. A Shield Pro will also arrive later this month, this $299.99 version also has a remote with headset jack, Plex Media Server preinstalled, and 500GB of storage.

Both models are based on the NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC and have 3GB memory The Shield TV has WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports, micro-USB port, HDMI 2.0b and a microSD memory card slot. Furthermore, NVIDIA will be offering a SPOT mic accessory for $49.99, this can be used for voice recognition apps like the Google Assistant. The SPOT plugs right into a wall socket, you can connect multiple units to a Shield so you can have smart functionality all around your home.



NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) today unveiled the new NVIDIA® SHIELD™ TV -- an Android open-platform media streamer built on bleeding-edge visual computing technology that delivers unmatched experiences in streaming, gaming and AI.

Sporting a sleek, new design and now shipping with both a remote and a game controller, SHIELD provides the best, most complete entertainment experience in the living room.

"NVIDIA's rich heritage in visual computing and deep learning has enabled us to create this revolutionary device," said Jen-Hsun Huang, founder and chief executive officer of NVIDIA, who revealed SHIELD during his opening keynote address at CES.

"SHIELD TV is the world's most advanced streamer. Its brilliant 4K HDR quality, hallmark NVIDIA gaming performance and broad access to media content will bring families hours of joy. And with SHIELD's new AI home capability, we can control and interact with content through the magic of artificial intelligence from anywhere in the house," he said.

Highest Performance, 4K HDR Media Streamer
The new SHIELD delivers the richest visual experience with support for 4K HDR and 3x the performance of any other streamer on the market. With the addition of Amazon Video in 4K HDR, SHIELD offers the largest, most open catalog of media in stunning 4K -- also supporting Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies(1) and VUDU.

YouTube's flagship TV app will also be available for SHIELD in the coming months, delivering immersive, 360-degree viewing experiences.

Amazing Games
SHIELD TV stands alone among media streamers, with the widest range of gaming capabilities and richest assortment of game content. Its library of games has been expanded to thousands of titles, with the ability coming soon to stream Ubisoft's catalog of hits, including Watch Dogs 2, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, For Honor and countless others. New Ubisoft games will also be available, simultaneous with their PC release.

SHIELD continues to add hit franchises to the platform natively. Upcoming games include The Witness, Tomb Raider and Shadowgun Legends.

AI in the Home
In the coming months, SHIELD TV will be expanded with a series of AI capabilities that transforms home entertainment:

  • First hands-free Google Assistant integration on TV. Google has optimized the Assistant experience on TV by having the home's largest screen show visual answers in addition to an audio reply. Use voice commands to replace clicking a remote for finding content, pausing, fast-forwarding or rewinding. Plus, Google Assistant can help better find content and answer questions.
  • SmartThings Hub technology integration, instantly turning SHIELD into a smart home hub that can connect to hundreds of smart home devices.
  • NVIDIA SPOT™, an AI mic accessory that makes SHIELD the central backbone of the AI home, extending intelligent control throughout the house.

    Support for SHIELD
    "We're excited to be part of the new SHIELD TV, powered by the Android TV platform," said Sascha Prueter, director of Android TV at Google. "When the Google Assistant comes to Android TV in the coming months, SHIELD users will be able to enjoy a hands-free Android TV experience through 'Ok Google' voice commands."

    Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, said, "By seamlessly integrating great gaming, rich media content and AI, NVIDIA has established a whole new standard for streamers. With its broad mix of services and immaculate execution, SHIELD represents the future of home entertainment."

    Pricing and Availability
    SHIELD TV is available for pre-order now and will ship in the United States, Canada and select European regions later this month for $199.99, including controller and remote. SHIELD Pro will also be available later this month with controller, remote with headset jack and 500GB of storage. A separate version of SHIELD, with custom software optimized for China, will be available later this year. The NVIDIA SPOT mic accessory for SHIELD will sell for $49.99.

    Features announced for the new SHIELD TV will come to current SHIELD devices through an over-the-air software upgrade, available in January.


  • About the Author

    Thomas De Maesschalck

    Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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