The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Review: A Premium 4K Set Top Box
by Ganesh T S on May 28, 2015 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Media Streamer
- Home Theater
- TV
- 4K
- Shield
- NVIDIA
Netflix in 4K and HEVC Decode
The NVIDIA SHIELD is currently the only Netflix 4K-certified set-top box in the market. This certification involves two important requirements:
- Presence of a HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP 2.2 capability
- Presence of a hardware decoder for HEVC Main and Main10 profiles
NVIDIA was the first in the PC space to bring HDMI 2.0 together with HDCP 2.2 support as well as a hardware decoder for HEVC in the GTX 960. They are also extending this lead to the SoC space with the Tegra X1. Thus, the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV has turned out to be the first set-top box to meet Netflix's criteria for 4K certification.
The UltraHD-capable Netflix streaming plan is the highest-end one, coming in at $11.99 per month before taxes. If the SHIELD is connected to a HDMI 2.0 4Kp60 sink supporting HDCP 2.2 and the Netflix account is on a supported plan, the Netflix app's UI presents a row of Ultra HD 4K streams in addition to the generic categories. We tested out Netflix 4K on a Samsung HU6950 without an AV receiver inbetween.
Netflix has a special test stream that shows the characteristics of the currently playing stream. As expected, the SHIELD had no trouble in getting to the 4K encode.
In the adaptive streaming process, we came across a host of different encodes. They are listed in the gallery below.
Regular readers of our HTPC reviews might remember that the Windows 8.1 Netflix app tops out with a 5.8 Mbps 1080p H.264 stream. On devices with HEVC support, it appears that this is replaced by a 5.16 Mbps HEVC Main10 stream at the same resolution. There is also a higher bit-rate version (6.96 Mbps) with similar characteristics. Beyond that, we have the 4K stream at 9.6 Mbps. Unfortunately, we don't know the exact characteristics of the encode, but, based on the immediately preceding lower bit-rate streams, it is probably a HEVC Main10 encode too.
The Netflix app gives us an indication that the SHIELD has no trouble with HEVC. In order to confirm this, we put our HEVC test suite through Android's native Video Player.
The video shows perfect playback of 4Kp24, 4Kp25 and 4Kp30 HEVC Main and Main10 profile streams. For 4Kp60, we only have Main profile videos, and the SHIELD has no trouble with that.
On one hand, it is nice to see the SHIELD Android TV's 4K Netflix capabilities as well as support for high frame-rate HEVC playback in a power-efficient system. Though the 4K TV adoption rate is still very low - it's the start of what will be a long process - of anything and everything NVIDIA needed to do to secure their spot as the set top box to have for 4K TVs, getting Netflix 4K support in place is it.
On the other hand, it also reminds us of the sorry state of HTPCs with respect to HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2 and HEVC playback. For enthusiasts, it is imperative that PCs catch up soon, given that local media streaming is not a focus point for the SHIELD.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
167 Comments
View All Comments
ganeshts - Saturday, May 30, 2015 - link
It plays perfectly! As in, the audio seems to start a bit before the video starts, but when the pianist and the accompanying people start to speak, the audio and video are in sync.This was with the native Android Video Player
frankiepoon - Saturday, May 30, 2015 - link
Thx a lot, I will buy one then!OrphanageExplosion - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Android gaming just doesn't really work. The frame-pacing on every non-60fps title I've played is all over the place. So much judder :/AgeOfPanic - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Just wanted to complement you on the review. Somehow this site almost always manages to answer all the questions I have about a product I'm interested in. For me the current lack of refresh rate switching and bitstreaming of HD audio means that I'll pass for now, but I will follow the developments. I'm a little pessimistic, because the focus here is on streaming video and not HTPC use and there the lack of these features is less of a deal breaker.ruthan - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Yes, there is few design flaws and price for 500 GB model is too high, but it looks like best android gaming console without real competitor.fteoath64 - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
Get the 16GB model and stick your own USB disk into it!. Solved.robertjan88 - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
So, just to double check, file types like MKV, MP4 etc are fully supported for playback from an external HDD or SD-card? And x264 MKV?They're only listing H264 and 265, but no clue what the types are. :(
And what about the audio? Normal stereo, 5.1 and PCM are supported?
Many thanks for the feedback!
jwcalla - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
As far as I know, container types have never been restricted on Android. It usually comes down to whether the software (app) supports them.BrokenCrayons - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Is there really that much of a market for non-mobile devices like this? I admit I don't know much about Android TV, but I guess if it supports a wireless keyboard and touchpad as well as letting you download an office suite it'd be somewhat flexible, but you still can't easily pick it up and take it with you to your couch or go to a coffee shop and use it to write while you're getting away from your apartment so it strikes me as extremely redundant with a tablet and even less useful in light of the fact that x86 Windows operating systems are now available on a tablet for lower cost than this screenless and batteryless device. Sure it's faster, but most of that performance is invested in graphical capabilities that aren't very important when you're playing a quick YouTube video, sending an e-mail, or writing something in a word processor. Plus, you have to also buy a screen for it which drives up the purchase price significantly since even a 15 inch screen would add another $100 or more.jwcalla - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
You use a tablet as an HTPC?I don't think this device is intended for sending e-mails or writing documents.