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.
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webdoctors - Saturday, May 30, 2015 - link
I ordered one. This thing is gonna be great for replacing all the tiny crap I had to keep my PC turned on for. Can install a ftp and media server app, and use a usb 3.0 hub to attach a bunch of HDDs to it. Can stream my media library and maybe even use it for home security surveillance.It seems like a great embedded device for doing a lot of fun things. Hopefully it ain't hard to root and there's a ROM modding community on cyanogen/xda for it soon.
fteoath64 - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
Yeah. Thats the spirit. I am thinking exactly the same thing!. Probably millions of others as well. If a version of Ubuntu gets into this, it is total replacement for Windows in the household!.malooka - Saturday, May 30, 2015 - link
You did not compare the mx2 midnight by matricom and the KODI program for streaming. It has two partitions. One side for the internet and one side for streaming. It is so much better than ROKU.webdoctors - Sunday, May 31, 2015 - link
The mx2 midnight looks pretty useful, assuming full 1080p compatibility with Netflix. I'm surprised anandtech hasn't reviewed that device yet.javishd - Sunday, May 31, 2015 - link
I see it has an IR port? IR blaster hopefully?I didn't see anywhere that was tested in this review.
ganeshts - Sunday, May 31, 2015 - link
It has an IR port for compatibility with Logitech's universal remotes. So, yes, it is there, but it wasn't tested.Udo - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
Doh...I just bought this and it is currently being shipped to me via Amazon US to Canada.I wanted a more well rounded video system that was fast, supported voice etc and could play some games when needed.
So is my WDTV Live still a better player overall with
Video:
WMV9, AVI (MPEG1/2/4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), MOV (MPEG4, H.264), M2TS, TP, TS, MOV/MP4 (MPEG4, h.264), DVR-MS, VOB (unprotected or unencrypted)
Audio:
MP3, WMA, MPA, M4A, MP4A, OGG, WAV/PCM/LPCM, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, AIF/AIFF, MKA
If so, after shipping, taxes, and the remote $366 might have been a mistake.
fteoath64 - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
How could that be a mistake ?. Us prices are as such. It will blow away your WD Live and relegate it to be a USB disk which is not bad really. Think about it, Maxwell based X1 is just amazing.Udo - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
Oh for sure. My point was the lack of playback support due to codec licensing constraints is all, not performance.That would be night and day.
Nehemoth - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
Not really, I've recently did the same convertion and has been awesome, of course, I did it recently and you did a year ago.Actually, I'm guessing you had plenty of fun with every new update with the Shield.
Just grabbed the Shield and an Extra Controller on Amazon Prime Day for 199, Even sold the controller to a friend who has a Shield Tablet for US50, so my final price would be 100.
Great deal.