At the GDC 2015 event, NVIDIA took the wraps off the latest member in the SHIELD lineup. This time the device is a set-top box based on Android. NVIDIA has added a twist to its Android TV by adding the support for native 4K video signals at 60 Hz and NVIDIA GRID game streaming technology as well.
The SHIELD set-top box is based on Tegra X1 ARM SoC that is teamed up with 256 core Maxwell graphics card and 3 GB of RAM. The device also provides access to all the Google applications including the Android app store, Play Store. The SHIELD comes with an optional remote that has a dedicated voice search button as well and it is claimed that it will render hours of fun. This remote will be available separately and its pricing remains unknown for now.
The SHIELD is a ‘Made to Game’ deice that will function with the existing SHIELD controller. NVIDIA is in plans to curate the best Android games in the SHIELD store as well. Some of the games include the versions of new Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Doom 3 BFG Edition for SHIELD and Crysis 3. While these will be local games, the SHIELD will support games that in the cloud as well.
Talking about the NVIDIA GRID, the game streaming technology, it will support Full HD 1080p streaming at 60 fps on fast connections. Notably, the existing GRID service is capable of streaming only HD 720p games at 30 fps. As per NVIDIA, the latency at 1080p is around 150 ms.
The GRID will be made available in two subscription flavors such as basic with HD 720p and premium with Full HD 1080p streaming modes. The subscriptions will come with a game library as well.
SHIELD will be made available in the United States in May for a pricing of $199. It comes along with the SHIELD game controlled as well. This set-top box from NVIDIA will become the best Android TV for the gaming enthusiasts.
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