The only exception I found was an inability to search for images from the web. It’ll answer questions, command smart home devices, stream footage from smart cameras and hundreds of other things. Ask it for the weather and you’ll get the forecast with visual cards. Ask it how to get to work and it’ll give you the current state of traffic or transport and a small map. Then there are all the standard Assistant functions. Ask Assistant to play Lost in Space and it will offer to play it via Netflix or Google Play Movies. You can launch apps, adjust the volume or search for shows, movies or tracks via voice. You can control playback in apps, such as playing, pausing or skipping to the next track in Spotify or even a particular time in a song, movie or TV show. Press and hold the mic button on the remote to talk to Assistant. Google Assistant is built into Android TV and works like a cross between an Android phone and a smart display such as the Nest Hub Max. Press and hold the mic button on the remote to talk to Google Assistant. You’ll need a controller for games, and while Nvidia sells one, you can use any Xbox or PlayStation joypad that supports Bluetooth. The apps are routinely updated too, meaning they continue to work, unlike some other platforms, which combined with Nvidia’s long support means you get a streaming box that should stand the test of time.Īlongside direct app support, the Shield TV has Chromecast 4K support built in, which means any app that can be cast from your Android or iPhone, tablet or even computer can be sent to your screen wirelessly, which includes BT Sport but not Apple TV.Īpps other than TV and video streaming services are also available, including Android games and Nvidia’s GeForce Now game-streaming service, which has both paid and free tiers of PC games and works surprisingly well. Plex Media Server support is limited to the Pro model of Shield TV. Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5 and Spotify are available, with the two notable exceptions being BT Sport (although BT TV is available) and the Apple TV app. One of the biggest advantages Android TV has compared to other systems built into TVs is the wide app support from most of the major UK and US streaming services. The tube has an HDMI socket and microSD card slot in one end. There’s even a dedicated Netflix button for jumping straight in. Holding the back button brings up quick access to the settings menu, while the menu button in the top right can be customised to launch particular apps, settings or functions. Holding the home button pops up a quick access a list of apps, while double-pressing home takes you to recently used apps like on a smartphone or tablet. Getting around the interface is straightforward with the home, back and up, down, left and right buttons in a ring around the select button. On the Shield TV it’s fast and easy to navigate in a way it often isn’t on smart TVs. Google’s Android TV platform is a fairly simple system based on apps and a customisable carousel layout that highlights content from certain apps. The Shield TV has is the standard, customisable Android TV interface, without adverts, with a few Nvidia additions for things such as the AI upscaling, GeForce Now game streaming and accessory updates. SpecificationsĬonnectivity: wifi ac, Bluetooth 5, gigabit ethernet, HDMI 2.0b (HDCP2.2), 2x USB 3.0 (Pro only)įormat support: up to 4K 60Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Digital Plus, DTS-Xĭimensions: 40mm diameter, 165mm length or 98 x 159 x 259.3mm The remote communicates with the Shield TV via Bluetooth and has an IR blaster in the end for controlling the volume on your TV, amp or soundbar. The shape may seem odd but it’s designed to prevent it slipping down the side or backs of sofas, and it works. Instead of being a thin, touch-sensitive remote, the new version has a triangular profile, takes two standard AAA batteries including rechargeables, has a good weight to it and an assortment of buttons that are backlit when the remote is picked up, including dedicated pause and volume buttons. The idea is you hide this small tube behind your TV in series with the cable without taking up any significant space. The standard Shield TV is not a box but a small tube with a power cable and ethernet socket in one end and an HDMI socket and microSD card slot in the other. The triangular remote looks odd at first glance, but works really well and won’t slip around or get lost down the side of the sofa.
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