Finally. I've waited for this device for years. Every time Apple or Amazon or Roku release a new device I cross my fingers it checks all the boxes, and they never have, not even past Nvidia devices - until now. There is always one feature missing, at least.
The new Nvidia Shield finally solves the problems that kept them, In my opinion, from making it the perfect streaming box until now.
The primary issues I always had with the previous versions have finally been fixed.
I'm not going to review the software... you either like Android TV or not, I don't feel like I need to get into that. This is simply about the hardware.
The number one thing, the remote. My goodness, why did it take so long for someone to make a good remote for a set top box? The Apple TV remote is easily the worst that has ever been made, and while others make usable remotes they still aren't great. Nvidia gets the remote right here, really right. While at first glance the triangle design may seem odd, once you hold it in your hand you realize the benefit of this shape. It feels really good in the hand. It's comfortable to hold. It's hefty and feels well made without being too heavy. The button feel is really nice. The back-light is fantastic. And, finally, power and volume buttons which didn't even take any setup to get working on my LG OLED and Sonos Playbar. It just worked. It's a GREAT remote and if you're just using a TV and the Shield it's the only remote you will need. It has CEC of course, you can use your TV remote... if you really wanted too...
Secondly, they finally added Dolby Vision. Why on earth did this take so long??? For whatever reason, it's finally here. FINALLY.
I was always a fan of the previous Shield but stopped using it a couple of years ago. The incredibly stupid remote and lack of Dolby Vision kept it collecting dust in my closet even though I liked the speed and features. The old Android interface was never great either but since the past few updates to Android TV it's now pretty good.
And finally, the form factor. Man, what a stupid looking device until now. It's like a bunch of people got together and asked themselves how they could design the most ridiculous thing to sit under a TV. The 'pro' version still looks the same, but the smaller version is finally something sensible. Like the remote at first glance it may look a bit silly... but if you think about it, and use it, it's a genius form factor. Rather than a stick or a dongle or something that needs to hang down, sit under, stick out, be mounted etc., it's perfectly designed to plug into your HDMI on one end and power on the other, and hang perfectly behind your TV. It's really smart design, just like the remote. I predict you're going to see companies following this design... once you see it you think 'why didn't someone do this before???'. It just makes sense. It just works.
Everything about the new Shield looks like a gimmick. The odd shape of the device, the odd shape of the remote. It's not. They actually made something that makes sense and is very nice to use. Finally, someone has.
| Brand Name | NVIDIA |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 13.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 6.5 x 1.57 x 1.57 inches |
| Item model number | 945-13430-2500-000 |
| Batteries | 2 AAA batteries required. |
