The Nvidia Shield Console is one of the most hotly anticipated Android TV units out there. The build up to launch has become palpable, with Nvidia teasing the launch on their social media channels, and more importantly advertising the absolute heck out of it on the street corners around Google I/O this week. The wait is however over, with Nvidia today launching the console in the US.
The Nvidia Shield Console is available in two models, with the 16GB priced at US$199 and the 500GB ‘Pro’ version priced at US$299. The console, in both models comes with a controller and a remote control, making it a very premium model, at least when compared to the Nexus Player.
Spec wise, the Shield Console hits all the right notes, with a heap of top line hardware under that sleek black hood:
- NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor
with 3 GB RAM - 256-core NVIDIA Maxwell™ GPU
- 3GB RAM
- 16GB on-board storage with microSD Card Slot
- 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.1/BLE - Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, Two USB 3.0 (Type A), Micro-USB 2.0, IR receiver (compatible with Logitech Harmony)
- Video:
- 4K Ultra-HD ready with 4K playback and capture up to 60 fps (VP9, H265, H264)
- Audio:
- 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound pass through over HDMI
- High-resolution audio up-sample to 24-bit/192 kHz over USB
- High-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz over HDMI and USB
- 130x210x25mm @ 645 grams
- Android TV™, Google Cast™ Ready
- Includes Plex pre-installed
- 40W power adapter
While the street corners around Google I/O are covered in posters advertising the Shield Console, inside Moscone West, the Shield Console is also turning heads in the Android TV display setups and breakout areas inside Google I/O.
It’s actually hard to get a go on the Shield Console – they’re that popular, but just watching the games being played – it’s promising, with no lag or stutter when the 3D games start playing and getting into high gear, something the lower priced and specced Nexus Player can’t claim.
Best Buy and Amazon, as well as Nvidia’s own website are selling the Shield Console, but Best Buy and Nvidia don’t sell to anyone outside the US, but, Amazon appear to be quite happy to ship a Shield Console to your door.
The console is up for sale right now on Amazon – though the 500GB version doesn’t ship till June 12th. If you like the look of it you can head over and check it out and maybe jump on that sale if you’ve been waiting.
