Another stupid, heavy-handed name... Everyone will just call it Shield. Might as well call it the SHIELD Android TV Streaming And Video Game Playing Device.
Honestly, while all the SHIELD products look amazing, I still have no clue what the line as a whole is supposed to be. Wish they could do a handheld, tablet and console (Nvidia can call it an Android TV, but, it's been pushed as a console would be so far) every generation.
I'm waiting for an update to the original. Same size, less bezel, don't make the resolution to crazy (aka, 1080p non-pentile should be fine)
A portable android device that can stream games and videos from a GTX equipped PC.
So, basically, it replaces the HTPC in its entirety and you don't have to maintain two computers or split money between two computers. Instead you just buy one really good GTX equipped PC and then some shield device if you want to expand it to another room.
It can't fully replace the HTPC yet, not without CableCard support for those that use it but it is getting closer with the Silicon Dust kickstarter.
There's also some new compelling options that rival this in the HTPC space though, like the $400 Alienware Alpha with its own 2GB Nvidia 860M+ dGPU. Have to add some money to get it to Pro and WMC capable, but its a fine device that can do more than this Shield Console TV.
Does this device do that (extend PC games to another room)? It would be a big selling point for me. I know the Shield tablets do this, but I haven't been able to find anything from Nvidia that says this Shield Android TV will perform this function.
Yeah, agreed. I think this branding will just confuse the market but it is obvious Nvidia thinks their best shot at market adoption will be in the Android TV market (I am not so sure about this).
Otherwise, they are clearly taking a shotgun approach to what this device can do because there really is no clear market or purpose for this device. It basically dabbles in 6 different niche/emerging/prospective markets at once.
One interesting new development in their favor however is the new Silicon Dust HD HomeRun DVR project. If they could substitute and eliminate the need for Windows Media Center for a CableCard-based HTPC, that would be a huge plus mark for my personal usage patterns.
The console business is very hard to break into but the 4K TV market is wide open for new players to build a customer base. The widget is the same but the opportunity is different.
They need to work hand in hand with Valve to bring an Steam Client to Android, even if it is only for Tegra devices where game ports are very easy because they support full Open GL.
Yeah, but why? Tegra graphics aren't that good, to begin with, and a GTX card streaming with NVENC will do the job better. Valve/nvidia have been pushing their in-home streaming for quite some time now, and SHIELD fits in exactly with what they're doing.
I think this makes an interesting TV/ multimedia Android box, but not too certain about its future as a gaming console. Its definitely got the graphic muscle, but Android is still not quite the ecosystem for serious gamer. At least not at this point in time.
That's exactly why I will buy one. I want an Android based media box. I looked at other cheaper offerings but this seem to have the best hardware to date and the gaming part is just a bonus. This is $60 box more then a Probox2 EX but the beefed-up processor, memory and WiFi + TV friendly OS and navigation justify that in my opinion.
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ChefJeff789 - Thursday, April 23, 2015 - link
Another stupid, heavy-handed name... Everyone will just call it Shield. Might as well call it the SHIELD Android TV Streaming And Video Game Playing Device.Mark_gb - Thursday, April 23, 2015 - link
SHIELD Android Digital Television Streaming and Video and Game Entertainment Playing Contraption.SAD TV SAVAGE PC.
FightApathy - Monday, April 27, 2015 - link
"Contraption"My sides...
lazarpandar - Thursday, April 23, 2015 - link
should have just been Shield TVchizow - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Yeah that would have been better, or something likeShield PLEX
Shield Home
etc.
testbug00 - Thursday, April 23, 2015 - link
Honestly, while all the SHIELD products look amazing, I still have no clue what the line as a whole is supposed to be. Wish they could do a handheld, tablet and console (Nvidia can call it an Android TV, but, it's been pushed as a console would be so far) every generation.I'm waiting for an update to the original. Same size, less bezel, don't make the resolution to crazy (aka, 1080p non-pentile should be fine)
meacupla - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
A portable android device that can stream games and videos from a GTX equipped PC.So, basically, it replaces the HTPC in its entirety and you don't have to maintain two computers or split money between two computers. Instead you just buy one really good GTX equipped PC and then some shield device if you want to expand it to another room.
testbug00 - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
This Console... I mean Tv is portable? If they'd stuck with it being a tablet/handheld I would agree.chizow - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
It can't fully replace the HTPC yet, not without CableCard support for those that use it but it is getting closer with the Silicon Dust kickstarter.There's also some new compelling options that rival this in the HTPC space though, like the $400 Alienware Alpha with its own 2GB Nvidia 860M+ dGPU. Have to add some money to get it to Pro and WMC capable, but its a fine device that can do more than this Shield Console TV.
maglito - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Can that device do HDMI 2.0 18Gbps?Scribe42 - Sunday, April 26, 2015 - link
Does this device do that (extend PC games to another room)? It would be a big selling point for me. I know the Shield tablets do this, but I haven't been able to find anything from Nvidia that says this Shield Android TV will perform this function.chizow - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Yeah, agreed. I think this branding will just confuse the market but it is obvious Nvidia thinks their best shot at market adoption will be in the Android TV market (I am not so sure about this).Otherwise, they are clearly taking a shotgun approach to what this device can do because there really is no clear market or purpose for this device. It basically dabbles in 6 different niche/emerging/prospective markets at once.
One interesting new development in their favor however is the new Silicon Dust HD HomeRun DVR project. If they could substitute and eliminate the need for Windows Media Center for a CableCard-based HTPC, that would be a huge plus mark for my personal usage patterns.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1275320038/hd...
keitaro - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Could be worse... could've named it Some Huge Internet Electronic Lagging Device.epobirs - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
The console business is very hard to break into but the 4K TV market is wide open for new players to build a customer base. The widget is the same but the opportunity is different.Marc GP - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
They need to work hand in hand with Valve to bring an Steam Client to Android, even if it is only for Tegra devices where game ports are very easy because they support full Open GL.meacupla - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Yeah, but why? Tegra graphics aren't that good, to begin with, and a GTX card streaming with NVENC will do the job better.Valve/nvidia have been pushing their in-home streaming for quite some time now, and SHIELD fits in exactly with what they're doing.
vanotter - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
Preventive strike against updated Apple TV.watzupken - Friday, April 24, 2015 - link
I think this makes an interesting TV/ multimedia Android box, but not too certain about its future as a gaming console. Its definitely got the graphic muscle, but Android is still not quite the ecosystem for serious gamer. At least not at this point in time.MrSparky - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - link
That's exactly why I will buy one. I want an Android based media box. I looked at other cheaper offerings but this seem to have the best hardware to date and the gaming part is just a bonus. This is $60 box more then a Probox2 EX but the beefed-up processor, memory and WiFi + TV friendly OS and navigation justify that in my opinion.